2004 Chevrolet Aveo
The Verdict
The 2004 Chevrolet Aveo has 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (93 complaints) and electrical (57 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 53/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Aveo, consider the 2012 model year which has 99% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2012 has 99% fewer complaints
View the 2012 Chevrolet Aveo dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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 LOCAT...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 mo...
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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.
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...
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
2004 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE TIMING BELT FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STOPPED WITH NO WARNING. *JB
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
206 total