Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Owners filed 586 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe with NHTSA between Jun 2008 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (244).
Complaints
586
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
21
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags244
- Electrical system100
- Structure84
- Latches/locks/linkages65
- Engine36
- Vehicle speed control20
- Power train16
- Suspension15
- Electronic stability control (esc)15
- Service brakes13
- Steering12
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Seat belts7
- Seats4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
12
26
28
33
35
31
38
76
114
62
71
22
17
3
2
4
3
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 28 |
| 2012 | 33 |
| 2013 | 35 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2015 | 38 |
| 2016 | 76 |
| 2017 | 114 |
| 2018 | 62 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
244 reports5 crashes2 related recalls
“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.”
Electrical system
100 reports2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Structure
84 reports1 crash
“a few thing is on my car I have got new battery, right hub Barrier and to get left repaired! Light on in care say contraction something has to do by power steering”
Latches/locks/linkages
65 reports1 crash
“PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. WOULD WORK OCCASIONALLY. NOW, IT WON'T WORK AT ALL. HAS TO BE MANUALLY PULLED UP TO UNLOCK AND PUSHED DOWN TO LOCK. I NOTICED OVER 450 COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS ABOUT THE ACTUATORS GOING OUT ON THEIRS TOO. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM. *TR”
Engine
36 reports2 crashes1 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.”
Vehicle speed control
20 reports2 crashes
“THIS YEAR MODEL HAS A SERIOUS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM WITH THE GAS ACCELERATOR MALFUNCTIONING. I HAVE SPOKEN TO DOZEN OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH THIS YEAR MODEL AND ABOVE AN ALL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THIS WILL LEAD TO SOMEONE BEING KILLED IF NOT ADDRESSED BY THE BUILDER OF THE TRUCK. THE PEDAL STICKS WHEN DRIVING ,THUS CAUSING YOU TO ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE ALMOST RAN INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE ASKED FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TRUCK AND THEY TOO HAVE HAS THIS PROBLEM.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.