Most common 2008 Chevrolet Express problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Express complaints by model year
Best Express years: 2025, 2012, 2015. Years to avoid: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999, 2002. Compare all years →
2008 Chevrolet Express recalls (10)
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 lift's outer barrier May become bent or misaligned.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: Main mobility is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or main mobility at 1-716-759-6811.
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings is recalling 42 my 2006-2008 Ford e150, e350, Chevrolet express, my 2006 Ford e250, GMC savanna, Dodge sprinter conversion vans, and my 2007 newmar dutchstar motor homes equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These lifts fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Cummings 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 cummings at 1-763-498-7887.
Show 4 more recalls
Equipment adaptive/mobility
Cummings is recalling 42 my 2006-2008 Ford e150, e350, Chevrolet express, my 2006 Ford e250, GMC savanna, Dodge sprinter conversion vans, and my 2007 newmar dutchstar motor homes equipped with ricon platform style wheelchair lifts. These buses fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Cummings is working with ricon to correct the wheelchair lifts free of charge (please see 07e095). Owners May contact ricon at 1-818-267-3000 or cummings at 1-763-498-7887.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
GM is recalling 151 my 2008 Chevrolet express and GMC savana vehicles equipped with all wheel drive (AWD). Some of these vehicles have transfer cases that were manufactured with an incorrect part that can cause early failure of a drive chain.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transfer case date code and, if necessary, replace the transfer case. The recall began on August 15, 2008.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
GM is recalling 567 my 2008 Chevrolet express and GMC savana cutaway vehicles with a 139" wheel base. The frame rail on the driver's side May be wider than specification.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the clearance between the frame rail and fuel tank housing and will rework the frame rail if necessary free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2008.
Power train › Automatic transmission
GM is recalling 2,481 my 2008 Chevrolet express and GMC savana g-cutaway fleet van equipped with a 6.0l (rpo ly6) v8 engine, 4l80e (rpo mt1) transmission, 4.10 (rpo gt5) axle and 75 MPH governor (rpo 9d7).
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the transmission and engine control modules free of charge. The recall began on or about July 30, 2008.
What 2008 Chevrolet Express owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Express. While driving, the transmission disengaged. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module and transmission control module needed to be reprogrammed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V313000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 10/28/16 the consumer stated the local dealer reprogrammed the ECM and TCM. Updated 11/02/16.
While merging on the expressway the transmission failed to shift out of first or second gear causing high engine RPM's . I had to shift into neutral and back into drive several times but it still failed to shift into any gear. I had to put on flashers ( heavy traffic ) and make my way to the emergency lane. When I came to a complete stop and shifted back into drive it shifted correctly. I have had this problem for several months to present date. I took the van to the dealership who said they could not replicate the problem and their were no code reports so they could not fix the issue. This is still a very real danger for my family ( seven children ) because this malfunction occurs while at high speeds usually while entering the expressway.
Brakes
When I was driving in my local area,my brakes started to give out.in order to stop I needed to press very hard on the brakes to stop. Not easy to do.the warning brake indicator light came on.I took it to a local auto repair shop.they said they could not fix it.the brake line was the issue.they filled it with brake fluid then I was able too drive it to the dealer who then repaired the line ,for 600 dollars. My question is were there other complaints about this issue.?if my kids were driving this it might have been a different story.thank goodness no one was hurt. There was no other indicators of this issue.
My rotors keep warping and endangering my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am on my fourth set of rotors in 84,000 miles!!!! And on top of that I have the original brake pads. As a matter of fact from 14,000 mi to 94,000 my brake pads have not worn at all. I had to cut the rotors at 30,000, and then at 50,000 they were warped and too thin to resurface. I replaced them again. At 80,000 I had to have them cut because they were warped. Then at 85,000 I had to have them replaced again because they were warped. My rotors get to hot that when I brake, my whole steering column shakes and the vehicle swerves to hard that I can barely stay within the lines on the interstate. I feared for my life. I have tried to have Chevy look into this and every time they just slap new rotors on and send me on my way. They give a 12,000 mile warranty on rotors and they are warping in half that time. …
2008 Chevrolet Express engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Express a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Express rates average: 18% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Express at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Chevrolet Express?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (3) and stability & traction control (2).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have?
There are 10 recalls for the 2008 Chevrolet Express, the most recent from April 17, 2012 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Express?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2025, 2012 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2020, 2000, 1999 and 2002. See the full Chevrolet Express years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Express problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 45,000 miles; 58% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.