The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Not enough data. Only 15 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
15 owner complaints, first 3 years 14 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V706000 (equipment adaptive/mobility), 12V169000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) and 10V205000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) done? It has 11 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Chevy sent dealers 1079 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Steering noise when turning left”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 15 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 24K to 44K miles (40K to 72K km) on the car (13 of all 15 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Checking tire pressure valve stem on tpms broke filed by jiffy lube.
2008 Chevrolet Express owner · NHTSA complaint 10414826
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.4M views · 1996–2024 Chevrolet Express
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors641K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2003-2021 Chevy Express 3500TRQ · 185K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door607K views
How to Replace Main Temperature Blend Door Actuator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 132K views · 10 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors420K views
How to replace the handle on a sliding door of a 2007 Chevy Express VanPriesty Boys · 175K views · 6 videos - Cooling system392K views
How to Replace Water Pump 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 122K views · 6 videos
Show 3 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical374K views
How to Replace Starter 2003-2021 Chevy Express Van 3500TRQ · 103K views · 8 videos - Steering & suspension186K views
How to Replace Upper Ball Joint 2003-2021 Chevrolet ExpressTRQ · 65K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank173K views
How to Replace Fuel Pressure Regulator 2003-2021 Chevrolet Express 3500TRQ · 83K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
2003 CHEVY EXPRESS TURN SIGNAL PROBLEMSJoe Dixon · 162K views
Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Express 2500 Van 2003-2025 2nd Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 52K views
How Reliable is a 2004 Chevrolet Express 2500 Cargo Van POV Test DrivePOV Nelson · 20K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1079 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Steering noise when turning left
- Rear leaf spring slap or clunk noise (replace spring inserts) *tt updated 10/18/07
- Stabilitrak disable switch is inoperative
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 11
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2014
The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2012
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.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2010
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…
Show all 11 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2009
THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2009
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.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2009
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.
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2008
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 WHEELC…
- Equipment adaptive/mobility · recall issued 2008
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 WHEELC…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 151 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD).
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 567 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CUTAWAY VEHICLES WITH A 139" WHEEL BASE.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008 6.0L engines only
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).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Express recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Express year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2003–2003, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Chevrolet Express years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-express/?y=2008" title="Chevrolet Express reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-express/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Chevrolet Express reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Express reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 15 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Express problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (33%), tires (20%) and traction control system (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have?
11 safety recalls (latest: equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Express get?
14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Express cost in fuel a year?
About $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Express have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Express year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works