2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid most often describe engine stalling, jerking or unexpected acceleration, and brakes that lose pressure or fail to respond. Door lock and actuator failures, delayed Takata airbag recall repairs, and electric power steering assist problems also come up regularly in the complaints. Reports span a wide mileage range, from about 5,000 to about 198,000 miles, and many describe symptoms that came on without warning, while door lock problems are sometimes described as intermittent.

1. 1
   Engine

   Stalling, jerking or unexpected acceleration

   • 13 complaints (22%)
   • median 117,475 mi at 8.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2019

   Owners describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes when pulling away from a stop, and often without warning. Others report jerking or lurching at low speed, a throttle that does not respond for a period and then acts on earlier input, or the vehicle speeding up without pedal input. Several complaints say the dealer could not diagnose the problem or could not repeat it during testing. Reported from about 48,000 to 162,000 miles, and many were at 100,000 miles or more.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, try stops, pull-aways and light throttle changes, and watch for check-engine or hybrid warning lights. Ask for repair records for the engine, throttle and hybrid system, including any stalling or shutdown repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My complaint towards my 2008 chevy Tahoe Hybrid is while driving my trucks stalls, twice already while driving off a parking lot onto the street it has shut off on me. Is getting to a point that I am afraid to drive it, I took it to the chevy place they kept it for 8-10 through 8/17, pick it up and the very next day the truck began stalling, dropped it off on a monday 8/21, called the service department on friday 8/25 and they said they can't fix it but they are going to keep it over the weekend to see what they can do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11019921, filed 2017-08, 131,116 miles

   “I had a check engine light on a 2008 chevy Tahoe Hybrid. I was on the way to the dealer when the engine moved to almost wide open throttle. I tried to stop the vehicle with the brakes but the power of the vehicle was too much. I moved into the center turn lane to not hit anyone and put the vehicle in neutral. The throttle was still almost wot. I was less than a half mile from the dealer when this occured. The vehicle lurched into the dealership parking lot with the smell of burning brakes. I asked the technician to come outside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10332644, filed 2010-05, 48,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes lose pressure or fail to respond

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2016

   Owners describe the brake pedal going nearly to the floor, feeling soft, or giving little response, sometimes at low speed or while approaching an intersection. Some report vibration or lockup beforehand, along with warning lights for ABS, traction control or the brake system. According to complaints, the dealer reset or reprogrammed brake modules in some cases, said a master cylinder or brake control module needed replacing in others, and in another case said power assist can fail when the hybrid battery loses power. Reported from about 5,000 to 160,000 miles, and several were at 100,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Ask whether any brake module, master cylinder or software reprogramming was done, and whether the ABS or brake warning lights were checked. On a test drive, check the pedal feel from a stop and at speed, and confirm the brake warning lights stay off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When pushing the brake pedal the vehicle started to shake/vibrate as if the ABS was activated when I got to work, and even when place the vehicle in to park and pushed the brake pedal the same vibration happened. I rushed to the dealership had to drive on hwy to get there kept at min speeds as possible and not using brakes at all. While approaching an exit ramp, I applied my brakes they locked up ( it really scared me) then the ABS vibrating came back again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10610470, filed 2014-07, 117,000 miles

   “While approaching an intersection with vehicles approaching from several directions, I applied my brakes but found I had none. Fortunately, the other cars noted my situation and stopped for me. There was a GM dealer one block away, so I slowly drove there. I turned off the ignition. I re-started the vehicle and found I had brakes again. I slowly drove to village Chevrolet which was not far away. I was told the ebcm and bpmv were not builing pressure for the booster. They serviced and reprogrammed and delivered the vehicle the next day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10497932, filed 2013-02, 117,270 miles
3. 3
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Door locks and actuators fail to lock or unlock

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe power door locks that stop locking or unlocking, in some cases from the button or the remote, and a rear hatch that will not open or unlock. Several describe these problems as intermittent, and a complaint describes a rear door opening while the vehicle was moving. Some complaints say the dealer suggested or replaced door actuators, and an owner reported that front door actuators also failed after a rear one was replaced. Reported from about 35,000 to 155,000 miles, and some describe failures that came and went.

