Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine, the stabilitrak, the service trailer brake system, and the seat belt warning lights were illuminated before the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle turned off and back on independently. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure and parked on the side of the road for 30 minutes before restarting the vehicle and continued driving to his destination. The contact stated he had experienced the failure on 3 different occasions. The contact took the vehicle to two different independent mechanics and the second location informed him that the chassis electronic control module needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that the following day, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact used a diagnostic machine and retrieved several codes indicating electrical failures. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the engine had been replaced twice. The contact stated the last engine was replaced in 2021. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
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.
T ruck left my wife totally stranded in the middle of a busy intersection. It was running but would not accelerate. I ran the codes and 2 codes that has never popped up before was P1682 and P2138. One said it could be the ignition and the other said it could be accelerator position sensor on gas peddle. My mechanic said this is a communication problem where the wires go into the ECM. Bad connection or moisture getting in. I have had a few wonky codes pop up that we believe to be bad connections. GM NEEDS TO GET THIS RECALLED AND RESOLVED. Trucks just stopping in the middle of the highway and in traffic is super dangerous. After i pushed on connection going into ecm, it started and I have not been able to duplicate code. We will see once it rains if it comes back. Way too many computers running these cars. …
Yes the warning light came on before the air bag was replaced, If the waring light comes it indicates that the airbag is faulty, why is it going to cost me $791 to repair the sensor. Is this not a problem that should be resolved, as the airbag wont work if the sensor is not fixed. The air bag was replace At George Nahas on January 8th. At the time we were not told that the airbag would not work because the light was on. It was much later that a friend (mechanic) told me that the bag would not work if the light was on. Thus we contact Feldman and were told that the cost would be $791. Why replace the bag is it not going to work
Vehicle abruptly malfunctioned (lose of power) while sitting at the traffic light during a heavy storm. Fortunately, I turned the vehicle off and restarted it, which gave me enough engine power to get a a safe place. I had the vehicle towed to Love Chevrolet, Columbia, SC. Dealership stated the entire wiring harness needed to be replaced. The replacement cost would be $3500. They also stated the wiring harness for this vehicle has been discontinued and I have to take the vehicle to an electrical shop to be fixed.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the check engine and service airbag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
There is a recall number 09184C that only pertains to certain states but I live in a wet state also not listed and the carpet under my seat held moisture and now my airbag control module totally disintegrated from being in moisture for so long, they won't accept my truck in for inspection or repair
On multiple occasions, while driving, my truck suddenly locked/unlocked/locked/unlocked doors, airflow changed from a/c to heat, Stabiltrak disengaged, Parking assist shut off, Traction Control turned off, lights shut off, engine stalled, and was unresponsive.
2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 fire on 11/20/20 I was driving 3 miles to my friends house and as soon as I pulled up, I smelt fire. I got out to find out that my passenger headlight and everything under the hood was on fire!! I tried to lift the hood but that was too hot to do so, and I ran into my girlfriends house screaming for a fire extinguisher!! As I was running back to remove as much as I could out of the truck her husband came out with the fire extinguisher and she came with the hose. I had my briefcase, purse, portable boom box and started running as fast as I could because I thought it was going to blow up, and tripped over the curb and landed face first in the dirt. Now I can barely move my neck, my back is in severe pain, and my ribs hurt immensely. …
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
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 Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 10% of the model year's 914 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 6 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death 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.