Page 2 of 5 · complaints 51–100 of 206

2004 Chevrolet Aveo complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Engine
Filed Apr 2, 201384,000 milesPA

AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY, I FELT THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PICKING UP, I COULD ONLY GET TO AROUND 40-45MPH ON A HIGHWAY THAT IS 65MPH. I NEARLY GOT REAR-ENDED BY CARS FLYING UP ON ME AND I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SHOULDER JUST IN TIME AS THE POWER STEERING ALSO WENT OUT AND THE CAR APPEARED TO HAVE STOPPED RUNNING. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START AGAIN. THE DIAGNOSTICS CAME BACK THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD GONE AND IT COULD BE FIXED FOR ANYWHERE BETWEEN $800 TO NEEDING A BRAND NEW MOTOR. THIS FLOORED ME AS I ALWAYS HAD THE OIL AND FLUIDS REPLACED AND THE CAR ONLY HAD 84K MILES ON IT. I BEGAN TO RESEARCH THE AVEO AND BAM, THERE IT WAS, OVER AND OVER AGAIN ON-LINE. OWNERS ALL COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR AVEO. THE TIMING BELT ON THE AVEO, ESPECIALLY THE 04-07 MODELS GO AND WILL REQUIRE ANYWHERE FROM A MAJOR FIX TO A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON A LITTLE CAR. I WENT ON CRAIGSLIST TO LOOK FOR A NEW ENGINE, BUT INSTEAD FOUND 10 AVEOS IN ONE HOUR... THAT WERE BEING SOLD FOR PARTS BECAUSE THEIR TIMING BELT WENT! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE AVEO DESERVING OF A RECALL, AND OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE PERSISTENT NEED TO HAVE THEIR TIMING BELT REPLACED OR FACE A TOTAL ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REAR-ENDED OR WORSE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER AND POWER STEERING. THANK YOU. *TR

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 201268,000 milesOH

THE TIMING BELT BROKE IN OUR VEHICLE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RACKET, THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER BEFORE IT DIED COMPLETELY, WHEN IT BROKE, IT BENT THE RODS AND PISTONS IN THE HEADS. NOW JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, IT HAS DONE THE SAME THING. CHEVY NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE ITS GOING TO END UP KILLING SOMEONE AND THIS ISN'T THE ONLY AVEO TO HAVE DONE THIS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 10, 2012103,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Power Train
Filed Aug 28, 201278,423 milesOR

DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE CAR FELT LIKE CAME OUT OF 5TH GEAR. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CAR WAS IN GEAR. PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN (VERY TIGHT). THE CAR WAS LOOSING POWER BUT TACH WAS STILL AT 3000. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR HAD NO SPARK. LIGHTS STILL WORKED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED WHICH TOOK OUT THE WATER PUMP AND DAMAGED MY HEAD. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. AT THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANIC AND 2 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THANK GOD IT WAS 5:15 AM AND NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 27, 201263,000 milesPA

TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUT OFF AND LEAVE ME STRANDED WHEN IT BROKE IT CRUSHED ALL 4 CYLINDER HEADS. *TR

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Aug 9, 201287,000 milesCA

WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP THIS YEAR. THE REAR SEAT BELTS DON'T EXTEND OR RETRACT. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED ON OCTOBER 15, 2004 (RECALL # 04V407000). CHEVROLET'S RECALL CENTER HAS TOLD ME IT'S NO LONGER THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THE REAR SEAT BELTS, BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THIS IS A PASSENGER SAFETY CONCERN, THIS RECALL ITEM IS NOW IN A, "CLOSED" STATUS. MY QUESTIONS IS, "REALLY"?! DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE NO LONGER CHEVY'S RESPONSIBILITY AFTER A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT MY RIGHTS ARE AS A CHEVY OWNER. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 28, 201258,995 milesAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, HE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,995.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2012127,000 milesOH

