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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
288,608 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Chevrolet Aveo Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Feb 012022

Aveo

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In-dash clock module contains the vehicle 'Check Engine Light' - required to pass inspection. Solder joints are defective ('cold' or cracked) creating intermittent electrical connections. Prevents warning of engine defects to driver. Solder defects eventually cause destruction of the module incurring unreimbursed denial of transport and expense to driver to repair.

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #38

Jun 052019

Aveo

  • 124,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of their mother who owned a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 35 mph, a white smoke was present coming from the rear of the vehicle and the instrument gauges began to malfunction. The engine rpms violently increased and decreased. The hazards were engaged and moments later smoke was scene coming from under the hood of the vehicle. After stopping and exiting the vehicle, flames were seen coming from under the vehicle and from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 124,000.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #37

Apr 042012

Aveo

  • 62,000 miles
Car shutoff while driving

- New York, NY, USA

problem #36

Sep 162018

Aveo

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Chevrolet 4 door Aveo. The passenger rear taillight won't work, the left side works, was looking it up and people was saying that they were having the same problem. The fusebox under the hood wires, need to splice wires electrical problem.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #35

Nov 172017

Aveo

  • 120,000 miles
I made a report more than a week ago. The headlights sporadically turn off without warning. I was driving at night and both headlamps went out. I have to do night driving with the illumination of hazard lights only. Unsafe!!! this site claimed I would be contacted 72 hrs. After I made the first report. Well, I'm still waiting. I am still without headlights. Periodically, there was electrical (ozone) smells. Since the lights are out, this is noticed less, but I have smelt it on a few occasions.

- Lincoln Park, MI, USA

problem #34

Jul 152016

Aveo

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving at any speed, the instrument panel lighting failed and the key was very hot once it was removed from the ignition. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated once the vehicle was started; however, the instrument panel lighting did not operate while driving. The contact noticed an occasional odor of burning plastic. The dealer (Chevrolet of lafayette in lafayette, Indiana) stated that there was no recall and that the warranty did not cover the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Frankfort, IN, USA

problem #33

Sep 262016

Aveo

  • 101,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Willow Grove, PA, USA

problem #32

Mar 212016

Aveo

  • 8,700,000 miles
When using the cigarette lighter the fuse was blown on the radio. Now the delearship is asking for $120 just to give us the code.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #31

Apr 242016

Aveo

  • 89,000 miles
Went to change the passenger side front headlamp bulb since it was showing high beams on and was dimmed. Turns out the wiring harness the bulb plugs into was melted. According to the local dealership my VIN has no recalls on it but in doing some research it sounds very familiar to recall #14236.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #30

Sep 252015

Aveo

  • miles
Since, I obtained the vehicle from phone# 909-379-3256 go=motors christopher in hemet, ca. It has had problems. 1) no ac, 2)problems with starter & starting vehicle, took it back and 3) forth to dealer4X problem never resolved took it to another dealer friend 4)who repaired and charged me $1500, 5) as of 3/31/16 there has been a loud rattling in the engine, I had the oil charged and the mechanic @ walmart said it 6) sounds like a timing-belt or water/fluid pump rattling, and be careful it doesn't blow. So, the vehicle is setting in our driveway. Your move on resolution. Please inform, next move, I do not want to keep making payments for a lemon of a vehicle? I enjoy driving such an economical vehicle, but!!! 7) I have a loan with premier auto credit, artura caldas 818-933-4966.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

problem #29

Nov 052015

Aveo

  • 47,994 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My airbags did not deploy when I hit a deer in 2013. Now my wiring that comes from engine compartment that controls my window lock and power windows is shorting out. My neighbor has a 2007 Chevy Colorado has gotten a recall on his due to same reason.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

problem #28

Sep 042015

Aveo

  • 100,000 miles
The driver side head lamp is not working properly. The wire lighting harness kept shorting out, I had it repaired at a shop. It later melted and the light went out. I tried to order another on, but the dealership only sells the whole kit not just the light bulb itself. I am having to pay over $300 for a new kit when all I needed was a bulb and the harness. This is insane, especially when there have been recalls for this very same problem. I also had an electrical problem where my car battery would drain, and lose power.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #27

