Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and independently turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
My wife drove the truck to walmart to get a couple of items with her were my son in law and daughter. Once arriving there(approx. 3 mi) they noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. My son in law opened the hood to discover a fire, he then ran into walmart where an employee grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. After they got home I checked it out and the wiring harness that goes to the mass air flow sensor was completely melted. It was still in all th he factory tie downs and wasn't touching anything that could have chafed it or pinched the wires. The truck was on city street then in parking lot
The wire harness under dashboard was rubbing against the emergency brake mechanism and shorted out catching fire. I was lucky to have been stopped and able to put the fire out within seconds resulting in very minimal damage but had I been on the highway the result would have been very different. However it did short out other electronics inside the vehicle such as the rearview mirror putting me out hundreds if not thousands of dollars to repair.
I have a 2008 Chevy Avalanche ltz, I have a problem with the dash light coming on with service air bag, wiring by the emergency brake pedal a problem. It happens when it running, stationary, when I start the truck. I took the truck to the dealership and they replaced the air bag and the air bag sensor. The light came back on and comes on intermittently. No fix as of yet. This happens all the time from March to present day still ongoing!!!!
The dashboard has cracked around the instrument cluster and the air bag. Causing safety hazards. It is obviously a flawed design GM refuses to own up to. The vehicle also has some electrical issue that causes the trucks to come to a stop on the interstate.
I have a 2008 Chevy Avalanche ,the truck has been having a lot of electrical problems. For the past month the truck will flicker when I drive but it is un constant. At first I though it was a battery issue so I took it to autozone and they checked the battery and said the battery is fine its a electrical problem in the truck. I did some research and all the reviews and that the Avalanche did have a recall on there electrical isuess. So I called a local Chevy dealer and told them about the problem and how it might have a recall on the electrical system and they said no. So I was driving yesterday on the highway and my truck started to flicker and them turn off completely and locked up on me. I could of been in a wreak but thankfully the highway was not busy and I stop on the highyway. I then tried to turn the truck on and showed no life at all in the truck. …
2008 Chevy Avalanche. Over a two year period had all 4 door lock solenoids replaced due to failure. When I thought I had doors the doors locked they were not. Cost me about $150 for the first lock--when I raised [redacted] the Chevy service manager accommodated the cost of the other three over a period of time--I pointed out when I searched the web is was a major issue, with not just the Avalanche but also the tahoe, surburban and silverado. When I ask if the new solenoid was an improved unit the manager said he did not know but the part # did not change---sound familiar??--crazy!!!! As of one month ago I no longer own the Avalanche. When I told the service manage there should be a recall, he said they only recall for safety issues---I told him that it looked like a safety issue to me--the owner thinks the doors are locked but one May not be.
Left rear power door lock stopped working at 38,000 miles. Right rear power door lock stopped working at 42,000 miles. Right front power door lock stopped working at 53,000 miles. Driver side power door lock stopped working at 61,000 miles. At this time it is very unsafe when children are in the back seats and the doors lock are unable to unlock the doors. I am unable to unlock the back doors unless I stop the vehicle and climb through the two front seats to get to the manual locks located at the back of the doors. If the vehicle is in a serious accident and anyone is not aware that the power locks no longer work they May not be able to get out of the truck. Previously the doors locked when the truck started to move forward automatically and now if children are in the truck they could possible fall out of the truck if the doors open while truck is moving.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost all power without warning. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but there was no failure code. The contact was notified that a possible issue could be the amount of keys on the keychain. 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 not made aware of the issues. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My dash is cracked right by the airbag and right over the cluster which I feel is a defect in the material that was used to make the dash and is a safety hazard. If the airbag deploys ' could bust and pieces could fly injury someone or puncture the airbag I feel that GM should resolve this problem I should not have to pay for a new dish thank you hope to hear back soon. Furthermore there is an electrical problem with my vehicle the truck will lock by itself with the keys in the ignition or laying on the consul is happened several times on me again thank you
Related recalls
Electrical system
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…
Remedy: 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…
Electrical system
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.
Remedy: 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;…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Electrical complaints in other Avalanche years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, 8% of the model year's 258 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010); NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.