MY PASSENGER REAR SHOE BROKE IN HALF. IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS, APPROXIMATELY ONCE EVERY WEEK TO TWO WEEKS MY SPRINGS AND SELF ADJUST FALL OFF. WHEN THE DRUM IS PULLED OFF THEY ARE EITHER COMPLETELY DETACHED OR HANGING BY A HAIR. THEY ARE NOT CONNECTED NOR ARE THEY DOING ANY GOOD FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM. IN THE 7 MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR, I HAVE HAD IT WORKED ON 18 OR MORE TIMES ON THE EXACT SAME BRAKE. *TT

Engine
Filed Jun 15, 201239,500 milesDE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NINE TIMES ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500. UPDATED 07/25/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT DAYS. UPDATED 07/25/12

Engine
Filed Jun 2, 201288,000 milesIL

MY STEPDAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND WERE TRAVELING CROSS-COUNTRY FROM CALIFORNIA TO ILLINOIS. CAR HAD JUST BEEN CHECKED BY A MECHANIC PRIOR TO TRIP AND SAID WAS OK. ON I-40, ABOUT 40 MILES WEST OF ALBUQUERQUE NM, SHE REALIZED THE CAR WAS GETTING WARM, THEN THEY SAW STEAM FROM HOOD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALLED ME, IN ILLINOIS. THEN SHE CALLED AAA FOR TOWING, AND WAS TOWED TO GALLES CHEVROLET IN ALBUQUERQUE. THE NEXT DAY THEY DIAGNOSED TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OVERHEATING; CAUSE OF FAILURE LIKELY A BROKEN THERMOSTAT HOUSING. I SEARCHED FOR THIS ISSUE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN EDMUNDS FORUM; THIS CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. IN THE END THE GIRLS WERE SAFE, THANK GOD. NOT ONLY WAS THIS A VERY EXPENSIVE INCIDENT (~$5000), BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, LEAVING TWO YOUNG COLLEGE GIRLS STRANDED IN A REMOTE DESERT LOCATION ON A HOT DAY, VERY VULNERABLE. THE NEXT PERSON THIS HAPPENS TO MIGHT NOT BE SO FORTUNATE. I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION TO REQUIRE GM TO RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 14, 201234,673 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL BEGAN TO LEAK OUT FROM UNDER NEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CARBON CANISTER VENT SOLENOID VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECCURED TWO YEARS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,673 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 9, 2012KS

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY SON. I FELT THE ACCELERATOR "CLUNK" AND NOTICED WHEN I ENTERED THE EXIT RAMP THAT I WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND AS SUSPECT THE ENGINE WHINED DUE TO BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR BEING PUSHED AT THE SAME TIME. I PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A STOP. I APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND TRIED TO DISLODGE THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO MOVE BUT WHEN I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REMEDIED. I'M SO HAPPY THAT MY SON WAS NOT IN THE CAR AND THAT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT IN THE CITY! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 7, 201186,000 milesPA

THE PLASTIC THERMOSTAT HOUSING COMPLETELY SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ONLY 35 MILES PER HOUR. THERE ARE MULITPLE CHEVROLET AVEO OWNERS THAT HAVE A CAR BETWEEN THE YEARS 04-06 THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFTY HAZARD, BUT A REALITIVE COSTLY FIX. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 4, 201180,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE CRASH AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INSURANCE COMPANY LOT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 12/12/11

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 19, 201165,000 milesNC

TIMING BELT FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ALMOST GOT INTO ACCIDENT. CHEVY AVEO ONLY HAD 65,000 MILES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 28, 201182,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AFTER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER THEN STARTED TO MISREAD AND DISPLAY THAT HE WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THAN NORMAL. HE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Power TrainCrash
Filed Apr 11, 2011120,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN A CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD UNTIL CRASHING. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Power Train
Filed Mar 31, 201153,362 milesTX

TAKING OF FROM A STOP SIGN, I HEARD A QUICK WHIRRING SOUND AND THE CAR DIED. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN PREMATURELY. IT WAS NOT DUE TO BE CHANGED UNTIL 60,000 MILES. (ORIGINALLY 90,000 IN THE MECHANICS BOOK, AMENDED BY GM) THE TIMING BELT FAILURE CAUSED THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE TO BE BENT AND THE ENGINE RENDERED USELESS.

