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 Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The battery energy control module GM Part # 84442220 located inside the HV battery assembly caught fire. The harness that was most affected was the battery cell voltage sense wires. The way the battery voltage sense circuit is manufactured seems dangerous as there is no fusible link between the battery cell and the module. If a short circuit occurs the full current of the cell will be induced on a very thin gauge wire going to the module which will result in a fire.
Was Delivered. Took for a test drive. Stalled at stop sign. Restarted went down the road stalled and slammed into park. Contacted company was told to take to local GMC/Chevy, (said they did a bunch of research and this part should work) basically guessing had my vehicle for 9 months replaced some sensor. Had my boyfriend Drove to red light, not even half a block, stall (stable track sensor) but lost all electric but v8 still ran took to another ( had towed) to another local shop they had for 4+ months couldn't figure out said it was running 18+ codes and would cost too much to go through. Contacted company the gentleman politely laughed and said ur kidding me right it's been years I tried to explain how long it was taking due to both repairs company had it over a year n half. No sympathy he knew exactly what he sold.
I had bought the 08 Tahoe hybrid. The day it was delivered, it stalled I called the dealership out of Minnesota and was told oh it could be this it could be that went to two local shops and a private shop all had different specifications as to what was wrong with the car due to so many codes being thrown out. You would try to take off from a stop sign or a red light car would completely lose all power, almost had multiple people slam into me because it always happened, caused so much anxiety because my only wheels to get my children around. Once again was told to take it in GM had it for over a year and could not figure the issue out. I was told by the dealer multiple times it was not their issue and they knew the position I was in an said it was inspected but refused to send me the paperwork.
The air ride control module under the spare tire in the rear of the vehicle has deteriorated and the connections melted so I had to disconnect the module I noticed smoke from underneath the rear of my vehicle I believe if I did not disconnect the module there would have been a fire i have the module that I can send pictures to you of the plug the connection and the deteriorating module these vehicles are supposed to be made to be used in the upstate weather and to leave a important piece of electrical equipment out like that is nonsense and to replace the module is approximately 500 without me going to the dealership.
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.
2008 Tahoe 2mode hybird 6.0l trim: hy2 with electrical power assisted steering freeway off ramp 45-50mph A/C was on at the time medium setting radio was on at the time engine running issue. Had a momentary loss of power steering in "emergency " maneuver... Not only did the SUV keep going straight the wheel locked up(like if it was off and would not move at all) everything was fine after that momentary loss of epas was able to come to a complete stop without accident... I had a good following distance from the car in front of me and they moved out of the way (fast)so did I. (look like they were moving out of the way of a object in the road) anyways no object in the road.. …
I drove my vehicle in the morning and then parked it for about 2.5 hours. When I started my vehicle the gas gauge showed my car was empty, even though I had just recently filled up and had only gone about 80 miles on the tank, my airbag readiness light stayed on, and none of my gauges were functioning. Also, the light for the passenger air bag above my review mirror didn't illuminate at all. I drove it for a few seconds and tried turning it off and then back on, but nothing changed. After driving it for a few miles, I parked and turned the vehicle off again. When I turned it back on, everything began working again. I believe this is an electrical issue, but when taken to the dealership, I could not get it to replicate the issue. Besides the obvious danger of not having any gauges while driving, my fear is that the airbags would not work properly in an accident.
Takata recall on my vehicle - why is taking so long to remedy this recall? I also have a few other issues I want to mention. I bought my Tahoe in July 2016, my dash is cracking on the driver's side and from what I've read, this is very common and GM is ignoring the issue. My vehicle also started taking off on its own, took extra pressure to stop & RPM would fluctuate sporadically. After contacting a dealer, I was told there was campaign to replace the throttle body sensor but it had expired while the previous owner had possession and was told I'd have to pay for the repair and would possibly have to replace the throttle body. After replacing the sensor, my vehicle's RPM still fluctuates upon stopping and idle is rough. Very upset Chevrolet customer now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, while depressing on the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that the ABS, brakes, traction control and stability trac warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated he was able to come to a slow stop. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed of an unknown electronic issue. The contact called the local dealer Chevrolet of montebello (310 w whittier blvd, montebello, ca 90640, [phone]) and made the dealer aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving an approximate speed of 30 MPH, there was a burning smell in the vehicle and immediately, she noticed there was smoke emitting from the general console area. There were flames coming from the cigarette lighter.the contact moved the vehicle off the roadway and attempted to extinguish the fire, but to no avail. The fire department arrived and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where the contact was awaiting further inspection of the failure. The cause of the failure had not been determined. The failure and current mileages were 40,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system
GM is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
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;…
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 Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe, 16% of the model year's 528 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010); NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 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.