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, Jan 29, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS A 6-8" CRACK, VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT & SUNSHADES. NO DAMAGE CAUSED TO VEHICLE TO CAUSE THE CRACK.
Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES. FIRST CRACK IS ON RIGHT SIDE OF DASH, TOP LEFT OF THE AIR BAG PANEL. SECOND CRACK IS ON LEFT SIDE OF DASH OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MOST PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT A CRACKED DASH BEING DANGEROUS. HOWEVER, IF THE AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYED, FRAGMENTS COULD BECOME PROJECTILES THAT CAN HARM PASSENGERS. CHEVROLET/GM NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 15, 2016
DASH HAS 2 LARGE CRACKS ABOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ANOTHER ONE AT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. DURING OPERATION, STABILITRAK LIGHT COMES ON, ALL GAUGES GO TO ZERO, DOORS BEGIN LOCKING/UNLOCKING, VEHICLE LOSES POWER, RADIO GOES OUT AND CLOCK RESETS, LIGHTS FLASH, AND BATTERY DIES AS SOON AS IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. NUMEROUS CALLS TO GM AND VISITS TO DEALERSHIP. NO FIX AS OF YET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. NOW ODOMETER HAS RESET TO ZERO.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2016
THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD. THE DASHBOARD WAS NEVER ABUSED OR HIT. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS PROBLEM WITH MANY GM VEHICLES FROM 2007-2013.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2016
TAMARA RECALL CRACKED DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IN VERY GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND REALIZED THAT MY DASH HAD CRACKED. THE CRACK ORIGINALLY STRETCHED 6-7 INCHES FROM THE EDGE OF THE DASH CLOSE TO THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER TOWARD THE DRIVER. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO LENGTHEN AND MY CONCERN IS THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT INCREASES AS THE CRACK GETS LONGER. ANOTHER CRACK IS FORMING WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED WHICH WILL PRESENT A CONSIDERABLE HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AS ANY SHARDS OF PLASTIC COULD BECOME POTENTIAL PROJECTILES THAT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS HARM TO MYSELF OR A PASSENGER. I HAVE BEEN A LIFELONG LOYAL GM CUSTOMER AND I DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS COMPONENT. I BROUGHT THIS CONCERN TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS THE OBVIOUS FAILURE OF THE DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
DASH IS CRACKED AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2016
THE DRIVER SIDE DASH BOARD IS CRACKING
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
I HAVE 3 CRACKS IN MY DASHBOARD THAT HAVE APPEARED OVER A COURSE OF APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS. I HAVE 2 THAT ARE ABOVE MY ODOMETER AND ONE THAT IS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AREA OF THE DASH. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT IS MAKING CRACKLING NOISES AS IF IT IS SLOWLY SPREADING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
THE DASH HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS, EXPOSING THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT. THE PLASTIC/FOIL OUTER COATING ON THE DOOR HANDLES ARE CRACKED AND PEELING AND HAVE CUT PEOPLE'S HANDS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
KNOWN DEFECT IN 2007 THROUGH 2013 CHEVROLET TAHOE DASHBOARD. DASHBOARD CRACKS AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HOUSING CAUSING DEFECTS TO AIR BAG SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
DASH BOARD HAS THREE CRACKS IN IT AROUND THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2015
THE DASH OF MY TAHOE HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS AROUND THE AIRBAG, VENTS, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND STILL CAUSES THE INDICATOR TO LIGHT UP BECUASE THE SENSOR FAILED.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2015
A CRACK STARTED TO FORM ON THE DASHBOARD ABOVE THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THE CRACK HAS SPREAD AND HAS CAUSED PRESSURE AND STRAIN ON OTHER PARTS OF THE DASHBOARD LEADING TO MAJOR CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC ALL THE WAY FROM THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO THE DRIVERS SIDE DASH 'HUMP' ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THE CHEVY TAHOE MODEL FROM 2007-2011. THE CRACKS ARE A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THEY ARE STARTING FROM AND ARE SURROUNDING THE AIRBAGS. ANY DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS ARE AT RISK OF MALFUNCTION AS WELL AS POSSIBLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO PASSENGERS DUE TO THE CRACKED PIECES POTENTIAL OF BREAKING OFF AND BEING HURLED AT PASSENGERS UPON IMPACT/DEPLOYMENT. GM SHOULD RECALL THESE MODELS AND FIX THE SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2015
DASHBOARD IS SEVERELY CRACKING ABOVE AND AROUND AIRBAGS PUTTING PASSENGERS IN HARMS WAY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED BUT GM HAS FAILED TO RECOGNIZE AS OF YET. PLEASE PLEASE GET SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THIS AS IT IS A MAJOR CONCERN. I'D LOVE TO CONTINUE TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS BUT MY FAITH IN THEIR QUALITY IS WANING!
