2008 Chevrolet Uplander

Routine

Owners filed 119 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 1 time.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
64,500 milesMedian miles at failure

103 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System18
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)11
000
Service Brakes9
000
Suspension8
000
Structure › Body7
000
Power Train7
000
Air Bags7
506
Steering5
000
Structure › Body › Door4
000
Fuel/Propulsion System4
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Rear10V110000
Filed Mar 19, 20105,375 vehiclesBraun Corporation

Defect. THE BRAUN CORPORATION HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA ABOUT A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 GENERAL MOTORS MOBILITY CONVERSION, HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR MINIVANS. DURING CONVERSION, THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM MODIFICATION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY WELDED.

Risk. A SQUEAKING OR CLUNKING NOISE MAY DEVELOP. THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS MAY PREMATURELY WEAR AND THE TRAILING ARM MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE, ALLOWING THE REAR AXLE TO BECOME PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE CHASSIS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND WILL HAVE A SUPPLY OF RETROFIT PARTS AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BRAUN AT 1-800-488-0359.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Sep 14, 2026VA

Bought on 8/1/26 Within a week I noticed bad vibrations when slowing down, power steering issues, began to over heat with no warning changed thermostat, still had issues now I find my water pump, power steering pump are bad, brakes rotors front and back, old spark plug wires still present just cut off half way, misfire and lose of speed uphill, gear shift cable broke, and oil cap cylinder leaking spraying oil leaking on everything,

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 29, 2023MO

The front passenger seat belt is frayed. When I went to the GM dealer to have it replaced I was advised that was not possible that the belt is no longer available. The seat belts are required by law (a safety item) so I doubt that they are allowed to discontinue. When I looked online I found GM parts on several websites and also this belt available for purchase. So why is a Dealer informing people that they cannot be replaced? This vehicle only has 81,000 miles on it.

Suspension
Filed Sep 28, 2021MO

I think my trailing arm on the rear suspension are coming loose

Suspension
Filed Sep 23, 2021LA

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

Suspension
Filed Jul 26, 2021209,000 milesIA

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the rear end and front passenger’s side of the vehicle would vibrate with an abnormal, clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The ABS warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed him that the rear suspension trailing arm was defective and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 10V110000 (Suspension) which he linked to the failure however, the Vin was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 23, 2020200,000 milesIN

WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN AS I GO TO ACCELERATE TO DRIVE THE CAR HERE'S VERY BADLY AND CAUSES CARS BEHIND YOU TO CAPABLE HIT YOU. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 4, 2020135,000 milesIN

DUE TO A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH A DEER, WE NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS IN THIS ONLY 12-YEAR OLD VEHICLE, WITH ONLY 135,XXX MILES ON IT. A CHEVY DEALER REPORTS THAT THESE AIRBAGS ARE 'DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE'. THIS CAR SHOULD EASILY BE USABLE FOR ANOTHER 135,XXX+ MILES. OVER HALF OF THE USEFUL LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE WILL BE LOST IF WE CANNOT REPLACE THE AIRBAGS. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROX 60 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, (SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE OF THE DEER APPROACHING). UNSAFE CONDITION IS ONLY THE UNAVAILABILITY OF NEW, REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS. REST OF MINOR BODY DAMAGE IS EASILY REPAIRABLE. THIS 'EXTENDED BODY 7-PASSENGER' VEHICLE IS BUILT ON A FULL 'TRUCK' FRAME, WHICH WAS NOT DAMAGED. ONLY LOSS BESIDES THE AIRBAGS IS ONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND MINIMAL SHEET METAL DAMAGE. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 30, 2020153,479 milesIN

