Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 8% |
| Structure | 8 | 7% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 3% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The front passenger seat belt is frayed. When I went to the GM dealer to have it replaced I was advised that was not possible that the belt is no longer available. The seat belts are required by law (a safety item) so
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I think my trailing arm on the rear suspension are coming loose
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
safety issue becomes whenever noise from under carriage as if as trailing arms are out of order notice problems whenever roll over small bumps in the road or uneven pavement
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the rear end and front passenger’s side of the vehicle would vibrate with an abnormal, clunking sound coming from the veh
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEN I STOP AT A LIGHT OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THEN AS I GO TO ACCELERATE TO DRIVE THE CAR HERE'S VERY BADLY AND CAUSES CARS BEHIND YOU TO CAPABLE HIT YOU. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
DUE TO A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH A DEER, WE NEED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS IN THIS ONLY 12-YEAR OLD VEHICLE, WITH ONLY 135,XXX MILES ON IT. A CHEVY DEALER REPORTS THAT THESE AIRBAGS ARE 'DISCONTINUED AND NO LONGER AVAILABLE'. T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 ACR
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 74 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 9 of them (8%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.