Structure
Filed Mar 27, 201165,000 milesWA

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY AVEO THAT ONLY HAS 65K MILES ON IT AND GETS REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I WENT IN AND HAD MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AND WAS TOLD THE CAR LOOKED GREAT. DROVE A FEW OTHER PLACES, AND WAS ON A STEEP HILL, TURNING AROUND (AS I HAVE DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE), AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF MY ENGINE. I PARKED IMMEDIATELY. MY THERMOSTAT HOUSING PIECE (PLASTIC) HAD CRACKED IN HALF AND WAS SPEWING ANTIFREEZE. IN THE TWO SECONDS THE CAR WAS ON, I LOST HALF MY ANTI-FREEZE AND MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS COVERED IN ANTI-FREEZE. FURTHER, THE PART IS HARD TO FIND AND WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS FOR A REPLACEMENT. THIS PART BROKE OUT OF THE BLUE, IN THE MIDDLE OF ROUTINE DRIVING. THERE'S NO WAY TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT'S FIXED - THE CAR WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED. I HEAR THAT THE PART IS NOW BEING MADE IN ALUMINUM AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR (EVERY 50-70K THIS PIECE JUST INEXPLICABLY CRACKS). I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE PART OF A STANDARD RECALL. HAD THIS PIECE BROKE AT ANY OTHER TIME (SUCH AS FIVE MINUTES PRIOR, WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY) THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN DIRE CONSEQUENCES. FURTHER, HAD I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER, I COULD HAVE HAD AN ENGINE FIRE OR SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THREE DAYS OF TIME AND ENERGY TO GET THIS REPAIRED (HOPEFULLY TO BE COMPLETED TOMORROW). THIS PLASTIC PIECE IS NOTHING BUT A SAFETY HAZARD AND I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO HAVE ESCAPED IN ONE PIECE. I'M YET TO FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THE

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 18, 201148,000 milesOH

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. AT FIRST I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING BELT BUT THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE CHANGED TILL AROUND 60,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS ONLY 48,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT AND BOUGHT A TIMING BELT AND A WATER PUMP BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT IF I CHANGED THE BELT I MAY AS WELL CHANGE THE WATER PUMP ALSO. AFTER A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY I WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ENGINE FAILURE BECAUSE OF A "VALVE RING" HAD WORN AWAY. I NEED TO PUT A "NEW" ENGINE IN IT AT CONSIDERABLE COST. I HAVE BEEN LAID OFF FOR OVER A YEAR AND THIS HAS CREATED A HARDSHIP FOR ME. I CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT AND THE COST TO FIX THIS CAR, ALTHOUGH CHEAPER THAN BUYING ANOTHER, IS STILL A LOT OF MONEY FOR ME. NOT ONLY IS IT HARD ENOUGH TO FIND WORK IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT A CAR. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AT 48,000 MILES! I AM 55 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED CHEVY'S ALL MY LIFE. NOT HAPPY.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 17, 201166,000 milesPA

