Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Aveo exterior lighting problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo cite exterior lighting, 18% of all 163 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
30
18% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the exterior lighting

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2021Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 11428877
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FROM UNDER THE STEERING PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DUE TO AN ABNORMAL CHEMICAL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO LUBRICATE THE WIRES IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVE THE FUSES FROM THE FUSE PANEL, AND DO THE SAME WITH THE PROPER DI-ELECTRIC GREASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE PERFORMING THE LUBRICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2019Electrical system, Exterior lightingFire reportedODI 11280257
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2018Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11132117
“CHIEF DEFICIENCY: HEADLIUGHTS HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY STOPPED ILLUMINATING. NO HIGH OR LOW BEAM FUNCTION OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER HEADLAMPS. BULBS WERE JUST REPLACED BECAUSE LIGHTS WERE DIMMING. UPON REPLACEMENT IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PASSENGER PLUG IN/SOCKET WAS PARTIALLY MELTED. WORKED FINE FOR 20 DAYS; NOW NO HEADLIGHTS AT ALL. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AFTER DARK. I FOUND THERE IS A GM RECALL CAMPAIGN 14236, DATED 19MAY2014: RECALL # 14V261000 FOR EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS. ADDITIONALLY, TO WHAT IS NOTED ABOVE, I HAVE BEEN SMELLING PERIODICAL WHIFFS OF OZONE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THESE PAST FEW DAYS. THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2017Exterior lighting, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11052871
“AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. THERBY DISABLING AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY. DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS NOT A RECAL ALREADY. BELIEVE IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DETERMINED A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS. HEADLIGHT PLASTIC DETERIORATION. PLASTIC HAS CRUMBLED AND WILL SOON MAKE VISIBILITY UNSAFE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2016Exterior lighting, Air bags, Visibility/wiperODI 10934493
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2016Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10910141

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Exterior lighting: headlights

Remedy pending

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 19, 2014NHTSA 14V261000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2008 Aveo problem areas