Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had my truck serviced for the airbag recall in 2021 at Clint Newell auto in Roseburg Oregon, they did not have a necessary part to complete the job at the moment and I had moved out of town by the time they got it in. I just today brought it in and they said they did the second half of the recall but the component was not communicating. I was informed they would charge me to investigate why. I am writing to complain and seek resources. I cant afford to have the airbag problem investigated especially since it is likely their fault/negligence. The airbag light remains on and it is still a danger to me, also they were super rude and disorganized. Please help
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving at 67 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle veered off the road and rolled over due to the loss of control. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained severe spine and tail bone fractures that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. The VIN was not provided.
Winter driving on highway fairly clear road and while driving at speed the service airbag system message and airbag light came on the dash. Clearing system did not clear code or lights. Key cycles did not clear the problem. We replaced the front impact sensor and the system clear automatically. The sensor was not corroded or damaged yet failed during winter yuck while driving. Close inspection showed a crack around the mounting hole possibly due to water freezing in the bolt hole as the plastic case has a very thin portion and shows a crack. The bolt mounting hole has a metal spacer to keep from crushing the sensor case during mounting. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked around the passenger side air bag area. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V324000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,400. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 08/03/16
"Takata recall " received recall notice several months ago and still no fix . 2 speakers all failed with in six years, 3 window switches all stopped working have pictures available , all quit while driving on a cold night with my 4 yr old in the back seat . Had to pull over and remove switch to short out and get window back up. 4 bed mounting rails and bed side all have rust. So not only did it rot out prematurely but the dealership that covered up the problem entered an accident on the car fax for the bull crap repair they did on my vehicle . Dealership is barlow located in manahawkin nj
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that his vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V324000 (air bags). The vehicle was repaired but, shortly after, the contact heard a rattling noise coming from the air bag compartment and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The mc curley Chevrolet dealer stated that the failure May not be related to the previous recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 269,000. Updated 07/18/17
The dash around the air bag has formed a crack and upon deployment of the air bag could result in sharp plastic breaking off and hitting passengers. Along with the sharp plastic it could result in the rupture of the airbag and could result in a passenger death. This is a common problem on GM dashes from 2007.5-2013. GM will not own up to the problem and it needs to be taken care of. There is a facebook page with over 6000 people with the same problem. Https://www.facebook.com/groups/gmdashcrack/?fref=nf
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V324000 (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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000. VIN tool confirm parts not available.
The dashboard around the passenger air bag has cracked along the upper left outline of the air bag and the crack has ran into the air bag seam. Also on the opposite side, the dashboard has also cracked in a similar way around the instrument cluster. This crack is getting longer and running towards the air vent. I am concerned that the integrity of the air bag has been compromised and that a possible impact May cause flying pieces of plastic on both driver and passenger.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the vehicle started to smoke while driving 10 MPH. The warning indicator illuminated that the air bag was deployed. The vehicle was not in a crash and the air bag did not deploy when the incident occurred. The passenger was injured from the seat belt tightening on the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not able to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015.
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 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 106 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 55% of the model year's 191 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-011 (inflator module, Jan 10, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-324 (inflator module, May 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.