2008 Chevrolet Express Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Chevrolet Express has a complaint index of 26 and ranks 15th worst out of 20 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because of 10 recall campaigns. Brakes are the top complaint area, with 5 complaints and a median failure mileage of 60,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 26/100
- #15 of 20 Express years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 14
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 Chevy Express problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (36%)
- Electrical System3 (21%)
- Engine3 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (21%)
- Airbags2 (14%)
- Fuel System2 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake warning lights, ABS failure, and dash gauges cutting out together while driving around 50 mph, sometimes traced to corrosion on the ABS sensor.
- Exterior and interior lights failing to illuminate, in one case after switching on the high beams, requiring multiple dealer visits.
- Transmission failing to shift out of first or second gear during merging, forcing the driver to cycle through neutral and drive.
- StabiliTrak activation linked to a wiring problem that causes the transmission to downshift, limits speed to about 15 mph, and kills the speedometer.
- A small fuel system leak between the canister and fuel tank that can trigger the check engine light.
- Side and rear doors becoming hard to open or handles failing, reported as a safety concern for occupants needing quick exit.
2008 Chevrolet Express recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V169000Apr 17, 2012Other34 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling certain conversion vans built on model year 2008-2010 chevrolet express, 2009 gmc savana, and 2010 ford transit connect chassis, and fitted with certain braun wheelchair lifts. Over time and with frequent use, the roll stop latches on the wheelchair liftâs outer barrier may become bent or misaligned.
Risk: A wheelchair occupant may defeat or ride over the insufficiently latched roll stop. If this occurs when the lift platform is in an elevated position, the wheelchairâs occupant could fall and sustain injury.
Remedy: Main mobility is working with braun to notify owners, and braun dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. Main mobility has not provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
- NHTSA 10V205000May 13, 2010Other133 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 conversion vans built on chevrolet express and gmc savana chassis from october 2007 through may 2010 and fitted with certain ricon s series and k series l-model wheelchair lifts. Due to a problem in the software that controls the lift's "up" function, should the "up" button be released before the floor level limit switch is activated, the lift may continue its upward travel and may overrun the floor level cut off point.
Risk: When the platform overruns the vehicle floor level and stops at an angle from 15-20 degrees, it is possible for a person in a wheelchair to tip over and for someone standing on the platform to fall, possibly resulting in injuries.
Remedy: Main mobility will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by authorized ricon dealers free of charge. A software solution for this safety defect is under investigation. Until the software solution is available, ricon will provide owners with a bulletin outlining proper wheelchair lift operation and will ship owners a dvd-based training aid to promote proper lift operation at no cost. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
- NHTSA 09V456000Nov 19, 2009Other269 vehicles
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner
Cues, inc. Is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 service vehicles built on various chassis equipped with carrier airv ceiling units, model nos. 68rv0010ba, 68rv0012ca, and 68rv0010ea. The heater element in these assemblies may be defective which could cause the unit to create smoke or sparks.
Risk: This defect could result in a fire.
Remedy: Cues is working with carrier to remedy the affected vehicles. Repairs will be made by carrier free of charge. Please see carrier's defect report 09e-053. The safety recall began on january 5, 2010. Owners may contact carrier at 1-877-584-7059 or cues at 1-407-849-0190.
2008 Chevrolet Express fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 12 MPG
- Highway
- 16 MPG
- Combined
- 14 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Express years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chevrolet Express reliable?
- It has a complaint index of 26, which ranks 15th worst among 20 model years of the Express, so it performs better than average on owner complaints. However, its verdict is capped at Caution because it carries 10 recall campaigns.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Chevrolet Express?
- Brakes are the top complaint area, accounting for 5 of 14 complaints (36%), with a median failure mileage of 60,000. Electrical system, engine, and transmission issues each account for 3 complaints.
- Does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Express, mostly involving wheelchair lift equipment on conversion vans and one transfer case issue on all-wheel-drive models. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2008 Express compare to other model years?
- The 2008 model's complaint index of 26 is lower than years like 2010 (100) and 2009 (79), which are rated Avoid, but the 2008 still gets a Caution verdict due to its recall count.