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.
Seats, Jun 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE STOW-N-GO SEAT SLAMMED AGAINST THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE SPRING ON THE SEATS ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE SEATS. THE CONTACT PLACED A BUNGEE CORD ON THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. HE FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE SEAT COULD SLAM INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER AND CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, May 13, 2009
COMPLETE VEHICLE FAILURE - GM HAS ADMITTED THAT THEY ARE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO FIX THE MANY ERRORS (22) THAT SHOW UP ON DIAGNOSTICS. IT WAS TOWED 3 TIMES IN 5 DAYS & HAS NOW BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS & IS STILL NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR
Seat belts, Mar 21, 2009
2008 CHEVY TAHOE DOES NOT HAVE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT HOOK IN THE SECOND ROW SEAT LEFT SIDE TO HOOK YOUR CHILD SEAT TO. I HAVE CALLED CHEVY AND THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THE MISSING PART ONLY THEY DO NOT RECOMMEND THE USE OF A CHILD SEAT IN THAT LOCATION. THIS LOCATION IS NEXT TO THE LEFT DOOR THEY DO RECOMMEND YOU TO USE A CHILD SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR NEXT TO THE DOOR (?) SO YOU HAVE TO PLACE THE CHILD SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE DOOR AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT. SO IF YOU DO THIS YOU CAN NOT GET TO THE BACK THIRD ROW SEAT . THIS IS A MISTAKE THAT THEY LEFT OUT THE PART AND WILL NOT FIX. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 18, 2009
TURN VEHICLE IGNITION OFF TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, OPEN THE DRIVER DOOR TO GET OUTI GET A FEW DINGS LIKE I HAVE LEFT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. I CLOSE THE DRIVER DOOR, THE LIGHTS FLASH, HORN HONKS AND DOORS THEN LOCK. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE TWO LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS CANNOT MAKE IT REPEAT THIS ISSUE AND BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES THAT COME UP, THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE SECOND ISSUE IS MY TURN SIGNALS. I TURN ON A TURN SIGNAL, IT SHOWS UP GREEN, IT DOES NOT CLICK AT RANDOM TIMES. THIRD ISSUE, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WITH THE FLUIDS WHEN I HAVE THE SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. I TOUCH NOTHING. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER IF THEY HAVE SEEN ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE RAN THE SERVICE BULLETINS AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING. SO I HAVE A $50K VEHICLE THAT HAS ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOOK INTO BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND A "CODE". *TR
Equipment, Nov 19, 2008
I HAVE EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THAT I HAVE A CONSISTENT VIBRATION PROBLEM. TO DATE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERS HAVE REPLACED MY TIRES 3 TIMES, RIMS TWICE, NEW DRIVE SHAFT, NEW DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE, NEW STEERING SHAFT, AND BALANCED MY TIRES 7 TIMES. I STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION AND NOW GOING THROUGH LEMON CLAIM. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS I HAVE 2 LETTERS WHICH OUTLINE ALL OF MY SERVICE RECORDS AND INCIDENTS. NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON HERE TO SUBMIT. *TR
Suspension, Oct 5, 2008
2008 TAHOE LTZ - AUTOMATIC LOAD LEVELING AIR SUSPENSION IN THE REAR IS PRESSURED UP SO HIGH THAT IT IS AS IF THERE IS NO SUSPENSION IN THE REAR. IT WILL NOT ADJUST TO LOWER PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. ON THE HIGHWAY SATURDAY, A ROAD THAT I HAVE TRAVELED MANY TIMES IN ANOTHER VEHICLE, I RAN OVER TWO SMALL BUMPS AND THE REAR END OF THE TAHOE BOUNCED OFF THE ROAD. HAD I NOT CORRECTLY CORRECTED I MAY NOT BE WRITING THIS. AGAIN, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT. I WILL TAKE THE TAHOE IN TO MICHAEL CHEVROLET TOMORROW MORNING AND HOPE THEY CAN CORRECT THIS. IF NOT, CHEVROLET CAN HAVE THE TAHOE BACK. I SURE AS HECK WILL NOT BE DIVING IT IN THIS CONDITION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 2008
