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2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,680 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 Suburban electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

May 082023

Suburban

  • miles

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

I have a 2008 Suburban. Beginning in August, there was an accident on the highway and traffic was backed up. I was idling, waiting for the traffic to move, like every other car on the hightway and the suburban just shut off and said "Stablitrak off." It happened numerous times after this, just when idling. I took to the dealership I bought it at. They charged a ton to fix something but it didn't' take care of the problem. It's gotten so much worse. I took back a few months ago and they fixed it again, but didn't charge us this time. Now it's so much worse. Anytime I'm iding, just picking my daughter up at school or just stopped at a red light, a warning comes across, "service stabilitrak" or "stablitrak off." and the car immediately shuts off. It usually restarts in 5 minutes or so and I can usually make it to my destination as long as I don't idle again. Monday I was picking up my daughter and it stalled in the parking lot at her high school with tons of cars behind me- I waited, restarted it as I have done in the past. But then, going down this steep high school hill, the car shut off, lost steering and brakes wouldn't even work. I had teen drivers ahead of me that I nearly crashed into, teens in my car. This is not ok. We took it back to the dealership and now they say it's an electrical problem. I've read a ton online forums that this is something that happens with a lot of other people. I'm afraid to drive my car. I'm also not sure what to get fixed because these other people have spent tons of money, just like me with no results.

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #33

Jan 092020

Suburban

  • 123,000 miles
Driving when you reach about 30-35 mph all the locks start cycling up and down, all the gauges go haywire, there is a throttle in the engine. When you turn it off sometimes it starts back up and runs fine and sometimes it won't do anything like the battery is dead and then a few minutes later it comes back on and starts back up. The last incident was 01/09/20 but this started in 12/2019. The vehicle has a brand new engine which only has about 1,000 miles on it. Also there is a crack in the dash at the corner of the passenger side air bag.

- Sutherland, VA, USA

problem #32

Oct 102019

Suburban

  • 183,789 miles
Dash has cracked by airbag. Engine just stops while driving and comes right back on after vehicle is turned off won't start needs to sit awhile then it starts and radio N temp panel goes to default.

- Mabank, TX, USA

problem #31

Jan 022019

Suburban

  • 152,000 miles

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

My gauges are doing all types of crazy things blinking on and off I replace my PCM and body control module and still having problems this GMC is not drive able and it should be a recall I have spent over $2000 in the shop

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #30

Oct 152018

Suburban

  • 152,000 miles
Rear radio/control system started to smoke while stopped at an intersection in October 2018. We have not tried the radio, but the heated seat doesn't work. We are unsure if we should go out of town with it and have not had it inspected.

- Escanaba, MI, USA

problem #29

Jan 012015

Suburban

  • 50,000 miles
3 door lock actuators failed. This includes the driver side door. All failed within 6 weeks.

- Morris Plains, NJ, USA

problem #28

Oct 152018

Suburban

  • 152,000 miles

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

Rear radio/control system started to smoke while stopped at an intersection about a month ago. We have not tried the radio, but the heated seats still work. We are unsure if we should go out of town with it and have not had it inspected.

- Escanaba, MI, USA

problem #27

Sep 152016

Suburban

  • 140,000 miles
My dash started cracking for no reason. I went out today to get in my vehicle and noticed a crack along my dash that wasn't their yesterday.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #26

Jun 302016

Suburban

  • 45,000 miles
In 2008 it was hard finding a Suburban as a lot of dealerships closed already. So I found a dealership in glendale California. It was far from where I lived. When I was opening the sunroof it started going back and forth. I couldn't believe it. II had a long trip home and I was hoping that it would just resolve itself but it never did. I have told Chevrolet many times about this problem and you will find my records of how many times I had called them to resolve my problem but they never ever did a thing about it and it is still happening to this day. Also I had just noticed a few short months ago that I have fine little hair cracks showing up all over my Suburban. On the hood and on both sides of the car. I went to martin Cadillac in West los angeles that services Chevrolet Suburban and they had told me your car was probably repainted un-benoist to me. I have had other cars before this one that I have now and I have never ever had the fine lines of the paint cracking all over my car and I contacted Chevrolet on this as well and they said they could not do anything for me. I have seen paint fading away on cars but not cracking as my Suburban has all over the car. In this day and age, with all the sophisticated technology and the way things are done so much better now than ever before on somethings but not everything as I can see it on my Suburban. I contacted chey on this as well and they refuse to give me any help on this. I also had a problem with my brakes when I got the Suburban. As I came down a steep hill the brakes started to cause the whole car to wobble. I knew it was the brakes. I took my foot off the brake for a moment the wobbling stopped this was when I had my car for a few short months. Martin Cadillac's service manager said the paint cracking should not happening maybe glendale California repainted the car. Chevrolet has refused all 3 claims.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #25

Feb 132016

Suburban

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #24

Jan 072014

Suburban

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. While the vehicle was in park or drive, all four doors failed to unlock and the key fob failed to unlock the door. In addition, while driving 50 mph, the check engine, stability track disengage, and traction control lights illuminated. The vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil spilled and caused the spark plugs to fail. The spark plugs were replaced numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Hamden, NY, USA

problem #23

Mar 062016

Suburban

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. While driving approximately 60 mph, all the warning indicators illuminated and the check engine light kept flashing. The braking ability seized. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power control module system malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #22

Feb 142015

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 94,000 miles
My 2008 Chevy Suburban with 94,000 miles stalled while in traffic traveling at about 20 mph without warning. I luckily was able to coast it to the side of the road and after letting it sit for a short time it did restart again but only to stall again after the car ran for another 5 minutes again traveling at about 20 mph. I had it towed to my dealership and have been told that my crankshaft position sensor has failed. While my VIN and year is not covered, there is an active recall on this condition (GM recall no. 06083.). this is a very dangerous issue to have especially when traveling with small children in the car. The recall should be extended to other years who experience this issue for the safety of families.

