Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH and making a right downhill turn, he crashed into the rail guard before impacting a tree where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact was concerned about whether the air bags should have deployed for the type of impact experienced. The contact stated that the Driver's side seat belt had locked. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss and towed to a local tow yard, where it remains. The contact fell unconscious due to the impact and was rushed to a local medical center via helicopter. The contact sought medical attention for injured knees, 7 fractured ribs, a broken right arm, and was left bedridden. A police report was not filed. …
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the message "Check Air Bags" warning was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS). However, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed across the street, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a laceration on the right hand caused by a sharp piece of the steering wheel. The contact did not seek medical assistance. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
The contact's husband owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while her husband was attempting to start the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the air bag control module needed to be replaced; however, while the vehicle was parked at the independent mechanic, the driver's and passenger's side air bags deployed without impact. No injuries were sustained. A mobile mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle and discovered that there was no communication with the air bag module. The mechanic stated that the air bag module was corroded and filled with water, and the third brake light was cracked and leaking water due to inclement weather. The mobile mechanic determined that the air bag module and connectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while parked after turning on the vehicle, the contact exited the vehicle and the side curtain air bags in the front and the rear of the vehicle simultaneously deployed. The contact ran back to the vehicle to turn off the vehicle because the alarm was sounding, the hazard lights were flashing, and the horn was honking independently. The contact stated that he inspected the deployed air bags became aware that the driver's side seat belt had tightened and locked. The contact stated all the seat belts had tightened and locked during the deployment of the air bags. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed by a manufacturer assigned investigator; however, the findings were not released to the contact. …
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags); however, the contact was informed that the instrument panel failed to allow access to the odometer and the recall repair was denied. The dealer informed the contact that for the recall repair to be completed, an odometer reading was required. The contact stated that the instrument panel was functioning intermittently. The contact was concerned that the recall repair was not related to the odometer failure and provided the dealer with an approximate mileage; however, the recall remedy was still denied. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,002.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to make a right turn, the front driver's side and front passenger's side air bags deployed, causing the rear windows to fall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the air bags inflators were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would only cover the repair of the passenger's side air bag. The failure mileage was approximately 64,644.
At a stop avoided hitting a truck pulling trailer I may have hit trailer not sure but I hit a pole . I was on my way to national guard ema took me hit the steering wheel needed stitches below my lip and glue above my lip my feet are lose and my knees crack bottom dash and my wrist is injured. Not sure if police report was made police were on site they towed my truck to b&m towing in giddings Texas paid $500 to tow company and another $500 to bring it to my home in San Antonio
The front passenger side air bag inflator ruptured sending particles and other debris throughout the passenger cabin while driving in city traffic, it is available for inspection, I feel like my safety and that of others was put at risk by the manufacturer not notifying me upon purchase, titling, and registration that this vehicle was the subject of a safety recall involving the air bags on this model, it posed a potentially life threatening risk to operate or be a passenger inside this vehicle and nothing has been inspected by anyone yet, it just happened a few hours ago, there was no warnings or messages prior to incident occuring unexpectedly. …
The dealership allegedly replaced the Takata airbag on the vehicle. Less than 50 miles later the "Service Airbag" dash light came on. When I took the vehicle back to the dealership they said "Yea, this happens a lot" They schedule an appointment to check it out. Their conclusion was that the two items were not related and that I would need to pay for parts and labor. They said the air bag sensor was bad. That dashboard light was never on before i took it in to the dealership. I spoke to Chevrolet customer service who stated that Dealerships are independent owner operators and since the item was closed in the recall data base that they couldn't do anything. Now I'm reaching out to NHTSA for help to fulfill the recall on the Airbag that you recalled for the safety of the public. …
Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V052000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Consumer stated airbag was replaced and would like to withdrawal the complaint.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 594 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 65% of the model year's 914 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-052 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 27 crashes, 0 fires and 34 injuries to air bags 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.