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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,392 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 302014

Silverado 3500

  • 158,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle in the driveway, it was found that there was transmission fluid leakage. The failure occurred over a four month period. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was confirmed that there was a transmission leak but a remedy could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.

- Canadensis, PA, USA

problem #10

Mar 192015

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. While in park, the vehicle shifted into reverse independently. As a result, the vehicle started to roll away and ran over the contact. The contact sustained a fractured left side collar bone and shoulder and stomach bruises that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The police was not notified. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 6/4/15

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #9

Jan 262015

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 39,000 miles
Design failure of transmission cooling lines. Set of three cooling lines failing at crimped joint between solid line and flexible line. This seems to be a common failure due to design, low to medium pressure lines being used in a high pressure system. Failure during operation could result in sudden loss of power or engine braking which may result in vehicle control difficulties especially on slippery roads. This is a high failure rate item according to the service tech/advisor.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

problem #8

Jul 152011

Silverado 3500

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle would start to jerk and hesitate to accelerate. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle emitted extreme amount of smoke trough the exhaust every time the vehicle was started. The manufacturer or dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure miles was 170,000.

- Eastport, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 022009

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
Within two months of purchasing my brand new Silverado, I noticed this issue and it has persisted. My vehicle now has 73,000 miles on it, and it happens even more frequently. I've brough this problem up to Chevy on multiple occasions, and they have always told me to bring the vehicle when it's doing this, but within 30 minutes of operating the vehicle, the warning lights go off. Many times when I start my vehicle, the "stabilitrack", and "anti-lock brake system" warning lights come on. There's normally a click/thud when I start the vehicle, immediately followed by the warning lights coming on. When it does this, a lot of times the vehicle won't even shift into gear for about five minutes. It's my belief that when these lights are on, these items aren't working. I've driven up to 45 minutes with both lights being on. They will usually stay on until I've operated the vehicle for at least 30 minutes, and then turn the vehicle off. After I've done so, and then restarted the vehicle, the lights will usually go off. These are both very impotant safety features. I've gone on numerous GM threads and found that hundreds of Silverado owners from 2007 up until today continue to have the issue and nobody ever does anything about it. The owners who did get GM to actually turn a wrench in efforts to fix the problem all say it ultimately returned. The vehicle not going into gear is something that recently started happening with the problem. If I start the truck and the warning lights aren't on, the vehicle operates fine, however, if I start the vehicle and the warning lights are on, it usually takes several minutes to get the vehicle in gear.

- Dupont, WA, USA

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problem #6

Sep 302013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 72,125 miles
My truck stayed parked for 10 days while on vacation. It was running fine when I parked it. Upon returning from vacation I tried to start it and nothing! it wont even try to turn over. After having a private mechanic look at it he said the fuse block under the hood has a short in it. How can it short out just sitting there? this could be a fire hazard & a safety issue!! I have 2 small children & if I were driving & it caught on fire we all could be injured!!!!!! this should open GM's eyes to have a recall on this vehicle.

- Lewisburg, KY, USA

problem #5

Aug 312012

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 69,097 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While towing a 5th wheel trailer in 98 degree heat, the vehicle went into reduced power mode. The vehicle turbo was diagnosed as the problems with the variable vanes locking in position. I believe this is a known condition with the duramax lmm engine. On the open highway pulling a trailer this creates a hazard for the driver and other traffic as the sudden loss of speed is unexpected. Warranty was denied although there is a technical service bulletin regarding similar symptoms.

- Carlsabad, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 232013

Silverado 3500

  • 58,000 miles
Automatic transmission lines 2008 Chevy Silverado with allison transmission. Factory transmission lines leak and must be replaced. When the weather turns cold, the lines/crimps holding the rubber hose to the pipes fail and automatic transmission fluid is lost, sometimes in catastrophic manner, causing the vehicle to loose propulsion. Reports of failure are extremely common, and it is not unusual, that the lines may have been replaced 3 times within the 1st 50,000 miles. GM has issued 'new, updated' parts, but they are no better than the original parts. The new part numbers are 20759971, 20759972, 20759973. Wile repair is covered on the 36K bumper to bumper warranty, there is no coverage on the 100K warranty. GM should replace the lines free of charge for the 1st 100K miles with a hose that will not fail. Consumers can take the original GM line to a hydraulic shop, have the rubber portion of the lines replaced with standard hydraulic hose suitable for atf fluid and there are no further failures. If consumers can fix the lines, perhaps GM can find a solution.

- Woodland Park, CO, USA

problem #3

Feb 022012

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 32,120 miles
Both (upper and lower) transmission cooler lines leaking. Dealer advised both lines needed replacement at cost of $988.88, and not covered by the power train warranty. Appears to be leaking from crimp area on both lines. Independent transmission shop advised stock (GM) cooler lines cannot handle the pressure of the allison transmission. Recommended replacement with aftermarket braided lines.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 152010

Silverado 3500

  • 44 miles
2008 Silverado ltz-44.000 mi. Upon stopping veh. Engine wouldn't stop when I applied the brakes, placing engine in neutral RPM, S went to 3X100, place back in drive it drop into normal zone. I nearly collided with a veh. In front of me also ran a red light at another time as engine got a life of its own. Chevy dlr inspd same said a pip had been issued for faulty throttle carbon build up. Repair same to no avail. This happens not all the time. So far Chevy is unresponsive. This is a dangerous situation.

- Goshen Ny, NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 242008

Silverado 3500

  • 15,731 miles
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab that makes clanking sound when the transmission shifts into third gear. I went to the local dealership and was told that this is "normal for this truck". the truck has less than 16,000 miles on it. The mechanic told me that he was "surprised that it had not started making this noise sooner". it has become progressively louder and can be heard with the windows down. Coincidentally, this is the same sound the truck started making a few months ago when I would take off at a stoplight/stop sign. I could feel a pause and then it would clank and start to move. Again this can be heard with the windows down. I went to the dealership at that time and was told "this is normal operation". now the truck clanks when taking off from a stop and when it shifts into third gear.

- Quincy, IL, USA

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