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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

What owners actually said

163 reports
57,000 miles · Feb 24, 2013
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499876

88,950 miles · Jan 2, 2013
SteeringSuspension

I BEGAN HEARING A "THUD" FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHILE MAKING NEAR-90 DEGREE LEFT TURNS, AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT SPEEDS FROM 5-25 MPH. ON 11/25/2012 I WAS ASCENDING LEVEL AFTER LEVEL IN A PARKING RAMP, MAKING LEFT TURNS. DURING MANY OF THE LEFT TURNS THE "THUD" NOISE WAS HEARD, AT ONE POINT I HEARD WHAT SOUND…

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I BEGAN HEARING A "THUD" FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHILE MAKING NEAR-90 DEGREE LEFT TURNS, AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT SPEEDS FROM 5-25 MPH. ON 11/25/2012 I WAS ASCENDING LEVEL AFTER LEVEL IN A PARKING RAMP, MAKING LEFT TURNS. DURING MANY OF THE LEFT TURNS THE "THUD" NOISE WAS HEARD, AT ONE POINT I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A PIECE OF METAL FALLING OFF THE REAR HALF OF THE CAR. IT MADE NOISE AS IT BOUNCED AROUND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR BEFORE FALLING OFF. I STOPPED, GOT OUT, AND TRIED TO FIND WHAT HAD MADE THE NOISE BUT AFTER LOOKING AROUND IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. IN THE WEEKS AFTER THIS EVENT I NOTICED A SLIGHT WOBBLE OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE "THUD" NOISE WAS CONTINUING TO INCREASE IN FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY. I DIDN'T FEEL THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS NOW OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT IN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. I WAS WORRIED THAT A TIE ROD WOULD COME LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY OR SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE BUSHINGS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE REAR AXLE. THE AXLE WAS LOOSE AND MOVING AROUND WHILE DRIVING! IT WAS BEGINNING TO DAMAGE OTHER PARTS OF THE UNDER BODY. HE WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY REPLACEMENT BUSHINGS FROM PARTS STORES OR THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS WAS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE REAR AXLE. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THERE WERE PLENTY OF AXLES AVAILABLE IN STOCK FOR THIS REPAIR BUT NOT A SINGLE BUSHING. THIS INDICATES THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE, BUT THAT THERE IS A MUCH LARGER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS ON MANY OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490700

68,000 miles · Nov 5, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE HORN BEING DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE HORN BEING DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10483440

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

30,300 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND WIRES ATTACHED TO THE HEADLIGHT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD HAD BURNT OUT. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD IT JUMPED OFF AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RAN ON THE BATTERY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY BUT THE ALTERNATOR. THE NEXT DAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A …

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I NOTICED MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND WIRES ATTACHED TO THE HEADLIGHT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD HAD BURNT OUT. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT ALL. I HAD IT JUMPED OFF AND HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RAN ON THE BATTERY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY BUT THE ALTERNATOR. THE NEXT DAY, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER SO I HAD IT JUMPED OFF AGAIN. INITIALLY, BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AND A MINUTE LATER; BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR TWO DAYS BEFORE TELLING ME SOCKETS MELTED, THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH BULBS AND WIRES. NEVER ONCE DID THEY MENTION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002-2008 CHEVY AVEO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE DEALER INITIALLY WANTED TO CHARGE 1027.42 AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA HOW THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED. I ONLY HAD 30,300 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER LATER CHARGED ME 563..44 BUT THEY CUT MANY CORNERS. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE CHEVY AVEO FOR YEARS! WHEN I CONTACTED GM, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED SO THERE WASN'T MUCH THEY COULD DO. GM DIDN'T EVEN MENTION THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10479771

34,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE DRIVER AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE AIRBAG IS NO LONGER ENGAGED, WHICH IS INDICATED BY THE DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. THE DASH LIGHT, PASSENGER TAIL LAMP AND THE PASSENGER FOG LIGHT ALL STOPPED WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. PASSENGER TAIL LAMP DOESN'T WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULB…

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THE DRIVER AIRBAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE AIRBAG IS NO LONGER ENGAGED, WHICH IS INDICATED BY THE DRIVER AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE THE ENGINE IS TURNED ON. THE DASH LIGHT, PASSENGER TAIL LAMP AND THE PASSENGER FOG LIGHT ALL STOPPED WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. PASSENGER TAIL LAMP DOESN'T WORK EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE BULBS, WHICH SUGGESTS THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477235

46,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEACTIVATE. AS A RESULT, THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEACTIVATE. AS A RESULT, THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ UPDATED 12/03/12

NHTSA ODI #10476858

18,000 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

THE CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS AND I WILL HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART IT OR IT WILL CONTINUALLY SURGE EVEN WHEN GAS IT NOT PUSHED. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE FORUMS ON THIS CAR AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT THING!! WHY IS NO ONE LOOKING INTO THIS!! THE 07 WAS RECALLED FOR A FUEL LINE ISSUE I TH…

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THE CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS AND I WILL HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART IT OR IT WILL CONTINUALLY SURGE EVEN WHEN GAS IT NOT PUSHED. I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE FORUMS ON THIS CAR AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN PEOPLE ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT THING!! WHY IS NO ONE LOOKING INTO THIS!! THE 07 WAS RECALLED FOR A FUEL LINE ISSUE I THINK WHATEVER THEY DID TO FIX IT CAUSED MORE PROBLEMS. PLEASE PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON THIS IT IS NOT RIGHT!! JUST GOOGLE THE 08 AVEO AND WILL SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS CAR!! *TR -JS

NHTSA ODI #10473106

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury

MY HUSBAND REAR ENDED A CAR DUE TO A CAR STOPPING SUDDINGLY AND THE ROADWAY WAS WET. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE OPENING IT CAME OUT OF SPLIT THE AIRBAG ON BOTH SIDES, SO IT DID NOT INFLATE PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456510

42,500 miles · Apr 23, 2012
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. CHECKED IT AND RECEIVED CODE B1448, WHICH REFERS TO A SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT RARELY IS USED AND NOW SENSOR IN SEAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF 1000 + INSTALLATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456268

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.