2008 Chevrolet UPLANDER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
118 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
64,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 103 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 25 of 118 complaints (21.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 33.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 14.4% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 9 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
Electrical System: 25; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 20; Service Brakes: 13; Power Train: 11; Structure:Body: 10; Structure:Body:Door: 9; Suspension: 9; Air Bags: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 21 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 21; 150,000 and above: 8
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 10 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2008: 3; 2009: 5; 2010: 16; 2011: 11; 2012: 10; 2013: 12; 2014: 27; 2015: 14; 2016: 5; 2017: 4; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10228515 · 2008-05-22 (May 22, 2008)
2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE WENT DOWN A SLIGHT DOWN HILL GRADE, HE WENT DOWN THE GRADE ON AN ANGLE. THE RIGHT WHEEL CONTACTED THE ROAD BEFORE THE LEFT WHEEL. *KB AS THE CONSUMER STARTED TO ACCELERATE, HE HEARD THE STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY PITCHED FORWARD 3 OR 4 TIMES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED EITHER THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKING UP OR THE FRONT BRAKES WERE LOCKING ON. THE CONSUMER REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STARTED TO GO FORWARD. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10228515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10231940 · 2008-06-22 (June 22, 2008)
DRIVING AT 30 MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED. STOPPED VAN, TURNED IT OFF, AND THEN RESTARTED AFTER IT HAD TIME TO COOL DOWN. RETURNED HOME DRIVING AT 20 MPH (2.4 MILES) WITH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING 3 TIMES DURING THAT DRIVE. VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE GARAGE AND FOUND: FAN BLADE BROKEN RADIATOR CORE DAMAGED-ENTIRE RADIATOR REPLACED HEAD GASKETS RE-TOOLED THIS HAS NOT RECURRED 2. PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES-WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT OPEN. (THIS CONTINUES TO RECUR) SERVICE CENTER FOUND: SENS…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231940 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236347 · 2008-07-30 (July 30, 2008)
RENTAL VEHICLE. "SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM" WARNING CAME ON. DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH OF IT. WE WERE ABOUT 2 HOURS AWAY FROM CLOSEST RENTAL FACILITY SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE - NOT GOING TOO FAST. VAN HAS LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON IT. ALL OF A SUDDEN... JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD NOT TOUCHING THE BRAKES AT ALL.... GOING ABOUT 30MPH.... THE BRAKES CAME ON. WE WEREN'T SURE IF IT WAS BRAKES ON ALL 4 WHEELS OR JUST CERTAIN ONES. WE SCREECHED - NOT US, THE TIRES, THEN IT RELEASED AND THE WARNING CAME BACK ON. THE WARNING DID GO AWAY EVERYTIME…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,765 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236347 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258171 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR OPEN WARNING INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED. IT FAILS TO DIM AND HIDES OTHER INFORMATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND SHE COULD CALL THE GM MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED GM AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF; HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ISS 23,100. UPDATED 03/04/09. *LJ THE DOOR OPEN WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY/ WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTE WITH THE DOOR O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10258171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261625 · 2009-03-12 (March 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE, VIBRATED, AND SHOOK. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE STABILITY CONTROL TRACTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES AND THE DIAGNOSTIC LOCATED THE FAILURE CODE AT THE STABILITY CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VI…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10263153 · 2009-03-26 (March 26, 2009)
THESE ARE STATE FLEET VEHICLES WE HAVE PURCHASED OVER 98 OF THESE UPLANDERS AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES AND THE DRIVER'S TIRE GOING FLAT ON OVER 33 OF THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10263153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268521 · 2009-05-12 (May 12, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT OF HIS VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED AND WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY BACK AND FORWARD AS IT SHOULD. WHENEVER THE DRIVER DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WILL COME FORWARD AND FALL OUT OF THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER RODE IN THE BACK SEAT. HE STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST YE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293363 · 2009-11-24 (November 24, 2009)
OUR 2008 CHEVROLET UPLANDER VAN IS UTILIZED TO DELIVER CAMPUS MAIL. THIS PAST WEEK THE CARRIER HAND WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR WHILE UNLOADING/LOADING MAIL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO MAJOR DAMAGE DONE TO HER HAND BUT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE THE NEXT TIME. THERE ARE NO LOCKING POSITION ON THE TWO SLIDING SIDE DOORS. WE HAVE TO PARK ON INCLINES. THIS ACCIDENT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE AN OLDER VAN AND IT HAS A LOCKING MECHANISM. WHY WASN'T A LOCKING MECHANISM PLACE ON THE SLIDING SIDE DOORS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,495 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293363 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V110000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 2010-03-19 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