Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact attempted to depress the brake pedal but it was difficult to depress. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to fully accelerate however, it moved slowly and then stalled. The contact also noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that both front calipers, the cores, the rotors and the pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake system needed to be flushed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. …
While driving at speed door locks will actuate back and forth with all dash lights flashing. Eventually car loses all power, engine dies, and have to pulp to side of interstate without power brakes or propulsion. I was personally almost rear ended by a semi at approx 60 MPH. Furthermore, it is know that all door panels in this vehicle retain moisture. This has killed all speakers and I guess it could be a potential cause of the afore mentioned problem.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 15 MPH, the brakes failed. The contact drove through a red light and was finally stopped when the emergency brake was engaged. A crash occurred and the vehicle sustained scratches down the side and a dent in the rear. The contact was injured and stated that he would call his doctor for an exam. The dealer has not yet been notified. The current and failure mileages were 486.
Upon braking hard to avoid hitting vehicles braking abruptly in front of me, all four wheels of my vehicle locked up and just slid on dry pavement. Anti-lock brakes didn't work as designed. There was no pedal pulsation or ratcheting noise as usual with anti-lock brakes working properly. Should have been able to stop safely if they were working properly. Dealer said if warning light wasn't on then they were operating properly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes independently applied while the vehicle was being operated at low speeds. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transfer case was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,825.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the "service brake trailer system" warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that part numbers: 20850923 and 20904439 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 127,277.
First incident with the engine occurred less than 3 months after purchase. At roughly 88K miles I noticed a skip in power/torque especially when going uphill at a constant speed, a light loss of power was noticed very briefly as if one cylinder was missing. Less than 100 miles later the "service stabilitrak" and check engine lights came on. I had the engine code read and cylinder 7 was misfiring. Took it back to the dealership with 3 days left on my powertrain warranty (thank god right?), wrong. For whatever reason an engine malfunction was not covered under a powertrain warranty. But the leaking and failing brake system was covered. Advised by the dealership the lifters had failed which costed me a grand to fix less than 3 months after purchase. Exactly one year and roughly 20K miles later the truck developed a loud tick right after startup. …
The vehicle has a trailer brake issue, the trailer brake intermittently gives you a message saying service trailer brake and you loose brake system connection and the trailer brakes do not work, GM has been aware of the issue since 2007 but cannot and will not fix the issue, they use temporary fixes that last 5-12 months and then when you are out of warranty they will keep charging you and do not fix the issue, the trailer brake message comes up even when there is no trailer connected, GM claims it a short, module, your equipment, water, the plug, there engineers don't even know how to fix it, I have tried all resources and still have the same issue. …
I have taken my 2008 Chevy Silverado truck to the dealer several time to the dealer for many different problems. One specifically, brakes. The brakes have given me a problem ever since I bought the truck and have been replaced once. After replacement the problem still occurs. The dealer says the problem is normal. A new vehicle should not have so many problems. I've been taking the truck to the dealer for all my concerns. Now they say its a maintenance issue. After I've taken it so many times, now they say that's what it is. I do not believe that is right. I have all paperwork of me taking the truck to the dealer for my concerns. I believe you will see that I have taken it so many times, that my case should be handled. I have called the bank that has the loan of the truck, and have called Chevy and GM customer service. No follow up is attempted from the customer services. …
I have had two problems with this truck - one the driver door locks clicker stopped working and I had to have the Chevy dealer replace the automatic door locking part - now the brakes are a problem - I have 17,000 miles on this truck and the front rotors had groves in them and had to be turned - the pads have been replaced with heavy duty pads - my regular tire and brake shop in town said they would never have put the heavy duty pads on this truck. Four days after the first fix it started squeaking and I had to take it bake to the dealer and he said they had to keep it and check the brakes were getting hot, they got me a rental car for four days while they took the brakes apart and put them back together and said they must have put them together the first time wrong!
Brake complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 3% of the model year's 914 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes 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.