Gmc Savana 3500 problems

General information about Gmc Savana 3500
Gmc Savana 3500 years list
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Chevrolet Express (also known as the GMC Savana) is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.

In production for a single generation since 1995, over 2.5 million examples of the Express and the Savana have been produced. One of the longest-produced designs in American automotive history, the Express/Savana are rivaled only by the Jeep Wagoneer and Dodge Ram Van for longevity.

Since 1995, General Motors has assembled the Express and Savana at its Wentzville Assembly facility (Wentzville, Missouri). Also, since 2017, GM has sourced commercial cutaway-chassis production from Navistar through its Springfield Assembly Plant (Springfield, Ohio).

Social links

Reviews

Common Gmc Savana 3500 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the GMC Savana 3500, several common problems have been reported:

Burning Smell and Leaking Fluids: Another common problem reported is a burning smell while driving and leaking fluids. These issues can indicate potential transmission problems that, if left unaddressed, may lead to transmission failure. It is crucial to address any burning smells or fluid leaks promptly to prevent further damage.

Shaking or Grinding While Driving: Owners have also reported experiencing shaking or grinding sensations while driving the GMC Savana 3500. These symptoms can be indicative of underlying transmission issues that require attention from a certified technician for proper diagnosis and repair.

Gears Slipping and Shifter Issues: Problems with gears slipping during shifting and issues with the shifter becoming stuck or non-responsive have been highlighted by owners. These issues can significantly impact the drivability of the vehicle and may signal potential transmission failure if not addressed promptly.

Faulty Speed Sensor: A faulty speed sensor can affect the shifting performance of the transmission, leading to issues like erratic shifting and poor overall transmission performance. Addressing speed sensor problems promptly is essential to maintain the proper functioning of the transmission system.

These common problems with the GMC Savana 3500 highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt diagnosis, and timely repairs to ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle. Owners are advised to address any unusual symptoms promptly and seek the assistance of certified technicians for accurate diagnosis and repair.

Is the GMC Savana 3500 reliable?

The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 20% for the GMC Savana 3500, compared to an average of 16% for commercial vans and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.

What is the life expectancy of a GMC Savana 3500?

The longevity of a GMC Savana is around 20 years at its maximum life span.

How many miles per gallon does a GMC Savana 3500 get?

2017 GMC Savana 3500 2WD (Passenger)

23	MPG
21	26
combined city/hwy	city	hwy
4.3 gal/100 mi

What is the difference between 2500 and 3500 GMC Savana?

The Savana 3500 Cargo Van offers more payload than the 2500 and comes with a regular or extended wheelbase. 9,900 lbs.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Gmc Savana 3500 years

We have researched Gmc problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Gmc Savana 3500 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Gmc Savana 3500 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Gmc Savana 3500 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Gmc Savana 3500 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Gmc Savana 3500 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Gmc Savana 3500 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Air bags problems
Electrical system problems
Exterior lighting problems
Structure problems
Service brakes problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Gmc Savana 3500 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Savana 3500 model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Gmc Savana 3500 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Gmc Savana 3500 vehicles.

List of Gmc Savana 3500 complaints

Gmc Savana 3500 2001

Date Of Incident: 2017-08-02
Date Complaint: 2017-08-02
VIN: 1GTHG35R611
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Summary: MY BRAKES WENT OUT (FAILED) ON MY WAY HOME, LUCKILY IT WAS AT A STOP SIGN NEAR MY HOUSE ON A SIDE STREET! WHEN I LOOKED UNDER VAN THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING, PEEING OUT OF A HOLE! LOOKS LIKE ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND CORRODED!