I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH AND ABOUT 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING AND I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WERE A LOT OF SHAKING IN VIBRATIONS AND IT SEEM TO WANDER ACROSS THE ROAD BACK-AND-FORTH I TAKE ITI TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP AND I HAVE ATTACHED THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY GAVE ME REGARDING WHAT NEEDED FIXED ON THE VIVO I BEGAN MAKING REPAIRS DOING THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS THE SWAY BAR LINKS THE CONTROL ARMS THEE IN TRANSMISSION PUSHING MOTOR MOUNT ON THE FRONT LOWERI DIDN'T OIL CHANGE. THEY'RE STILL AN ISSUE WITH CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL THERE'S LOTS VIBRATION AND THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO PULL TO THE RIGHT OR OF THE LEFT WHEN YOU ACCELERATE THERE'S A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR OR WHEN I ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE. IT ALSO LIKE THE CAR IS LEANING TO THE RIGHT ON ALL DIFFERENT ROAD TYPES IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE JUST AN INCLINE ROAD OR WENT 9A JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT RANDOMLY FALLS TO THE RIGHT I HAVE THEN EVERYTHING THAT I CAN I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND REPLACED A TIRE ON IT AND IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP TRYING TO BE DIAGNOSED I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE THE TIRE IS GOING TO JUST GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING I DON'T KNOW IF THIS SOUNDS ARE COMING FROM THE FRONT OR THE BACK I DON'TWHAT I CAN DO TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO IT AND LIKE I SAID I JUST PURCHASED I

Electrical System
Filed Sep 10, 2019OR

VEHICLE WONT START AT TIMES: AFTER DRIVING FOR AN HOUR OR SO AND MAKING SEVERAL STOPS SUCH AS SHOPPING STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE OPENING THE HOOD TO ALLOW MOTOR TO COOL DOWN SEEMS TO HELP. TRYING TO START VEHICLE TAKES UP TO 15 TO 25 TRIES. ALL BATTERY CONNECTIONS SEEM TO BE SECURE. STARTER WAS REPLACED THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. OTHER ISSUES POWER STEERING LEAKING FROM UNDER CARRIAGE. PROBLEMS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FEBRUARY 2019.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 26, 2018200 milesKS

TAMARA RECALL WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, WE HIT A 190IB DEER AT 70MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 49 SOUTH.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 16, 201871,500 milesMO

WE STARTED SMELLING GAS COMING FROM THE CAR TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC HE TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF VEHICLE $600 LATER WE HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED AND NO GAS SMELL COULD HAVE BEEN UGLY IF GAS WOULD HAVE IGNITED I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND APPARENTLY MY MECHANIC IS CORRECT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Rotor
Filed Mar 22, 2018MD

2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRACKED ROTORS, WIRING HARNESS AND WHEEL SENSOR REPLACEMENTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SERVICE STABILITY LIGHT ILLUMINATED REPEATEDLY. *JS

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Oct 9, 20171 milesNJ

ON 05/31/2016 CALLED CHEVROLET TO ASK WHY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP IN ROAD. 06-02-2016 CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT STABILITY LIGHT PROBLEM, WAS TOLD THAT IS WAS A LOOSE CONNECTION MOST LIKELY. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, WE IGNORED THE LIGHT. ON AUGUST 28, 2017 WE BROUGHT THE UPLANDER INTO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE ON THE FUEL SERVICE. THAT EVENING WHEN WE WENT TO PICK THE VAN UP, THE SERVICE TECH SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS "GONE". HE GAVE AN ESTIMATE ON A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VAN WITHOUT PROBLEMS BUT FOR LOSING POWER GOING UP HILLS, THAT'S WHY WE WANTED THE FUEL SERVICE, PREVIOUSLY THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE SERVICED THIS VEHICLE ALL THE TIME FROM WHEN WE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2008. WHEN WE PICKED THE VAN UP WE DIDN'T MAKE IT MORE THAN 4 BLOCKS WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING. NOW THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION HAS OVERHEATED AND NEEDS A COMPLETE REBUILD FOR $2,600.00. ONLINE THE CHEVY FORUM SAYS THAT THE MODULE GOES AND THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO STATES A LIGHT COMES ON. THIS LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON IF ITS NOT THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 15, 2017180,000 milesSC