MY AVEO IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON WHEN THE ENGINE HAS TO BE SERVICED. APPARENTLY, THIS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON FOR THE WARNING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE THAT I NEED TO FIND OUT ABOUT. DRIVING TO ME(THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY MY CHILD OF 28 YEARS WITH A 3 MONTH OLD IN A REAR CAR SEAT) TO PICK ME UP TO TAKE ME TO WORK THE CAR JUST STOPPED. IN THE MIDDLE OF ONGOING TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY THE CAR WAS NOT HIT BUT THE POLICE AS WELL AS MY BROTHER (WHOM WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK) WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HER FATHER (HE WAS CALLED) SHOWED UP WITH A TOW ON ITS WAY TO TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN/BELT WENT. BECAUSE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION IT ALSO CAUSED THE BENDING OF 2 PISTONS. IN ORDER TO FIX IT PROPERLY THIS MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. I WAS INFORMED HOWEVER THAT ALL AVEOS FROM THIS MODEL OR YEAR HAS SHOWN TO HAVE THE TIMING BELT/CHAIN TO MALFUNCTION BETWEEN THE MILEAGE OF 40,000- 80,000 MILES. SO, I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON FIRST THE WARNING LIGHT NOT INDICATING THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG AND SECOND, THE TIMING CHAIN/BELT MALFUNCTIONING REPEATEDLY BETWEEN THE MILES OF 40,000-80,000 MILES. I LOVE MY AVEO BECAUSE IT IS THE PERFECT SIZE, EXCELLENT ON GAS AND BEING A 2004 MODEL THERE IS ONLY ABOUT 66,000 MILES OR SO ON IT. I AM TRULY MISSING MY AVEO AND WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE CAN HELP ME GET IT BACK TO NORMAL SO I CAN TAKE IT HOME. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THIS IS MY FI

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Mar 4, 201159,000 milesGA

CAR STALLED ON A BUSY 4 LANE INTERSTATE WITH MY SON INLAW DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER IN VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR BARELY COASTED ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY INTO EMERGENCY LANE. CAR FAIL TO START AGAIN. HAD CAR TOWED TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP. SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND SAID THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN. THE CAR ONLY HAD 59,000 MILES ON IT. I STATED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE BELT SHOULD STILL BE UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT ABOUT IT. HE AGREED ALSO THAT THE BELT SHOULDN'T HAVE FAILED WITHIN THAT AMOUNT OF MILEAGE. HE GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO CALL CHEVY TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A PILE OF JUNK BECAUSE THEY USED A CHEAP MADE BELT THAT HAS PREMATURELY FAILED ON COUNTLESS 04 & 05 AVEOS ENOUGH TO HAVE A WEBSITE CALLED AVEOSFAIL.COM. I READ STORIES THAT STATED THESE CHEAP BELTS FAILED ANYWHERE FROM 18,000 UP. MOSTLY WHERE IN THE 59,000 TO 65,000 MILE RANGE. US TAX PAYERS HAD TO BAIL THE COMPANY OUT WHY CAN'T THEY TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM? THAT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE REASONS THEY HAD TO BE BAILED OUT IN THE FIRST PLACE, BECAUSE I WOULD BUY A STUBBORN MULE BEFORE I EVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY! THE MULE WOULD BE MORE RELIABLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. I TOOK APART THE TIMING COVER TO FIND THE BELT WASN'T BROKEN BUT THE RIBS ON THE BELT WERE BASICALLY FALLING OFF THE BELT, LIKE THEY HAD COME UNGLUED. WHY SHOULD WE ALL SUFFER BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR BELT DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER FLAWS. IF

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 7, 201158,000 milesNY

CHEVY 2004 AVERO TIMING BELT BROKE WHICH ALSO DAMAGE ENGINE HAD TO REPLACE VALVES WHICH COST OVER $1100.00. THIS INCIDENT HAPPEN WHEN MY WIFE WAS COMING FROM THERAPY ON A HIGHWAY (BQE), IN BROOKLYN WHEN OUT OF NO-WHERE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS, THE CAR JUST STOP, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSE A UNTHINKABLE EVENTS OF ACCIDENTS. THANK TO MY HIGHER POWER , THAT NO ONE WAS HURT OR EVEN WORSE, FATALLY INJURED. I HAD THE ENGINE RE-BUILT, HOPEFULLY THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN, BECAUSE I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE TIMING BELT INSPECTED EVER TIME I CHANGE THE OIL TO AVOID ANY FAILURE OR UNWANTED INJURIES OR DEATH DUE TO GM LACK OF NOT RECALLING THIS VECHICLE BECAUSE MY 2004 AVERO ONLY HAD 58,000 MOLES ONLY, WHEN THE CAR MANUAL INDICATES THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACE EVERY 60,000 MILES. *LN