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2015
ALL SIX SIDE AIRBAGS ON OUR 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE DEPLOYED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN IN THEIR REAR CAR SEATS. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, BUMP, POT-HOLE OR ANY OTHER REASON APPARENT TO US WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT WAS COMPLETELY RANDOM. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND MY WIFE MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP, BUT SHE WAS STUNNED AND DISORIENTED. THE DAMAGE TO OUR VEHICLE IS EXTENSIVE. IN ADDITION TO REPLACING SIX AIRBAGS, LIGHT FIXTURES, PLASTIC MOLDING, THE ROOF PANEL AND FABRIC/LINER ARE ALL DAMAGED. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALER IS NOT HELPING AT ALL. WE HAVE CONTACTED GM BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED AFTER 2 DAYS. WE BELIEVE THIS IS NOT ONLY A PRODUCT LIABILITY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD REPAIR, BUT ALSO A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. WE ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A SINGLE OR MULTI-VEHICLE ACCIDENT, INJURIES RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT, OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. WE NEED HELP TO ENSURE GM ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE PROACTIVELY, BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2015
I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 2009 FROM ROSS DOWNING CHEVROLET DASH BOARD WAS CRACKED IN THREE PLACES.WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE EXCEPT TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF ABOUT 800 DOLLARS.TWO OF THE CRACKS IS AROUND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2015
APRIL, 2015 I NOTICED SMALL CRACK IN RIGHT SIDE OF DASH IN FRONT OF PASSENGER AND LARGER CRACK IN DRIVER DASH. MAY 2015 THE CRACKS WERE SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER. THE VEHICLE LIVES IN A GARAGE IN FLORIDA WHEN NOT BEING DRIVEN. IT IS NOT PRIMARY VEHICLE DRIVEN. DASH PAD WAS REPLACED BY PALM CHEVROLET IN OCALA, FLORIDA ON JUNE 2, 2015. THE COST WAS $721.41..
Other or unspecified, May 10, 2015
MY DASH DEVELOPED ONE CRACK, THAN TWO, THEN THREE, WITH NO IMPACT OR OBVIOUS REASON. I EVENTUALLY TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY THE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NOT UNCOMMON. THEY SPLIT THE REPAIR COST WITH ME, BUT I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THIS WAS FAR MORE WIDE SPREAD THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FAULTY PART.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2015
ITS ABOUT A CORNER I HAVE JUST GOT A USED CHEVY TAHOE HYBIRD 2008 AT A DEALER IN NJ WITH 30 DAY WARRANTY, AND NOW THE DOORS FROM LR-DRIVER LEFT REAR AND RR-PASSENGER SIDE REAR LOCK DOESNT OPEN OR LOCK! HAD MY FRIEND IN BACK AND DOORS DIDNT OPEN FROM NO WAY!! HOPE IN GOD THAT THERES A FIRE OR EMERGENCY HOW DOES MY KIDS,FAMILY GET OUT? THATS MY PROBLEM. I THINK IN EVERY CASE SAFETY IS ALWAY FIRST! AND HOPE CHEVY SHOULD FIX IT AS A RECALL!!
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2011
DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO WORK WITH KEY REMOTE AS WELL AS BUTTONS ON THE DOORS. ENDED UP PAYING $560.00 TO HAVE LOCKS AND LATCHES REPLACED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES COMPLAINT. THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE AUTOMATICALLY OPENED OR CLOSED EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE SUV . COULD POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM IF TRAPPED INSIDE OF THE CAR. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR $180.00 PER DOOR.