HAVING AN ISSUE INTERMITTENTLY WHERE THE "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" MESSAGE FLASHES ON THE MESSAGE PANEL AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS OUR BRAKES LOCK UP AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEREFORE WE WERE ADVISED NOTHING WAS WRONG. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK THIS WARRANTS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AT INOPPORTUNE AND UNEXPECTED TIMES WILL SURELY COST LIVES AT SOME POINT. IT HAPPENED TO US ON AN INCOMING RAMP FOR AN INTERSTATE AND WE HAD CARS SLAMMING ON BRAKES AND TRYING TO GET PAST US. IT'S A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 18, 2017130,400 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,400.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 6, 2017146,000 milesKY

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.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 201694,500 milesFL

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE INTERMITTENTLY WHERE THE "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" MESSAGE FLASHES ON THE MESSAGE PANEL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS OUR BRAKES LOCK UP AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SCARY SITUATION WHEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE, THEREFORE WE WERE ADVISED NOTHING WAS WRONG. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED ON THIS ISSUE ALONE, AND I THINK THIS WARRANTS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AT INOPPORTUNE AND UNEXPECTED TIMES WILL SURELY COST LIVES AT SOME POINT. WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE STILL HAVE A LOAN ON THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 MORE YEARS AND CANNOT ENJOY IT FOR FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THIS AWFUL THING HAPPENING, AND WE CANNOT GET IT FIXED BECAUSE THE DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2016GA

THIS VEHICLE NEED TO BE RECALLED, I READ ALOT FROM OTHER PEOPLE, AND I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, TIRE BLOW, ODOR OF GAS, I HAVE KIDS AND THIS IS NOT A SAFE CAR, MY KIDS HAVE ASTHMA AND I CAN NOT HAVE A CAR LIKE THIS, THIS IS DAMAGES AND NIT A SAFE VAN, 2008 CHEV UPLANDER NEED TO BE OFF THE MARKET. I DRIVE THIS CAR SMELLING GAS AND GAS IS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND HIGHWAYS. THIS NEED TO BE ON RECALL

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jul 18, 2016130,000 milesTX

THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE STABILITY CONTROL HAS MADE DRIVING ACTUALLY DANGEROUS. THE FIRST TIME IT LOCKED UP AND WE SKID TO A HALT THANKFULLY GOING 25 MILES AN HOUR. AND IT WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. THIS TIME, WE JUST HAD THE FULL HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED THE STABILITY CONTROL LOCKED UP AGAIN, NOT QUITE AS HARD BUT HARD ENOUGH, AND IT PULLED SHARPLY TO ONE SIDE. BOTH TIMES, THANKFULLY YEARS APART, WE WERE GOING STRAIGHT AND DIDN'T HIT ANYONE BECAUSE OF IT AS NO ONE WAS AROUND. THIS THING IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. AND WHY WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AND I'M NOT READY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. BY THE WAY, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS EVEN INSTALLED. IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY WORK. WE USED TO LIVE IN NORTHERN UTAH AND WE LIVED AT THE LAST STREET UP THE MOUNTAIN. WHEN THE ROAD WAS VERY ICY WE'D HAVE TO TURN THE STABILITY CONTROL OFF IN ORDER TO GET HOME. IT ACTUALLY MADE DRIVING IN THE SNOW/ICE HARDER AND MORE DANGEROUS. WE HAVE YET TO TAKE THE UPLANDER IN TO BE FIXED YET AGAIN AS WE HAVE HAD TOO MANY REPAIRS ON VEHICLES LATELY AND JUST DON'T WANT TO SPEND MORE. SO, NO DIAGNOSIS HAS BEEN MADE AS OF TODAY.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 6, 201663,000 milesAZ

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.

20 of 119 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20092000Routine
2008 — this page119110Routine
2007109220Routine
2006158420Routine
2005196411Fatalities reported

Compare every Uplander year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 19, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.