CarBrief

NHTSA has 41 owner complaints for the 2008 Express Passenger, and brakes are the biggest group[1][2]. It also has 11 recalls[3]. Seven of them are for wheelchair lifts, which apply only to vans fitted with those lifts[4][5][6].

41owner complaints[1]
11recalls[3]
14MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 41 owner complaints for the 2008 Express Passenger[1]. One of them mentions a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Brakes[2] 11 52,000
Electrical system[8] 5 73,000
Power train[9] 5 40,000
Structure[10] 5 65,000
Air bags[11] 4 not listed
Tires[12] 3 not listed
Fuel/propulsion system[13] 3 not listed
Traction control system[14] 2 not listed

Brakes. In the 11 brake complaints we read, 4 describe brake fluid problems such as a rusted brake line, a rubbing hose, a leaking master cylinder or a line that needed repair. Three describe shaking when braking or rotors and pads replaced without curing the problem. Two describe ABS or stability warning lights, or ABS behavior that changed the pedal feel or steering[2].

Electrical. In a sample of 5 complaints, 3 describe the dash, speedometer or lights dropping out while driving[8].

Power train. All 5 complaints we read describe transmission trouble, such as not shifting, losing power or disengaging while driving[9].

Structure. In a sample of 5 complaints, 4 describe door, hinge or latch trouble[10].

The samples are small. They show what owners describe, not how often a problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[3]. Seven of them cover wheelchair lifts, so those apply only to vans fitted with such lifts[4][5][6]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA gives the same numbers for all four entries it lists: 12 city, 16 highway and 14 combined MPG[7][23][24][25]. The estimated annual fuel cost is $4,800 for each[7][23][24][25], based on EPA's current fuel price assumptions and not on prices when the van was new[7][23][24][25].

Size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US vans. Length, width, height and wheelbase are in inches, and weight is in pounds[26].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
G1500[26] 224 80 81 135 5,117 lb
G2500[27] 224 80 81 135 5,789 lb
G2500 Extended[28] 244 80 82 155 5,990 lb
G3500[29] 224 80 81 135 5,930 lb
G3500 Extended[30] 244 80 82 155 6,124 lb
H1500 AWD[31] 224 80 81 135 5,593 lb

The extended versions are 20 inches longer in both overall length and wheelbase[27][28].

How 2008 compares with other years

1996: 19 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 31 complaints, 1 recalls1998: 29 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 76 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 96 complaints, 1 recalls20002001: 63 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 70 complaints, 0 recalls20022003: 101 complaints, 10 recalls2004: 57 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 59 complaints, 8 recalls2006: 45 complaints, 17 recalls20062007: 41 complaints, 6 recalls2008: 41 complaints, 11 recalls4120082009: 26 complaints, 9 recalls2010: 30 complaints, 6 recalls20102011: 18 complaints, 7 recalls2012: 20 complaints, 6 recalls20122013: 23 complaints, 8 recalls2014: 25 complaints, 8 recalls20142015: 8 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 15 complaints, 6 recalls20162017: 21 complaints, 6 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Express Passenger model year. The 2008 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996192
1997311
1998291
1999761
2000961
2001632
2002700
200310110
2004577
2005598
20064517
2007416
20084111
2009269
2010306
2011187
2012206
2013238
2014258
201583
2016156
2017216

NHTSA's counts by model year give a rough picture. Complaints and recalls are not adjusted for how many vans were sold[3].

Should you buy a used 2008 Express Passenger?

The complaint count of 41 sits in the middle of the range for this model, which runs from 8 to 101 by year, and brakes lead it with 11 of 41[1][2][3]. Owners in the sample describe brake line, hose and master cylinder problems, so have a mechanic look at the brake system before buying. Seven of the 11 recalls concern wheelchair lifts, so they matter only if the van has one[4][5][6]. Ask for the VIN to be checked for the transfer case, fuel tank and transmission recalls, and confirm that any lift work was done[20][21][22]. At 14 combined MPG and about $4,800 a year in fuel by EPA's estimate, running costs are worth budgeting[7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger?
NHTSA lists 41 complaints, and brakes are the largest group with 11[1][2]. In the samples we read, owners also describe transmission trouble and door or hinge problems[9][10].
Does the 2008 Express Passenger have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 11, and seven concern wheelchair lifts[4][5][6][16][17][18][19]. Others cover the transfer case, fuel tank clearance and transmission programming[20][21][22].
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger get?
EPA rates it at 12 city, 16 highway and 14 combined MPG[7].
How big is the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger?
Canadian-market specifications list a length of 224 inches, or 244 for extended versions, and a width of 80 inches[26][28].
Is 2008 a good year for the Express Passenger?
Its 41 complaints equal 2007 and are below 1999 to 2006, but its 11 recalls are second to 2006[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 11 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Express Passenger model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V706, filed November 5, 2014: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 12V169, filed April 17, 2012: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 10V205, filed May 13, 2010: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Express 1500/2500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 5 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the traction control system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Recall 09V456, filed November 19, 2009: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V272, filed July 6, 2009: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 09V270, filed July 6, 2009: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 08V569, filed October 24, 2008: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 08V568, filed October 24, 2008: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 08V340, filed July 28, 2008: Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 08V315, filed July 14, 2008: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 08V313, filed July 11, 2008: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for Express 1500 AWD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Express 1500/2500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Express 1500 AWD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 16 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G1500 EXPRESS PASSENGER: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 81 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 5,117 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G2500 EXPRESS PASSENGER: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 81 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 5,789 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G2500 EXPRESS PASSENGER EXTENDED: length 244 in, width 80 in, height 82 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 5,990 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G3500 EXPRESS PASSENGER: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 81 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 5,930 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, G3500 EXPRESS PASSENGER EXTENDED: length 244 in, width 80 in, height 82 in, wheelbase 155 in, curb weight 6,124 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, H1500 EXPRESS PASSENGER VAN AWD: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 81 in, wheelbase 135 in, curb weight 5,593 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.