Feb 162009

Aveo

  • 5,000 miles
I purchased this vehicle brand new. The first winter I had it, the throttle body seized leaving the throttle open and the engine racing - the car has a manual transmission, therefore I was able to depress the clutch and pull it over. The local Chevrolet dealer in circleville, oh performed a technical service bulletin on the car, rerouting the egr system & removing some parts around the throttle body. On subsequent events, the car experienced severe loss of power and surges. The throttle body was replaced. The problem occurred again with the same trouble code being set. The car is now on its third throttle body (tps sensor cannot be replaced separately) this model year has a throttle-by-wire engine control system. My car still suffers from an intermittent engine trouble codes related to the throttle body and surging problems. Finally, the manual transmission broke its internal shifting mechanism and the car locked itself in gear. At the same time, the clutch did not seem to function. I am afraid to drive with family members in this car.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #26

Jun 282015

Aveo

  • 102,000 miles
I was driving on the highway on my way home from 3 hours away, and I was about an hour and 30 min from home. I stopped at mcdonald S to feed the 3 kids, I was there for 35 min with the car off. Not even 10 min later, back on the highway, the car sort of spit and/or sputtered. I thought maybe I had gotten some bad gas because it only did it about 3 times and it was ok, there were no lights on indicating anything was wrong. Just a couple minutes later it did it spit and/or sputtered 2 more times, still no light indicators had come on and I looked down at the gauges I had 6/8ths tank of gas, almost full. The engine temp was reading hot though, but no lights were on, suddenly we were going up a slight incline but the car would not go faster, in-fact it was actually slowing down and it would no longer switch to a higher gear. As soon as the highway leveled off, I put the car in neutral to give the engine a brake until we reached the next gas station, but as soon as it hit neutral the car shut off and was coasting. I had to pull over as quick as I could. When someone finally stopped to help, we found a tiny hole in a hose, we cut the hose, readjusted it but it still wouldn't start, after 3 jumps it still wouldn't start. We were stranded for over 4 hours, and the battery finally completely died out as our ride had just gotten there. There was absolutely no warning for the break down, not even a check engine light had came on. Because of this me 3 kids all 5 years old and under, and my aunt who is deathly afraid of semi's were stranded on the side of a highway for over 4 hours!

- Toronto, OH, USA

problem #25

Feb 132015

Aveo

  • 39,500 miles
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.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #24

Jan 032015

Aveo 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
I was driving on high way radio shut off and dash lights flickered. Then it was fine then I go and turn car on dashlights not on and car wont come out of park. Also headlights keep blowing out.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA

problem #23

Oct 232014

Aveo 4-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2008 Chevy Aveo, it has 29,000 miles which was purchased in New Jersey. The vehicle was shipped to egypt, and have been experiencing the following problems: 1. air bag light in always on 2. cruise control is not working 3. clock light is off and on intermittently I took the vehicle to an authorized dealer in hurghada, egypt. They were unable to service the vehicle. I have no incident.

- Linden, NJ, USA

problem #22

Sep 222014

Aveo

  • 50,000 miles
It started out as a dim headlight on my 08 Chevy Aveo, so I went and bought a new headlight for it thinking that is was burnt out or getting close to it. At times the dimmed light was stuck on highbeam and then the highbeam would stay on, other times it just looked dimmer/burnt out from the other one. I took the three bolts off of the left headlamp and disconnected the power plug, I found out that the connector that plugs into the light bulb was melted/burnt looking. It also had a strong odor or what to me smelled like burnt rubber. I had decided to take the melted bulb out and discard it. The new one I did not put in, because I did not want it to have the same thing happen to it. So for the time being it is disconnected and laying by the battery area. I did look online and my vehicle is on a recall for something dealing with the lighting area. As of now October 14th it is still disconnected from the main headlight in fear of it melting and perhaps causing a fire to the car. I have contacted my local Chevy dealer where the car was purchased from and no one seems to have any idea about it, but yet its recalled as of May 2014 from what I have found out.

- Sheboygan Falls, WI, USA

problem #21

Jul 012014

Aveo 4-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
The ignition switch gets hot when driving more than 30 miles and the fan motor for ac and heat does not turn on.

- South Holland, IL, USA

problem #20

Jul 152014

Aveo 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The air bag indicator light came on and has stayed on constantly. According to the owner's manual, this could indicate a problem with the airbag not deploying when it should, or possibly deploying when not needed. This seems to be an occurring problems on several makes and models I have seen on the news, all with recalls issued, and yet, Chevy and GM have not issued a recall for this. Several other complaints have been reported about this issue. This is clearly a safety issue that needs to be addressed on my vehicle, as well as others. What will it take before Chevy and GM decide to recall and fix this problem with the airbags, as this appears to be a very serious, and potentially harmful, if not fatal, potential problem.

- Plano, TX, USA

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