2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags problems

106 complaints (55% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 106
of this car's complaints: 55%
typical mileage: 90,000
crashes: 2
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 5

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 10, 2020 · 699 vehicles affected

What is wrong: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with non-desiccated, passenger frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑866‑522‑9559. GM's number for this recall is N192290990.

Recall number 20V011000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 330,198 vehicles affected

What is wrong: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 28, 2006, to August 29, 2008, and 2007-2008 GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks manufactured November 27, 2006, to August 29, 2008. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's numbers for this recall are 15438 and 15817.

Recall number 15V324000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpened September 17, 2021, still open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

EA21002

What 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Airbags · OR

I had my truck serviced for the airbag recall in 2021 at Clint Newell auto in Roseburg Oregon, they did not have a necessary part to complete the job at the moment and I had moved out of town by the time they got it in. I just today brought it in and they said they did the second half of the recall but the component was not communicating. I was informed they would charge me to investigate why. I am writing to complain and seek resources. I cant afford to have the airbag problem investigated especially since it is likely their fault/negligence. The airbag light remains on and it is still a danger to me, also they were super rude and disorganized. Please help

Filed Dec 27, 2020 · Airbags · MD

Vehicle's airbag recalled in 2016 9gm 49152). I called dealer- win kelly- in july, 2017 . Kathy said "no uflorianreasonable danger' .. Be safe. Gm solution by august. Called the federal safety agency on 9/12/17 took complaint # 11022868. Got a filled our complaint form 100148 noting manufacturer "parts not available". !2/27/2020 same story.

Filed Nov 19, 2020 · Airbags · GA

My dash has cracked in multiple locations including the airbag surround. Shards of the dash have now begun to break off - clear indication of an unsafe condition. Should the airbag deploy shards of the shattering dash could rupture the airbag or worse strike and impale the occupants of the vehicle. This is an unsafe condition. I am in the aircraft maintenance business and the faa and ntsb would never allow such an obvious hazard in an aircraft. My dash started cracking years ago and despite stop drilling the cracks as we do in aircraft maintenance on lexan transparencies the cheap plastic the dash is made from continues to propagate new and bigger cracks. Attempts to use a plastic welding repair kit also failed. A recall to address this dangerous condition is way past due.

Filed Aug 29, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 90,000 miles · CA

My dashboard is completely broken by the passenger air bag also completely broken by the drivers cluster exposing wires and other mechanical stuff

Filed Jan 16, 2020 · Airbags, Body · PA

Air bag recall and electrical issue

Filed Jan 9, 2020 · Airbags · GA

My dashboard has cracked around the passenger's airbag. There was no indecent that caused the crack - I just got in the truck one day and noticed a small crack. Over the past year it has progressively gotten worse to the point that I am concerned that it is a safety issue. The dashboard also has a large crack on the driver's side but my greatest concern is the danger presented by an airbag deployment that could easily send shards of sharp plastic shrapnel into the face of my passenger or that it could damage the airbag and prevent it from functioning properly. It has always been my understanding that dashboards were padded as a safety feature to protect the occupants in the event of a wreck. Somehow the safety administration has allowed gm to get away with installing dangerous, brittle, cheap plastic dashboards the are prone to cracking - a problem the manufacturer is well aware of according to my dealer. It is a failure of our consumer safety agency to allow this to continue and a recall to fix this dangerous condition is in order and should be required right away. How takata airbag manufacturer can be required to recall millions of airbag parts but gm is allowed to get away with this is inexcusable.

Filed Jul 23, 2018 · Airbags · OH

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet silverado 2500. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v383000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The chevrolet dealer (foster chevrolet cadillac, 2504 hayes ave, sandusky, oh 44870, (419) 504-0609) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 9, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 68,000 miles · MN

Winter driving on highway fairly clear road and while driving at speed the service airbag system message and airbag light came on the dash. Clearing system did not clear code or lights. Key cycles did not clear the problem. We replaced the front impact sensor and the system clear automatically. The sensor was not corroded or damaged yet failed during winter yuck while driving. Close inspection showed a crack around the mounting hole possibly due to water freezing in the bolt hole as the plastic case has a very thin portion and shows a crack. The bolt mounting hole has a metal spacer to keep from crushing the sensor case during mounting. These sensors are failing for no reason and gm needs to fix this reoccurring issue as the sensors are not cheap and could cause the airbag system to fail at a critical time or possibly set off the airbag for no reason making it a very costly repair not to mention a possible uncalled for accident. At $200 gm should replace these sensors under warranty. Aftermarket sensors are available and cost half of gm.

Filed Feb 9, 2018 · Airbags · CA

I have a 2008 silverado in showroom condition. It has 109k miles and has been a great truck. Over the last 24 months I have noticed cracks appearing in the dash. Eventually they got so bad that they stretched all the way across the top of my dash including the area around the air bag. I received an airbag recall and I showed the dealer the cracking. I explained my concern that if the airbag deployed it would cause plastic shrapnel to fly into the cab of the truck. The dealer said my truck was out of warranty and that it would cost close to $8000 to completely change the dash which they told me was the only option. I called chevy corporate and spoke with a chevy representative and got basically the same answer. I asked what they were going to do when an accident occurs where someone is seriously injured or killed by the broken plastic flying through the cab. The representative refused to answer me.

Filed Oct 21, 2017 · Airbags · IN

Owned vehicle with defected air bags

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 106 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 55% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 20V011000, 15V324000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have bad airbags?

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (106 complaints), 2007 (87 complaints) and 2011 (40 complaints).