2004 Chevrolet Aveo

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 206 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

160 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling26
000
Electrical System23
141
Engine18
130
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System14
010
Air Bags13
806
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine11
000
Seat Belts › Rear/Other7
000
Seat Belts7
204
Power Train7
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission6
100

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights14V261000
Filed May 19, 2014218,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other04V407000
Filed Aug 17, 200432,301 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR MAY LOCK IN POSITION SO THAT THE BELT CANNOT BE USED. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SAFETY BELT WEBBING GUIDE TO PREVENT THE BELT FROM TWISTING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438. VEHICLE OWNERS LOCATED IN GUAM SHOULD CONTACT GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT 1-671-648-8453.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 24, 2019208,000 milesNV

TAKATA RECALL. ON OCTOBER 13TH 2018 I WAS IN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WAS AN SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT MY TIRE SHREDDED BUT STILL MAINTAINED AIR AND MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE AND I GOT A BROKEN NOSE AND A FEW FACIAL FRACTURES. NOW I HAVE SEVERE HEADACHES EVERYDAY SINCE THEN.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 1, 201860,000 milesCA

WHAT'S WITH AVEO'S PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER? IT SKIDS OFF THE WINDOW AND WIPES THE TRIM. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY CAR I THOUGHT SOMEONE MADE A MISTAKE AND PUT ON THE WRONG SIZE. WHEN THEY NEEDED REPLACED, I REPLACED THE WHOLE ARM WITH A SET MATCHING MAKER SPECIFICATIONS. AND MADE NO IMPROVEMENT AT ALL. THE TIP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER STILL SWINGS CLEAR OFF THE WINDOW. DID SOMEBODY MAKE OFF WITH THE DESIGNER'S RULER? ANY CHANCE THEY MIGHT GIVE IT BACK? I'D REALLY LIKE A WINDSHIELD WIPER THAT FITS; DON'T REALLY NEED ONE FOR THE TRIM...

EngineFire
Filed Sep 28, 2018116,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COOLANT PUMP HOUSING FRACTURED AND COOLANT LEAKED OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND SUGGESTED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 18, 2018110,468 milesPA

IGNITION SWITCH IS OVERHEATING. THE LONGER THE CAR IS DRIVEN (10-15 MILES) THE HOTTER IT IS BECOMING. IT HEATS UP SO MUCH THAT THE IGNITION KEY BECOMES QUITE HOT AS WELL...BUT THE SWITCH ITSELF IS EVEN HOTTER. I FEAR THERE WILL BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTING SOON, AND HAVE ALREADY DECIDED TO STOP AT INTERVALS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF SO IT COOLS DOWN. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IF IT'S DRIVEN FAST OR SLOW, DRIVING STILL HEATS UP THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE ONLY ODD OCCURRENCE THAT MIGHT BE SOMEHOW CONNECTED IS THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BULB NEEDED REPLACED SINCE THIS STARTED.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 26, 201791,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALEY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP DEALER LOCATED IN RICHMOND, VA BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. ...UPDATED 08/31/17 *BF *JS

Engine
Filed Dec 13, 201685,250 milesWA

WHILE BACKING UP MY VEHICLE I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 500 RPM. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK, SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, AND TURN THE IGNITION TO OFF. I WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART TO VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TWO OR THREE TIMES. ONETIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND I HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BREAK AND SHUT OFF IGNITION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I SEEMS LIKE IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE ( IN THE 30"S F) . I THINK THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 8, 2016140,390 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,390. UPDATED 09/22/16*LJ *JS

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Jun 13, 2016120,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO EQUIPPED WITH MILESTAR MS932 (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 185/65/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOOM SOUND AND THE VEHICLE VEERED LEFT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED THAT THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN OPEN. THE TIRE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOT NUMBER OF THE TIRE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15T004000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 201671,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE GEAR SHAFT OR IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500.

Engine
Filed Mar 19, 201665,321 milesAZ

I AM ON A FIXED INCOME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 22,000 MILES ON IT WHICH I INTENDED TO TAKE CARE OF AND DRIVE FOR YEARS TO COME, IN FACT INTO THE GROUND. THE MANUAL I RECEIVED WITH THE CAR INDICATED THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT 100,000. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WHERE YOU REALLY NEED A VEHICLE. I HAD DRIVEN TO ANOTHER TOWN FOR A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT. WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH THE CAR JUST DIED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN A 55 MPH ZONE. I WAS LUCKY THAT A GOOD SAMARITAN HELPED ME OUT OF THE DANGEROUS CONDITION I WAS IN ON THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE HAD 65,321 MIIES ON IT. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING VALVE DAMAGE. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $5,000 TO REPAIR IT WHICH IS WHAT I PAID FOR THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT HAVING $5,000 SO I JUNKED THE CAR. THIS ORDEAL CAUSED SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS FOR ME FINANCIALLY, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY. I WAS 62 AT THE TIME. THE WEBSITE CARCOMPLAINTS HAS 56 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RELATED TO 2004 CHEVY AVEOS. ALL OF THE TIMING BELTS FAILED BELOW 100,000 MILES. THERE ARE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE 2005 CHEVY AVEO. WHY WASN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SO I WOULD NOT LOSE MY SHORTS ON MY VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE EVENT WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENING. I SUFFER FROM HEART FAILURE. MY NEW CAR PAYMENT IS VERY HARD TO DEAL WITH ON A FIXED INCOME. I TOOK EXCELLENT CARE OF THE CAR. I SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT SUCH DANGEROUS CONDITION. I WOULD LIKE SOME ANSWERS.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 22, 2016130,200 milesCA

THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, WHEN IT GOT INTO A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE OTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ABRUPT STOP ON THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF THE 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO, WHICH CAUSED THE AVEO TO HIT THE BACK OF THE SUDDENLY STOPPED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH FROM MY UNDERSTANDING SHOULD HAPPEN WHEN TRAVELING AT THAT SPEED. IN FACT IT ESPECIALLY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT I HAVE BOUGHT TWO OTHER VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY FAMILY IS SAFE WHEN RIDING IN THESE VEHICLES.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 4, 2016OH

2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL VEHICLE REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. A REPAIR SHOP, REPLACED A FUSE, DUE TO KNOW BATTERY POWER. *JB

Electrical SystemFire1 injured
Filed Nov 23, 201580,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL TANK CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED PNEUMONIA. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 28, 2015FL

2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WARRANTY NOTICE #14093 ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE WARRANY HAD EXPIRED. ALSO, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 23, 201551,000 milesNY

2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIMING BELT FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITH NO WARNING. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Sep 21, 2015FL

BASICALLY I AM WRITING BECAUSE GM ISSUED A RECALL IN JUNE 2014 LETTING ME KNOW THAT MY CAR HAS AN ISSUE WHICH MAY LEAD TO A FIRE IN MY CAR. THE PROBLEM IS THAT A YEAR HAS PASSED AND THE STATUS OF THAT RECALL STILL IS "GENERAL MOTORS WILL PROVIDE ITS PLAN FOR REMEDYING THE DEFECT AS SOON AS IT IS CONFIRMED." I HONESTLY FEEL THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT IT. I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD BE AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD TAKE SUCH A LONG TIME TO GET FIXED.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 3, 2015AR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Seat Belts
Filed May 31, 2015AZ

THIS IS JUST ONE PROBLEM...THE CAR HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS IN THE PAST LIKE DYING TOTALLY ON A HIGHWAY BUT THAT'S NOT MY CONCERN RIGHT NOW. THE BACK SEAT BELT IS LOCKED UP & IT WILL NOT RETRACT. I HAVE A CHILD SO IT'S REALLY INCONVENIENT.

Engine
Filed May 26, 201573,000 milesMA

TIMING BELT SNAPPED AT 73K MILES WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER: STEERING, BRAKES, AND GAS PEDAL ALL NOT RESPONDING. MANUALLY MANAGED TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER WITH MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON, AND WITHOUT HITTING OR BEING HIT BY ANYTHING ELSE. I'M ALIVE AND SO IS MY PASSENGER, BUT I FEAR WE COULD HAVE DIED ON THAT DAY. RELATED TSBS AND NHTSA BELOW TO AUGMENT REPORTING THIS PROBLEM. ---- TSB #3936 / NHTSA ID #10020573 STATES THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN PRIOR TO 60K MILES TO OTHERS AS FAR BACK AS 2006; TOTAL ENGINE LOSS DUE TO DAMAGE FROM THE BELT AT HIGH SPEED NOT REPORTED OR FIXED. SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE ALSO IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS PART: # TSB #060601021 -- TIMING BELT INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, WORN, WEAR.*KB (NHTSA ID #10020843, OCTOBER 01 2006)

Electrical System
Filed May 24, 2015125,000 milesOH

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY AVEO AND A 2005 CHEVY COBALT MY IGNITION SWITCH ON MY AVEO DOES THE SAME THING AS COBALT BUT AVEO NOT RECALLED ITOOK COBALT IN DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWTICH TOOK AVEO IN FOR RECALL FOR DRL SWITCH DEALER WANTS OVER 300.OO DOLLORS TO REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH I WILL BE DRIVING ALONG AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS CAR WILL SHUT OFF STARTS BACK UP WHEN I PUT KEY IN HAVE TO MOVE KEY SEVERAL TIMES TO START CAR DEALER SAYS NO RECALL ON THE AVEO FOR IGNITION SWITCH BUT IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AS MY COBALT DID IS THIS A DIFFERENT SWITCH THE AVEO HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

20 of 206 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20121000Routine
201177011Fatalities reported
201066100Routine
2009169131Fatalities reported
20081631160Routine
20072162132Fatalities reported
20061891160Routine
20052351171Fatalities reported
2004 — this page206292Fatalities reported

Compare every Aveo year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.