RoadVitals

2008 Chevrolet Express 3500

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.
11
Latest Jun 14, 2024
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.
1
Latest Nov 5, 2014
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.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 186 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

  • Electrical218.2%
  • Tires & wheels218.2%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V706000

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Nov 5, 2014
34 units potentially affected
The defect: Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.
The risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.
The remedy: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.
Cummings Mobility Conversion & SupplyManufacturer number 14E-041View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 2024

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle was violently shaking and vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The brake rotors and brake pads were replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.

NHTSA ID
11594334
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Mileage
86,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 19, 2017

FUEL TANK CORRODES AND LEAKS FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ID
10979311
Incident
Sep 7, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10936243
Incident
Dec 16, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10889208
Incident
Apr 5, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TRANSFORCE HT TIRES, SIZE: LT245/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE STARTED TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE SHOWED EXTREME TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.

NHTSA ID
10873941
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Mileage
81,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 10, 2014

DOOR HINGES CAME WELDED ON DOORS WITH NO WAY TO LUBRICATE THEM AND KEEP THEM FROM RUSTING. PURCHASED THE VAN A FEW YEARS AGO. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THE LEFT HAND PASSENGER DOOR RUSTED SHUT. REPAIR MAN QUOTED $129 FOR EACH HINGE PLUS THE LABOR. SOON THE OTHER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH CORRECTLY. NOW THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS HAVE PROBLEMS BECAUSE DOORS WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THIS MONTH, THE BACK RIGHT HAND CARGO DOOR HINGE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF THE DOOR, MAKING THIS A POTENTIAL HAZARD, NOT TO MENTION, THE DOOR CANNOT BE SHUT ONCE IT IS OPENED. ONCE AGAIN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED. CALLED CHEVY SOON AFTER FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD RECALL, BECAUSE NEW HINGES ARE NOW MADE TO BE BOLTED ON VAN AND CAN BE LUBRICATED. WE HAVE OTHER FRIENDS WITH CHEVY VANS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643972
Incident
Jan 15, 2013
Mileage
99,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2014

DURING A NORMAL STOP THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WILL KICK IN FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AT RANDOM ON DRY PAVEMENT. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO PULL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH OUT WARNING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. THE CHEVROLET DEALERS ARE AVOIDING THE ISSUE, AND THE SUPPOSEDLY FIX THE PROBLEM ( AT THE OWNERS COST) , AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THIS HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS FOR SOME DRIVERS ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10587087
Incident
May 5, 2014
Mileage
52,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 7, 2013
Crash reported

ON JULY 17, 2013 I CRASHED MY 2008 ROADTREK 190 POPULAR (CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500 CHASSIS) IN A ROADSIDE DITCH. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NEITHER DID THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG BUT IT MAY HAVE BEEN TURNED OFF. IN ANY EVENT, THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRASH SUGGESTS THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG. I HAVE NO INTENT TO SEEK ANY DAMAGES FROM ROADTREK OR GM AS I DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY SIGNIFICANT INJURY AND WAS ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED BY MY SEATBELT. I AM LETTING YOU KNOW JUST IN CASE THIS MIGHT BE A PROBLEM ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES. CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL IF YOU WANT PHOTOS OR THE LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10551352
Incident
Jul 17, 2013
Mileage
45,000 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 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2024200—
2023000—
2022000—
2021100—
2020000—
2019200—
2018000—
2017000—
2016000—
2015000—
2014110—
2013100—
2012500—
2011000—
2010410—
2009920—
2008Viewing111037.9
2007111042.1
2006151040.5
2005171044.5
2004160032.0
2003120148.0
2002310—
2001111043.4
2000410—
1999410—
1998300—
1997200—
1996000—

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.