Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Uplander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled after the battery warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the starter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred while still at the mechanic. The mechanic replaced the battery and the vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred. The mechanic replaced the alternator and the failure recurred. The failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that the traction control and electronic stability warning indicators remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed dielectric grease on the front driver and passenger wheels. The vehicle was remedied, but the failure recurred. In addition, the vehicle needed the battery changed approximately five times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 68,560.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the instrument panel lights flickered and the vehicle suddenly shut off. The power steering and brakes stopped functioning. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. While the vehicle was stationary, the ABS and traction control indicators illuminated without warning. The ABS pump was replaced five times, along with the wheel hubs and wiring harness; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,000.
Anti brake lights, stability and traction control lights and tire pressure lights continually appear. Have replaced rotors twice, complete brake assembly twice, and front wheel bearings once. No one seems to know exactly what the problem is. Diagnoses run from wiring harness to anti lock brake system.
safety issue becomes whenever noise from under carriage as if as trailing arms are out of order notice problems whenever roll over small bumps in the road or uneven pavement
Dash indicator shows side sliding door is open, when it is not. Bells ding, inside lights come on, doors become inoperative from inside vehicle. Has occurred approximately 50 times. We have had in shop somewhere between 10 and 15 times, both door modules have been replaced, and body control module now being replaced. Chevrolet states that it doesn't set a trouble code, so they have no record of the occurrences, though service department manager has seen this happen in person. My concern is when this happens, my wife, myself and or children cannot get out of the vehicle, and I feel this is unsafe. Chevrolet does not agree that this is unsafe. I really want to move on to another vehicle, but Chevrolet will not assist. The vehicle is paid for, free and clear, so this is not an issue of owing money and wanting out. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated that while driving 28 MPH, she applied the brakes and the sliding passenger door detached from the vehicle, falling onto the highway. The dealer was notified, but suggested that there would be a cost to repair the vehicle and the contact felt that it was a manufacturer?s defect. The manufacturer was contacted, but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 70,000. The consumer's insurance company stated it was a manufacturers defect and they would not cover the damage. The consumer stated the vehicle has a severe short, which prevented the door from locking, the lights went off on the dash, and a dinging sound, but nothing happened. It was suppose to make a sound when the door opened, but there was no sound. …
Drove the van home that same night,before we pulled in the drive way , the van over heated ,the brakes had a spongy feel to them after 15 mins of driving , temperature gauge never went pass the half way make when the red indicator came on the van totally shut down no power , I almost flip the van over. I have replace the brake twice in 3 weeks of each other.then light on the dash came on when temperature were cold , rainy, foggy, out side , and when it got hot temperature out side the dash light at night time started to flicker on and off ,then about 30 seconds later the dash lights stayed off and never came back on. Also the van started to have engine not wanted to turn over, and would also loss all power to vehicle leaving us stranded out in horrible weather conditions outside with are children.
We have a 2008 Chevy Uplander van (bought new) that between aug. 2010 and March of this year had to be jump started 9 times because the battery was totally dead. When calling a towing service truck the van started up immediately and I was able to drive it to a service station. It has now been looked at by 3 different Chevrolet dealers & 2 independent garages. After through analysis, neither have been able to figure out the root cause of the problem. Three times I was told the van needed a new battery, but after a few months the vehicle would again not start. The GM customer service ([phone]) would not help me and referred me to have the Chevy dealership resolve this problem. I recommend that GM recall this vehicle and fix it after figuring out what the cause of the problem is.
Electrical complaints in other Uplander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, 24% of the model year's 119 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Uplander electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Uplander electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 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.