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 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while her husband was driving 55 MPH, the contact and her husband both heard an explosion coming from the vehicle and a white smoke was coming from the rear seat in the vehicle. The contact also stated the that the vehicle stalled and the seat belts locked up. Additionally, the hazard lights independently activated and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact's husband was able to pull over and inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that the cruise control no longer operated as needed, the seat belts remaining locked; however, the vehicle resumed normal operation. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 224,752.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 at an auction. The contact stated that although the odometer indicated 89,671 miles at the time of purchase, there was a mileage discrepancy discovered during the vehicle registration. The title was marked exempt; there was no official documentation verifying the actual mileage. The discrepancy was attributed to an inoperable odometer or due to the condition of the frame of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated was having electrical issues with the vehicle such as the lights would randomly fail to illuminate. The contact stated that the fuses were melted into the fuse box. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed of an unknown electrical failure inside of the fuse box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer nor the dealer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
Power door locks fail to lock or unlock when warm. Door lock actuators have been replaced previously and now again thy are failing. Leaving the door unlocked after remote locking and unable to unlock the door when needed, including in an emergency situation you are stuck inside unless you can reach to manually unlock the door. This is an unsafe condition and should recall these failing actuators just like the failing transmission lines they won't recall them but they did extend a warranty repair for 10 years. GM do the right thing and issue the same extended repair warranty before someone is killed due to unable to unlock vehicle in an emergency. 66,000 miles and second set of door lock actuators and windows switches. These are possibly failing from all the water the door window seals let inside the doors. Had all the window switches replaced previously as well. …
Duramax lmm diesel engine had all 8 glow plugs fail one at a time. Replacement glow plugs from GM have a higher voltage rating on them indicating GM was aware these will all fail in time. The original glow plugs voltage rating made the engine start quicker less turnovers at the expense of the owner who had to replace all the original glow plus as thy failed after the warranty period. Few failed during warrant as other reported and most failed months to years after the warranty. In m case they all failed at year 7 of owning the truck and all failed open due to this over voltage that GM corrected in the replacement glow plug. Repair was not cheap and could leave you stranded as the glow plugs fail and are needed to start a cold motor in a cold climate. GM should replace or reimburse owners for these know to fail glow plugs. …
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 contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that she heard a noise like a vehicle trying to start and when she looked out of the window she saw smoke coming from the vehicle. When she went outside the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The fire started on the drivers side engine compartment. A fire department report was available. There were no prior warnings. General motors was contacted and a claim was filed. Chevrolet responded after a month and gave the contact a telephone number for an information line. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 lt. The vehicle was parked idle in the driveway when it caught fire. The contact stated that he could hear the vehicle attempting to start independently. The vehicle had an automatic remote starter that he would use frequently. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. A fire report was available. The insurance company stated that a representative would inspect the vehicle to determine the origin of the fire. The manufacturer was stated that they would respond within ten days. The failure and current mileages were 21,000.
"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 the brake light warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer who diagnosed that there was an internal failure with the module and the dealer replaced the rear brakes, the module, and the relay switch. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 4/15/15 ma 08/14/15 the consumer stated GM refused to honor the recall by not refunding the cost of repairs. Updated 11/12/15 updated 9/27/2017
Related recalls
Electrical system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2007, to June 22, 2011, and GMC Sierra HD 2500/3500 trucks manufactured January 22, 2007, to June 21, 2011, and equipped with an auxiliary battery.
Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental Owner Manual information, free of charge.
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 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 12% of the model year's 191 complaints. The component named most often is integrated trailer brake control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-407 (electrical system, Jul 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries 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.