Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2024.
The largest single group is the tires.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 39
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Express 3500. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 14
8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Chevrolet Express 3500
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
325.0%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Brakes
216.7%
Median failure at 69,000 miles
Electrical System
216.7%
Median failure at 113,500 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
216.7%
Median failure at 164,500 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
18.3%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Median failure at 41,000 miles
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 45,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
541.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
325.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
18.3%
150,000+ miles
216.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2010peak 2Jun 2024
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 45,000 milesANN Arbor, MICrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10551352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 86,000 milesGrafton, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11594334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMyerstown, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL TANK CORRODES AND LEAKS FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY
NHTSA complaint #10979311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,000 milesCleveland, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #10936243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesPalm Post, FL
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #10889208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesBrunswick, GA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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 complaint #10873941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesRome, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10643972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesNaperville, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesANN Arbor, MICrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10551352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesJohnson City, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE TRANSMISSION FUNCTIONED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OKAY TO DRIVE AND ADVISED HIM NOT TO CUT THE ENGINE OFF. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE NEXT TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THAT HE SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/10/12
NHTSA complaint #10460505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesWarsaw, NY
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ON THE VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VALVE STEMS WERE MANUFACTURER BY SIEMENS-CONTINENTAL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ THE DEALER FOUND THE RIGHT REAR VALVE STEM CORRODED AND CRACKED. UPDATED 08/29/11
NHTSA complaint #10395134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesWarsaw, NY
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ON THE VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE VALVE STEMS WERE MANUFACTURER BY SIEMENS-CONTINENTAL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ THE DEALER FOUND THE RIGHT REAR VALVE STEM CORRODED AND CRACKED. UPDATED 08/29/11
NHTSA complaint #10395134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesCypress, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR ACCELERATE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE ABS SYSTEM WAS CALIBRATED AND A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS UPLOADED. THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES PRODUCED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,914. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.
NHTSA complaint #10354095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.