RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Aveo Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
235
Latest May 9, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
36

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

79
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and making a stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact was able to push the vehicle to the nearby gas station with assistance. The contact refilled the coolant reservoir and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle had overheated, and the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired however, the valve cover gasket was sealed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID 11436063 · filed Oct 8, 2021

Timing belt/chain broke. Car is below the 60,000 mile mark for scheduled replacement as stated from manufacturer. Car broke down suddenly in the middle of the road creating a hazard to the driver and others.

NHTSA ID 11430868 · filed Aug 28, 2021
All 79 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

67
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TACADA RECALL I BOUGHT MY CAR HAD 121000 MILES ALL A SUDDEN I HAVE NO RIGHT TAIL LIGHT NO DASH LIGHTS AN NO PASSENGERS FRONT ORANGE LIGHT THER IS NO POWER GOING TO FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED MY VIN HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THAT RECAL AND IT HAS NOT

NHTSA ID 11229828 · filed Jul 6, 2019

GM MUST NOT KNOW THIS THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR THE LIGHTS. FOR SOME REASON THE POWER IS OVER WRITING THE FUSES AND NOT BLOWING AND CAUSING SMALL ENGINE FIRES THAT COULD GET OUT OF CONTROL. I CAUGHT MINE IN ENOUGH TIME AND PUT IT OUT. A GUY HAS TO DO WITH THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE IN THE FUSE BOX BEING TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES OF WIRES WHICH IS 7 + 7 EQUALS 14 TO CONTROL TWO DIFFERENT SIZES. I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY AND GM NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT'S THE SENSE OF HAVING A FUSE BOX IF THE WIRES ARE GOING TO OVERRIDE THE FUSE. AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE OR WILL CATCH FIRE IT JUST A MATTER OF AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I'VE BEEN ON YOUTUBE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON THING TO HAPPEN FOR CHEVY AVEO WILL THERE BE A 2004 THROUGH 2008. I'M LETTING YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS CONCERN BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT ANYBODY TO DIE FROM A CAR FIRE BECAUSE GM.MAYBE NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS THAT IT'S A BIG ISSUE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. SINCERELY [XXX] IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO REACH ME MY PHONE NUMBER IS +[XXX]. THANK YOU N.T.S.B FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. JUST REALLY CONCERNED BECAUSE IF THE FIRE WOULD HAVE GOT OUT OF HAND I HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THE CAR GOD FORBID SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO THEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ID 11152861 · filed Nov 20, 2018
All 67 reports naming electrical

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

46
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact's daughter owns a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that intermittently, the headlights failed to illuminate. The contact's daughter had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V261000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure and the recall; however, the dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID 11521212 · filed May 9, 2023

TACADA RECALL I BOUGHT MY CAR HAD 121000 MILES ALL A SUDDEN I HAVE NO RIGHT TAIL LIGHT NO DASH LIGHTS AN NO PASSENGERS FRONT ORANGE LIGHT THER IS NO POWER GOING TO FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED MY VIN HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THAT RECAL AND IT HAS NOT

NHTSA ID 11229828 · filed Jul 6, 2019
All 46 reports naming exterior lighting

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

20
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID 10730420 · filed Jun 25, 2015

2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HOOD LATCH STICKING OR NOT WORK AT ALL, WHEN ITS COLD. *SMD

NHTSA ID 10683332 · filed Mar 18, 2015
All 20 reports naming interior & seats

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT 50 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND WAS HIT IN THE REAR TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR KNOCKING HER IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND GM'S INVESTIGATION SAYS SHE WASN'T HIT HARD ENOUGH. SHE WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL VIA EMS WITH BACK AND NECK INJURY'S THIS WHOLE ACCIDENT WAS CAUGHT ON THE CAR WASH VIDEO CAM .

NHTSA ID 11000060 · filed Jun 19, 2017

AIR BAG FAULT INDICATOR HAS COME ON AND REMAINS ON. MECHANIC CAN NOT DIAGNOSE TO REPAIR. AIRBAGS ARE CRITICAL TO THE SAFETY OF PERSONS IN THIS SMALL LIGHTWEIGHT VEHICLE. NORMAL DRIVING, COMMUTER.