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 4, 201182,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN AND A SNOW BANK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT MENTION IF THERE WERE ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNAWARE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 82,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 20, 201192,941 milesIN

WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE ALL OF THE SUDDEN QUIT. LISTENING TO IT WHILE TRYING TO RESTART THE ENGINE, MY FIRST THOUGH WAS TIMING BELT. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE HOME AND INSPECTED, THE TIMING BELT WAS TIGHT BUT NOT TURNING ANYTHING, UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT 14 OF 16 VALVES ARE BENT ALTHOUGH THE CRANK SHAFT TURN THE TIMING BELT IS NOT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT WITH THE 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. #1 NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN PISTON AND VALVES. #2 FAULTY TIMING BELT. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 16, 201191,000 milesKY

FIRST, THE STRUTS CAME OFF, THEN THE PIECE HOLDING THE AIR FILTER BROKE AWAY, NOW THE PULLEY HAS EXPLODED AND HAS DESTROYED THE TIMING BELT AND SERPENTINE BELT. THIS CAR IS JUNK MADE WITH CHEAP PARTS. NOT GOOD FOR SOMEONE WITH CHILDREN. *LN

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 10, 20114,327 milesGA

MY COMPLAINT INVOLVES A REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS DETROIT AND PURCHASED ON MY BEHALF FROM THE PARTS DEPARTMENT OF STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET ON MARCH 29, 2010 BY KEN BLACK OF FAIRGROUND AUTO AND BODY SHOP FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIMING BELT WAS ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INTENDED TO PROTECT MY AUTO FROM DAMAGE THAT MIGHT OCCUR WHEN A TIMING BELT FAILS. AT THAT TIME MY CAR MILEAGE WAS 69631. ON OCTOBER 1, 2010, THIS REPLACEMENT TIMING BELT FAILED AFTER ONLY 4327 MILES AND 6 MONTHS OF SERVICE. A SECTION OF THE TEETH WHICH ENGAGED THE TIMING BELT SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE BELT. THE DEFECTIVE BELT FLEW INTO MY ENGINE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FAIRGROUND AUTO WHERE THIS DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $2098.30. MR. KEN BLACK ADVISED ME THAT SINCE THE BELT WAS DEFECTIVE HE BELIEVED THAT GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. HE TOOK THE BELT BACK TO STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET WHERE HE SHOWED IT TO THE PARTS MANAGER MIKE STEWART WHO CONCURRED THAT THE BELT DEFINITELY HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND MADE ATTEMPTS TO GET GM IN DETROIT TO STAND BEHIND THE PART AND TAKE CARE OF MY DAMAGES. GM REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. THESE DETAILS CAN BE VERIFIED WITH KEN BLACK OF FAIRGROUND AUTO AT 770 429 8473 AS WELL AS MIKE STEWART, PARTS MANAGER AT STEVE RAYMAN CHEVROLET, AT 770 953 0100 EXT 3047.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 7, 201080,000 milesNH

MY DAUGHTER'S FIRST CAR PURCHASE...WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. BOUGHT THE 2004 CHEVY AVEO USED WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT ON A SATURDAY. IT BROKE DOWN SUNDAY. TIMING BELT BROKE AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE...NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ALWAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH...A QUICK SEARCH WHILE WATCHING THE CAR GET TOWED SHOWED THAT THIS IS A HUGE, WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM HAS DECIDED TO DO NOTHING ABOUT. DEALERSHIP WORKING WITH US TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH A SWAP IN VEHICLES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 6, 201035,000 milesTX

AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. DEALER HAS REPAIRED IT AT LEAST 4 TIMES AND NOW IT IS ON AGAIN. HE SAYS THEY CAN'T OR WON'T DO IT UNDER WARRANTY, AND TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ABOUT $500.00 THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT AVEO AIR BAG LIGHT STAYING ON. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND GET THEM FIXED. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 22, 201037,000 miles00

