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2008 Chevrolet Aveo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 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

133 reports with mileage · 30 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports16 fire reports14 injury reports

Engine complaints

20 reports
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80,000 miles · Oct 28, 2015
EngineExterior LightingFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME, FUMES EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, SMOKE APPEARED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME, FUMES EMITTED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD, SMOKE APPEARED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10786801

5,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. THE FIRST WINTER I HAD IT, THE THROTTLE BODY SEIZED LEAVING THE THROTTLE OPEN AND THE ENGINE RACING - THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THEREFORE I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND PULL IT OVER. THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN CIRCLEVILLE, OH PERFORMED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE CA…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. THE FIRST WINTER I HAD IT, THE THROTTLE BODY SEIZED LEAVING THE THROTTLE OPEN AND THE ENGINE RACING - THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THEREFORE I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND PULL IT OVER. THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN CIRCLEVILLE, OH PERFORMED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE CAR, REROUTING THE EGR SYSTEM & REMOVING SOME PARTS AROUND THE THROTTLE BODY. ON SUBSEQUENT EVENTS, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SEVERE LOSS OF POWER AND SURGES. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH THE SAME TROUBLE CODE BEING SET. THE CAR IS NOW ON ITS THIRD THROTTLE BODY (TPS SENSOR CANNOT BE REPLACED SEPARATELY) THIS MODEL YEAR HAS A THROTTLE-BY-WIRE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. MY CAR STILL SUFFERS FROM AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY AND SURGING PROBLEMS. FINALLY, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION BROKE ITS INTERNAL SHIFTING MECHANISM AND THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF IN GEAR. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CLUTCH DID NOT SEEM TO FUNCTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10744010

102,000 miles · Jul 2, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM 3 HOURS AWAY, AND I WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AND 30 MIN FROM HOME. I STOPPED AT MCDONALD S TO FEED THE 3 KIDS, I WAS THERE FOR 35 MIN WITH THE CAR OFF. NOT EVEN 10 MIN LATER, BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SORT OF SPIT AND/OR SPUTTERED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD GOTTEN SOME BAD GAS BECAUSE IT …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM 3 HOURS AWAY, AND I WAS ABOUT AN HOUR AND 30 MIN FROM HOME. I STOPPED AT MCDONALD S TO FEED THE 3 KIDS, I WAS THERE FOR 35 MIN WITH THE CAR OFF. NOT EVEN 10 MIN LATER, BACK ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SORT OF SPIT AND/OR SPUTTERED. I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD GOTTEN SOME BAD GAS BECAUSE IT ONLY DID IT ABOUT 3 TIMES AND IT WAS OK, THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ON INDICATING ANYTHING WAS WRONG. JUST A COUPLE MINUTES LATER IT DID IT SPIT AND/OR SPUTTERED 2 MORE TIMES, STILL NO LIGHT INDICATORS HAD COME ON AND I LOOKED DOWN AT THE GAUGES I HAD 6/8THS TANK OF GAS, ALMOST FULL. THE ENGINE TEMP WAS READING HOT THOUGH, BUT NO LIGHTS WERE ON, SUDDENLY WE WERE GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, IN-FACT IT WAS ACTUALLY SLOWING DOWN AND IT WOULD NO LONGER SWITCH TO A HIGHER GEAR. AS SOON AS THE HIGHWAY LEVELED OFF, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO GIVE THE ENGINE A BRAKE UNTIL WE REACHED THE NEXT GAS STATION, BUT AS SOON AS IT HIT NEUTRAL THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS COASTING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AS QUICK AS I COULD. WHEN SOMEONE FINALLY STOPPED TO HELP, WE FOUND A TINY HOLE IN A HOSE, WE CUT THE HOSE, READJUSTED IT BUT IT STILL WOULDN'T START, AFTER 3 JUMPS IT STILL WOULDN'T START. WE WERE STRANDED FOR OVER 4 HOURS, AND THE BATTERY FINALLY COMPLETELY DIED OUT AS OUR RIDE HAD JUST GOTTEN THERE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING FOR THE BREAK DOWN, NOT EVEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD CAME ON. BECAUSE OF THIS ME 3 KIDS ALL 5 YEARS OLD AND UNDER, AND MY AUNT WHO IS DEATHLY AFRAID OF SEMI'S WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY FOR OVER 4 HOURS!

NHTSA ODI #10731829

76,300 miles · Aug 24, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

I HAVE A 2008 AVEO THAT I PURCHASED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN RUSSELLVILLE, KY. SINCE THE 2ND DAY I OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AIR BAG SENSORS NOT WORKING, HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. YESTERDAY THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY BIGGEST TROUBLE HAS BEEN WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. GET A P213…

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I HAVE A 2008 AVEO THAT I PURCHASED FROM A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN RUSSELLVILLE, KY. SINCE THE 2ND DAY I OWNED IT, IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. AIR BAG SENSORS NOT WORKING, HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED THREE TIMES. YESTERDAY THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY BIGGEST TROUBLE HAS BEEN WITH THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. GET A P2135 CODE THAT TELLS YOU TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY. I DID THIS ($300 PART) DID NO GOOD. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 7 MONTHS IN THE 15 MONTHS I'VE OWNED THE CAR. COMPUTER HAS BEEN "FLASHED" NUMEROUS TIMES. DIDN'T WORK. GM CUSTOMER CARE ASKED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO AND AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET REPAIR SHOP. I DID. AFTER 2 TRIPS THERE AND A TOTAL OF 6 WEEKS IN THE SHOP, THEY TELL ME THEY THINK THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ECM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THIS PART HAS AN 8 YEAR, 80,000 MILE WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 76,000 MILE ON IT. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM FOR MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE CAR. GM REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THE CAR NOW HAS 82,000 MILES. THIS IS THE THING THAT GETS ME. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THEY KNEW I WAS BUYING IT FOR A DAUGHTER IN COLLEGE. THEY KNEW THE CAR HAD THESE PROBLEMS AND SOLD IT TO ME ANYWAYS. I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING THE AVEO TO AND FROM WORK. THE LIGHTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY "ON" ARE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, AND I CAN NOT ALLOW A PASSENGER IN THE CAR BECAUSE, WHEN THEY SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS NOW ENGAGED DOES NOT GO OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627849

