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EnginePart report

2008 Chevrolet Suburban Engine Problems

Complaints
25about this part
Share
12%of 213 total for the year
Median mileage
125,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban, 12% of the 213 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving my vehicle several days after having a routine oil change and the vehicle started to slow down. I took my car in to be checked out and was told that I need a new engine, the truck has a loss of power due to the stabilizing trak issue. After reading all the complaints online this seems to be a problem which needs to be addressed by chevy.”

NHTSA complaint #10897270, filed 2016-08, 145,000 miles

“My 2008 Suburban started burning a tremendous amount of oil. Seems like I was continuously adding oil. Raised the issue with the dealer, who indicated it was a common problem but probably not worth the expense of fixing if I could keep checking the oil. This advice was also based on the fact that all my maintenance has been performed at this dealer, so they know the vehicle well. The last week in january was very busy and saw me driving about 100 miles a day. …”

NHTSA complaint #10564785, filed 2014-02, 125,000 miles

“My 2008 chevy Suburban with 94,000 miles stalled while in traffic traveling at about 20 MPH without warning. I luckily was able to coast it to the side of the road and after letting it sit for a short time it did restart again but only to stall again after the car ran for another 5 minutes again traveling at about 20 MPH. I had it towed to my dealership and have been told that my crankshaft position sensor has failed. While my VIN and year is not covered, there is an active recall on this condition (GM recall no. 06083.). …”

NHTSA complaint #10683694, filed 2015-02, 94,000 miles

“Apparently there was a technical bulletin issued for this truck. The special warranty was for 120,000 or year 2018. In 2015 I disputed the engine failure and also the oil consumption and the#7 cylinder. My truck was at 170,000 miles and GM refused to pay for the repair. On august 20, 2016, my truck was having the same problems. I returned it back to the same dealer and they said it was the same problem again, this repair was performed less than a year. I called GM again and they refused to make the dealership warranty the repair from last year. …”

NHTSA complaint #10904779, filed 2016-09, 199,000 miles

“2008 Suburban 135k. Vehicle has been running well, all routine maintenance was done. Without any warning the vehicle was 3 quarts low on oil. Dealer checked engine told new engine needed. I was told a common problem further investigation I noted far to many similar complaints. This seems to be a defect in engine design. It should not require deaths before this issue is investigated. Like so many others repair cost is an unexpected burden. Gm response the vehicle high mileage and age are a factor. This problem has affected vehicles with a rang of miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10824881, filed 2016-02, 135,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20242453%
20236953%
20226250%
20219044%
20201739%
20192633%
20181923%
20172618%
20162712%
2015399%
201412%
20131614%
20121212%
2011107%
201065%
2009109%
20082512%
2007279%
200565%
200463%
200341%
200221%
200172%
200010%
199920%
199710%
199410%

Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban

Air bags
96 complaints
Other or unknown
41 complaints
Body and structure
30 complaints
Electrical system
22 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
20 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology