RoadVitals

2008 Chevrolet Express 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jan 4, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
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InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Express 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and airbags categories. 189 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes440.0%
  • Body & structure220.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2023

The brake system completely failed. the peddle goes to the floor. there is still fluid in the reservoir to proper level but all brakes failed at the same time no stopping ability. had to use parking break to slow and down shift to first gear. This flaw could have killed or injured every passenger/occupant (s) as well as harmed other drivers on roadway/motorway. There should be some type of safety measure to aid in stopping even if a partial failure. But this is a whole system failure. Please advise

NHTSA ID
11500208
Incident
Jan 4, 2023
Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2018

WE'VE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT THE BRAKES. AFTER HAVING A COMPLETE BRAKE REHAB ON JULY 7TH, 2017, I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON FEB. 2ND, 2018 LOSING ALL BRAKES INSTANTLY AS I APPROACHED A 6 LANE INTERSECTION. I CONTACTED THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP BOTH BY PHONE AND EMAIL AND DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE. I WAS TOLD THAT A HOSE OR TUBING WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINES CAUSING AN ABRUPT LOSS OF FLUID? WHY THIS WAS NOT NOTICED DURING THE EARLIER BRAKE WORK SEEMS QUESTIONABLE. MOREOVER, I AM OUT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOLLOWING THE EARLIER BRAKE WORK THAT TOTALED ABOUT ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS JUST 7 MONTHS PREVIOUS. TO THIS DAY THE BRAKES FEEL "MUSHY" AND I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE WORK DONE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11153606
Incident
Feb 2, 2018
Mileage
111,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 6, 2017

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN ORDER TO TRAVEL WITH PASSENGERS BUT ON MY FIRST ATTEMPT THIS HOLIDAY DISCOVERED THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT EXTEND ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE MOST PASSENGERS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEM NOR DO I WANT TO BE LEGALLY CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL EQUIPMENT (OR RESPONSIBLE FOR HARM TO ANYONE IN MY VEHICLE). THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DEALING WITH SUCH A DILEMMA AND WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INPUT THAT THE COMPANY MAY ADVISE. IS THIS AN OVERSITE ON THE MANUFACTURER TO BUILD A VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT MEET REGULATIONS?

NHTSA ID
11003312
Incident
Jul 3, 2017
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2016

VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRONICALLY FAILED FRONTAL CRASH SENSOR.I PURCHASED A NEW PART FROM GM.THE PART WAS INSTALLED AND THE CONNECTOR WOULD NOT FIT IN.I CHECKED THE ALIGHNMENT OF SLOTS AND THE CONFIGURATION MATCHED THE OLD ONE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE MOLD OF THE PLASTIC WAS DISTORTED.CHECKING THE ORIGIN OF THIS PART (MADE IN SINGAPORE).MY THOUGHTS ARE THAT IF THERE NOT TESTING THE FIT,HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IT WOULD EVEN SEND THE SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.EVEN THOUGH THE SDM UNIT CHECKS THE RESISTANCE VALUE AND OK'S THE PART AS BEING GOOD.ALSO I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECH WITH 34 YEARS EXPERIENCE.I JUST AM UPSET THAT THE PROFIT MARGIN SHOULD PLAY A ROLE IN VEHICLE PASSENGER SAFETY.

NHTSA ID
10850343
Incident
Mar 16, 2016
Body & structure
Filed May 5, 2015

THE WHITE FACTORY PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF ON SEVERAL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE, EXPOSING THE PRIMED SHEET METAL. THERE WAS NO REPAINT DONE ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED AND TAKEN CARE OF REGULARLY AS RECOMMENDED BY GM. THE DEFECT IS A 100% FACTORY PROBLEM IN THE PAINT SHOP. IT APPEARS THAT THE PAINT DOES NOT ADHERE TO THE PRIMER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714575
Incident
Apr 2, 2015
Mileage
122,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 5, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR DOORS WERE EXTREMELY HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE DOORS WERE MANUFACTURED TO OPERATE AS THEY WERE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10567413
Incident
Mar 8, 2008
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2012

I AM A FLEET MECHANIC FOR A COMMUNITY COLLEGE. DURING A ROUTINE SAFETY INSPECTION ON A CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1500 8 PASSENGER VAN FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE VERIFIED MY COMPLAINT, OF COURSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON IT AROUND 1 YEAR AGO. THE TOTAL COST PARTS AND LABOR WAS AROUND $900.00 TO FIX IT ON A VAN WITH AROUND 19,000 MILES ON IT. THIS LEAK CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE AND CAUSE A CRASH. IT CAN ALSO LEAK ON PLASTIC AND OTHER COMPONENTS AND CAUSE THEM TO FAIL AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10461844
Incident
Jun 13, 2012
Mileage
18,956 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 23, 2011

CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM ON TPMS BROKE FILED BY JIFFY LUBE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10414826
Incident
Jun 2, 2011
Mileage
53,098 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

13598

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

PIC5650M

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Express 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014100046.9
2013000
2012200
2011320
2010400
2009500
2008Viewing900
2007510
2006500
2005101043.9
2004121041.2
2003181147.7
2002101030.1
2001510
2000610
1999410
1998000
1997000
1996400

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.