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.
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
DASH IS CRACKING EVERYWHERE...
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016
THE FRONT DASH BOARD IS CRACKED, IT HAPPENED IN 2014, THERE WAS A CRACK ACROSS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER SIDE, I DID NOT CONTACTED THE COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY ALREADY BUT JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE ACROSS FROM WHERE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THIS GOT ME CONCERNED FOR SAFETY REASONS, I STARTED READING MORE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MOST CHEVROLET TRUCKS/SUV'S. ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN FROM GMC TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND REPLACE CRACKED DASHBOARDS.
Air bags, Aug 30, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE FIRST INTERIM NOTICE MONTHS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Aug 27, 2016
THE DASHBOARD PLASTIC HAS CRACKED IN MANY PLACES EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALWAYS USED A WINDSHIELD COVER AND HAVE A CARPETED DASHBOARD COVER.
Electrical system, Aug 27, 2016
THE DOOR ACTUATORS WENT OUT ON MY CAR. THE VEHICLE IS ALL FACTORY SETTINGS. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE OR ELECTRICAL. DOORS NOT LOCK USING KEY FOB OR POWER LOCKS BUTTON. HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK.
Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2016
MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE DASH CRACKED NEAR AIRBAG AND RIGHT ON TOP OF STEERING WHEEL
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SHIFTER INDICATORS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Air bags, Aug 18, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. 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 NOT AVAILABLE. 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.
Air bags, Aug 16, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/07/16*LJ UPDATED 12/13/16.*JB
Air bags, Aug 11, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Service brakes, Aug 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 28, 2016
MY DASH HAS CRACKED ABOVE THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Engine, Jul 19, 2016
87K MI LIFTER CYLINDER 4 COLLAPSED AND NEVER RE FILLED DUE TO THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM SHUTTING OFF THE OIL AND FUEL TO THIS CYLINDER (ELECTRONIC FUEL MANAGEMENT). AS A RESULT THE LIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, LIFTER ARE LOCATED UNDER THE HEAD.
Steering, Jul 19, 2016
90K MI. POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR SHAFT BREAKS OFF, DISABLES POWER STEERING 100% AS TRUCK WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=L7CPHPUD53I
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 17, 2016
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY ON THE DEALERSHIP SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE SEATBELTS SWITCH AND AIRBAG SWITCH COSTS $550.00 2HOURS LABOR I'D REALLY WANT TO KNOW WHERE CAN I HAVE THIS RESOLVED WITHIN MY BUDGET AND NOT BE TAKEN JUST FOR THE DOLLAR BILL AND OR THE BOOKING. I KNOW IT'S JUST THE CONNECTOR REGARDLESS $550.00 BIT REDUNDANT
Structure, Jul 14, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS 3 LARGE CRACKS. STARTED AS A SMALL STRESS CRACK THEN SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE DASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 08-14 GM VEHICLES ( TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE) THIS HAPPENED AS THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS THE CRACK CAN SPREAD AND/OR BREAK DURING DRIVING, GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS MAJOR CONCERN
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS CRACKED ADJACENT TO CORNER OF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PANEL AND ALONG TOP OF DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL. CRACKS WERE NOTICED UPON ENTERING VEHICLE AFTER IT BEING PARKED IN FRONT OF HOME OVERNIGHT. THE CRACKED DASHBOARD IS A SAFETY CONCERN IN THAT SHARDS OF THE PLASTIC MAY BREAK OFF DURING AN ACCIDENT AND/OR DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS, IMPALING THE PASSENGERS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
2 LARGE CRACKS ON DASHBOARD NOT TRUAMA RELATED JUST STARTED TO APPEAR AND GREW LARGER
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2016
HAVE TWO AREA ON MY,DASH BOARD WHERE. CRACKS ARE LOCATED, RUNNING FROM THE STEERING TO THE PASSAGE SIDE. NEVER USE ANY CLEANING PRODUCTS, JUST A DAMP TOWEL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2016
MY DASHBOARD STARTED CRACKING WHEN MY TAHOE HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES, WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MONTEREY PARK CA, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING. AT 60,000 MILES ANOTHER CRACK APPEARED AND I SENT AN EMAIL TO GM, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY OFFER TO PAY ONLY PART OF THE REPAIR. WHY PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF IT IS MORE THAN OBVIOUS THAT THEY MADE A BIG DESIGN ERROR OR PERHAPS MATERIALS USED ARE SUPER LOW QUALITY. I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY CUSTOMER WITH THIS ISSUE, AND THE CRACKS KEEP APPEARING AND GROWING.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND IT'S A BIG PROBLEM IN GMC VEHICLES AND THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE NATIONWIDE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD FIX IT. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT. MY VEHICLE STARTED CRACKING LIKE RIGHT AFTER A YEAR AND THAT IS RIDICULOUS. THE CRACKS ARE ALL OVER MY DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, May 28, 2016
DASH HAS CRACKED TO THE POINT IF THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT IT WOULD BE VERY HARMFUL WITH ALL THE PLASTIC PIECES FLYING EVERYWHERE! DIDN'T GET THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED SINCE IT IS THE MANUFACTURER USING INFERIOR MATERIALS.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2016
2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. NOTICED CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD TOWARDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE AIR BAG COMPONENTS AND CRACKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE GAUGES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,500
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, May 12, 2016
COMPLAIN TO DEALER PRIOR TO GM WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRATION BUT NOW THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED WILLING TO INVESTIGATE. CONSTANT P0300 RANDOM MISFIRE DETECTED ON CYLINDER 5. MISFIRES OVER 20 TIMES WITHIN 60 SECONDS VIA GM FAST TEST (LAUNCH SOFTWARE VERSION V44.30) HAPPEN AT IDLE OR IN MOTION LEVELING / SUSPENSION / STABILITY SYSTEM CONSTANTLY ALERT DURING MOTION. ALSO HAVE CRACK ON DASH THAT LEADS TO PASSENGER AIRBAG. IF REMOTE START IS USED LOUD GRINDING CAN BE HERD AFTER IDLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES OR SOONER.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2016
MUTABLE CRACKS IN DASHBOARD. THIS IS A WELL KNOW ISSUE WITH 07 TO 11 GM'S. THERE WAS NO ABUSE OR REASON FOR THE CRACKS. THE CRACKS ARE CAUSING SHARP EDGES AND POINTS THAT ARE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. AS WELL AS EXPOSING INTERNAL EQUIPMENT THAT COULD LEAD TO FAILURE INCLUDING AIR BAGS.