Model year guide

2008 Chevrolet Silverado

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 30 on record.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Chevrolet Silverado at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints1,076
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$16,797

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado recalls 2

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #08V441000 · 28/08/2008

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 XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CON…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,076 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City14 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,880

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado worth?

Low
$8,995
Typical price
$16,797
High
$26,900

From 26 comparable 2008 Chevrolet Silverado listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,400
Depreciation (5 yrs)$6,550
Total$25,950
Per mile$0.35

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($16,797) with the same model 5 model-years older ($10,260), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Chevrolet Silverado trims & engines on record

Trims
LS · LT · LTZ
Engines
6.6L 8-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl 364 hp · 4.8L 8-cyl · 4.3L 6-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl

2008 Chevrolet Silverado vehicles on record

Other Chevrolet Silverado model years

2008 Chevrolet Silverado — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado?

Based on 1,076 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, seat belts, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado at about 16 mpg combined (14 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado worth?

Comparable 2008 Chevrolet Silverado listings run roughly $8,995–$26,900, typically around $16,797 (from 26 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.