DecodedCars2008 GMC Savana 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 GMC Savana 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 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Savana Passenger — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Savana Passenger →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger) | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger) | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger) FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 14 | 0% | $4,800 | 635 |
| Savana 1500 AWD (Passenger) 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 GMC Savana Passenger under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 vans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 GMC Savana Passenger (this car) | 14 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Express 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)
Electrical System › Wiring · Apr 6, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V247000 · 150,830 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
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 GMC Savana Passenger is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 GMC Savana Passenger buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System › Wiring — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Electrical System — 1 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 66,000 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 GMC Savana Passenger. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Savana Passenger years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Savana Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 6 | 7 |
| 2016 Savana Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 7 | 6 |
| 2015 Savana Passenger | 13 | – | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 7 | 1 |
| 2013 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 9 | 2 |
| 2012 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 7 | 1 |
| 2011 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 5 | 1 |
| 2010 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2009 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 6 | 1 |
| 2007 Savana Passenger | 14 | – | Not rated | 1 | 3 |
| 2006 Savana Passenger | 15 | – | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2005 Savana Passenger | 15 | – | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →