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2004 Chevrolet Aveo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 169.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports9 fire reports17 injury reports

Engine complaints

21 reports
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67,000 miles · Apr 9, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE AS NHTSA INCIDENT 10393028 (SNAPPED PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT). DRIVING ON A MULTIPLE LANE FREEWAY AT ~65MPH AND THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED (HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE LIKE THE CAR WINDOW WAS SLIGHTLY OPEN). IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL SPEED CONTROL AND BEGAN RAPIDLY DECELERATING. THANKFULLY, WAS IN RIGHT HAND LAN…

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THIS IS THE SAME VEHICLE AS NHTSA INCIDENT 10393028 (SNAPPED PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING UNIT). DRIVING ON A MULTIPLE LANE FREEWAY AT ~65MPH AND THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED (HIGH PITCHED WHISTLE LIKE THE CAR WINDOW WAS SLIGHTLY OPEN). IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL SPEED CONTROL AND BEGAN RAPIDLY DECELERATING. THANKFULLY, WAS IN RIGHT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE NEXT AVAILABLE EXIT. LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD I BEEN IN ANY OTHER LANE IN MORNING TRAFFIC AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ONCE STOPPED, CAR COULD NOT BE TURNED BACK ON AND WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL TURNED INTO ACC MODE WHERE IT FINALLY ALLOWED ME TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. HAD TO BE TOWED, EVENTUALLY TO THE DEALERSHIP. ENGINE DAMAGE WAS CATASTROPHIC AND REQUIRED EXTENSIVE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS (3 WEEKS AND APPROXIMATELY $2,700). SNAPPED TIMING BELT ALSO BENT PISTONS AND VALVES AND REQUIRED THE WATER PUMP TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS CLEARLY A KNOWN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY CHEVROLET, RATHER THAN HIDING BEHIND THE 60,000 MILE REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS LAUGHABLY LOW FOR A TIMING BELT. FURTHER - MY TIMING BELT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES AND THUS NOT ONLY DID A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP LIE TO ME, THEY PUT MY LIFE AT RISK BY KNOWING THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT WOULD INEVITABLY OCCUR LONG BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED BELT REPLACEMENT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED WITH OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES AND ONLY 5,000-10,000 MILES DRIVEN/YEAR. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE TIMING BELT TO SNAP OTHER THAN BEING A FAULTY PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578600

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2014
EnginePower Train

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A STRANGE, LOUD RUBBING/ CLATTERING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. MY BOYFRIEND, WHO IS A MECHANIC, LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAID THE TIMING BELT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. NOW I AM…

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I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A STRANGE, LOUD RUBBING/ CLATTERING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. MY BOYFRIEND, WHO IS A MECHANIC, LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAID THE TIMING BELT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN THIS PARTICULAR 4 CYLINDER GM VEHICLE. THIS ENGINE IS AN INTERFERENCE ENGINE. THIS MEANS THAT THE ONLY THING PREVENTING THE VALVES FROM STRIKING THE PISTONS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION IS THE TIMING BELT. IF/ WHEN IT BREAKS, IT CAUSES CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE, OFTEN REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT. ONE OR MORE OF THE TIMING BELT PULLEYS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. WHEN THE TIMING BELT PULLEY BREAKS, SHARDS OF PLASTIC SNAP OFF AND BECOME LODGED INSIDE OF THE ENGINE, RENDERING THE ENGINE USELESS. ALSO, AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE VALVES BECOME BENT WHEN THE BELT/ PULLEY(S) MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS BOTH COSTLY AND DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER, AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE MADE ALL PULLEYS AND MOVING PARTS ON THE ENGINE OUT OF METAL INSTEAD OF PLASTIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573489

140,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VALVES. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BELT AND VALVES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VALVES. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE BELT AND VALVES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523757

