NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
44 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 19, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire
There was no prior warnings or notices that there was an issue. While diving on a major road with my children, smoke started coming into the cabin from the vents, and around the stereo. Luckily I was near a very vacant parking lot and immediately pulled over. I removed the kids from the car safely and did open the hood to try tr…
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There was no prior warnings or notices that there was an issue. While diving on a major road with my children, smoke started coming into the cabin from the vents, and around the stereo. Luckily I was near a very vacant parking lot and immediately pulled over. I removed the kids from the car safely and did open the hood to try troubleshoot the problem. There was no smoke anywhere under the hood. Immediately after, sparks started falling from under the steering wheel to the gas pedal. Immediately after that the car was engulfed in flames. The car is currently located at my local police impound and is available for inspection upon request. From the time the smoke started to when the car was engulfed, it was approximately 5 minutes. This could have been dangerous had we been on a highway and unable to pull over and get out of the car safely within that time. It was only inspected briefly by the fire department who arrived to put out the fire and they reported it was an electrical issue that caused the fire.
NHTSA ODI #11609379
Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2022
Electrical System
In-dash clock module contains the vehicle 'Check Engine Light' - required to pass inspection. Solder joints are defective ('cold' or cracked) creating intermittent electrical connections. Prevents warning of engine defects to driver. Solder defects eventually cause destruction of the module incurring unreimbursed denial of tran…
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In-dash clock module contains the vehicle 'Check Engine Light' - required to pass inspection. Solder joints are defective ('cold' or cracked) creating intermittent electrical connections. Prevents warning of engine defects to driver. Solder defects eventually cause destruction of the module incurring unreimbursed denial of transport and expense to driver to repair.
NHTSA ODI #11449748
124,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE STEERING PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE STEERING PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DUE TO AN ABNORMAL CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO LUBRICATE THE WIRES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVE THE FUSES FROM THE FUSE PANEL, AND DO THE SAME WITH THE PROPER DI-ELECTRIC GREASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE PERFORMING THE LUBRICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #11280257
124,000 miles · Jun 6, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THEIR MOTHER WHO OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE ENGINE RPMS VIOLENTLY INCREASED AND DECREASED. THE HAZARDS …
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THEIR MOTHER WHO OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A WHITE SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE ENGINE RPMS VIOLENTLY INCREASED AND DECREASED. THE HAZARDS WERE ENGAGED AND MOMENTS LATER SMOKE WAS SCENE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. DURING THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
NHTSA ODI #11218247
62,000 miles · Apr 24, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngineCrashInjury
CAR SHUTOFF WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA ODI #11203401
170,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
CHEVROLET 4 DOOR AVEO. THE PASSENGER REAR TAILLIGHT WON'T WORK, THE LEFT SIDE WORKS, WAS LOOKING IT UP AND PEOPLE WAS SAYING THAT THEY WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FUSEBOX UNDER THE HOOD WIRES, NEED TO SPLICE WIRES ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11132117
67,396 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED. FURTHERMORE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED. FURTHERMORE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GREY CHEVROLET (4949 HOVDE RD, PORT ORCHARD, WA 98367, (800) 803-8091) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,396. *JS
NHTSA ODI #11111925
120,000 miles · Dec 19, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System
I MADE A REPORT MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. THE HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLAMPS WENT OUT. I HAVE TO DO NIGHT DRIVING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF HAZARD LIGHTS ONLY. UNSAFE!!! THIS SITE CLAIMED I WOULD BE CONTACTED 72 HRS. AFTER I MADE THE FIRST REPORT. WELL, I'M STILL WAIT…
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I MADE A REPORT MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. THE HEADLIGHTS SPORADICALLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND BOTH HEADLAMPS WENT OUT. I HAVE TO DO NIGHT DRIVING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF HAZARD LIGHTS ONLY. UNSAFE!!! THIS SITE CLAIMED I WOULD BE CONTACTED 72 HRS. AFTER I MADE THE FIRST REPORT. WELL, I'M STILL WAITING. I AM STILL WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. PERIODICALLY, THERE WAS ELECTRICAL (OZONE) SMELLS. SINCE THE LIGHTS ARE OUT, THIS IS NOTICED LESS, BUT I HAVE SMELT IT ON A FEW OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11055560
105,000 miles · Jun 12, 2017
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED AND THE KEY WAS VERY HOT ONCE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DID NOT OPERATE WHILE DRI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FAILED AND THE KEY WAS VERY HOT ONCE IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED; HOWEVER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING DID NOT OPERATE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OCCASIONAL ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. THE DEALER (CHEVROLET OF LAFAYETTE IN LAFAYETTE, INDIANA) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
NHTSA ODI #10994400
101,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering
THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND DRIVING. I DROVE THE CAR AND THOUGHT I TURNED IT OFF ALL THE WAY - TURNS OUT THERE WAS ANOTHER 'CLICK' TO TURN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF. ENGINE ALSO CLICKS AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, REPLACED BULBS ONLY TO REALIZE THE CONNECTORS WERE MELTED…
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THE KEY COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION EVEN WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND DRIVING. I DROVE THE CAR AND THOUGHT I TURNED IT OFF ALL THE WAY - TURNS OUT THERE WAS ANOTHER 'CLICK' TO TURN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF. ENGINE ALSO CLICKS AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, REPLACED BULBS ONLY TO REALIZE THE CONNECTORS WERE MELTED, BULBS BEING BLOWN ARE NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM I CAME ACROSS RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE MODEL I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FROM 2014 (DOCUMENTS ON THIS SITE) THAT SAID ALL 2008 CHEVY AVEO'S WERE AFFECTED. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP IN MAY, 2014 - I DON'T BELIEVE THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD GIVEN THE ISSUES AND RECALL NOTICES OUT AT THE TIME. I ONLY FOUND OUT THIS WEEK (SEPT 2016) ABOUT THE ISSUES. HOWEVER WHEN CALLING GM AND A CHEVY DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE CAN CAUSE FIRES. THIS IS A PROBLEM! THE CAR GOES INTO BRYNER CHEVROLET TOMORROW SEPT 29, 2016 FOR A SERVICE APPOINTMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10910141