2008 Chevrolet Silverado: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado: 1 recall, 162 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #08V441000 · 2008 · 857,735 vehicles
What's wrong: A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater May overheat the control-circuit ground wire.
Why it matters: This May cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 16 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (62): the most common themes are fails to deploy (7), warning light on (7).
- Electrical (48): the most common themes are door / lock issues (22), electrical failure (15), stalls / loses power (10).
- Latches & locks (18): the most common themes are door / lock issues (18).
- Body & structure (14): the most common themes are door / lock issues (3).
The 2008 Chevrolet Silverado has 162 owner complaints, ranking #15 of 28 Silverado model years for complaints (well below the 312 average). Complaints peaked in 2015 (47 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 65,650 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (183 complaints, 1 recalls), 2009 (76 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 4.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
| 6.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
Owners have filed 162 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (62), electrical (48), latches & locks (18).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (4.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 10 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.