NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
163 reports50,000 miles · Apr 19, 2012
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE WHERE MY HUSBAND WORKS, A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR. THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. A GIANT HOLE - BIGGER THAN A BOWLING BALL WAS LEFT IN THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WE STILL HAD 23 PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. SINCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DESTRO…
Read full complaint
WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE WHERE MY HUSBAND WORKS, A FIRE OCCURRED IN THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR. THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE, THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED. A GIANT HOLE - BIGGER THAN A BOWLING BALL WAS LEFT IN THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND WE STILL HAD 23 PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR. SINCE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DESTROYED, NO DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN, AND NO ASSISTANCE WITH TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED OR IF IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE WAS OFFERED. PRIOR TO THIS, NOTHING INDICATED A PROBLEM. I'M JUST GLAD WE WEREN'T DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OR I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TO WRITE THIS. UPDATED 05/17/12 *BF *JS
NHTSA ODI #10455733
59,747 miles · Feb 4, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS TRAVELING SE ON ENTRANCE ROAD. A CAR WAS STOPPED ON MY LEFT ON JEAN CHAPEL ROAD. THE DRIVER UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME CREATING AN UNAVOIDABLE CRASH SITUATION. I PUMPED MY BRAKES HEAVILY AND ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO MISS THE VEHICLE BUT DO TO WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND MY SPEED (5MPH UNDER THE LIMIT), I COULD N…
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELING SE ON ENTRANCE ROAD. A CAR WAS STOPPED ON MY LEFT ON JEAN CHAPEL ROAD. THE DRIVER UNEXPECTEDLY PULLED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME CREATING AN UNAVOIDABLE CRASH SITUATION. I PUMPED MY BRAKES HEAVILY AND ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO MISS THE VEHICLE BUT DO TO WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND MY SPEED (5MPH UNDER THE LIMIT), I COULD NOT AVOID SLAMMING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER CAR RECEIVED AMBULANCE RECOVERY. THE DRIVER WAS OBVIOUSLY STUNNED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND I SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED DIRECT STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD CONTACT. FIRST FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES, PASSENGER WARNING AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10446683
45,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INITIATED IN POWER DOWN MODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT TIMES, WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INITIATED IN POWER DOWN MODE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND AT TIMES, WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THEY AGAIN, REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AS WELL AS THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE O2 SENSOR. THE REPAIRS FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10446066
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011
Electrical System
SINCE PURCHASE OF MY 2008 CHEVY AVEO I HAVE EXPERIENCED STRANGE AND INCONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE CAR, AND GM NEVER FIGURED OUT THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION THAT WOULD LEAD TO YOU GUYS TAKING THE CAR, FINDING THE CENTRAL ISSUE (BECAUSE NOBODY CAN) TO FIND OUT IF IT IS WORTH…
Read full complaint
SINCE PURCHASE OF MY 2008 CHEVY AVEO I HAVE EXPERIENCED STRANGE AND INCONSISTENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THE CAR, AND GM NEVER FIGURED OUT THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION THAT WOULD LEAD TO YOU GUYS TAKING THE CAR, FINDING THE CENTRAL ISSUE (BECAUSE NOBODY CAN) TO FIND OUT IF IT IS WORTHY OF A NATIONAL RECALL!
NHTSA ODI #10414328
20,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUMBLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT DESPITE REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TIRES, RIMS AND BRAKE PADS, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT NOTICED A RUMBLING SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AS IF SOMETHING WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT DESPITE REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TIRES, RIMS AND BRAKE PADS, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10360346
50,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Air Bags
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THE RED AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF, STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINS, AND THEN CAME BACK ON, AND IS NOW ON STEADY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NOT REGISTERIN…
Read full complaint
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND THE RED AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE LIGHT TURNED OFF, STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINS, AND THEN CAME BACK ON, AND IS NOW ON STEADY EVERY TIME THE CAR IS RUNNING. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NOT REGISTERING A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT, AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353789
38,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Air Bags
I OWN A 2008 CHEVY AVEO. UPON DRIVING TO WORK MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME MY AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE "SERVICED". SINCE MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 38K AND JUST OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THEY REFUSE TO GUARANTEE ME THERE WILL NOT BE A FEE FOR DIAGNOSING AND…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2008 CHEVY AVEO. UPON DRIVING TO WORK MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME MY AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE "SERVICED". SINCE MY VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 38K AND JUST OUT OF THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THEY REFUSE TO GUARANTEE ME THERE WILL NOT BE A FEE FOR DIAGNOSING AND FIXING THE PROBLEM. I THAN CALLED GM AND THEY ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED AT A DEALERSHIP AND IF THERE IS A DEFECT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR AND THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. THIS IS INSANE! THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE JUST LIKE A SEATBELT AND THE MAKER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY FEATURES THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347588
20,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE POPPED OPEN BUT DID NOT DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BUT THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACED THE HOOD. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE POPPED OPEN BUT DID NOT DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BUT THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY REPLACED THE HOOD. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10336600
6,128 miles · May 25, 2010
Wheels
I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY AVEO IN MAY OF 2008 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH FRONT END VIBRATION AND PULLING TO THE LEFT. I STARTED REPORTING THE PROBLEM AUG. 08. THEY ROTATED TIRES AND THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER OCT. 2008, MAR. 2009,AND THEN AGAIN JULY, 2009. THEY TOLD ME ONCE AGAIN THAT TIRES NEEDED R…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY AVEO IN MAY OF 2008 I HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH FRONT END VIBRATION AND PULLING TO THE LEFT. I STARTED REPORTING THE PROBLEM AUG. 08. THEY ROTATED TIRES AND THAT SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER OCT. 2008, MAR. 2009,AND THEN AGAIN JULY, 2009. THEY TOLD ME ONCE AGAIN THAT TIRES NEEDED ROTATED AND FRONT IN ALIGNMENT. I STORED THE CAR FOR THE WINTER OCT. 2009 TO APRIL, 2010. I NOW HAVE TAKEN BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY NOW TELL ME IT HAS TO BENT RIMS WITH NO SIGN OF DAMAGE. THEY JUST WON'T SPIN OUT TRUE WHEN THEY ARE PUT ON MACHINE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. TIRES ARE WORN OUT WITH 20,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RIMS. TALK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THESE STEEL RIMS ON AVEO BEND EASILY AND HAVE REPLACED ALOT OF THEM. TALK TO GM ABOUT THIS AND TOLD THEM WHAT I HAD FOUND OUT. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM. TALK WITH OTHER DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER AND HE STATED THAT THEY WON'T BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE TO ADMIT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE RIMS. CALL GM AGAIN TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE GUY AT GM STATED I DON'T CARE HOW MANY COMPLAINTS THERE ARE NHTSA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THIS COMPLAINT. I TRULY BELIEVE GM KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM AND WON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH KOREA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332253