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2014
EnginePower TrainWheels

MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, SQUEAK, AND JERK. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A FEW DAYS NOW, AFTER TAKING IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I THEN LEARNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE WHEEL BEARING, DRIVE TRAIN, AND PULLEY SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE USED CAR AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP ME WI…

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MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, SQUEAK, AND JERK. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR A FEW DAYS NOW, AFTER TAKING IT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS. I THEN LEARNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE WHEEL BEARING, DRIVE TRAIN, AND PULLEY SYSTEM FOR THE ENGINE. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE USED CAR AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T HELP ME WITH RECALLS. I THEN CALLED GM DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON MY CAR. I FURTHER RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT TO BE A LIE, YOUR DATA BASE ALONE STATES THERE IS ONE THAT MAY CAUSE THE CAR TO CATCH FIRE. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR TO PURCHASE AND WITH IT HAVING MAJOR SAFETY RECALLS AND NO ONE WANTING TO HELP, I DIDN'T KNOW WHO ELSE TO CONTACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626247

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSuspension

I PURCHASED A USED 2008 CHEVY AVEO IN JUNE 2011. NEARLY ONE YEAR LATER I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. JUNE 2012 - VALVE COVER GASKET WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED SMOKING AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP. SEPT. 9, 2013 - SPUTTERING AND STALLING. WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A HOLD IN THE EXHAUST PIPE. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. …

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I PURCHASED A USED 2008 CHEVY AVEO IN JUNE 2011. NEARLY ONE YEAR LATER I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH IT. JUNE 2012 - VALVE COVER GASKET WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED SMOKING AFTER AN OIL CHANGE. REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP. SEPT. 9, 2013 - SPUTTERING AND STALLING. WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A HOLD IN THE EXHAUST PIPE. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. SEPT. 16, 2013 - STILL EXPERIENCING POWER ISSUES. WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. NOV. 7, 2013 - ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD IT WAS A FAULTY CAM SENSOR. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. JAN. 23, 2014 - ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WAS TOLD THE OXYGEN SENSOR HAD FAILED. REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. APRIL 20, 2014 - TPMS LIGHT FINALLY WENT OFF AFTER BEING ON FOR 3 MONTHS. AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING THE SAME DAY. WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE (AC CLUTCH). DURING THE SAME VISIT AN INSPECTION FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT TOP BUSHING WORN, LEFT LOWER BUSHING WORN, AND REAR CROSS MEMBER BUSHING BROKEN. I SENT A LETTER TO CHEVROLET, EXPRESSING MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE QUALITY OF THE AVEO. MY OTHER CHEVY VEHICLES HAD BEEN GREAT, BUT THIS AVEO FELL SHORT. AFTER SPEAKING TO SOMEONE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHO?IN RESPONSE TO MY STATEMENT "INDIVIDUALS WHO PURCHASE THESE KINDS OF ECONOMY CARS ARE TYPICALLY ON A BUDGET AND CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS THE AVEO HAS NEEDED DUE TO ITS POOR QUALITY"?SIMPLY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT HER FAULT THAT I COULDN'T AFFORD A BETTER CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588954

26,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. UPDATED 11/18/13

NHTSA ODI #10543909

77,443 miles · Jun 7, 2013
Engine

CAR WAS GOING 60-65 IN CARPOOL LANE OF FREEWAY WHEN MY HUSBAND, DRIVING, SAID HE LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING. WE MANAGED TO CROSS 3 LANES AND EXIT THE FREEWAY AND HE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE CAR BROKE DOWN AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN SMOKING VERY HEAVILY. THE CAR SMOKED FOR 30-40 MINUTES …

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CAR WAS GOING 60-65 IN CARPOOL LANE OF FREEWAY WHEN MY HUSBAND, DRIVING, SAID HE LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING. WE MANAGED TO CROSS 3 LANES AND EXIT THE FREEWAY AND HE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER. THE CAR BROKE DOWN AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN SMOKING VERY HEAVILY. THE CAR SMOKED FOR 30-40 MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS ALREADY SHUT OFF. ALL I KEPT THINKING WAS 'THANK GOODNESS WE GOT OFF THE FREEWAY!' APPARENTLY, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC WHICH WAS LATER CONFIRMED BY BULLETIN NO. 08-06-02-002B THE FAN SHROUD HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST THE RADIATOR CAUSING IT TO CRACK AND LEAK FLUID. IT OVERHEATED, MELTING AND DAMAGING MANY PARTS AND CAUSING US TO BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60+ MILES AN HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515588

52,973 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY FOR TEN MINUTES AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY FOR TEN MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED SIX TIMES BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN 2010 THE SAME DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED UNDER SERVICE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,973.

NHTSA ODI #10508416

12,000 miles · Oct 23, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 12/06/12*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10481515

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.