YearToAvoid

2008 Chevrolet Express Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

26/100

#15 most-complained of 20 Express years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Chevrolet Express has 14 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 26 out of 100 — #15 highest of 20 Express model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (5 complaints, 36% of the total).

Complaints
14
Recalls
10
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
14
12 city / 16 hwy

Top 2008 Chevy Express problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes5 (36%)
  2. Electrical System3 (21%)
  3. Engine3 (21%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain3 (21%)
  5. Airbags2 (14%)
  6. Fuel System2 (14%)
  7. Structure & Body1 (7%)
2008 Chevrolet Express complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2010Dec 2010May 2012Apr 2014Apr 2015Mar 2017May 2023
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2010 to May 2023; peak Apr 2014 (4).

2008 Chevrolet Express recalls

10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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 liftâ’s 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 wheelchairâ’s 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 10 recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Express →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution42121614.5
2007Caution5317414.5
2008Caution26141014
2009Avoid79107—
2010Avoid100155—

All Chevrolet Express years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Express a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Chevrolet Express ranks #15 of 20 among Express model years (Complaint Index 26/100, verdict: Caution). It has 14 complaints and 10 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Express?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), and engine (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 42,475 miles.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chevrolet Express, most recently reported 2012, covering other, transmission & powertrain, and fuel system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Chevrolet Express?
EPA rates the 2008 Chevrolet Express at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 16 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.