DecodedCars2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Vans, Passenger Type
- Engines
- 5.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 14 combined · 12 city / 16 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger is a van offered with a 5.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 14 MPG combined (12 city / 16 highway), 0% better than the 2008 van average of 14 MPG, for an estimated $4,800 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Express Passenger — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Express Passenger →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express 1500/2500 2WD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Express 1500 AWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Express 1500/2500 2WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Express 1500 AWD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 vans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger (this car) | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 GMC Savana Passenger | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 GMC Savana Cargo | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Van 1500 | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Van 15/25 Conversion | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Van 1500/2500 | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Apr 17, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V169000 · 34 vehicles
- Problem
- MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS, 2009 GMC SAVANA, AND 2010 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT CHASSIS, AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN BRAUN WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. OVER TIME AND WITH FREQUENT USE, THE ROLL STOP LATCHES ON THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTÂS OUTER BARRIER MAY BECOME BENT OR MISALIGNED.
- Risk
- A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT MAY DEFEAT OR RIDE OVER THE INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED ROLL STOP. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN THE LIFT PLATFORM IS IN AN ELEVATED POSITION, THE WHEELCHAIRÂS OCCUPANT COULD FALL AND SUSTAIN INJURY.
- Fix
- MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH BRAUN TO NOTIFY OWNERS, AND BRAUN DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. MAIN MOBILITY HAS NOT PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · May 13, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V205000 · 133 vehicles
- Problem
- MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CONVERSION VANS BUILT ON CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CHASSIS FROM OCTOBER 2007 THROUGH MAY 2010 AND FITTED WITH CERTAIN RICON S SERIES AND K SERIES L-MODEL WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. DUE TO A PROBLEM IN THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE LIFT'S "UP" FUNCTION, SHOULD THE "UP" BUTTON BE RELEASED BEFORE THE FLOOR LEVEL LIMIT SWITCH IS ACTIVATED, THE LIFT MAY CONTINUE ITS UPWARD TRAVEL AND MAY OVERRUN THE FLOOR LEVEL CUT OFF POINT.
- Risk
- WHEN THE PLATFORM OVERRUNS THE VEHICLE FLOOR LEVEL AND STOPS AT AN ANGLE FROM 15-20 DEGREES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR TO TIP OVER AND FOR SOMEONE STANDING ON THE PLATFORM TO FALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.
- Fix
- MAIN MOBILITY WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED RICON DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. A SOFTWARE SOLUTION FOR THIS SAFETY DEFECT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. UNTIL THE SOFTWARE SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE, RICON WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A BULLETIN OUTLINING PROPER WHEELCHAIR LIFT OPERATION AND WILL SHIP OWNERS A DVD-BASED TRAINING AID TO PROMOTE PROPER LIFT OPERATION AT NO COST. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
Not every 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Engine — 2 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Express Passenger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Express Passenger years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Express Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 6 | 21 |
| 2016 Express Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 6 | 15 |
| 2015 Express Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2014 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 7 | 12 |
| 2013 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 8 | 18 |
| 2012 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 6 | 10 |
| 2011 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2010 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 5 | 6 |
| 2009 Express Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 5 | 4 |
| 2007 Express Passenger | 15 | – | Not rated | 0 | 11 |
| 2006 Express Passenger | 15 | – | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2005 Express Passenger | 15 | – | Not rated | 0 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →