2008 GMC Savana Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2008 GMC Savana has 3 complaints, 7 recalls, and a complaint index of 37, ranking 13th of 20 model years. It sits in the middle of the pack, well below the worst years like 2017 (index 100) and 2007 (index 95).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 37/100
- #13 of 20 Savana years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 14
- 12 city / 16 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2008 GMC Savana problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (67%)
- Airbags1 (33%)
- Structure & Body1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Cargo doors, both exterior and interior, become extremely hard to release, with dealers pointing to failed door hinges.
- An airbag deployed unexpectedly while the vehicle was parked and the driver had already stepped out, traced to a wiring problem.
- The engine required several attempts to start with no warning lights illuminated, and the issue recurred multiple times without being diagnosed.
2008 GMC Savana recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V247000Apr 6, 2023Electrical System150,830 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
- 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 09V272000Jul 6, 2009Other185 vehicles
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Main mobility is recalling 185 model year 2005 through 2009 chevrolet express and gmc savana vans manufactured between april 1, 2005 and june 25, 2009, equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 403, "platform lift installations in motor vehicles." the anti-stow interlock may not detect the presence of a wheelchair or mobility aid user. The pressure sensing switch that detects the presence of weight on the platform was not adjusted to the necessary sensitivity level. The lift could stow even though someone or something is still on the lift.
Risk: The user of the lift could be injured should the lift move unintentionally.
Remedy: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e097). Owners may contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
2008 GMC Savana 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 Savana years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 GMC Savana reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 3 complaints for the 2008 Savana with a complaint index of 37, ranking 13th out of 20 model years. It is not among the worst Savana years, which include 2017 and 2007.
- What problems does the 2008 GMC Savana have?
- The top problem area is the electrical system, accounting for 67% of complaints, including hard-starting issues and an unexpected airbag deployment linked to wiring. Owners also reported cargo door hinges failing.
- Does the 2008 GMC Savana have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2008 Savana, covering areas including transmission and powertrain, fuel system, and electrical system, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the median mileage for reported problems on the 2008 GMC Savana?
- The median mileage at failure across this year's complaints is 50,000 miles, with electrical system complaints reported around 58,000 miles and airbag complaints around 66,000 miles.
- How does the 2008 GMC Savana compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 37, the 2008 Savana ranks better than 2005 (84), 2007 (95), 2016 (89), 2017 (100), and 2019 (79), all of which carry an Avoid verdict.