CAR WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 KM\H WHEN A SUDDEN STOP OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC. MY WIFE WAS ABOUT TO CHANGE LANES AND WAS LOOKING IN HER BLIND SPOT AND WHEN SHE TURNED BACK SHE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME. SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE TOTALING HER 2004 AVEO AND THEN WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AS WELL. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND DUE TO THIS MY WIFE HAS BEEN IN PAIN WITH HER BACK AND NECK EVER SINCE. THIS OCCURRED IN ONTARIO CANADA. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Oct 18, 201068,000 milesME

2004 CHEVY AVEO THERMOSTAT HOUSING - CRACKED AND OVERHEATED. TONS OF REFERENCES ON INTERNET ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 15, 201055,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2004 CHEVY AVEO. SUDDENLY I NOTICED THAT I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND THAT I HAD LOST PRESSURE IN MY BRAKES. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS. IT WAS VERY BUSY TRAFFIC AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. MY ENGINE WOULD NO LONGER START. AFTER HAVING MY CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC I DISCOVERED MY TIMING BELT/CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND DAMAGED MY ENGINE AND THAT IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 14, 201065,000 milesHI

I PURCHASED THIS USED 2004 CHEVY AVEO FROM TONY HONDA END OF JULY 2010. IT RAN GOOD UP UNTIL 10/12/10 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOLD BUTTON LIGHT FLASHED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT...THE CAR LITERALLY DROPPED TO LIKE 5 MILES AN HOUR AND SPUTTERED ALL THE WAY LIKE IT WAS DYING....THANK GOD THAT FOR SOME REASON, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY GRANDSON TO SCHOOL SO I WAS IN THE SCHOOL ZONE AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY WHICH I NORMALLY WOULD HAVE BEEN. I SWEAR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD HAD THAT HAPPENED AT 60 MILES AN HOUR. I HAVE CALLED CHEVY AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 30, 201059,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE TIMING BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 01/24/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $2500, BUT INFORMED IT MAY BREAK AGAIN. UPDATED 03/22/11

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 27, 201059,000 milesWI

2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 17, 2010112,024 milesGA

THERMOSTAT HOUSING BUSTED ON THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY CAUSING CAR TO IMMEDIATELY RUN HOT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jul 13, 201067,000 milesCA

MY 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO'S THERMOSTAT HOUSING BUSTED TODAY AT 67,000 MILES. THIS RESULTED IN OVER HEATING THE MOTOR AND DUMPING ABOUT ONE GALLON OF ANTI-FREEZE ON THE ROADWAY. IT TURNS OUTS THIS PART WAS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. A REPLACEMENT ALUMINUM VERSION IS NOW AVAILABLE BY THE DEALER FOR $95. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 13, 201064,675 milesCA

ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 25, 201041,000 milesNC

2004 CHEVY AVEO WITH 41,000 MILES. TIMING BELT BROKE, BENDING ALL OF THE VALVES IN THE ENGINE. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, WILL NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEAD ON THE ENGINE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jun 12, 2010NJ

I HAVE A 2004 CHEVY AVEO THAT WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. SINCE IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED THE CLOCK HAS CHANGED TIME BY ITSELF AND THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK IN PARK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 29, 201065,000 milesWV

THERMOSTAT HOUSING BUSTED FOR THE 3RD TIME!!! *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 25, 201092,000 milesIN

I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TIMING BELT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF MY PROBLEM, IT STRIPPED OUT THE TEETH ON THE BELT. WHY WOULD CHEVY USE A TIMING BELT WHEN ALL OF ITS OTHER CARS USE CHAINS, WHY NOT MODIFY THE ENGINE THEY BOUGHT FROM DAEWOO AND PUT A CHAIN ON IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 21, 2010125,395 milesCA

