Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. While the contact's daughter was entering traffic at 65 MPH, the vehicle in front made an abrupt stop. As a result, the contact's daughter was unable to stop the vehicle in time and crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The contact was concerned that no air bags deployed during the impact. In addition, the contact stated that the OnStar feature failed to activate and it was concluded that it was due to the sensors. During the impact, the contact's daughter's head hit the steering wheel and caused an injury in which physical therapy was required on the weekly basis. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The contact also wanted to advise that vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number 21V52000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,000.
I was sent a notification in February 2021 to notify of a recall for the airbags on my Tahoe. I have received no further information from General Motors, Chevrolet or the local dealer. The notice says a severe injury or death could result from the malfunction. Seven months is not timely. I checked the General Motors website and it states no parts or repairs are available. I will contact them also so see if this can be escalated. Dangerous.
We were sitting in a parking lot with the engine running and heard an explosion in the vehicle. Later we discovered that the left rear, side curtain air bag had deployed. Horn has been inoperable for months cruise control hasn't worked in years steering wheel radio controls don't work. No appointment reason for any of it. Pass air bag off warning light red Air bag light is usually on but not always.
Takata recall - I have been checking on this for a year and a remedy is still not available. I was involved in an accident April 10 2017 and the Tahoe sustained significant front and rear damage while stationary. I was hit from behind by a large truck and was then pushed into the car in front of me. No airbags deployed.
I was involved in an accident last year where I took out a gaurd rail next to a building. My air bags never deployed and now my car will not run.
There are very large cracks on my dash board, the worst one being around the airbag plastic cover on the passenger side of the dash! You can see under the cover showing all of the components under the dash! The crack that is on the drivers side is above the steering column running from the defroster to the top by the speedometer displays, etc! I feel as if these cracks, specifically the one on the passenger side, is a huge safety hazard! Without crashing, there is no way of telling if the passenger side airbag will deflate properly due to this! I feel that to find this out, it should be at no ones expense! I have filed a complaint & a claim with GM a few months ago only to be told by the dealership that GM contacted on my behalf that the responsibility is mine if I wanted this problem to be fixed! The dealership informed me that it would cost $850 to $1000 to have the dash replaced! …
Takata recall. Between 2010/2011 side curtain airbags (front and back), deployed while operating vehicle in optimum driving conditions, after a passing over a pothole in the roadway. I was traveloing with my then [redacted] son and daughter. Imeediately took the vehicle into the dealership only to wait over a month, without a vehicle, and never given the option of a rental or loaner vehicle. As "Chevrolet" investigated the on-board computer data, it falsely read that airbags deployed due to "rollover event" data was sent to the vehicles SRS system. Chevrolet then deemed that I was driving over 95 MPH (which is impossible due to the rev limiter), and I had oversized wheels on my vehicle. Wheel diameter and size were not the factor, as they were within 5/32" of OEM stock dimensions. …
Takata recall: on 11/14/2017 I learned that I can not sell or trade my 2098 Chevy Tahoe due to this recall. Furthermore GM district manager told me there is no fix and I will be stuck with my vehicle until a solution is found. Therefor I will loose money on the value of my vehicle. I would also like to bring to your attention that GM has faulty dashboards that crack, especially in 2008 Chevy Tahoe. GM has acknowledged this flaw but it's not a recall because no one has been injured or killed yet due to the defective dashboards. I found online a news reporter named andy wise who invested this case and has all proofs as he can not report a news investigation without attorney review. He was able to get his client a free dashboard replaced. I went to my local dealership and played the video for the a service manager and he contacted the district manager. …
I already have a potential air bag recall #49152 that has not been resolved. Additionally, I have had a cracked dashboard that cost 1,500.00 to repair, which I can't afford. My power folding mirrors have stopped working numerous times and now can not be fixed under warranty anymore. My radio had to be completely replaced. My vehicle has 29,550, and is a piece of junk. The roof is rusting out. G.m. Went bankrupt in 2008, which stopped the lease process. I got stuck with this vehicle and have been fearful of driving it. The low mileage reflects it. When will you as a government agency intercede and tell GM to make good on there defective products. No one cares, except the people that get rich selling these garbage vehicles!!! What are you waiting for someone to get a piece of cracked dashboard in there eye or worse, die in an accident caused by plastic flying into the drivers face. …
Takata inflators. I was contacted several times over the past 2 years that my vehicle was part of the recall. Everytime I have contacted the dealer I was told there was be remedy it this time. It seems that GM is holding out in performing the recall on a large amount of their consumers. This hasent been fixed in a timely manner. They have had plenty of time to prepare and complete the recall they are just dragging it out. My wife and I are now stuck with a vehicle that could possibly cause bodily harm or death. We can't even sell the vehicle because of the open recall and without GM fixing the recall people don't want to purchase a vehicle that could possibly kill them. I would like to see that GM is held accountable and perform the recall as soon 🔜 as possible. …
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas,…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.
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 Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 233 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, 44% of the model year's 528 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-050 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-052 (inflator module, Feb 5, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.