2008 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 586 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 7 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Campaign 21V052000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 5, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Campaign 21V050000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemJun 4, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Campaign 10V240000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemAug 28, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Campaign 08V441000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
84 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 24, 2012
5/31/2011 DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED, DOOR WOULD AND ALARM WOULD NOT SET. FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. REAR LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT FAILED WITHIN A YEAR. BOTH WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE OUT OF WARRANTY AT 45000 MILES, APPROX. OCTOBER 23 2012, REAR RIGHT LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED. NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WAS NOT WORKING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND DRIVEN WITH THE DOOR UNLOCKED, UNKNOWN TO ME. I FIND THIS TO BE A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION, AND WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE I'M SURPRISED NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THEFTS, KIDS OPENING MOVING VEHICLE DOOR, CARJACKING ARE ALL THINGS THAT COME TO MIND. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE, AND NOT ISOLATED TO JUST A FEW VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Sep 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOOR HANDLES DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOORS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR HANDLES WERE NOT ON RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 4, 2012
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ WHICH HAS ~53000 MILE ON IT. I HAVE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS REPLACED 2 DOOR HANDLES AND 2 DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY TOLD ME THIS MORNING AFTER HAD 2ND LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED THAT ANOTHER LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED. AS YOU COULD IMAGINE I WANTED TO EXPLODE. I WAS LIVID, ESPECIALLY AT THE COST OF REPLACING THESE ITEMS. I DID NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH IT BEFORE THEY STARTED LOOKING AT THE OTHER ONE. IT LOOKED LIKED THEY WERE TRYING TO MILK ME FOR MONEY IN MY OPINION. I AM ASTONISHED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THESE ITEMS, AS OF YET. IT IS APPARENT THAT THESE PARTS ARE DEFECTIVE, ESPECIALLY THE LOCK ACTUATORS. ANY SEARCHES ON THE WEB OR DISCUSSION WITH ANY DEALER ADVISORS ONE WOULD REALIZE THESE PARTS HAVE ISSUES. THE LOCK ACTUATOR ISSUE IS THE MOST CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN RIDING IN THESE VEHICLES. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR A RECALL TO OCCUR, SOMEONE DYING? THESE PARTS(POSSIBLY CHINESE MADE)ARE FAILING LEFT AND RIGHT WITH REPLACEMENT COSTS UPWARDS OF $300 OR MORE. THESE PARTS ARE PROBABLY BEING REPLACED WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURED PARTS BUT OWNER WOULD NOT KNOW. THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT WANT TO SHOW YOU THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. IS THERE A REASON THERE IS NO RECALL IN RESPECT TO THE LOCK ACTUATORS? *TR
Structure, Apr 1, 2012
2008 CHEVY TAHOE DOOR HANDLES COMING OFF. HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT. LTZ MODEL. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL CAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2012
THERE IS A VERY LARGE CRACKED AREA ON THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEAR THE SPEEDOMETER AREA. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY SOME HOW DEPLOY THE AIR BAG OR OTHER MECHNICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THIS AREA. *TT
Structure, Oct 18, 2011
THERE ARE SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE. THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE PIECES TO THE DASH= THE FIRST: "PANEL ASSEMBLY, UPPER TRIM" HAS SEVERE CRACKS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE SECOND: "PANEL ASSEMBLY, INSTRUMENT" HAS A SMALL CRACK THAT IS TOUCHING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG PANEL & THERE IS A CRACK LEADING UP TO THE STEERING WHEEL. I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THESE CRACKS BECAUSE IF A WRECK HAPPENS THEN I FEAR THIS DASHBOARD WOULD JUST BREAK APART AND SOMEHOW INTERFERE WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS COMPLAINT ONLINE AND I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ WHERE GM WILL REPLACE DASH FOR A COST OR SOMETIMES FOR FREE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM AND HOPE TO HAVE AN ANSWER SOON. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A "RECALL" FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 26, 2011
CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO REPLACE DOOR HANDLES ON 2008 CHEVY TAHOE. PINCHES MY HAND AND CAUSES BRUSING. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 7, 2011
DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE BROKE AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME. CHEVY DEALER NOTES ITS A ISSUE BUT SAYS ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IM OVER MY MILEAGE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 31, 2011
PASSENGER LACERATED RIGHT HAND MIDDLE FINGER ON SHARP EDGE OF PEELING CHROME ON THE TOP OF THE RAP DOOR HANDLE. THE REAR DOORS EXHIBIT SOME ROUGHNESS OF THE CHROME OVERLAY INDICATING PROBABLE FAILURE OF THE BONDING ON THESE AS WELL. THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEK AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR