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: other or unspecified
97 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2026, fire
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while stopped by the school to pick up one of his children, the vehicle was parked. The contact then noticed smoke emanating from the driver's front seat. The contact safely removed his occupant, who was his autistic child, seated in the front passenger seat. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called, and the fire was extinguished. The contact and his children did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local towing yard. The insurance company was notified and towed the vehicle to a facility used by the insurance company. The insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. The contact believes the fire to be related to an electrical failure due to the hood of the vehicle not being damaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2021
DASH BOARD IS BROKEN
Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2021
MY DASH HAS CRACKED WITHOUT ANY FORCE BEING APPLIED TO IT DUE TO CHEAP MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURING ITEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH MAY CAUSE PARTS OF DASH TO PROPEL TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAUSING INJURIES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2021
I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN MY POWER, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF MY CRACKED DASHBOARD/PAD. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF OTHER TAHOE/YUKON OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND HAVE REACHED OUT TO GM FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO ONLY HAVE BEEN TURNED AWAY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2021
DASH BOARD CRACKS ON THE PASSAGES SIDE BESIDE THE AIRBAG COVER. ALSO CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FROM NEAR THE WINDSHIELD RUNNING TOWARD THE ODOMETER AREA. CRACKS APPEARED OVER TIME THAT I OWNED THE VEHICLE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 5, 2021
CRACKED DASHBOARD AND INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Other or unspecified, Dec 28, 2020
REPORTING ODOMETER FRAUD
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 24, 2020
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHILE ENGINE IS ON, AT A COMPLETE STOP WHILE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES THE GAS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY CONKS OUT. THE VEHICLE CANNOT CATCH SPEED AFTER IT COMES TO A STOP. I AM STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AT THE LIGHT OR AT THE STOP SIGN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON.
Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2020
DASHBOARD SEVERELY CRACKED
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2020
DASH CRACKED IN TWO PLACES, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. CONCERNED MORE ABOUT PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE IS NOT MY EVERYDAY VEHICLE WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE AND KEPT INSIDE ITS WHOLE LIFE IN AN WELL INSULATED FULLY COVERED GARAGE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2020
WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 30 MPH THEN DECELERATING, ONCE THE CAR GETS TO AROUND 15-20 MPH IT JUMPS FORWARD. IT'S SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU DRIVE A STICKSHIFT AND TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH AND THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AS IF IT MIGHT STALL. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN REGULARLY. IF I DECELERATE VERY QUICKLY, THEN IT DOES NOT DO IT. IF I DECELERATE SLOWLY THEN IT DOES NOT DO IT. IT HAS TO BE SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN AND THE CAR IS CONFUSED BETWEEN STAYING IN GAS MODE OR SWITCHING TO HYBRID MODE AND AUTO STOP. THE CAR THEN JUMPS FORWARD WHEN CONFUSED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2019
THE AIR/HEAT SYSTEM COMPLETELY QUIT WORKING. NO SHOP THAT HAS LOOKED AT IT CAN TELL WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2019
IT STARTED WITH SOME LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD THEN THE BRAKES SMOKING. WHEN DRIVING IT THE BRAKES SEEMS UNSAFE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE STEERING ANGLE SENSOR . THEY CALLED SEVERAL PLACESES INCLUDED THE DEALERSHIP AND GM DOES NOT MAKE THAT PART ANYMORE FOR THE YEAR AND MODEL. SAID IT COULD BE ORDERED ONLINE THEY TRIED IT BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME PART NEEDED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED TO DRIVE THAT'S IT'S VERY UNSAFE TO DO SO.WE HAVE DECIDED TO PARK IT AND NOT USE IT FOR SAFETY ISSUES. *LN
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2019
TAHOE MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLES HAVE ALL COME APART. I CONTACTED LOCAL CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE UH NO SH*T?! ONCE AGAIN CRACKS ON DASHBOARD BY PASSENGER AIRBAGS AND ALL OVER RIDICULOUS! MIDDLE CONSOLE STARTED TO SMOKE ON 4/2018 AND I HAVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING DISCONNECTED. I CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY SAID TO FILE COMPLAINTS WITH Y'ALL.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2019
I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE, MY DASH HAS CRACKED TWICE AND REPLACED, NOW MY DASH IS CRACKED AGAIN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE AS I AM AMONG THOUSANDS THAT ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT HAVE WARRANTY ANY LONGER AND NEITHER GM NOR THE DEALERSHIP WILL FIX THIS ISSUE FOR FREE. THIS IS WRONG AND NOT A GOOD WAY TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IF GM IS EXPECTING THOSE SAME PEOPLE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR THEM AS THEY OBVIOUSLY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. A CRACKED DASH IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AND SIMPLY SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. IT SHOWS THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH THE CHEAPEST OF PRODUCTS. IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DASH SITS OVER AIR BAGS, SO IF AN ACCIDENT SHALL OCCUR AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY COULD CAUSE MORE HARM TO THE DRIVERS. I AM APPALLED THAT NO ONE WILL FIX THIS ISSUE SINCE IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM VERY UPSET AT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE BY DEALERSHIPS AND GM ALTOGETHER.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2019
I BOUGHT THE CAR A YEAR A GO, I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME CRACKS OK THE TOP DASHBOARD, BY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, I BIG CRACK BY THE TOP AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE CRACKS ARE GETTING BIGGER, IM AFRAID THIS IS NOT SAFE IN CASE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2019
THE DASH IS CRACKED ABOVE THE DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LOOKS AS IF IT IS SEPARATING ALONG THE SEAM DOWN TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I AM UNCERTAIN OF THE EXACT DATE SO I PUT WHEN I NOTICED IT IN THE DATE LINE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2019
WE OWN TWO CHEVY TAHOE'S AND BOTH OF THEM (2008 & 2012) HAVE CRACKING DASHBOARDS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAGS. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND IS A HAZARDS TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2019
TAKATA RECALL BATTERY DRAINAGE WITH TESTED GOOD BATTERY & GOOD ALTERNATOR. ISSUES UNKNOWN BUT CAR HAD TO BE JUMPED 3 TIMES IN ONE WEEK. NOTHING WAS LEFT ON OR PLUGGED IN. SHOP COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM. ONE EXAMPLE IS WENT TO GET GAS & AFTER FILL, CAR WOULDN'T TURN ON.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2018
THE DASH HAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN NUMEROUS PLACES INCLUDING NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WHICH I FEAR COULD CREATE SHRAPNEL IF INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE AIRBAG INFLATES. THIS HAS GRADUALLY WORSENED OVER TIME.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 27, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. MANY YEARS AND NO ACTION TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. UNABLE TO SELL DUE TO OUTSTANDING RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2018
DASHBOARD ON TAHOE IS CRACKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2018
MY CONCERN WHIT THIS VEHICLE IS THE DASH IS CRACKING ON PISES IS BE READING A LOT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND TAHOE SIERRA AND YUKON'S .ALL GMC VEHICLES I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY THIS PISES CAN FLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON THE MOVE AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS...
Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2018
THE DASH AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS CRACKED AND CONTINUES TO SPREAD. I FEAR THIS MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITH PIECES OF THE DASH BECOMING SHAPNEL