2008 Chevrolet Aveo

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and had the headlights illuminated. The contact's wife went to start the vehicle and turned off the lights when smoke began to emit from the dashboard and the engine compartment. The contact was able to disconnect the battery and the smoke had stopped. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were able to assist but would not without the contact having computer access. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

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.

CHIEF DEFICIENCY: HEADLIUGHTS HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY STOPPED ILLUMINATING. NO HIGH OR LOW BEAM FUNCTION OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER HEADLAMPS. BULBS WERE JUST REPLACED BECAUSE LIGHTS WERE DIMMING. UPON REPLACEMENT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PASSENGER PLUG IN/SOCKET WAS PARTIALLY MELTED. WORKED FINE FOR 20 DAYS; NOW NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AFTER DARK. I FOUND THERE IS A GM RECALL CAMPAIGN 14236, DATED 19MAY2014: RECALL # 14V261000 FOR EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, TO WHAT IS NOTED ABOVE, I HAVE BEEN SMELLING PERIODICAL WHIFFS OF OZONE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THESE PAST FEW DAYS. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL).

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.