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
586 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP EXPERIENCED A LEAK DUE TO CORROSION AND THE MATERIAL USED TO MANUFACTURER THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH AN ALUMINUM FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 28, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. BETWEEN 2010/2011 SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS (FRONT AND BACK), DEPLOYED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE IN OPTIMUM DRIVING CONDITIONS, AFTER A PASSING OVER A POTHOLE IN THE ROADWAY. I WAS TRAVELOING WITH MY THEN [XXX] SON AND DAUGHTER. IMEEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TO WAIT OVER A MONTH, WITHOUT A VEHICLE, AND NEVER GIVEN THE OPTION OF A RENTAL OR LOANER VEHICLE. AS "CHEVROLET" INVESTIGATED THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER DATA, IT FALSELY READ THAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO "ROLLOVER EVENT" DATA WAS SENT TO THE VEHICLES SRS SYSTEM. CHEVROLET THEN DEEMED THAT I WAS DRIVING OVER 95 MPH (WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE REV LIMITER), AND I HAD OVERSIZED WHEELS ON MY VEHICLE. WHEEL DIAMETER AND SIZE WERE NOT THE FACTOR, AS THEY WERE WITHIN 5/32" OF OEM STOCK DIMENSIONS. I WAS CHARGED FOR "TROUBLESHOOTING", AS WEWLL AS LABOR FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS, AND THEY DECLINED THE CLAIM. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE HAD TO REYTURN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO AGAIN "WARRANTY" THE ECM, BCM, WINDOW REGULATOR (TWICE), AS WELL AS CHARGING SYSTEM FAULTS. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS AGAIN DENIED SAYING IT WAS NOT WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE COVERAGE. FULL EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUMPER TO BUMPER AND THIS WAS NOT COVERED? ALSO, THE DASHBOARD FRONT COWL IS CRACKED (KNOWN DEFECT, NO RECALL), CHROME PEELING OFF INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE, AS WELL AS STABILITRAK" COMPUTER ERRORS AND ISSUES (KNOWN ISSUE, NO RECALL) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACK 6 INCHES LONG ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL OCCURED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE WITH REFECTIVE SUNVISOR IN WINDOW
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2017
CRACKS CAN GROW AND TURN INTO LARGE HOLES THAT EXPOSING THE MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC PARTS UNDERNEATH.
Other or unspecified, Mar 22, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED AT UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF PASSENGER AIR BAG AND ABOVE DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL. CRACK AT AIR BAG IS WORRISOME IN EVENT THAT IT MAY EFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Engine, Mar 22, 2017
ENGINE HAS VERY LOUD VALVE TYPE TAPPING NOISE AT IDLE AND IN GEAR. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND ENGINE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2017
RECALL ON 5/27/2016 WHEN MAY I EXPECT SERVICE TO B COMPLETED DEATHS ARE CLIMBING
Other or unspecified, Mar 21, 2017
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS. IS THIS SAFE AND WILL NOT CAUSE ANY MALFUNCTION TO THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THE AIRBAGS? KINDLY DO THE NEEDFUL TO CHECK ON THIS ISSUE. THANKS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017
DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. HEARD POPPING NOISE THAT STARTLED ME WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION DISCOVERED NEW CRACK IN DASH WHICH WAS NOT CRACKED PRIOR. WE DO NOT USE CLEANING SOLUTIONS IN OUR TAHOE DUE TO OUR DAUGHTER HAVING RESPIRATORY ISSUES. WE ONLY WIPE WITH CLOTHS. THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CLEANING SOLUTIONS DUE TO THAT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 17, 2017
DASHBOARD HAS SEVERELY CRACKED IN TWO PLACES; ONE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND ONE OVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER.
Structure, Mar 17, 2017
CHROME ON INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BEGINNING TO FLAKE AND CHIP AND CUT PASSENGER'S HAND WHEN OPERATING DOOR HANDLE.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
BACK IN JULY 2016 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT MY TAHOE VIN IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR AIRBAG INFLATORS, ( GM RECALL 49151) UNTIL THIS DATE FEBRUARY 27 2017 THEY HAVE NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE YET. MY WIFE AND MY KIDS ARE IN THIS VEHICLE ALMOST EVERYDAY, I AM AFRAID THAT SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN TO THEM REGARDING THIS UNSOLVED RECALL.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2017
I NOTICED THAT ON MY TAHOE MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING ON BOTH SIDES. SO I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND IT WAS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER TAHOE SILVERADO AND GM CARS WHERE THE DASH STARTED CRACKING. I DON'T FIND IT FAIR THAT WE ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT GM DOESN'T PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT CLEARLY SHOWS THAT IT'S THE PRODUCT THEY PUT IN OUR CARS WERE CHEAP QUALITY TO WHERE ALL OF US BUYERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THEREFORE I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND TAKE CARE OF WHAT THEY MESSED UP WITH ALSO IT IS A HAZARD BECAUSE ANYTHING ON YOUR CAR THAT ISN'T MET TO THE BASIC STANDARDS MAY BE ENTITLED TO A LAW SUIT SO I THINK WE NEED A RECALL AND THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY BECUASE I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR WITH CRACKED PARTS THAT CAN FLY INTO ANYONES EYE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY S JUST PLEASE GIVE US THE RECALL AND MAKE US CONSUMERS HAPPY IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.
Other or unspecified, Feb 22, 2017
I HAVE CRACKS ALL OVER MY DASHBOARD THAT JUST APPEARED. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME.
Air bags, Feb 16, 2017
2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2017
MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE DEVELOPED 2 CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD AND WILL INTERFERE WITH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLY ENDANGERING MY PASSENGERS.
Air bags, Feb 2, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Jan 26, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN ENGINE OVERHAUL WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Jan 20, 2017
I BEEN HAVING A CRACKED DASH AND IS SOMETHING FROM THE MANUFACTURED. AND IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CRACKED DASH AND I DON'T THINK I NEED TO PAY FOR IT IF IS SOMETHING FROM THE MANUFACTURED . *TR
Air bags, Jan 18, 2017
SIDE RAIL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 16, 2017
'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.
Structure, Jan 5, 2017
CRACK ON DASHBOARD NEAR PASSENGER AIRBAG MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO AIRBAG DURING DEPLOYMENT OR PIECES OF DASH TO CONTACT PASSENGER DURING DEPLOYMENT
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Jan 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL ON MY VEHICLE - WHY IS TAKING SO LONG TO REMEDY THIS RECALL? I ALSO HAVE A FEW OTHER ISSUES I WANT TO MENTION. I BOUGHT MY TAHOE IN JULY 2016, MY DASH IS CRACKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THIS IS VERY COMMON AND GM IS IGNORING THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE ALSO STARTED TAKING OFF ON ITS OWN, TOOK EXTRA PRESSURE TO STOP & RPM WOULD FLUCTUATE SPORADICALLY. AFTER CONTACTING A DEALER, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR BUT IT HAD EXPIRED WHILE THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD POSSESSION AND WAS TOLD I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND WOULD POSSIBLY HAVE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR, MY VEHICLE'S RPM STILL FLUCTUATES UPON STOPPING AND IDLE IS ROUGH. VERY UPSET CHEVROLET CUSTOMER NOW.