Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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 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 the vehicle was unable to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the manufacturer nor dealer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.
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. …
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.
While driving uphill in my 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power, accompanied by a flashing check engine light, ticking noise, and loss of oil pressure. The engine began to shake violently and I nearly rolled backward into another vehicle before I was able to shut it off. After restarting the truck, it began jerking and misfiring, making it completely undriveable. The issue occurred without warning and required a tow. Symptoms Observed: Low oil pressure warning Ticking/knocking noise from engine Engine shaking and loss of power Jerking and severe misfire when restarted Flashing check engine light Diagnosed failed/stuck AFM lifter in cylinder 6 Engine misfire isolated to cylinder 6 (confirmed by unplugging ignition coil with no change) Oil consumption and burning smell over prior months Possible camshaft damage due to lifter failure Shops …
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. …
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!! As I started to run for help, I tripped over a large size curb and landed on my face. My neck, shoulders and back have been difficult to move since this happened. I tried to lift the hood but that was too hot to do so, I ran into my friends 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 now I can barely move my neck, my back is in severe pain, and my ribs hurt immensely. As I survived this life threatening ordeal, I started doing background checks on this type of vehicle and 124 deaths have occurred because of this GM problem. …
I have just over 150,000 miles on my 5.3 liter v8 I constantly have to add oil and have had to since I bought this truck with 124,253 miles on the odometer. I generally add 2 quarts a month. I have brought this issue to my local dealership and have been told rhis is allowance. The oil pan gasket, rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, valve covers, the valve seats, and piston rings are all showing degraded signs. I worked as a mechanic for a short time. I am also a retired logistical transportation operator from the army . I have never know this to be in allowance. I understand that some of these issues are at owners responsibility. I just want to make it kniwn that everyone I kniw with this year model truck have tge same exact problems. Unfortunately this vehicle does have a salvaged title.
Rapid temporary loss of engine power, doorlocks cycling repeatedly, guages malfunctioning, radio shuts off and turns back on with no preset stations and showing 12:00 on the clock ,cruise control disengages. Once vehicle is shut off, no guages nor lights work...as if there wasn't any battery in the vehicle. Vehicle won't start until dome light is restored on via jumpstarting. Cleaning battery connections and numerous ground wire connections gives short-lived relief from symtoms but problems ultimately return. Chevy dealership diagnosis shows that ground wires have high resistance. Online research shows that tens of thousands of other Chevy owners are having similar to exact same problems, yet no recall has been issued. Problem was "fixed" last year and has returned yet again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While the vehicle was stationary and while driving various speeds, the fuel sending unit malfunctioned. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning because the fuel sending unit sent an incorrect signal to the fuel tank, thus signaling to the engine that there was no fuel in the vehicle. Don hall Chevrolet inc in ashland, kentucky was made aware of the failure and diagnosed that the fuel sending unit was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 6% of the model year's 914 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.