2008 Chevrolet Aveo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (40) · Exterior Lighting (23) · Electrical System (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Aveo model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
131 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2014-05-19 · campaign 14V261000 · 218,000 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (222)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 222 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-22 · Exterior Lighting“the wiring to my headlights have overheated and melted twice. i found the really on the year and model of my car but wasn't on the list when i entered my vin…”
2024-09-08 · Engine“california catalytic converter breaking …”
2024-08-19 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“there was no prior warnings or notices that there was an issue. while diving on a major road with my children, smoke started coming into the cabin from the vents, and around the stereo. luckily i was near a very vacant parking lot and immediately pulled over. i removed the kids from the car safely and did open the hood to try troubleshoot the probl…”
2024-07-08 · Power Train · 121,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet aveo. the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the transmission became unbolted and separated from the vehicle. additionally, the engine separated from the motor mounts rendering the vehicle undrivable. the vehicle was later towed the local mechanic. the cause of the failure was not yet determine…”
2022-10-26 · Power Train“the left side mount-to-mount bracket bolt broke when accelerating normally from a stop. this is one of the bolts that holds the engine to the frame. this caused my shift stick to be thrown back on every acceleration. this is an obvious safety risk. i have not yet had this problem verified or confirmed by anyone. the car seemed to drive well and nor…”
2022-02-17 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:status Indicator Lamp/Light“the contact's son owns a 2008 chevrolet aveo. the contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer wa…”
2022-02-01 · Electrical System“ 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…”
2021-08-12 · Exterior Lighting · 110,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet aveo. the contact stated that the vehicle was parked and had the headlights illuminated. the contact's wife went to start the vehicle and turned off the lights when smoke began to emit from the dashboard and the engine compartment. the contact was able to disconnect the battery and the smoke had stopped. the contac…”
2021-03-01 · Vehicle Speed Control“tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet aveo. the contact stated that the vehicle started losing motive power and decelerated however, the vehicle did not stall. the contact pulled over and waited for the vehicle to regain full power. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic however, the cause of the f…”
2019-11-30 · Air Bags · 130,200 mi“2008 chevy aveo sedan - [xxx] - airbag warning light remains on at all times - no body codes are present / detected - (using foxwell elite nt630 scanner which claims to read / clear airbag codes) - i've already researched this issue - "mucho problemos" - with over half of all chevy aveo complaints including airbag warning light remai…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.