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2008 Chevrolet Tahoe

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Chevrolet Tahoe
Pictured: 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe RST, front 3.7.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD Ltz, 4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt, Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD, Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD
Engines
6.0L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, FFV, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 21 city / 22 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
5,265–5,836 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints414 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 74 for similar models — most often about the air bags.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe is a SUV - offered with 4 engines (6.0L 8-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 116-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,525 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Ltz).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (21 city / 22 highway), 11% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 414 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

  • New hybrid version
  • Engines added: 6.0L 8-cyl and 6.2L 8-cyl
  • Best combined MPG up from 17 to 21
  • Lightest version 179 lb lighter

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Tahoe →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD Ltz202 in79.1 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,525 lb51/49
4dr SUV RWD Ls/Lt202 in79.1 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,265 lb51/49
Hybrid 4dr SUV 2WD202 in79.1 in76.8 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,617 lb51/49
Hybrid 4dr SUV 4WD202 in79.1 in77.2 in116.1 in68.1 / 66.5 in5,836 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tahoe Hybrid 2WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 22 / 21+11%$3,200423
Tahoe Hybrid 4WD Hybrid6.0L 8-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 20 / 20+15%$3,350444
Tahoe 1500 2WD4.8L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-15%$4,200555
Tahoe 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-15%$4,200555
Tahoe 1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-15%$4,200555
Tahoe 1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-8%$4,200555
Tahoe 1500 2WD6.2L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive12 / 19 / 14-26%$5,850635
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.9 MPG2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe (this car)21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated5
2008 GMC Yukon21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Ford Expedition14 MPGNot rated0
2008 Nissan Pathfinder17 MPGNot rated3
2008 Dodge Durango16 MPGNot rated2
2008 Ford Taurus22 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V052000 · 557,023 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. 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 driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328780.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V050000 · 2,641,272 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. 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 driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.
Electrical System · Jun 4, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Problem
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 AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

414Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
6Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
10Injuries reported
100,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags232
Unknown Or Other95
Electrical System43
Structure › Body43
Engine27
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)12
Vehicle Speed Control12
Power Train11
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/07: 120/08: 120/09: 220/11: 320/12: 521/01: 521/02: 321/03: 421/04: 221/06: 121/09: 222/02: 122/03: 122/05: 123/04: 123/08: 124/04: 124/05: 124/06: 124/11: 125/09: 125/11: 226/02: 126/04: 120/0720/1121/0221/0622/0323/0824/0625/11max 5

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 232 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 43 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Structure › Body — 43 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tahoe years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Tahoe24–Not rated00
2026 Tahoe24210.6 inNot rated327
2025 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★151
2024 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★369
2023 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★5233
2022 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★4197
2021 Tahoe24210.6 in★★★★★16461
2020 Tahoe18203.9 in★★★★★357
2019 Tahoe18203.9 in★★★★★2109
2018 Tahoe19203.9 in★★★★★3105
2017 Tahoe19203.9 in★★★★★4174
2016 Tahoe19203.9 inNot rated10257

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →