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.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 7, 2011
DOOR HANDLES ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE BROKE AGAIN FOR 3RD TIME. CHEVY DEALER NOTES ITS A ISSUE BUT SAYS ITS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE IM OVER MY MILEAGE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 26, 2011
DRIVERS DOOR, FRONT PASSENGER, AND DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOORS DO NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING KEY LESS ENTRY AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK BUTTON. 2008 TAHOE LT WITH ONLY 38K JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 19, 2011
I OWN A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY TRUCK QUIT RUNNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER CALLING A TOW TRUCK AND HAVING IT TOWED, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT I HAD RUN OUT OF GAS AND MY GAS GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BECAUSE IT WAS REGISTERING THAT I HAD GAS IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 2, 2011
GAS GAUGE INDICATES MORE FUEL THAN WHAT IS IN THE TANK. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, May 2, 2011
DRIVER'S DOOR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR LOCKS FAILED. NEITHER DOOR LOCK WOULD OPERATE MANUALLY OR WITH KEY REMOTE. ACCESS IN/OUT HAD TO BE FROM PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. FIRST TIME REPAIRS WERE IN EXCESS OF $400, THIS TIME REPAIRS FOR BOTH DOORS ARE $580. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR WOULD NOT REMAIN LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOCK ACTUATORS TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE CURRENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 28, 2011
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE HAVE BEEN REPLACED 5 OR 6 TIMES, 2 OR 3 THE FIRST TIME AND 3 MORE THE LAST TIME A FEW WEEKS AGO ALL UNDER WARRANTY. THE TAHOE HAS 33K MILES ON IT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON EVERY DOOR AT LEAST ONCE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AS SOMETIMES THE DOOR WILL ONLY WORK MANUALLY BY ACTUALLY PULLING UP THE DOOR BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. IN SOME CASES THE AFFECTED DOOR DOES NOT LOCK WHEN CAR IS PUT IN GEAR WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CHILD OR AN ADULT INADVERTENTLY PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE DOOR SWINGING OPEN OR IN AN EMERGENCY NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT HAVING TO ENTER THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR CHEVY DEALER SUGGESTED I GET AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE AFTER 36K MILES IT WILL COST $325 A DOOR TO FIX THE FAULTY ACTUATORS WHEN THEY BREAK AGAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH ANY KIND OF DOOR LOCK ISSUES AND TO HAVE 5 OR 6 PROBLEMS WITHIN 3 YEARS IS A PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ALIKE. *TR
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 6, 2011
2008 CHEVY TAHOE HYBRID. AUTO DOOR LOCKS QUIT LOCKING AND UNLOCKING - INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT THE PAST YEAR. DEALER SERVICE DEPT SUGGESTED REPLACING ACTUATORS. READ OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT SAID REPLACING ACTUATORS NOT A FIX - DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DOORS CAN NOT BE LOCKED & UNLOCKED AT WILL. ACCIDENT OR ASSAULT COULD BE LIFE & DEATH ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 31, 2011
PASSENGER LACERATED RIGHT HAND MIDDLE FINGER ON SHARP EDGE OF PEELING CHROME ON THE TOP OF THE RAP DOOR HANDLE. THE REAR DOORS EXHIBIT SOME ROUGHNESS OF THE CHROME OVERLAY INDICATING PROBABLE FAILURE OF THE BONDING ON THESE AS WELL. THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED THE PRIOR WEEK AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 21, 2011
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MUST CLIMB OUT OTHER SIDE DOOR. THIS WOULD BE A DEATH TRAP IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Air bags, Mar 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN A BROKE NOSE. THE CONTACT'S INJURIES WERE TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 38,000. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN UPDATED 05/18/11
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 10, 2011
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. WHEN USING THE KEY FOB TO LOCK THE DOORS, THEY DO NOT GO UP OR DOWN. WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE LOCKS DO NOT GO DOWN. WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN PARK THE LOCKS DO NOT GO BACK UP. *TR
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 28, 2011
DOOR LOCKS ON 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE NO LONGER WORK. LOCKS DO NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN WHEN PRESSING THE UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB OR THE UNLOCK/LOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR PANEL. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 7, 2011
THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT LOCKS AND ACTUATOR HAVE STARTED TO FAIL ONE BY ONE ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE LT3. THE FIRST WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, BUT THE LAST ONE WAS NOT. IT APPEARS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT GM HAS A PROBLEM WITH, BUT HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 13, 2010
2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE DOOR LOCK FAILURE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 12, 2010
2008 CHEVY TAHOE WITH 35,000 MILES. THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE LEFT BACK DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY ANYMORE. BIG CONCERN SINCE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK WHO COULD OPEN THE DOORS ON THEIR OWN. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 8, 2010
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY TAHOE, THE KEYLESS ENTRY STOPPED UNLOCKING MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN ABOUT MARCH 2010 AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. THE LOCK WOULD ALSO NOT UNLOCK FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT DOOR. NOW BOTH DOORS HAVE TO BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY, WHICH IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR WHEN I PURCHASED THIS 35,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE!!! NOTICED HOW SOME HAVE EVENTUALLY SPREAD TO ALL DOORS, I THINK THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED ASAP AS MANY COMPLAINTS AS I AM SEEING VIA THE INTERNET!! *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 2, 2010
STARTED WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE LOCK NOT WORKING AND HAS PROGRESSED TO ALL 4 LOCKS NOT WORKING WITH KEYLESS ENTRY AND ELECTRIC SWITCH INSIDE CAB. I ARMED AND LOCKED MY VEHICLE AND EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO BE LOCKED WHEN IT WASN'T AND ITEMS WERE STOLEN FROM MY TRUCK. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 2, 2010
ALL FOUR POWER DOOR LOCKS ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS BEING REPLACED FOR THE 2ND TIME. I HAVE A TODDLER WHO RIDES IN THE BACK AND I DEPEND ON MY DOORS TO LOCK TO PREVENT HIM FROM BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 17, 2010
I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE IN JUNE 2010. AS OF NOVEMBER 2010, 3 OUT OF THE 4 AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND WANTED TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $250 PER DOOR LOCK. FOR A 30,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE, I THINK THIS IS A LITTLE RIDICULOUS. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT I KNOW THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM EITHER. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYLESS ENTRY MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER LOCKING THE DOORS ELECTRONICALLY, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE DOOR ACTUATOR ON THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. NOW THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR ACTUATORS WERE ALSO MALFUNCTIONING; THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 1, 2010
ON MY 2008 CHEVY TAHOE, THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, TWICE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON DIFFERENT DOORS, AND CURRENTLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS NOT WORKING. SO THIS WILL BE THE 4TH TIME TO HAVE ONE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 50K MILES. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE AN INFANT THAT RIDES IN THE BACK SEAT, AND IF THE PASSENGER DOORS WERE TO QUIT WORKING THERE WOULD BE A RISK OF GETTING HIM OUT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 26, 2010
2008 CHEVY TAHOE LTZ (50000 MILES). MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK/LOCK WITH MY KEYLESS REMOTE. ALL OF THE OTHER DOORS WORK. I HAVE 7 CO-WORKERS WITH 2008 TAHOE'S AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON VARIOUS LEVELS. I LOCKED MY DOORS WITH MY REMOTE AND WALKED INTO TO A DINER TO EAT AND LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SAW SOMEONE JUST OPEN MY DOOR AND RUN OFF WITH MY SHOPPING BAG. THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS THE ONLY UNLOCKED DOOR. *TR