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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

What owners actually said

119 reports
30,000 miles · Jun 15, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE THE 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER MODEL WITH HANDICAPPED LOWERED FLOOR PLAN.I CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY VAN FROM THE INSIDE THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN.I CANNOT GET THE SIDE DOOR TO OPEN TO ALLOW MYSELF TO GET OUT OF THIS VAN MYSELF.THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT VERY IMPORTANT AS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION A.S…

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I HAVE THE 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER MODEL WITH HANDICAPPED LOWERED FLOOR PLAN.I CAN NOT GET OUT OF MY VAN FROM THE INSIDE THE PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN.I CANNOT GET THE SIDE DOOR TO OPEN TO ALLOW MYSELF TO GET OUT OF THIS VAN MYSELF.THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT VERY IMPORTANT AS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION A.S.A.P. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO HAVE THIS VAN LOOKED INTO SO I CAN GET IN AND OUT ON MY OWN AS I NEED TO SOMEHOW HAVE YOU FIX THE DOOR SO IT CAN BE OPENED AND CLOSED AND THE MAIN PROBLEM IS I CANNOT GET THE DOOR TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE.THANK YOU. P.S. THE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPEN MANUALY AND NEEDS ATTENTION.. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10598354

88,664 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Electrical SystemStructure

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…

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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.  

NHTSA ODI #10596113

53,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Power Train

THIS VAN HAS FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AS WE DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A BUSY HIGHWAY AND WE JUST BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD. WE WERE SO LUCKY WE WERE NOT HIT BY OTHER CARS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE INSIDE SHEERED OFF INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. HE SHOWED US THE PARTS (WHICH…

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THIS VAN HAS FAIRLY LOW MILEAGE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AS WE DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS A BUSY HIGHWAY AND WE JUST BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD. WE WERE SO LUCKY WE WERE NOT HIT BY OTHER CARS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE MECHANIC SAID THE INSIDE SHEERED OFF INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. HE SHOWED US THE PARTS (WHICH I STILL HAVE AS PROOF OF THE ISSUE THAT IS A PROBLEM OF GM.). THE PARTS WERE WEAK AND JUST RIPPED APART. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT HURT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. IT COST $3800 TO REPAIR, AND THE CAR WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY. CHEVY WAS VERY UNCOOPERATIVE IN GETTING HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10592739

33,000 miles · May 14, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10588439

77,680 miles · Apr 16, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE NOTICED RIGHT AROUND THE TIME I GOT THIS VAN THAT JUST IT JUST STARTED MAKING THIS CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END AND MAKING A NOISE THAT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT. THE DROP DOWN MODULAR HAS BEEN REALLY BOGGING DOWN AROUND 50MPH AND MAKES ME GIVE IT MORE GAS TO STOP THE KICK BACK. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BUYIN…

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I HAVE NOTICED RIGHT AROUND THE TIME I GOT THIS VAN THAT JUST IT JUST STARTED MAKING THIS CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END AND MAKING A NOISE THAT I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT. THE DROP DOWN MODULAR HAS BEEN REALLY BOGGING DOWN AROUND 50MPH AND MAKES ME GIVE IT MORE GAS TO STOP THE KICK BACK. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BUYING A SET OF 4 NEW TIRES FOR THE VAN. I BOUGHT WHAT THE VAN RECALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND STILL WONT SHUT OFF. I HAVE KEPT THE OIL CHANGED AT REQUIRED TIMES. I NOTICED THE FUEL SYSTEM ALSO HAS BEEN GIVING THE VAN A HARSH MPG ISSUES AND NOT SURE WHY. I THINK IT MIGHT BE THE DROP DOWN MODULAR THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I NOW BEEN HAVING SINCE 2011 THE CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR END AXEL AREA AND THEN AFTER READING ABOUT THE RECALL TODAY REALLY MADE ME SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VAN BECAUSE I'M DISABLED AND IN A WHEELCHAIR. I HAVE THE LOWERED FLOOR OPTION AND I KNOW ITS GOING TO NEED THIS RECALL FIXED AND WELDED. PLEASE SEND ME A EMAIL ON HOW I CAN GET THIS VAN FIXED. I WANTED TO ALSO TELL YOU THAT THIS VAN WAS SOLD TO ME AT $32,850 AND HAD A BLOWN ENGINE THAT THEY DIDN'T TELL ME TILL AFTERWARDS. AT 20,000 MILES THE VAN BLEW UP AND THEY SOLD IT TO ME AS NEW AND IT WAS USED. THEY ALSO TRIED TO SELL ME A EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURE FOR $3,500.I FEEL I WAS DONE WRONG AND WOULD NOT OF BOUGHT THIS VAN IF I HAD KNOWN IT WAS BLOWN UP AT 20,000 MILES. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A REVIEW TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND FIXED WITH THE WELDING THAT THE RECALL CALLS FOR. THANK YOU. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10583197