68,750 miles · May 28, 2013
Engine

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON MY LUNCH BREAK, AND HAD JUST MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER I MADE THE TURN, I FELT A JOLT AND HEARD AN ODD GRINDING SOUND. MY CAR LOST POWER AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO SAFELY STEER THE CAR FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFOR…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON MY LUNCH BREAK, AND HAD JUST MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY. ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER I MADE THE TURN, I FELT A JOLT AND HEARD AN ODD GRINDING SOUND. MY CAR LOST POWER AND ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO SAFELY STEER THE CAR FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. I HAD THE ADDED FORTUNE OF BREAKING DOWN IN FRONT OF A REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN AND HAD BENT ALL THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE. IT TOOK 5 DAYS AND $1875 TO FIX. I HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM AVEO OWNERS ABOUT TIMING BELT FAILURES LONG BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED 100K REPLACEMENT MARK, BUT CHEVROLET REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513747

84,000 miles · Apr 2, 2013
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP, I COULD ONLY GET TO AROUND 40-45MPH ON A HIGHWAY THAT IS 65MPH. I NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED BY CARS FLYING UP ON ME AND I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER JUST IN TIME AS THE POWER STEERING ALSO WENT OUT AND THE CAR APPEARED TO HAVE STOPPED RUNNING. …

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AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP, I COULD ONLY GET TO AROUND 40-45MPH ON A HIGHWAY THAT IS 65MPH. I NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED BY CARS FLYING UP ON ME AND I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER JUST IN TIME AS THE POWER STEERING ALSO WENT OUT AND THE CAR APPEARED TO HAVE STOPPED RUNNING. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START AGAIN. THE DIAGNOSTICS CAME BACK THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD GONE AND IT COULD BE FIXED FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN $800 TO NEEDING A BRAND NEW MOTOR. THIS FLOORED ME AS I ALWAYS HAD THE OIL AND FLUIDS REPLACED AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 84K MILES ON IT. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THE AVEO AND BAM, THERE IT WAS, OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON-LINE. OWNERS ALL COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR AVEO. THE TIMING BELT ON THE AVEO, ESPECIALLY THE 04-07 MODELS GO AND WILL REQUIRE ANYWHERE FROM A MAJOR FIX TO A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON A LITTLE CAR. I WENT ON CRAIGSLIST TO LOOK FOR A NEW ENGINE, BUT INSTEAD FOUND 10 AVEOS IN ONE HOUR... THAT WERE BEING SOLD FOR PARTS BECAUSE THEIR TIMING BELT WENT! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AVEO DESERVING OF A RECALL, AND OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE PERSISTENT NEED TO HAVE THEIR TIMING BELT REPLACED OR FACE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REAR-ENDED OR WORSE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER AND POWER STEERING. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505451

68,000 miles · Nov 2, 2012
Engine

THE TIMING BELT BROKE IN OUR VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RACKET, THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER BEFORE IT DIED COMPLETELY, WHEN IT BROKE, IT BENT THE RODS AND PISTONS IN THE HEADS. NOW JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. CHEVY NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE ITS GOING TO END UP KILLING S…

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THE TIMING BELT BROKE IN OUR VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RACKET, THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER BEFORE IT DIED COMPLETELY, WHEN IT BROKE, IT BENT THE RODS AND PISTONS IN THE HEADS. NOW JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. CHEVY NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE ITS GOING TO END UP KILLING SOMEONE AND THIS ISN'T THE ONLY AVEO TO HAVE DONE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482944

78,423 miles · Aug 28, 2012
EnginePower Train

DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CAR FELT LIKE CAME OUT OF 5TH GEAR. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR. PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN (VERY TIGHT). THE CAR WAS LOOSING POWER BUT TACH WAS STILL AT 3000. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR HAD NO SPARK. LIGHTS STILL WORKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT F…

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DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CAR FELT LIKE CAME OUT OF 5TH GEAR. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR. PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN (VERY TIGHT). THE CAR WAS LOOSING POWER BUT TACH WAS STILL AT 3000. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR HAD NO SPARK. LIGHTS STILL WORKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED WHICH TOOK OUT THE WATER PUMP AND DAMAGED MY HEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. AT THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANIC AND 2 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THANK GOD IT WAS 5:15 AM AND NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472847

63,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Engine

TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT OFF AND LEAVE ME STRANDED WHEN IT BROKE IT CRUSHED ALL 4 CYLINDER HEADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472696

58,995 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,995.

