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.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Uplander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Structure complaints
19 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE SUSPENSION FRACTURED AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MAN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE SUSPENSION FRACTURED AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000. UPDATED 01/20/15*LJ UPDATED 01/20/15
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE DOOR ACTUATOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE AP…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE DOOR ACTUATOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,664.  
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT . DASH LIGHT GO OUT, SEAT BELTS ALL OF THEM UNLATCH BY THEM SELF, I REPLACED THE BRAKES 6 TIMES ALREADY, EMISSION VAPOR CANISTER WENT OUT , THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON . IT ALL WAYS SAY CHECK GAS CAP,KNOW MY VAN NOT WORKING. I CAN'T CLEAN ANY HARD CODES, PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOOR UNLATCH WHEN I WAS AND THE …
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT . DASH LIGHT GO OUT, SEAT BELTS ALL OF THEM UNLATCH BY THEM SELF, I REPLACED THE BRAKES 6 TIMES ALREADY, EMISSION VAPOR CANISTER WENT OUT , THE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON . IT ALL WAYS SAY CHECK GAS CAP,KNOW MY VAN NOT WORKING. I CAN'T CLEAN ANY HARD CODES, PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOOR UNLATCH WHEN I WAS AND THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE DOOR HIT THE GROUND ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY 5 KIDS IN THE CAR , MY 20 YR SON WAS SITTING BY HIS EIGHT YR OLD BROTHER . MY EIGHT YR OLD WAS ON THE SIDE THAT CAME UNLATCH THANK GOD HE UN DID HIS BROTHER SEAT BELT AND GRAB HIM AND HELD ON TO HIM TIGHT UNTIL I STOP THE VEHICLE . THE STARTED WENT OUT,THE BACK AIR CONDITION WON'T WORK, THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE JOINT BROKE, THE VAN OVER HEATS ALL THE TIME WHICH CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT AND THE STARTER WENT I REPLACE TRANSMISSION STARTER AND THERMOSTAT .THE VAN A PIECE OF [XXX] AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK I PAID FOR IN CASH. I BROUGHT THE VAN IN 2008 AND PAID CASH FOR IT .I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BROUGHT IT IN 11/1/2008. THE PROBLEMS STARTED 2 DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT THE VAN HOME. I WISH NEVER HAD GOTTEN IT. THE [XXX] THING A LEMON THEY NEED FORCE CHEVY TO RECALL THE GOD [XXX] LEMON 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER AND GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK SO I CAN GO SOME WERE ELSE AND BY MY FAMILY A REAL VAN , I'M A SINGLE MOM OF 5 CHILDREN AND I NEED A RELIABLE VAN ,NOT A PIECE OF [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING SLIDING SIDE DOORS WOULD OPEN ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT EVER GET THEM TO QUIT. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THAT OWN A CHEVY UPLANDER VAN SAME YEAR AND DIFFERENT YEARS THEY HAVE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 HANDICAPPED GRAND CHILDREN, PLUS 2 DOGS, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID O…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING SLIDING SIDE DOORS WOULD OPEN ON THEIR OWN. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX IT BUT COULD NOT EVER GET THEM TO QUIT. I TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THAT OWN A CHEVY UPLANDER VAN SAME YEAR AND DIFFERENT YEARS THEY HAVE ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE 2 HANDICAPPED GRAND CHILDREN, PLUS 2 DOGS, HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AFRAID ONE OF THEM WOULD FALL OUT. WAS SITTING STILL ONE DAY AND THE DOORS OPENED, ONE OF MY DOGS RAN OUT IN THE STREET UNDER A MOVING VEHICLE, HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THERE HAS BEEN MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN, BUT NUN LIFE THREATENING AS THE DOORS COMING OPEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I MENTIONED TO DEALER THAT CHEVY SHOULD FIND A PERMANENT FIX FOR THE DOORS, SO FAR NEVER SEEN RECALL ON A CHEVY UPLANDER FOR THIS PROBLEM, THE OTHER PEOPLE I TALKED TO SAID THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD THAT THEIR IS A PERMANENT FIX FOR THEIR DOORS COMING OPEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I AN 71 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A FOREIGN VEHICLE ALWAYS MADE IN THE USA. I HAVE OWNED CHEVY, BUICK, PONTIAC, DODGE, & FORD, WE HAD CONSIDERED BUYING A CHEVY AGAIN BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE HAD TO PUT UP WITH THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS CHEVY WE WILL BUY A DODGE OR FORD PRODUCT. I AM GLAD WE BAILED THEM OUT AND THEY ARE MAKING MONEY NOW, AND WOULD HAVE LIKED TO BOUGHT ANOTHER CHEVY, BUT THEY HAVEN'T DONE THE SAME FOR US! I HOPE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED OR INJURED WITH THEIR DOORS COMING OPEN, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T COMPLAIN THEY JUST EXCEPT IT AND MOVE ON. ENOUGH SAID HOPE THEY FIND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM ONE DAY BEFORE SOMEBODY DOES GET KILLED OR INJURED FOR LIFE, LIKE WHAT HAPPEN WITH THE FUEL TANKS ON THE CHEVY TRUCKS. *TR
ALTERNATOR WENT OUT ,REAR PASSENGER DOOR FELL OFF THE TOP HINGE HIT THE PAYMENT, BRAKES STARTED FALLING AGAIN. *TR
THE REAR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE CHARGED $80 TO CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THE THIRD TIME THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR DUE TO AN INTERNAL TIMING FAILURE AT A COST OF OVER $1000. THIS DOOR HAS BEEN USED …
Read full complaint
THE REAR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE CHARGED $80 TO CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THE THIRD TIME THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR DUE TO AN INTERNAL TIMING FAILURE AT A COST OF OVER $1000. THIS DOOR HAS BEEN USED VERY LITTLE SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE VAN AND IT POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD SINCE IT CLOSES, THE ALARM SOUNDS AND THEN THE DOOR REOPENS ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO ADJUST THE TIMING ON THE MOTOR WITHOUT REPLACEMENT. *TR
THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE PASSENGER POWER SLIDING DOOR. THE SWITCH WILL SLIDE INTO PLACE BUT WILL NOT PREVENT DOOR FROM OPENING FROM INSIDE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EVERY TIME HE FORCED THE DOORS TO CLOSE, THE ALARM ACTIVATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOORS ON BOTH SIDES WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EVERY TIME HE FORCED THE DOORS TO CLOSE, THE ALARM ACTIVATED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE IT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WERE UNABLE TO FIND A FEASIBLE REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, FALLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SUGGESTED THAT THERE WOULD BE A COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A MANUFA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, FALLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SUGGESTED THAT THERE WOULD BE A COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER?S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE SHORT, WHICH PREVENTED THE DOOR FROM LOCKING, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF ON THE DASH, AND A DINGING SOUND, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. IT WAS SUPPOSE TO MAKE A SOUND WHEN THE DOOR OPENED, BUT THERE WAS NO SOUND. EVERY 10-11 MONTHS THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. UPDATED 07/09/12
Official recalls
110V110000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration