Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Chevrolet Aveo problems
Owners filed 163 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (70).
Complaints
163
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
16
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags70
- Electrical system44
- Exterior lighting30
- Engine20
- Power train15
- Suspension9
- Vehicle speed control8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Structure7
- Steering5
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
- Seat belts3
- Tires3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
7
11
9
1
12
13
33
26
16
9
9
7
0
2
3
0
3
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 9 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
70 reports13 crashes1 fire
“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 was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
Electrical system
44 reports2 crashes7 fires
“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 problem. There was no smoke anywhere under the hood. Immediately after, sparks started falling from under the steering wheel to the gas pedal. Immediately after that the car was engulfed in flames. The car is currently located at my local police impound and is available for inspection upon request. From the time the smoke started to when the car was engulfed, it was approximately 5 minutes. This could have been dangerous had we been on a highway and unable to pull over and get out of the car safely within that time. It was only inspected briefly by the fire department who arrived to put out the fire and they reported it was an electrical issue that caused the fire.”
Exterior lighting
30 reports1 crash5 fires1 related recall
“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 contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were able to assist but would not without the contact having computer access. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Engine
20 reports2 crashes3 fires
“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 determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.”
Power train
15 reports
“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 normal before and up to this incident.”
Suspension
9 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.