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY NAME IS [XXX], I HAVE A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO LS WITH A 1.6L ENGINE. ON MAY 21 OF 2010 WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY TO SCHOOL LODI CA, TO SACRAMENTO CA, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING CRACKED. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO CLASS AND HAD TO PAY OVER 100.00 DOLLARS TO GET MY VEHICLE TOWED. WHEN I GOT THE CAR HOME I NOTICED THAT THE THERMOSTAT WAS MADE OF A "PLASTIC" MATERIAL. HOW COULD SOMETHING THAT FLOWS COOLANT AND HOLDS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COOLING SYSTEM BE MADE OF "PLASTIC." I THEN DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE PART, AND FINDING OUT THAT THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FACTORY CORRECT REPLACEMENT. SO THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS AT 125,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, ALL NECESSARY TUNE-UPS, OIL CHANGES, TRANS. FLUID CHANGES, COOLANT FLUSH, PLUGS, ECT. I ALSO KNOW THIS IS NOT THE ONLY AVEO THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE AVEO. ONCE AGAIN, WHY IS SOMETHING SO IMPORTANT MADE OF "PLASTIC?" I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE ENGINE GOT TO A HIGHER TEMP. THAN IT DID, I WOULD BE LOOKING AT A WARPED HEAD, ARE EVEN WORSE, A CRACKED BLOCK. THAT COULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE AND EVEN A WRECK. I ALSO FEEL CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS POOR JUDGMENT OF A PART. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND A BETTER QUALITY PART SHOULD BE USED. I AM NOW FORCED TO REPLACE THIS PART WI

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 11, 201081,000 milesMO

ON MY DAUGHTERS 2004 CHEVY AVEO I HAD THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, AND T'BELT TENSIONER REPLACED AT 59826 MILES, PER MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATION. ABOUT 20000 MILES LATER THE IDLER PULLEY BROKE, DESTROYED ENGINE. GM HAS NOT RECOMMENDED REPLACING THIS PART PER THEIR MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE , WHY NOT? *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 7, 201045,300 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THREE DEER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,300.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 21, 201045,000 milesOH

5 MONTHS AGO, WE REPLACED OUR 2004 CHEVY AVEO'S ENGINE DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE AND HAD A NEW ONE PUT IN. TODAY (2 WEEKS AFTER) OUR CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN DUE TO TIMING BELT FAILURE WE ARE FINDING OUT WE ARE NEEDING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AGAIN! *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 14, 2010115,000 milesTX

WHEN STARTING THE CAR AND THEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM "P" TO "D" WILL NOT MOVE HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF PUT KEY IN SHIFT LOCK HOLE AND THEN SHIFT TO "N" AND THEN DEPRESS THE BRAKE, START THE VEHICLE THEN SHIFT DOWN TO "D" OR UP TO "R". *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Apr 14, 201062,560 milesID

SMELLED SMOKE GOT ALMOST HOME SAW SMOKE WHITE IN COLOR OPENED HOOD AND SAW THE HOUSING ON THE THERMOSTAT WAS BLOWN AND FLUID SPRAYING OUT WITH STEAM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 11, 201095,000 milesNY

ENGINE DESTROYED BY TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTED IN DAMAGED PISTONS AND VALVES. VEHICLE HAD 95,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 7, 201055,000 milesIL

THE TIMING BELT ON MY 2004 CHEVY AVEO BROKE AT 55,000 MILES. GM RECOMMENDS THAT THE TIMING BELT ON AVEOS BE REPLACED AT 60,000 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF AVEO TIMING BELTS BREAKING BETWEEN 50,000 TO 56,000 MILES; HOWEVER, GM HAS NOT POSTED A WARNING ON THEIR WEBSITE, NOR HAVE DEALERSHIPS BEEN INFORMED. A CLOSER INSPECTION OF MY CAR REVEALED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY, WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC, MELTED AND MOLDED ITSELF TO THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH IS WHAT CAUSED THE BELT TO BREAK. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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