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2008 Chevrolet Uplander

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 119.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

103 reports with mileage · 16 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

Steering complaints

8 reports
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153,479 miles · Apr 30, 2020
SteeringSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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 THE…

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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 IT SO ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN SUSPENSION ISSUES BRAKE ISSUES TRANSMISSION AND SHOES AH IF IT'S I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT IS BUT I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED A AS APPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME. IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME WHEN I GOT THE VEHICLE A MONTH AGO BUT IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO NOW EVERY SINGLE TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT'S VERY SCARY

NHTSA ODI #11322872

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2019
Electrical SystemSteering

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 PROBL…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11254491

64,500 miles · Mar 7, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

ON 08/04/14 I TOOK MY 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ([XXX]) DUE TO ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THE TECH DIAGNOSED THAT 2 PROBLEMS WERE FOUND FAULTY LEFT FRONT HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY AND WIRING HARNESS. THE TECH REPLACED AND FIXED THE ISSUES. AND THIS YEAR ON 03/05/15 I HAVE THE SAME LIGHTS A…

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ON 08/04/14 I TOOK MY 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER TO LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER ([XXX]) DUE TO ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WERE APPEAR ON THE SCREEN. THE TECH DIAGNOSED THAT 2 PROBLEMS WERE FOUND FAULTY LEFT FRONT HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY AND WIRING HARNESS. THE TECH REPLACED AND FIXED THE ISSUES. AND THIS YEAR ON 03/05/15 I HAVE THE SAME LIGHTS APPEAR ON MY SCREEN AGAIN (ABS & TRACTION CONTROL) AND I DID THE SAME THING TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALER ([XXX]) THE TECH DIAGNOSE THE SAME ISSUES OCCUR AGAIN. I REFUSE TOO HAVE THEM FIX AND WOULD LIKE GM START RECALL ALL 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER DUE TO HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY AND WIRING HARNESS PROBLEMS SINCE THE COST OF FIXING THESE ISSUES ARE BETWEEN $650 - $700. IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE FOR PERSON THAT LIVE ON PAYCHECK BY PAYCHECK EACH WEEK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692699

128,226 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,226.

NHTSA ODI #10655074

35,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering

ENGINE CUT OFF WITH RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT HAPPENED AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IN WET ROAD CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING THROUGH THE SMALLEST OF PUDDLES. RESULTING LOSS OF ANY CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. ENGINE HAS KICKED BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF UNCONTROLLABLE COASTING. SO FAR I HAVE AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT…

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ENGINE CUT OFF WITH RESULT OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT HAPPENED AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IN WET ROAD CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN GOING THROUGH THE SMALLEST OF PUDDLES. RESULTING LOSS OF ANY CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. ENGINE HAS KICKED BACK ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF UNCONTROLLABLE COASTING. SO FAR I HAVE AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. BUT NOW I DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN RAIN OR THREAT OF RAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641364

140,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10626172

115,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Steering

WHEN DRIVING MY UPLANDER THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED WHILE I WAS TURNING. SYSTEM CHARGING FAILURE LIGHT HAS APPEARED. SERVICE CENTER TESTED ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF AND WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE UPLANDER BACK TO THE DEA…

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WHEN DRIVING MY UPLANDER THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED WHILE I WAS TURNING. SYSTEM CHARGING FAILURE LIGHT HAS APPEARED. SERVICE CENTER TESTED ALTERNATOR AND EVERYTHING THEY COULD THINK OF AND WERE UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE UPLANDER BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IF IT LOCKS AGAIN. I AM UNSURE HOW I'M SUPPOSE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE STEERING LOCKED. I HAVE HAD IT LOCK NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION. I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF THEN WAIT A FEW MINUTES. WHEN VEHICLE IS RESTARTED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL THEN TURN. I ASKED CHEVY SERVICE DEPT ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY STATED I COULD RENT A CAR FOR $35.00 A DAY BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHEN OR IF THEY COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY I ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE SO I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE UPLANDER AND PRAY I WILL NOT BE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANYONE ELSE. I ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL COMING ON WHILE DRIVING. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. THEY KEPT TELLING ME THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND RESET THE CONTROLS. THE ABS AND TRACTION GOT SO BAD WHEN I TOOK IT IN THE LAST TIME THEY DEEMED MY UPLANDER UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REFUSED TO GIVE IT TO ME. 1 MONTH LATER THEY CHANGED OUT THE ELECTRICAL BOX AND RETURNED IT TO ME. WHEN I READ THE PAPERWORK ON THE REPAIRS THEY STATED THE PASSENGERSIDE AIRBAG HAD BEEN REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504631

49,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Steering

THERE IS A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AS YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE 2008 UPLANDER AND MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2007 UPLANDER AND BOTH VEHICLES ARE MAKING THE SAME NOISE. CHEVROLET REPAIR SHOP SAYS COST OF REPLACE THE STEERING RACK WILL BE $750. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393948

Official recalls

1

10V110000 · Suspension:rear

Mar 19, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.