AFTER GETTING THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE FROM GM, MY 2008 HYBRID TAHOE HAS HAD MULTIPLE EPISODES OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL AT AROUND 30MPH AND WHEN REACHING AN INCLINE THAT REQUIRES SLIGHT ACCELERATION TO MAINTAIN SPEED, THE VEHICLE "FLOORS" ITSELF, DOWNSHIFTS AND ACCELERATES AGGRESSIVELY. I'VE HAD TO JUMP ONTO THE BRAKES TO AVOID LAUNCHING FORWARD. IF I HAD BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OTHER OBJECT, OR IF I HAD NOT BEEN PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION, THE TRUCK COULD EASILY HAVE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY CAUSING A CRASH. *TR
Air bags, Aug 29, 2008
2008 CHEVROLET TAHOE LTZ HAS HAD SERVICE AIRBAG WARNINGS DISPLAYED SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED IT NEW FROM THE CHEVROLET DEALER. DEALER REPAIRED DAY OF PURCHASE AND IT WAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM; SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. WE'VE RECEIVED A DIFFERENT REPORT OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION EACH TIME FROM THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE MOST RECENT TIME, ONSTAR ACTUALLY CALLED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD US THEY WERE RECEIVING AIRBAG WARNINGS FROM THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY TO DATE, BUT WE ARE OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED THAT IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THAT WE WILL NOT BE PROTECTED. FEEL FREE TO CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS. *TR
Seats, Aug 27, 2008
EXCESSIVE LINT BUILD UP ON EBONY CLOTH SEATS IN 08 CHEVY. TAHOE. GM KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM - GM BULLETIN #07-08-50-018A, 10/02/2007 MODELS 2007AND 08 TAHOES AND MANY OTHER MODELS BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS PRIOR TO 8/01/07. SUPPOSED TO RECOVER THE SEATS BUT AFTER MANY PHONE CALLS BACK AND FORTH WITH GM THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR US. OUR TAHOE IS A 08, # . THE FABRIC SEATS PULL CLOTH FIBERS FROM ANY TYPE OF CLOTHING YOU ARE WEARING AND THE SEATS LOOK FILTHY ALL THE TIME. THE FIBERS ARE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE WITH A LINT BRUSH OR A VACUUM. IT ONLY TAKES GETTING IN AND OUT ONCE AND YOUR SEATS LOOK TERRIBLE. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AND IT IS DRIVING US INSANE TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE FABRIC FIBERS FROM OUR CLOTHING ALL OVER THE SEATS. WE ARE VERY ANGRY THAT GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AT ALL FOR US AFTER REPLACING THE SAME FABRIC ON OTHER MODELS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR BULLETIN STATED PRIOR. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD CLOTH SEATS IN OUR VEHICLES AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS. THERE ARE MANY CHAT SIGHTS ON-LINE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM ABOUT THE EBONY CLOTH SEATS. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS IMMEDIATELY. AFTER ALL, THEY HAVE ALREADY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. WE FEEL ABSOLUTELY SCREWED OVER BY GM. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Jul 15, 2008
AS STATED ON PREVIOUS CONSUMER REPORTS THE MPG ON THE CHEVY TAHOE 2008 IS FALSE I CAN'T GET NO MORE THAN 13 MILES TO THE GALLON & 15 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS FALSE ADVERTISEMENT ON GMC. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Tires, Jun 2, 2008
TIRE KEPT GOING LOW. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE FOR 3 MONTHS AND BOUGHT BRAND NEW VEHICLE. TIRE IS SEPARATING... DEALERSHIP WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ONE TIRE WHERE I REQUESTED ALL BECAUSE ALL HAVE SAME DATA. *TR