   What to check: Test each door, the rear hatch, and both the button and remote locks, and ask whether the door actuators or wiring have been repaired. Check service records for door actuator replacements and whether the problem returned afterward.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2008 chevy Tahoe Hybrid. About 3 mths ago the doors quit locking from time to time. I looked it up online and read hundreds of complaints about the exact same problem. On my truck it rotates from door to door which ones that will not lock. I called the repair shop and for them to fix one door they quoted $350. During my reading online someone stated that GM actually know the problem and it has to do with the wiring harness not the actual doors. Getting the actuators on the doors fixed is only a temporary fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10360496, filed 2010-10, 42,000 miles

   “Rear door locks (actuators) stopped working. First passenger rear lock failed to open or close. This happened after warranty coverage had ended. After some research I have found out that this is a widespread GM issue especially with 2008-09 GM SUV type of vehicles. My understanding is that the actuator motor fails. It is also my understanding that this electrical failure is due to a very inexpensive electrical actuator is used for the locking mechanism. This is a real safety issue and I am wondering when GM will be held accountable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10556758, filed 2013-12, 40,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Takata airbag recall repair waiting for parts

   • 15 complaints (26%)
   • median 116,000 mi at 8.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe Takata airbag recall repairs they could not schedule because replacement parts were unavailable, in some cases for months. Some say the dealer gave no repair date, and another owner reports that a dealer declined a trade-in while the recall was open. Other owners say the recall lookup showed the remedy as not yet available, and a complaint describes an airbag warning light that prevented passing a state inspection. Where mileage is given, it falls between about 89,000 and 120,000 miles, and some owners had not experienced a failure.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look up the VIN in the NHTSA recall lookup and ask the dealer whether the Takata airbag recall repair has been completed. If the repair is still pending, ask for the parts status and a confirmed repair date before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall- this recall states that there is a defect with the air bags and my repair air bag light is on and I can't get my car to pass the yearly pennsylvania car inspection. I'm going to continue being stopped by the police and given a 50 dollar no inspection ticket until I can get this repair airbag light off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10910684, filed 2016-09, 115,000 miles

   “'takata recall -- vehicle is 8 years old. Should be on top of recall list. Although not consistent throughout the year, periods of hot and humid weather exists where I live; this condition, as stated in the recall, can add to the increase degrade of airbag. I have learn that if vehicle is over 6 years, our vehicle should be a priority for replacement or repair. Recall is almost 8 months old. Repair should exists by now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10945557, filed 2017-01
5. 5
   Steering

   Electric power steering assist loss or hard steering

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 141,000 mi at 9.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2019

   Owners describe electric power steering that fails suddenly, in some cases without warning, leaving the wheel very hard to turn. Other complaints describe the wheel staying turned after a turn instead of returning to center, and a complaint reports a steering assist motor shaft breaking off. An owner says other GM vehicles with electric power steering have service notices, but none could be found for this vehicle. Reported from about 54,500 to 198,000 miles, and some describe the assist failing without warning.

   What to check: On a test drive, make tight low-speed turns and check that the steering feels consistent and returns toward center. Ask whether the power steering module or assist motor has been replaced, and whether any electric steering service bulletin was applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sudden failure of electric power steering motor. No warning, no alarms, while driving. Luckily happened at slow speed and no accident occurred....but could have. Post incident I could not find a recall notice or TSB for my vehicle, yet other GM vehicles with electric power steering have notices. The Tahoe Hybrid should have one.”

   NHTSA complaint #10986032, filed 2017-05, 198,000 miles

   “While driving the vehicle, any slight turn of the wheel stays in rather than tracking back to center. I have been told this is normal for the electric assisted power steering, however I have not noticed it in other electric vehicles. It presents a serious hazard as most if not all drivers are accustomed to a steering wheel which tracks back to center when the steering wheel is bumped slightly or when making a full turn as in intersection turns. The wheel in a 90 degree turn will begin to track back to center but stops short of it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10432384, filed 2011-10, 54,500 miles

Buying note. Before buying, check the recall status for the airbags and ask for service records covering brakes, door locks, and any stalling or drive-system repairs. A test drive that includes stops, pull-aways, and door lock operation can help show whether these symptoms are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 56 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.