2008 GMC Savana
Vehicle Specs & Maintenance Data
The 2008 GMC Savana maintenance specs on this page cover the key fluids, torque values, and wear items you need for routine service. Use these numbers as a quick reference when performing oil changes, tire rotations, brake jobs, and other scheduled maintenance on your GMC Savana.
For oil changes, the 2008 GMC Savana takes 5W-30 motor oil with a capacity of 4.5 quarts. Brake fluid type is DOT 3, the recommended coolant is Dex-Cool (OAT), and transmission fluid is Dexron VI. Always use the manufacturer-recommended fluids to maintain warranty coverage and engine longevity.
When mounting wheels on the GMC Savana, torque the lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs using a calibrated torque wrench. Over- or under-torquing can lead to warped brake rotors or loose wheels. Re-torque after 50 to 100 miles on newly installed wheels.
Owners of the 2008 GMC Savana have reported 5 common issues including "Transmission Control Module Software Defect", "Rear Wheel Momentary Lockup at Low Speed" and "6.6L V8 Engine Compartment Fire Risk". Scroll down to the Diagnostics tab for detailed descriptions, solutions, and estimated repair costs.
There are 7 NHTSA safety recalls on file for the 2008 GMC Savana. Check the Recalls tab below for full details.
Specifications on this page are compiled from multiple publicly available sources including manufacturer documentation, NHTSA data, and automotive databases. Always cross-reference with your owner's manual or official factory documentation before purchasing parts or performing any service.
The 2008 GMC Savana uses 5W-30 motor oil (4.5 qt capacity), requires lug nuts torqued to 140 ft-lbs, takes DOT 3 brake fluid.
Manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule for the 2008 GMC Savana. Always verify intervals against your owner's manual.
Enter a diagnostic trouble code to see causes, symptoms, and fixes for the 2008 GMC Savana.
Common problems reported by 2008 GMC Savana owners, with recommended fixes and estimated repair costs.
Transmission Control Module Software Defect
The Savana shares the same TCM software defect as the Express. Vans with the 4.3L V6/8-speed or 2.8L turbodiesel/8-speed combinations have software that can cause harsh shifting, sudden deceleration, and unintended vehicle direction changes from a stop. A total of 23,102 Savana units are affected.
GM recall for TCM software reprogramming. Dealers update the transmission control module with corrected software at no cost to the owner.
Est. Cost: $0 (recall repair)Rear Wheel Momentary Lockup at Low Speed
Like the Express, the Savana can experience brief rear wheel lockup or sudden direction change at low speed due to transmission control valve wear. This poses a risk to both the driver and nearby pedestrians or vehicles, especially in parking lots and loading areas where these vans are frequently operated.
GM safety recall for updated TCM software that monitors valve wear and prevents lockup conditions. If internal transmission damage is detected, the valve body is replaced under a special coverage program.
Est. Cost: $0 (recall) - $2,000 (valve body replacement)6.6L V8 Engine Compartment Fire Risk
Savana vans with the 6.6L gas V8 share the wiring harness short circuit risk with the Express. A short circuit can cause low battery voltage warnings, battery failure, or engine compartment fire. Commercial fleet operators should be particularly vigilant as these vans often carry cargo and passengers.
GM recall for wiring harness inspection and repair. Dealers install protective conduit over the vulnerable section of the engine wiring harness. The repair is performed free of charge.
Est. Cost: $0 (recall repair)Brake System Component Wear
The Savana's heavy-duty usage leads to accelerated brake wear, especially on vans configured for passenger or heavy cargo use. Front brake rotors are prone to warping, causing pulsation during braking. Rear drum brake hardware can seize, leading to uneven brake application and increased stopping distances.
Replace front brake pads and rotors. Recondition or replace rear brake drums and hardware kit. Inspect wheel cylinders for leaks. For vans used in heavy-duty applications, consider upgrading to premium brake components rated for higher temperatures.
Est. Cost: $400 - $1,200HVAC and Heater Core Issues
The heating and air conditioning system can develop problems including weak airflow, no heat from the vents, and coolant leaks from the heater core. Heater core failure causes coolant to leak into the cabin, producing a sweet smell and fogging the windshield. The heater core on the Savana is particularly labor-intensive to replace.
Inspect the heater core for leaks and replace if necessary. The labor-intensive replacement requires significant dashboard disassembly. Replace the blower motor if airflow is weak. Check the coolant level and thermostat operation for no-heat conditions.
Est. Cost: $300 (blower motor) - $1,800 (heater core replacement)7 NHTSA safety recalls for the 2008 GMC Savana. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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
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.
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.
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.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE ANTI-STOW INTERLOCK MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER. THE PRESSURE SENSING SWITCH THAT DETECTS THE PRESENCE OF WEIGHT ON THE PLATFORM WAS NOT ADJUSTED TO THE NECESSARY SENSITIVITY LEVEL. THE LIFT COULD STOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS STILL ON THE LIFT.
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E097). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
MAIN MOBILITY IS RECALLING 185 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 1, 2005 AND JUNE 25, 2009, EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 404, "PLATFORM LIFT INSTALLATIONS IN MOTOR VEHICLES." THE THRESHOLD WARNING SYSTEM MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A WHEELCHAIR OR MOBILITY AID USER IN A CERTAIN SPOT WITHIN THE DEFINED THRESHOLD AREA.
THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
MAIN MOBILITY IS WORKING WITH RICON TO CORRECT THE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E095). OWNERS MAY CONTACT RICON AT 1-818-267-3000 OR MAIN MOBILITY AT 1-716-759-6811.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
GM IS RECALLING 151 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE TRANSFER CASES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT PART THAT CAN CAUSE EARLY FAILURE OF A DRIVE CHAIN. IF THE CHAIN BREAKS, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK MAY NOT KEEP THE VEHICLE STATIONARY.
IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE OR BUMPED, IT MAY ROLL AND STRIKE A PERSON, OBJECT, OR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE DATE CODE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
GM IS RECALLING 567 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA CUTAWAY VEHICLES WITH A 139" WHEEL BASE. THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAY BE WIDER THAN SPECIFICATION.
IF THE FRAME RAIL IS WIDER THAN SPECIFICATION, OVER TIME IT MAY CONTACT THE FUEL TANK HOUSING, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FRAME RAIL AND FUEL TANK HOUSING AND WILL REWORK THE FRAME RAIL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-966-9463, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GM IS RECALLING 2,481 MY 2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND GMC SAVANA G-CUTAWAY FLEET VAN EQUIPPED WITH A 6.0L (RPO LY6) V8 ENGINE, 4L80E (RPO MT1) TRANSMISSION, 4.10 (RPO GT5) AXLE AND 75 MPH GOVERNOR (RPO 9D7). THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE DAMAGED DUE TO FIRST GEAR ENGAGEMENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN DOES NOT TRANSMIT POWER WITH D4 OR R SELECTED. THIS MAY BE PRECEDED BY ENGINE SHUTDOWN IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS 81 MILES PER HOUR IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
THE VEHICLE MAY BE STRANDED ON OR NEAR A HIGHWAY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OR ABOUT JULY 30, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .