VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Express 3500 years?

Express 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted26 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 4 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 14 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 14 complaints2004: 18 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 17 complaints2007: 12 complaints2008: 12 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 5 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 1 complaints2019: 3 complaints2021: 1 complaints2024: 4 complaints
Express 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Express 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels325%
Electrical System217%
Transmission217%
Brakes217%
Fuel System18%
Airbags18%
Speed Control18%

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V706000OtherNovember 5, 2014 · 34 units

Defect

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Consequence

If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Remedy

Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 10, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 5, 2014

“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. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 16, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 5, 2016

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 26, 2010

2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 — common questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Express 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.