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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 And Engine Cooling complaints

8 reports
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39,500 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE IGNITION COIL, AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE IGNITION COIL, AND THE OXYGEN SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500.

NHTSA ODI #10683933

72,000 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE 805 FREEWAY BETWEEN H ST AND L ST IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO PULL OVER TO LET MY CAR REST. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. WHEN I PULLED OVER AT 10:09 AM THE SMOKE STARTED TO COME IN THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER. I THEN GOT OUT TO AVOID SMELLING THE…

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AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE 805 FREEWAY BETWEEN H ST AND L ST IN SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA MY CAR STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. I DECIDED TO PULL OVER TO LET MY CAR REST. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. WHEN I PULLED OVER AT 10:09 AM THE SMOKE STARTED TO COME IN THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONER. I THEN GOT OUT TO AVOID SMELLING THE SMOKE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE NOT EVEN A MINUTE LATER THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND A FIRE TRUCK SHOWED UP AT 10:18AM. THE FLAMES DEVOURED THE WHOLE FRONT OF MY CAR, MY ENGINE, MY INTERIOR, MY VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536176

80,015 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE LOCAL MARKET, GOING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR, WE STARTED LEAVING ONE STORE TO THE NEXT...AS I PULL OUT TO THE LIGHT I START TO HEAR A RATTLE ..THEN A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD..SPARKS AND FIRE SHOT OUT AND THE ENGINE DIED AND WE COASTED ABOUT 20 FEET AND PARKED IT.....I GET OUT AND LOOK UNDER THE HOO…

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WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO THE LOCAL MARKET, GOING ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR, WE STARTED LEAVING ONE STORE TO THE NEXT...AS I PULL OUT TO THE LIGHT I START TO HEAR A RATTLE ..THEN A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD..SPARKS AND FIRE SHOT OUT AND THE ENGINE DIED AND WE COASTED ABOUT 20 FEET AND PARKED IT.....I GET OUT AND LOOK UNDER THE HOOD..THE ENGINE HAD DROPPED 8 INCHES FROM THE FRAME AND IS MERELY 3 INCHES FROM THE CONCRETE ......THE ENGINE PULLEYS ARE PUSHED UP TO THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND I BELIEVE EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE IS BENT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AND WHEN IT DROPPED IT BUSTED THROUGH THE SUSPENSION!!!! WE HAD IT TOWED TO CLARK'S AUTOMOTIVE IN HUNTINGTON WEST VIRGINIA 25703 (304-522-3876). EVERYONE WE TALKED TO HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE! THANK YOU!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535435

77,000 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN BUT ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN BUT ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #10445115

20,131 miles · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN CAR STARTED SHAKING THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 15 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319629

36,000 miles · Dec 22, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE DRIVER STRUCK A DEER IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. HE THEN GAINED VEHICLE CONTROL, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE DRIVER STRUCK A DEER IN THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. HE THEN GAINED VEHICLE CONTROL, AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WAS MINOR INJURY SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10296724

500 miles · Jan 11, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

PURCHASED NEW 2008 AVEO IN APRIL 2007 WHICH HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS DUE TO THE AC CAUSING EXTRA WORK FOR THE MOTOR. SINCE IT WAS SUMMER TIME I WENT ON MY WAY AND DEALT WITH THIS VIBRATION (WHICH ONLY HAPPENS WHILE IN DRIVE) IT IS NOW JANUARY AND NO AC IS BEING USED. I TOOK THE CAR B…

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PURCHASED NEW 2008 AVEO IN APRIL 2007 WHICH HAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I TOOK INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS DUE TO THE AC CAUSING EXTRA WORK FOR THE MOTOR. SINCE IT WAS SUMMER TIME I WENT ON MY WAY AND DEALT WITH THIS VIBRATION (WHICH ONLY HAPPENS WHILE IN DRIVE) IT IS NOW JANUARY AND NO AC IS BEING USED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD YES THERE IS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND WE WILL LOOK INTO IT 4 HOURS LATER THEY CALLED TO LET ME KNOW THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND EVEN CONTACTED THE GM ADVISORS AND ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT WITH THIS ISSUE HOWEVER SINCE THERE IS NOT SERVICE BULLETIN OR RECALL REGARDING THIS I WILL HAVE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT AND WAIT AND SEE IF SOMETHING COMES UP WITH A FIX. I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM HAVING TO JUST DEAL WITH A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ISSUES...THIS CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES ALREADY..SHIFTER LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT MOVE FROM PARK SO THEY REPLACED THAT...THEN CAR DIES ON HWY AND WAS TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO FIX SOMETHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE, PAINT IN NOW PEELING AND ONLY HAS 11,000 MILES ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254672

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

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.