Print this page

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,136 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Mar 012021

Suburban

  • 169,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact has had multiple repairs performed on the engine; however, the failure persisted. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #31

Jan 012021

Suburban

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle loss motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #30

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 #29

Aug 312019

Suburban

  • 34,600 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. When the engine was started, the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 9-5466810529. The approximate failure mileage was 34,600.

- Darien, IL, USA

problem #28

May 272016

Suburban

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the check engine and tire pressure monitoring system indicators illuminated. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V381000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called mark Chevrolet (33200 Michigan ave, wayne, mi 48184, (734) 629-4964) and was informed that the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Romulus, MI, USA

problem #27

Mar 012019

Suburban

  • 190,000 miles
Valve on cylinder 7 wont operate due to afm system

- Wauconda, IL, USA

problem #26

Jan 262015

Suburban

  • 91,750 miles

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

Jan 26, 2015, 91,750 mileage. Sudden suspension stabilizer light, check engine light and running rough. Dealer said brake switch and replaced. Possible other electrical issue also ruled out. Feb. 15, 2015, 92,413 mileage. Same problem now diagnosed as #4 lifter broke. Fixed for half cost. Less than 300 miles later, March 3, same lifter broke again. Three days later on family funeral out of town trip it broke again, same #4 lifter. Three times in 1000 miles is ridiculous. Finally right... for three years! Aug. 30, 2018, 136,000+ miles. Multiple broken lifters with cam damage. Rebuild or replace motor for $6500 or more. Replaced with factory GM crate reman. For $7500. Plus tax. All at my cost! why is this not a factory design flaw problem on recall, auto warranty or even completely stop putting this afm lifter on the market. To my best recollection, the vehicle was being driven in regular daily city traffic in little town fernandina beach, Florida for three of the four times it broke. One time was highhway travel coming home from sarasota Florida. Not just an economic or inconvenience issue but a serious potential for accidents when the vehicle suddenly looses power when this happens. Could be seriously rear ended or T-boned trying to pull out in traffic. From the research I've done so far and the blogs on this issue for nearly 10 years on line, its time to get GM to fix the real problem or stop building it and pay for the repairs.

- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

problem #25

Apr 192018

Suburban

  • 122,000 miles
A lifter went bad

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #24

May 252016

Suburban

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that various warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to manassas Chevrolet (8000 sudley rd, manassas, va 20109 (703) 596-3031) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed replacement. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to luck Chevrolet (516 S Washington hwy, ashland, va 23005 (804) 368-6473) where it was diagnosed that the number one and seven spark plugs were covered with oil gunk. The spark plugs were replaced. The dealer also stated that the motor in the vehicle was burning oil and continuously caused the number one and 7 spark plugs to fail. The contact stated that the failure would recur every 3-4 months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #23

Jul 072017

Suburban

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while attempting to start vehicle, it failed to start. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer myrtle beach Chevrolet Cadillac located at 1785 highway 501 myrtle beach SC 29577 where it diagnosed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 8-3107409216. The contact had experienced a failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

- Pawleys Island, SC, USA

problem #22

Jun 262017

Suburban

  • 127,800 miles

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

Check engine light turned on took it in for code results bad firing on plug 7. replaced still engine running rough and light is still on. After research it seems that the throttle position sensor seems to go bad on these vehicles" of course it is out of warranty, makes me wonder if this should be a recall"

- Cedar Park, TX, USA

problem #21

Jun 162017

Suburban

  • 149,000 miles
The vehicle has had numerous engine issues and abnormal oil consumption. The motor has failed at 149,000 miles and follows the pattern of numerous other complaints. Oil consumption lifter noise complete engine failure

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #20

Apr 082017

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 35 mph, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the engine and the oil gauge displayed zero. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road to check the oil level. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine, but the digital display read 13% oil. The contact added oil to the vehicle and drove to a dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil consumption issue. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The contact was informed by the service technician that the engine needed replacement the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and filed a case. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 06/02/17

- Petaluma, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 282016

Suburban

  • 130,000 miles
The engine has a design flaw and consumes oil rapidly, loses oil and deteriorates internal parts of motor causing total engine replacement or repair. This motor is currently apart of a class action lawsuit but the lawsuit is only for this engine in the 2010-2013 vehicles. This motor however has been in GM vehicle since 2007 and I assume that the company withheld this information from consumers and public just as they did in 2010. I believe that GM should be responsible for the design flaw of motor in all vehicles that included the engine. Personally I had to replace my motor for excessive oil consumption at the cost of $7,712.13 which included taxes. Then, of course, the motor you put in inherently has the same issue and its just a matter of time before it fails due to excessive oil consumption. The lawsuit is going to be filed for 2010-2013 models I think there should be a recall and I would like to see pressure to include earlier models with the exact same motor.

- Linn, MO, USA

problem #18

Sep 012010

Suburban

  • 41,000 miles
Engine mounts repeatedly fail and have been replaced 4 times, now it occurs 1 per year. The engine twists and clunks around inside the engine compartment.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #17

Oct 012015

Suburban

  • 97,000 miles
Engine lifters started tapping then stuck then were mushroomed by cam shaft. Had to replace engine. Cost $7,300. Told a very common problem on this vehicle.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #16

Aug 202016

Suburban

  • 199,000 miles
Apparently there was a technical bulletin issued for this truck. The special warranty was for 120,000 or year 2018. In 2015 I disputed the engine failure and also the oil consumption and the#7 cylinder. My truck was at 170,000 miles and GM refused to pay for the repair. On August 20, 2016, my truck was having the same problems. I returned it back to the same dealer and they said it was the same problem again, this repair was performed less than a year. I called GM again and they refused to make the dealership warranty the repair from last year. GM knows that this engine is faulty and refuse to recall this 5.3 engine. Now I have to pay for a new engine

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #15

Jul 152016

Suburban

  • 145,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle several days after having a routine oil change and the vehicle started to slow down. I took my car in to be checked out and was told that I need a new engine, the truck has a loss of power due to the stabilizing trak issue. After reading all the complaints online this seems to be a problem which needs to be addressed by Chevy.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #14

May 012009

Suburban

  • 14,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption of the 5.3L engine. It 'burns' a quart of oil between 1100 and1500 miles. The tsb issued on the engine fixed nothing. Chevy said they won't do any more which is indicative of the corporate culture at Chevy. This has been an ongoing problem.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #13

Jan 072014

Suburban

  • 70,000 miles
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

Read the next 12 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?