The Lemon Index2008 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe is better than average by owner complaints: 73 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 71, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about doors, locks & latches, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 14 to 21 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Tahoe year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 586 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Tahoe year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 42K to 110K miles on the car (341 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 70K–127K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 35K–105K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 58K–90K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALAN…
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON X…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1399 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Various electrical concerns - intermittently functioning or inoperative component, ip warning…
- A no crank/no start condition with dtc b009f set in the serial data gateway module (sdgm) of…
- No start, no crank, intermittent electrical operations (check for poor connections within…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedInterior door handle laceration risk2009–2010
- ClosedNon-crash engine compartment fires2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Automatic door lock stop working on driver side then passenger side front door went out one month later.
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint 10437345
More owner reports
On both my 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2008 GMC Yukon we have had 5 power door latches quit working leaving the doors unlocked or locked. I am concerned what could happen in the event of a crash.
NHTSA complaint 10358193
Doors will not all lock or unlock. Dealer said that lock actuators in each door need replacement.
NHTSA complaint 10421171
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 71; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Tahoe year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are doors, locks & latches (47%), electrical (21%) and suspension (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe get?
14 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,100 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 75,000 miles, from 341 complaints.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Tahoe year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works