Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. While the vehicle was parked, the contact's wife proceeded to open the passenger side door from the inside. The chrome paint on the door handle fractured and cut her hand. No medical attention was required. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.......updated 12/30/15 the consumer stated an exterior door handle, that broke off, had to be replaced. Through reseachthe contact discovered chrome peeling off of the interior door causing the passenger or driver to cut his or her hand. Updated 2/23/2016
Began noticing large cracks on dashboard, which has caused the entire front instrument panel to shift. Panel now sags 1/4" lower on right side. Cracks are also surrounding airbag locations. Should airbags deploy, the plastic could be very dangerous (ie, shrapnel) also, electric lift-gate has failed twice, falling while I am underneath it. I was not injured. Vehicle was stationary in both instances of the cracks and the failed lift-gate.
Two large cracks in dash, one over instrument cluster and the other where dash meets airbag. I noticed a very small crack approx four years ago and has now grown substantially. Researching this on the internet has shown this is a widespread problem with these vehicles, I am just one more complaining of a serious design flaw with possible safety ramifications.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the dashboard developed two cracks. One was near the instrument cluster and the other was near the passenger side air bag. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000. Ma 10/25/15
Dash board has been cracking over the last 3 years. Even though a sun blocker screen has been used. Oil has been used weekly so that it does not dry out , when I wash it. But it started cracking more and more. Now the cracks are where the airbags are. I have reported it to the company last year but no response
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked on the driver's side and passenger's side air bag compartment. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Dash board cracking and splitting apart in multiple locations// it started off small, and is continuing heading for the gauge cluster.~~~on the opposite side it has completed a split from the defroster ducting to the passenger front air bag cover.
In 2008 it was hard finding a Suburban as a lot of dealerships closed already. So I found a dealership in glendale california. It was far from where I lived. When I was opening the sunroof it started going back and forth. I couldn't believe it. Ii had a long trip home and I was hoping that it would just resolve itself but it never did. I have told Chevrolet many times about this problem and you will find my records of how many times I had called them to resolve my problem but they never ever did a thing about it and it is still happening to this day. Also I had just noticed a few short months ago that I have fine little hair cracks showing up all over my Suburban. On the hood and on both sides of the car. I went to martin Cadillac in west los angeles that services Chevrolet suburbans and they had told me your car was probably repainted un-benoist to me. …
Drivers door has had trouble closing. Hinge was stiff and creaked loudly. Several attempts just told needed greased. So we continued to grease when necessary at home. Kept greasing the hinge. Finally the door would not shut at all around 90,000 plus miles when first noticed the door issue. Had to have someone come and help close the door. The door turned out to be defective metal and near the hinge the metal has torn across and thus lowered the door to where it does not close properly. A small weld was done to hold while I pursued help through Chevy to no avail as by then we were over 100,000 and told too late. I even had the body manager tell them no rust around hinge, defective metal. Now the passenger door has same issue. Windows are starting to have trouble closing since door off line.
2008 Chevy Suburban will be in the shop next week for the 3rd time for same problems dealing with front air conditioner ceasing to blow air and problems with door latches & locks no longer able to be activated by remote or front master door activator. Have replaced ac blower motor, resistor, and driver front door lock actuator. It is now the driver back door lock not working. Also, vehicle began running rough; took it to mechanic; sent me on to dealer. Had to replace all fuel injectors and camshaft.
Body complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban, 14% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is body (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Suburban body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 4 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 Suburban body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries to body & structure 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.