Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
310–25K
2425–50K
2250–75K
2875–100K
22100–150K
6150K+
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
What owners actually said
163 reports
35 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES OCCASIONALLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE OCCUPANT WEIGHS BETWEEN 110 TO 145 POUNDS, AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MAY 15, 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES OCCASIONALLY WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE OCCUPANT WEIGHS BETWEEN 110 TO 145 POUNDS, AND HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MAY 15, 2008. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES REGARDING THE AIR BAG LIGHT. SHE STATED THAT NO SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO GIVE HER A DIAGNOSIS OR EXPLANATION FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHT FAILURE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS LIGHTWEIGHT. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD NEVER BE DEACTIVATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS. THE BRAKE WOULD FUNCTION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. UPDATED *JB
NHTSA ODI #10233436
550 miles · Jun 18, 2008
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingTires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUMES LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE AND HE NOTICED MOISTURE ON ALL THE WINDOWS. HE ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER, BUT THE MOISTURE REMAINED. THE DEALER WIPED BLACK SOOT OFF OF THE INTERIOR WINDOWS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUMES LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE AND HE NOTICED MOISTURE ON ALL THE WINDOWS. HE ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER, BUT THE MOISTURE REMAINED. THE DEALER WIPED BLACK SOOT OFF OF THE INTERIOR WINDOWS AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, INSTEAD OF BEING A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER'S ENVIRONMENTAL THEORY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE BECAUSE THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING. THE TIRES WERE FILLED WITH NITROGEN, BUT THE SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO KEEP RESTARTING THE ENGINE SO THAT THE MODULE WOULD RESET ITSELF. WHEN HIS WIFE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,937 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 550.
NHTSA ODI #10231451
18 miles · Nov 21, 2007
Air BagsInjury
WHILE AT WORK AT LARSON AUTOMOTIVE, AS A SALES MANAGER, IN BARABOO WISCONSIN I WENT TO MOVE A 2008 CHEVY AVEO. THIS VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. I STARTED THE CAR AND SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. I DID NOT PURCHASE VEHICLE. THE RESULT OF THE NOISE CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT LO…
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WHILE AT WORK AT LARSON AUTOMOTIVE, AS A SALES MANAGER, IN BARABOO WISCONSIN I WENT TO MOVE A 2008 CHEVY AVEO. THIS VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. I STARTED THE CAR AND SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AND THE SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. I DID NOT PURCHASE VEHICLE. THE RESULT OF THE NOISE CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF HEARING IN MY RIGHT EAR, MY RIGHT SIDE OF MY FACE WENT NUM AND TINGLING. AS OF TODAY MY HEARING IS STILL NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A RECHECK NEXT MONDAY ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. *TR
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.
2008 Chevrolet Aveo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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