NHTSA ODI #10463476

39,500 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NINE TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NINE TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500. UPDATED 07/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT DAYS. UPDATED 07/25/12

NHTSA ODI #10461886

Official recalls

2

14V261000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 19, 2014

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo vehicles equipped with daytime running lights (DRL). In the affected vehicles, there may be heat generated within the DRL module located in the center console in the instrument panel, which could melt the DRL module.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised DRL module, inspect the wiring connector for heat damage, and clean the DRL circuit grounds. Owners were sent interim notices on August 14, 2014. The recall began on February 6, 2015. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14236.

04V407000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Aug 17, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR MAY LOCK IN POSITION SO THAT THE BELT CANNOT BE USED. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SAFETY BELT WEBBING GUIDE TO PREVENT THE BELT FROM TWISTING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438. VEHICLE OWNERS LOCATED IN GUAM SHOULD CONTACT GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT 1-671-648-8453.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA08005 · Stuck Throttle Valve

Opened Feb 14, 2008 · Closed Oct 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv); Vehicle Speed Control

TO DATE, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AWARE OF 29 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 52 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 69 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BECAUSE THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING, ODI UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008 SO THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FIELD EXPERIENCE DURING THE 2007/2008 WINTER SEASON.BY LETTER DATED MAY 22, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) SUPPLEMENTED ITS PREVIOUS INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE WITH FIELD DATA RECEIVED BY GM THROUGH MAY 1, 2008.ACCORDING TO GM, WHEN MOISTURE FREEZES IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM AND/OR THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IT IS MOST OFTEN OBSERVED AS A HARD TO START/NO START CONDITION, THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED, ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, STALLING AT IDLE, OR OIL LEAKAGE.OF THE 29 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO STUCK THROTTLE, ODI IDENTIFIED 5 REPORTS THAT ALLEGE UNWANTED ACCELERATION, 13 REPORTS DESCRIBE AN APPARENT HIGH-IDLE CONDITION AT START UP OR WHEN SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY ALLEGATION OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION OR DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE, AND THE REMAINING 11 REPORTS DESCRIBE AMBIGUOUS ALLEGATIONS OF STUCK THROTTLE WITHOUT REGARD TO SEVERITY OR CONSEQUENCE.ODI ANALYSIS OF FIELD INCIDENT DATA SHOWS THAT THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY TRENDS APPEAR TO BE IN DECLINE, WITH ONLY 1 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT AND 6 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RECEIVED BY GM SINCE APRIL 2007. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

TO DATE, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AWARE OF 29 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 52 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 69 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BECAUSE THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING, ODI UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008 SO THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FIELD EXPERIENCE DURING THE 2007/2008 WINTER SEASON.BY LETTER DATED MAY 22, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) SUPPLEMENTED ITS PREVIOUS INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE WITH FIELD DATA RECEIVED BY GM THROUGH MAY 1, 2008.ACCORDING TO GM, WHEN MOISTURE FREEZES IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM AND/OR THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IT IS MOST OFTEN OBSERVED AS A HARD TO START/NO START CONDITION, THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED, ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, STALLING AT IDLE, OR OIL LEAKAGE.OF THE 29 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO STUCK THROTTLE, ODI IDENTIFIED 5 REPORTS THAT ALLEGE UNWANTED ACCELERATION, 13 REPORTS DESCRIBE AN APPARENT HIGH-IDLE CONDITION AT START UP OR WHEN SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY ALLEGATION OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION OR DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE, AND THE REMAINING 11 REPORTS DESCRIBE AMBIGUOUS ALLEGATIONS OF STUCK THROTTLE WITHOUT REGARD TO SEVERITY OR CONSEQUENCE.ODI ANALYSIS OF FIELD INCIDENT DATA SHOWS THAT THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY TRENDS APPEAR TO BE IN DECLINE, WITH ONLY 1 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT AND 6 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RECEIVED BY GM SINCE APRIL 2007. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Vehicle Speed Control

