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.
Air bags, Structure, May 6, 2016
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DASH THAT EXTENDS FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AREA. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE FACT THAT IF THE AIRBAG WERE TO DEPLOY IT COULD PROPEL PLASTIC MATERIAL INTO THE CABIN AND AT THE PASSENGERS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 4, 2016
VEHICLE WILL JERK UNCONTROLLABLY AT TIMES AT PARKING LOT SPEEDS. VEHICLE WILL STALL AT TIMES WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT TIMES BY ITSELF WITOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR. DEALER CLAIMS IT NEEDS A NEW BATTERY BUT CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEMS. I DISAGGREE WITH DEALER AND THINK VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS.
Structure, May 3, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT 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 DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO REPAIR SOLUTION OTHER THAN STATING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Wheels, Apr 15, 2016
ALL THE TIRE PRESSURE SENIORS ARE SAYING TO CHECK THE TIRES. THERE IS CORRECT PRESSURE IN TIRES WHEN I CHECK THEM, AND OF COURSE THE DASH MONITOR IS BLINKINGLIKE CRAZY ALL THE TIME. MY TIRE MAN SAID IT WOULD BE LOTS OF BUCKS TO REPLACE THEM. HE SAID BY LAW THEY CAN'T TAKE THEM OUT. WHAT CRAP, AND A HUGE WASTE OF MONEY. LISTEN UP GENERAL MOTORS, WE DO NOT NEED ALL THIS ELECTRONIC CRAP ON OUR CARS. WHAT A RIP OFF!!!
Electrical system, Apr 15, 2016
OUT SIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS, WILL NOT OPEN AND CLOSE, USING INSIDE SWITCH. HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS TO ADJUST MIRRORS. THIS IS DONE WHEN ENTERING OR BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE.
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Engine, Apr 14, 2016
THE TRUCK WAS HAVING DRY START UPS WINTER OR SUMMER..COULD HEAR THE LIFTERS TAPPING REALLY HARD UNTIL OIL HITS IT,,LIFTERS COLLASPED ON RIGHT SIDE NOW THE LEFT IS DOING THE SAME AND WARRANTY WONT FIX..ALSO THE LEVELING PUMP KEEPS GOING OUT AND THIS IT RHE SECOND ONE IN TWO YEARS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED..ALSO THE DRIVER MIRROR WILL NOT ROLE IN SO WHEN I PARK NOONE WONT HIT IT..ALSO DASH IS CRAXK OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS..ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING INTO SECOND GEAR AND IT RUMBLES INSIDE WHEN IT DROPS TO 4 CYLINDER..
Steering, Apr 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V719000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Air bags, Apr 11, 2016
A CRACK APPEARED RECENTLY ON THE DASHBOARD STARTING AT THE CORNER OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I JUST HOPE A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER IS NOT KILLED IF I EVER WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. WHY HAS GM IGNORED IT AND NOT STARTED AN INVESTIGATION?
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2016
A CRACK HAS DEVELOPED ON THE DASHBOARD BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DASHBOARD WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY THE DEALER (BRYAN CHEVROLET, METAIRIE, LA) IN 2010. THIS IS A WIDELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL GM TRUCKS AND SUV IN THIS "CLASS". THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL DUE TO POSSIBLE INJURY DUE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG AND ON TOP OF THE ODOMETER/ SPEED AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG GOES OFF. POTENTIAL FOR IT TO SHOOT PLASTIC SHRAPNEL INTO CABIN AND IT'S OCCUPANTS. I HAVE CHILDREN AND I FEEL UNSECURED RIDING MY TRUCK.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2016
DASHBOARD CRACKED AND MAY BE UNSAFE.
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS THREE CRACKS THAT WERE GETTING LARGE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONE OF THE CRACKS WAS LOCATED NEAR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Mar 14, 2016
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ AND THE DOOR LOCKS JUST QUIT WORKING ONE DAY. ON ALL 4 DOORS!! THE KEY FOB WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOORS NOR WILL THE LOCK OR UNLOCK BUTTON IN THE CAR WILL WORK. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF YOU ARE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WITH NO WAY TO LOCK YOUR DOORS AND SOMEONE JUMPS IN YOUR CAR WITH YOU WITH A GUN! I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR ME! PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE DOOR LOCKS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2016
HELLO, THERE IS A CRACK IN MY DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE THAT MAY VERY MUCH AFFECT THE DEPLOYMENT OF MY AIRBAG. I REALLY AND TRULY FEEL THAT IF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD OCCUR THEY AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I JUST PURCHASED FROM BMW IN MACON ON 1/6/2016 AND I HAVE AN EXPENDED WARRANTY.
Structure, Feb 24, 2016
DASH CRACKED WHILE STATIONARY. VERY COMMON. POTENTIAL TO BECOME PROJECTILE DURING ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Feb 15, 2016
I STARTED UP MY 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ ON SATURDAY AND THE DASH CRACKED ON THE HUMP OVER THE GAUGES. VEHICLE IS GARAGE KEPT. SECOND OWNER TO VEHICLE AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IF AIR BAGS WERE TO DEPLOY COULD BE EFFECTED. I HAUL MY 3 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE DAILY AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE.
Structure, Feb 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED IN SEVERAL PLACES, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,398.
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