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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,527 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 2500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #23

May 142020

Silverado 2500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 212,000 miles

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

This is a 2008 Chevy Silverado hd Z71 4X4 well taken care of. And the transmission goes into limp mode on fast stops. This is extremely dangerous due to the fact that if a load is on board and it goes into limp mode this could be dangerous for all behind the vehicle and around. Which could be a threat to all unexpectedly causing undue harm to other while in control of this vehicle. And vehicle sends out a code.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #22

Nov 152018

Silverado 2500

  • 130,000 miles
Motor :6.6 L deisel transmission allison 1000 rear engine cover cracked vehicle not retaining coolant (part number 12622693) trucks coolant low level indicator came on ( in motion on the highway) could cause motor to overheat and lock up while driving if defect was undisclosed and not known about - I had a deisel technician find the problem and had to have the entire transmission pulled out in order for the leak to be found. Pictures attached - the defect was not visible from the outside looking at the drivetrain

- Hudson, MA, USA

problem #21

Jan 012018

Silverado 2500

  • 1 miles
My truck has 69,755 miles when the transmission went into protection mode. Jerry smith garage of anacortes wa. Found loss of prime of fluid due to poss sticking lube regulator valve in pump cover. This was at cost of $5849.87 I feel that this truck a 2500 heavy duty trany should last longer than 69,755 miles. It was being driven on the street

- Anacortes, WA, USA

problem #20

Oct 242016

Silverado 2500

  • 98,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, it rolled backwards and crashed into a tree. The contact was caught between the driver's door and the running board. The contact sustained injuries to the knees and deep lacerations to the body and head, which required medical attention. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. The VIN was not available.

- Gates City, VA, USA

problem #19

Apr 092014

Silverado 2500

  • miles
After truck sits for a week or more, once started and put in reverse it will back out of garage very slowly when given fuel even at 3000rpm. The garage says to let it warm up should not have to do this. I think trans. Fluid oil is draining down and has to fill back up. Should not have to do this.

- Anacortes, WA, USA

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problem #18

Mar 222016

Silverado 2500

  • 250,000 miles
Vehicle has been stalling and losing trailer brakes. There is a recall on this but this particular truck did not fall in the recall. The trailer brake module on the frame rail of the truck was full of water. I has been replaced and all is good now. Could have been a very bad situation but was able to prevent an accident.

- Wilson, MI, USA

problem #17

Dec 302014

Silverado 2500

  • 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 #16

Mar 192015

Silverado 2500 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 #15

Mar 162015

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 40,800 miles
Transmission lines and other areas are leaking bad. They are leaking from all three hoses at the factory crimp.

- Havre De Grace, MD, USA

problem #14

Jan 262015

Silverado 2500 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 #13

Nov 212013

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl Diesel

  • 61,500 miles

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

I have replaced transmission cooler lines twice (2 times), since purchasing this truck with 59K miles on it. Both times with ac delco parts. Both times the transmission cooler lines leaked, not an installation problem. 11/21/13- I first noticed it when driving at 25 mph picking up my kids from school, and I had transmission fluid spraying out from underneath my truck, causing it to smoke/smolder on my exhaust pipe. (transmission fluid is flammable). The crimp has separated from the hose. This is the first time I replaced with genuine GM parts. 1/16-14- 2nd time was during the winter when the truck was warming up in the drive way and yet again the crimp was causing a leak, which dumped about a gallon of fluid on my driveway. (again transmission fluid is flammable) I replaced the lines one more time and I'm about fed up with the lack of help GM is giving. The current set of cooler lines on the truck are just now starting to drip so its only a matter of time before they give out again. The truck has very low miles and I meticulously maintained, this is a known GM problem on more than 1 model of vehicle and I am unsure why GM will not extend a warranty to these failed parts. My local GM service dept. Has refused to help me in any way, even though I have bought GM part every time. When will GM face the facts before one of these catches fire and someone dies"??"

- West Richland , WA, USA

problem #12

Jul 152011

Silverado 2500

  • 170,000 miles
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 #11

Sep 032014

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 66,958 miles
I took my truck to a repair facility, to have a leak repaired, at the rear of the transfer case. The mechanic thought the rear seal was leaking, so he repaired that. Once the rear seal repair was made, the mechanic discovered there was still some leaking of transmission fluid. Upon closer inspection, he found a hairline stress crack in the rear section of transfer case housing. The crack first ran perpendicular, then made a turn left (horizontal), toward top of where drive shaft enters. On Sept. 03, 2014, a local Chevrolet dealer took the order, for part no. 19125656cv, then on Sept. 08th that same dealer advised the mechanic working on my truck that the part was on national back order, with no estimated date of when it would be available. I was almost forced to purchase a brand new complete transfer case assembly, for over $1,500, just to get my truck back on the road, again. Common sense tells me, Chevy must be having problems, with an awful lot of truck transfer case rear housing sections, in order to run completely out of spare parts; nationwide. I feel this leak could be a safety hazard, because once the transmission fluid runs out, the gears in the transfer case would probably seize up, causing the driver to lose control and crash. I feel a recall should be issued, for this problem and Chevrolet should be forced to increase production of the repair part needed and have a supply of these parts on hand (nationwide). Fortunately for me, my mechanic was able to find the repair part I needed in a junk yard.

- Salamanca, NY, USA

problem #10

Feb 022009

Silverado 2500 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

problem #9

Sep 302013

Silverado 2500 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 #8

Aug 312012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 69,097 miles
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 #7

Mar 232013

Silverado 2500

  • 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 #6

Feb 052013

Silverado 2500 8-cyl Diesel

  • 28,537 miles
Transmission fluid leaking from crimps where metal ends are attached to rubber hoses.

- Floyd, VA, USA

problem #5

Feb 022012

Silverado 2500 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 #4

Feb 102012

Silverado 2500

  • 44,000 miles
My truck was diagnosed at the dealer with all of the transmission cooler lines leaking, at the crimps. Nearly everyone I know that has a 2007-2009 has had the same issue. If undiagnosed, this could lead to transmission failure due to fluid loss, loss of pressure, etc. Clearly a manufacturing defect, no diagnosis of cause due to elements or driver error, etc.

- Portland, OR, USA

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