Add Complaint

Gmc Savana 3500 1997

Date Of Incident: 2015-03-08
Date Complaint: 2015-05-29
Number Of Injuries: 1
VIN: 1GTHG35RXV1
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: I WAS SEATED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT OF MY VEHICLE DOING PAPERWORK WHEN MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING ME TO SUFFER BURNS AND CONTUSIONS TO MY LEGS AND GROIN REGIONS AND INJURIES TO MY HANDS, NECK, BACK AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

Add Complaint

Gmc Savana 3500 1997

Date Of Incident: 2008-06-30
Date Complaint: 2008-06-30
VIN: 1GTHG35R8V1
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 GMC SAVANA 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS VERY CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED WITH THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING WITHOUT A CRASH OCCURRING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000. UPDATED 07/15/08.*LJ UPDATED 07/15/08

Add Complaint

Gmc Savana 3500 2000

Date Of Incident: 2007-12-15
Date Complaint: 2008-01-28
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
Summary: MANY GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES ARE SET UP TO HAVE THEIR HEAD LIGHTS COME ON 60% OF BRIGHTNESS WHEN THEY START THE VEHICLE DAY OR NIGHT, WHERE THE PROBLEM COMES IN IS AT NIGHT . MOST PEOPLE SEE THE LIGHTS ON IN FRONT OF THEM AND THINK THEY HAVE AN AUTOMATIC SYSTEM AND DON'T BOTHER TO TURN ON THEIR HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND THEREFORE DON'T HAVE TAIL LIGHTS. I HAVE ALMOST HIT TWO OF THESE IN FOGGY CONDITIONS. I HAVE STARTED KEEPING TRACK OF THE VEHICLES I SEE WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS ON AT NIGHT. I HAVE SEEN OVER 100 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS A RECALL ON. *TR

Add Complaint

Gmc Savana 3500 1999

Date Of Incident: 2007-06-20
Date Complaint: 2007-12-30
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: SECURITY PASSLOCK II/ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILURES DURING DRIVING AND AT OTHER TIMES. *TR

Add Complaint

Gmc Savana 3500 2001

Date Of Incident: 2006-07-31
Date Complaint: 2006-08-03
VIN: 1GJHG39R111
Components: SUSPENSION,TIRES
Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT THE STEERING, THE WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED. *AK

Add Complaint

Latest 5 recalls Gmc Savana 3500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 13 recalls for different components of the Gmc Savana 3500.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

Model: Gmc Savana 3500 2006
Report Received Date: 2008-12-09
Manufacturer: MYERS EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Summary: MYERS IS RECALLING 4 MY 2006 GMC 3500, MY 2007 THOMAS BUILT 101PS AND MY 2008 THOMAS BUILT 1208S VANS AND BUSES EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEM ACCESSIBLE FOR 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.
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: MYERS 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 MYERS AT 1-330-533-5556.

Model: Gmc Savana 3500 2006
Report Received Date: 2008-12-09
Manufacturer: MYERS EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Summary: MYERS IS RECALLING 4 MY 2006 GMC 3500, MY 2007 THOMAS BUILT 101PS AND MY 2008 THOMAS BUILT 1208S VANS AND BUSES 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.
Consequence: THE USER OF THE LIFT COULD BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: MYERS 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 MYERS AT 1-330-533-5556.

Model: Gmc Savana 3500 2006
Report Received Date: 2008-10-06
Manufacturer: MOBILITY WORKS
Components: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Summary: MOBILITYWORKS IS RECALLING 133 MY 2005-2006 FORD E250, MY 2000, 2004-2006 E350, MY 2000, 2005 E450, MY 2005-2006 GMC 2500, GMC 3500, AND MY 2006 DODGE 2500 VANS EQUIPPED WITH RICON PLATFORM STYLE WHEELCHAIR LIFTS. THESE LIFTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 403, "PLATFORM LIFT SYSTEMS FOR 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.
Consequence: A LIFT OCCUPANT CAN BE INJURED SHOULD THE LIFT BEGIN TO STOW UNINTENTIONALLY.
Remedy: MOBILITYWORKS 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 MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

Model: Gmc Savana 3500 1999
Report Received Date: 2007-10-24
Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Components: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Model: Gmc Savana 3500 2002
Report Received Date: 2007-10-24
Manufacturer: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Components: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.