2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tahoe Hybrid at the same age

Owners have filed 58 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.9× as many as a typical Tahoe Hybrid model year at the same age, which makes the 2008 one of the Tahoe Hybrid years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (13 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).

58complaints
0recalls
1crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid problems

  • Electrical system~50,000 miles
    1322%
  • Air bags~120,000 miles
    1119%
  • Engine & cooling~108,000 miles
    1017%
  • Brakes~107,000 miles
    916%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~131,000 miles
    712%
  • Steering~160,000 miles
    610%
  • Locks & latches~42,000 miles
    59%
  • Body & structure~89,000 miles
    59%
  • Other / not specified~160,000 miles
    59%
  • Speed control & acceleration~129,000 miles
    47%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~124,000 miles
    23%
  • Suspension~162,000 miles
    23%
  • Stability & traction control~108,000 miles
    23%
  • Seats
    12%
  • Equipment & accessories~48,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 58 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid complaints by model year

20082009201158228
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Tahoe Hybrid years: 2011, 2009. Years to avoid: 2008. Compare all years →

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid:

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.

What 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid owners say

Electrical system

I was driving when one of the lifters collapsed , I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle I submitted another complaint a while ago and hadn't heard nothing , now my back hatch wont open my doors on the passenger side don't lock with the button or remote I have done nothing but put money into this vehicle since I got it , it has an oil issue it fowls out the number 1 plug all the time ,ive changed the oil sensor and sending unit , the spider gear in the rear end shredded which there known for had to have that rebuilt ,I had the new valve cover put on , cv joint is leaking , paid over $2200 to have the collapsed lifter fixed , my check engine light is on again saying oil gage, already replaced that once my clock wont work its been in the shop more than my driveway

155,000 miles · Apr 2019

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled after depressing the brake pedal. After the failure occurred, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle could be operated after the failure using the vehicle manual control feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the entire electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was approximately 142,000.

142,000 miles · Sep 2015

Air bags

1# Takata inflators replacement part is available with new part number.. They refuse to replace it insisting it's safe it's 100f every day here in the mojave desert .. They boost big claims it will not be an issue..which is laughable at best it seems like high heat is a issue for these air bags being baked at 140f for most of the day we demand a new air bag with the new part number as they sell to the public for $450 #2 interior door handles peeling razor laceration hazard.. Sharp peeling of door handle coating is sharp (laceration hazard resulting from sharp edges in the chome plating on interior door handles) the vehicle has the issue for many years attached photos of door handles GM and GM dealers refuse to fix it as they claim it normal wear and tear.. From my understanding a door handle is not a knife ... …

89,000 miles · Jul 2019

Takata recall- this recall states that there is a defect with the air bags and my repair air bag light is on and I can't get my car to pass the yearly pennsylvania car inspection. I'm going to continue being stopped by the police and given a 50 dollar no inspection ticket until I can get this repair airbag light off.

115,000 miles · Oct 2015

Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The contact stated that the rear hatch door failed to unlock. The failure recurred on several occasions. On a separate occasion, while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled causing another vehicle to crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,475.

117,000 miles · Jan 2012 · crash

I was driving when one of the lifters collapsed , I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle I submitted another complaint a while ago and hadn't heard nothing , now my back hatch wont open my doors on the passenger side don't lock with the button or remote I have done nothing but put money into this vehicle since I got it , it has an oil issue it fowls out the number 1 plug all the time ,ive changed the oil sensor and sending unit , the spider gear in the rear end shredded which there known for had to have that rebuilt ,I had the new valve cover put on , cv joint is leaking , paid over $2200 to have the collapsed lifter fixed , my check engine light is on again saying oil gage, already replaced that once my clock wont work its been in the shop more than my driveway

155,000 miles · Apr 2019

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
6.0L 8-cyl hybridCVTRWD21 / 22 / 21
6.0L 8-cyl hybridCVT4WD/AWD20 / 20 / 20

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid a good car?

Based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Tahoe Hybrid rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tahoe Hybrid at the same age. It is one of the Tahoe Hybrid years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid?

The electrical system — 13 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (11) and engine & cooling (10).

How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid have?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008. See the full Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid years comparison.

At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.