- Wilmington, MA, USA

problem #21

May 012014

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles
2008 Chevrolet Suburban. Consumer writes in regards to the disappointment in the manufacturer due to numerous vehicle repairs. The consumer stated the vehicle would run rough, the check engine light illuminated, the service stabilitrak and traction control lights illuminated when some of the cylinders shut down, the lifters were not properly lubricated, causing them to fail. The engine consumed large amounts of oil. There were noises coming from the oil pan and transmission area, 3 of the 4 door locks actuators were replaced, the rear liftgate broke for the 4th time, the right retractable mirror was inoperable, the cruise control worked about 505 of the time, which was probably tied the throttle positioning sensor going bad as well. Also, the vehicle had significant electrical problem, where certain lights would illuminate on the dashboard, there was an audible clicking noise, that sounded like a relay firing very quickly.

- Warwick, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 142014

Suburban

  • 77,200 miles
When I tried to open rear door, it would not open, due to door latch assembly going bad. Only knowing this is a problem after doing some research. Now I do not have the problem with not being able to open door at all, the manual switch still works, but I sympathy for them that don`T. I can just imagine if I had to get a child or a handicapped adult from the back seat in a hurry and the door would not open for me to do so. I have read on some other sites that GM is aware of the problem, and know the part is defective. I have also researched enough to know there is a new part number for the oem part. So if they know it is junk, make it right. A humans life over a hand full of money. Not tough for someone with feelings to make. I hope the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finds a way to make them to repair, replace, and if someone has paid to fix their problem, before it was recalled, reimbursement.

- Linwood , PA, USA

problem #19

Sep 142011

Suburban

  • miles
All 4 automatic door locking actuators do not work. The actuators do not work when the lock/unlock button is pressed on the remote. Locks do not actuate when the car is put into park or when the speed is attained that is set in the system settings. The only way to lock/unlock the doors is to manually push or pull the door lock. You can also unlock the drivers side lock by using the key. This is unsafe.

- Erlanger, KY, USA

problem #18

May 302012

Suburban

  • 61,000 miles
Rear hatch door actuator went out. The door is in the locked position and cannot be opened with console button, key fob or exterior handle. There is no way to open the rear hatch from the inside of the vehicle creating a safety hazard for passengers riding in the 3rd seat. The rear hatch is not accessible for use since I is in a locked position and cannot be opened. I have filed a complaint with GM. Their cs representative contacted me to let me know that my local dealership can fix the problem at my expense. Tens of thousands of these complaints have been filed with GM over the last 2 yrs. And there has been no recall for this potentially fatal safety hazard.

- Mathis, TX, USA

problem #17

Jul 012011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
I purchased a 2008 Suburban ltz in July 2011. Shortly after we purchased the vehicle 3 of the doors locks have stopped functioning completely, the 4th door works sporadically (driver side, passenger). The locks do not work at all with the keyless entry nor the main lock button from the driver side door. I have been told that it is a problem with the lock actuators malfunctioning and that it is also a well known issue from various dealers and per my research on the internet. In order to unlock the doors, I must manually use the key to unlock the driver side door then unlock all the other doors by hand one by one. Then we must lock all doors manually after entering because the locks also do not lock automatically when you take the car out of the park position. Although the power locks are a luxury, this also becomes a safety issue. A vehicle with an original asking price of over $55,000 should never have this issue and I'm not sure why Chevrolet fails to take action for a clear safety danger. As a mother of 3 children I find this to be a very serious safety issue. A child could easily open the door and fall out of the moving vehicle or if we were involved in a car accident any one of my family members (adult or child) could potentially be ejected from the vehicle, causing either serious injury or worse!! I realize the child safety locks can be activated to keep a child from opening the door accidentally, but that will not prevent a carjacker or anyone else for that matter from jumping in and stealing the car or kidnapping a child. In my opinion, their definitely needs to be a recall issued for this major locking malfunction based on my experience and hundreds of others I have researched.

- Washington, OK, USA

problem #16

Aug 212012

Suburban

  • 30,471 miles
Failure of power assisted door locks. Doors will not open with power switch. Solenoid has burnt out. GM has recognized problem with faulty parts manufactured in china. Replaced first solenoid that was close to being under warranty. The three other units that have now failed will cost $90 each to replace. Thousands of complaints have been filed with the ntsb and GM but the refuse to do a manufacturers recall.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #15

Aug 062010

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 8,600 miles
I'm having problems with the door locks. All of them goes out at some time. I'm not able to get into my vehicle with the key or anything. I'm afraid that there's going to be a time when I'm not able to get into my vehicle for something important or even to get my kids. There are a lot of people with this problem. I think this should be looked into for a recall. Please help! these power lock are defective.

- Silas, AL, USA

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