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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The contact stated that while the husband was driving, a warning message indicating the hood was unlatched had been displayed and the front headlights were not operable. Smoke was seen coming from under the hood and after lifting the hood to inspect the engine compartment flames and smoke were present. The husband extinguished the flames with water and the vehicle was pushed to a work sight. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the battery cable and electrical wiring harness were melted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The fire department was not called to the scene. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine trouble light appears and service airbag message appears,both. Passenger side windows would not operate. Burning odors appear inside the cabin. The g.m. Dealership located the wiring harness had caught fire and melted part of the carpet on the front drivers side kick plate. $2,400.00 to replace the harness and carpet. What's going to prevent this from happening again?
I have bought vehicles since I was 17 years old. I have never had the whole left side electronics go bad like in my 2008 Silverado, ltz. The windows would not go up or down. Either side. My mirrors would not come in. Extended cab windows would not work . I replaced left door electronics panel, chev. Dealer mechanic tried to syncronize with vehicle computer ($130.00) found broken wires in harness. Mechanic tried to fix the problem and shut drivers door. Opened door and the wires had broken again plus it shorted out a fuse panel.a new harness and panel was ordered. A week later the new items were installed ( $606.89). The mechanic then said that the left rear door was shorting out and it needed a new harness ($500.99). I waited another week and this harness was installed on 2-13-15. …
All four doors would not lock or unlock by pressing the lock button on either front doors or by using the remote when stopped. It scares me as a parent of a seven year old that the doors May not lock when needed and my child could accidentally open the door when driving anywhere at any speed. For the safety of my family and friends this really concerns me because if we were in an accident what if the doors couldn't unlock by button or manually or lock to keep passengers in while driving. In my opinion this is a safety hazard that really needs to be investigated by GM and an action taken into affect to correct this faulty issue or parts.
Vehicle was stopped, waiting to enter road, dashboard lit up like a christmas tree and smoke started pouring from under the hood. Turned vehicle off, called a tow truck and it was taken to our mechanic. The sealed internal fuse box and wiring harness conections had caught fire and burned, damaging the main fuse panel that costs $450 to replace and the main wiring harness connected to the fuse box. I have read several complaints filed by other Silverado owners for the same reason but their vehicles completely burned to the ground. How many people have to injured or killed by this before there is a recall? Please help!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving various speeds, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. The contact had to park and restart the vehicle, but it would not accelerate past 10 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness cam sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer where several repairs were made, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 55 MPH, all of the gauges became disabled without warning. The contact mentioned that when the gauges reactivated, the air bags were disabled. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. ... Updated 06-02-15 updated 9/17/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. While starting the vehicle, the starter continued to function. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V827000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the recall repair did not need to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V324000 (air bags). While driving at an unknown speed, the door latch actuator failed and the door opened on the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,205. Updated 09/14/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, all four locks on the vehicle locked and unlocked constantly. The vehicle stalled. The failures recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
Related recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
Electrical complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, 30% of the model year's 162 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 17% 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.