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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags244
  2. Electrical system100
  3. Structure84
  4. Latches/locks/linkages65
  5. Engine36
  6. Vehicle speed control20
  7. Power train16
  8. Suspension15
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)15
  10. Service brakes13
  11. Steering12
  12. Fuel/propulsion system12
  13. Seat belts7
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20087
200912
201026
201128
201233
201335
201431
201538
201676
2017114
201862
201971
202022
202117
20223
20232
20244
20253
20262

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2025Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11702074

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11732170

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2024Steering, Electrical system, StructureODI 11591989

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2015Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10711910

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11700456

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11256880
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.