85,500 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System

WE HAVE A 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER VAN (BOUGHT NEW) THAT BETWEEN AUG. 2010 AND MARCH OF THIS YEAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED 9 TIMES BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. WHEN CALLING A TOWING SERVICE TRUCK THE VAN STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A SERVICE STATION. IT HAS NOW BEEN LOOKED AT BY 3 DIFFERENT CHEVROLET D…

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WE HAVE A 2008 CHEVY UPLANDER VAN (BOUGHT NEW) THAT BETWEEN AUG. 2010 AND MARCH OF THIS YEAR HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED 9 TIMES BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS TOTALLY DEAD. WHEN CALLING A TOWING SERVICE TRUCK THE VAN STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A SERVICE STATION. IT HAS NOW BEEN LOOKED AT BY 3 DIFFERENT CHEVROLET DEALERS & 2 INDEPENDENT GARAGES. AFTER THROUGH ANALYSIS, NEITHER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THREE TIMES I WAS TOLD THE VAN NEEDED A NEW BATTERY, BUT AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE VEHICLE WOULD AGAIN NOT START. THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE (1-800-222-1020) WOULD NOT HELP ME AND REFERRED ME TO HAVE THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I RECOMMEND THAT GM RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX IT AFTER FIGURING OUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576221

60,000 miles · Mar 30, 2014
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYED W NO IMPACT BELT IS SLACK . MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TSB STATING THAT ITS BECAUSE STICKY LIQUIDS HAVE SPILLED INTO MECHANISM,WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE TSB IS JUST A SMOKESCREEN. IM SURE ALOT OF CARS HAVE THIS CONDITION BUT CHEVY UNWILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575711

82,000 miles · Mar 27, 2014
Power Train

THE VAN WAS PARK FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. I RETURN AND START THE ENGINE I MOVE TO "D" FOR DRIVE AND THE VAN NOT GO. ONLY 2,1 SPEED GOES FORWARD. BUT NO DRIVE "D". RESEARCH SHOW THE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION DO TO OVERHEATING. THIS ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESS BY CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575246

3,650 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Structure

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10567100

42,741 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

A SHORT TIME AFTER FULEING MY GASOLINE TANK I DETECTED A GAS ODOR. THE ODOR DID NOT GO AWAY, BUT GOT WORSE. I CHECKED UNDER MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY GASOLINE LEAKING AND SAW RAW GASOLINE LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SCOURCE OF THE LEAK SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOC…

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A SHORT TIME AFTER FULEING MY GASOLINE TANK I DETECTED A GAS ODOR. THE ODOR DID NOT GO AWAY, BUT GOT WORSE. I CHECKED UNDER MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY GASOLINE LEAKING AND SAW RAW GASOLINE LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SCOURCE OF THE LEAK SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SERVICE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM A PLASTIC FUEL LINE ATTACJED TO THE INTERNALO FUEL TANK MODULE. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE AND GAS WOULD SPRAY FROM THIS CRACK ONTO THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK, EVENTUALLY RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE TANK CREATING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. I FEEL THAT FUEL COULD HAVE SPRAYED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TANK (EXHAUST PIPE SIDE) AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10568437

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.