TO DATE, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) IS AWARE OF 29 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 52 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 69 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BECAUSE THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING, ODI UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008 SO THAT IT COULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE FIELD EXPERIENCE DURING THE 2007/2008 WINTER SEASON.BY LETTER DATED MAY 22, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) SUPPLEMENTED ITS PREVIOUS INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE WITH FIELD DATA RECEIVED BY GM THROUGH MAY 1, 2008.ACCORDING TO GM, WHEN MOISTURE FREEZES IN THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM AND/OR THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IT IS MOST OFTEN OBSERVED AS A HARD TO START/NO START CONDITION, THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED, ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE, STALLING AT IDLE, OR OIL LEAKAGE.OF THE 29 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO STUCK THROTTLE, ODI IDENTIFIED 5 REPORTS THAT ALLEGE UNWANTED ACCELERATION, 13 REPORTS DESCRIBE AN APPARENT HIGH-IDLE CONDITION AT START UP OR WHEN SLOWING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT ANY ALLEGATION OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION OR DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE, AND THE REMAINING 11 REPORTS DESCRIBE AMBIGUOUS ALLEGATIONS OF STUCK THROTTLE WITHOUT REGARD TO SEVERITY OR CONSEQUENCE.ODI ANALYSIS OF FIELD INCIDENT DATA SHOWS THAT THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY TRENDS APPEAR TO BE IN DECLINE, WITH ONLY 1 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT AND 6 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RECEIVED BY GM SINCE APRIL 2007. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE07051 · Stuck Throttle Valve

Opened Oct 19, 2007 · Closed Feb 14, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv); Vehicle Speed Control

ON OCTOBER 19, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STUCK THROTTLE INCIDENTS DUE TO ICE FORMATION WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2005 CHEVROLET AVEO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN THE UNITED STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (05F-069) CONDUCTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) INVOLVING SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN CANADA.AT THAT TIME, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #05-06-04-065) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES.GM SUBSEQUENTLY REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AFTER IT DISCOVERED CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE NOT PROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.GM REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN A SECOND TIME TO INCLUDE MORE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE BODY, INTAKE MANIFOLD, POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ICING WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT.AGAIN, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #08-06-04-009) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES USING THE REVISED PROCEDURE.ODI IS AWARE OF 28 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 46 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 63 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING.HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN GM'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2, 2007, DOES NOT CAPTURE EVENTS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE MOST RECENT WINTER MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-005) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

ON OCTOBER 19, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STUCK THROTTLE INCIDENTS DUE TO ICE FORMATION WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2005 CHEVROLET AVEO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN THE UNITED STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (05F-069) CONDUCTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) INVOLVING SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN CANADA.AT THAT TIME, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #05-06-04-065) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES.GM SUBSEQUENTLY REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AFTER IT DISCOVERED CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE NOT PROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.GM REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN A SECOND TIME TO INCLUDE MORE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE BODY, INTAKE MANIFOLD, POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ICING WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT.AGAIN, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #08-06-04-009) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES USING THE REVISED PROCEDURE.ODI IS AWARE OF 28 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 46 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 63 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING.HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN GM'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2, 2007, DOES NOT CAPTURE EVENTS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE MOST RECENT WINTER MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-005) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.

Vehicle Speed Control

ON OCTOBER 19, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STUCK THROTTLE INCIDENTS DUE TO ICE FORMATION WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004-2005 CHEVROLET AVEO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN THE UNITED STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS PROMPTED BY A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN (05F-069) CONDUCTED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) INVOLVING SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FOR SALE OR LEASE IN CANADA.AT THAT TIME, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #05-06-04-065) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES.GM SUBSEQUENTLY REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN TO INCLUDE MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS AFTER IT DISCOVERED CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE NOT PROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL CAMPAIGN.GM REVISED THE CANADIAN RECALL CAMPAIGN A SECOND TIME TO INCLUDE MORE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE THROTTLE BODY, INTAKE MANIFOLD, POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ICING WITHIN THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE TRACT.AGAIN, GM ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #08-06-04-009) TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN U.S. VEHICLES USING THE REVISED PROCEDURE.ODI IS AWARE OF 28 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS/FIELD REPORTS AND 46 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT AFFECTING 63 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING.HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN GM'S RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER DATED NOVEMBER 2, 2007, DOES NOT CAPTURE EVENTS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED DURING THE MOST RECENT WINTER MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-005) TO FURTHER STUDY THE FREQUENCY OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.