NHTSA ID 10897466 · filed Aug 21, 2016
All 16 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR WENT TO 500 RPM THEN DROPPED TO 300 RPM THEN DOWN TO 100 RPM; I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD TO A SIDE STREET. LOST POWER STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART CAR AGAIN. CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE VEHICLE, DETERMINED THE CAR WAS SAVABLE AND THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING THREE SETS OF VALVES TO BEND. THE TIMING BELT KIT, HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND VALVE KITS NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECONDITIONED; NEW ENGINE OIL NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE CAR ALONG WITH FLUSHING THE FLUIDS. SINCE THIS IS A MASSIVE REWORK OF THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE ONE WEEK AND THE REPAIR COST IS $2,100.00. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS UNDER 60,000, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. GENERAL MOTORS - CHEVROLET DIVISION CONTACTED BECAUSE I DID NOT TAKE TO A GM DEALER FOR SERVICE (UNABLE TO AFFORD) AND BECAUSE THEY ADVISED ME THIS IS SO FAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, I DID LOOK UP A SERVICE BULLETIN AND IT DID SAY THE PARTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10664849 · filed Dec 17, 2014

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I START MY CAR, THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. THEY CAN NOT EVEN BE PRESSED DOWN. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS, A CORRESPONDING WEIRD REVVING THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT DOESN'T USUALLY ALSO HAPPENS. I PARALLEL PARK ON A STREET DAILY, AND ONE MORNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. USUALLY THE PROBLEM STOPS HAPPENING AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1/2 A MILE, BUT IT IS PRETTY SCARY TRYING TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKES TO GET TO THAT 1/2 MILE MARK. ESPECIALLY SINCE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WON'T WORK THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT ALWAYS STOPS HAPPENING BY THE TIME I GET TO THE MECHANIC AND I'VE LEFT MY CAR OVERNIGHT AT A MECHANIC TWICE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. I CAN'T PART WITH MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK SO THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE DIAGNOSED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10616217 · filed Jul 25, 2014
All 16 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE REVERSING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MA 10/21/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY LUBRICANT. UPDATED 01/15/16.*JB

NHTSA ID 10760450 · filed Aug 31, 2015

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I START MY CAR, THE BRAKES WILL NOT WORK. THEY CAN NOT EVEN BE PRESSED DOWN. WHENEVER THIS HAPPENS, A CORRESPONDING WEIRD REVVING THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT DOESN'T USUALLY ALSO HAPPENS. I PARALLEL PARK ON A STREET DAILY, AND ONE MORNING WHEN THIS HAPPENED ENDED UP HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. USUALLY THE PROBLEM STOPS HAPPENING AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1/2 A MILE, BUT IT IS PRETTY SCARY TRYING TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKES TO GET TO THAT 1/2 MILE MARK. ESPECIALLY SINCE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WON'T WORK THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES BUT IT ALWAYS STOPS HAPPENING BY THE TIME I GET TO THE MECHANIC AND I'VE LEFT MY CAR OVERNIGHT AT A MECHANIC TWICE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. I CAN'T PART WITH MY CAR FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK SO THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE DIAGNOSED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10616217 · filed Jul 25, 2014
All 14 reports naming brakes

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO REVERSE, THE LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,321.

NHTSA ID 10679434 · filed Jan 28, 2015

CAR WENT TO 500 RPM THEN DROPPED TO 300 RPM THEN DOWN TO 100 RPM; I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD TO A SIDE STREET. LOST POWER STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART CAR AGAIN. CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE VEHICLE, DETERMINED THE CAR WAS SAVABLE AND THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING THREE SETS OF VALVES TO BEND. THE TIMING BELT KIT, HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND VALVE KITS NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECONDITIONED; NEW ENGINE OIL NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE CAR ALONG WITH FLUSHING THE FLUIDS. SINCE THIS IS A MASSIVE REWORK OF THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE ONE WEEK AND THE REPAIR COST IS $2,100.00. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS UNDER 60,000, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. GENERAL MOTORS - CHEVROLET DIVISION CONTACTED BECAUSE I DID NOT TAKE TO A GM DEALER FOR SERVICE (UNABLE TO AFFORD) AND BECAUSE THEY ADVISED ME THIS IS SO FAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, I DID LOOK UP A SERVICE BULLETIN AND IT DID SAY THE PARTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10664849 · filed Dec 17, 2014
All 12 reports naming powertrain (other)

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2005 AVEO LT ~ DAY OR NIGHT THE SAFETY HEADLIGHTS (HEADLIGHTS / OTHER) WILL JUST SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON AFTER BEING ON FOR LESS THAN AN HOUR. ~ IT'S NOT FUN DRIVING ON I-95 HERE IN EAST CENTRAL FLA. AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN YOUR HEADLIGHTS DISAPPEAR ! ! ! ~ ONE MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR (USED) FROM ROSNER CHEVROLET (MELBOURNE, FLA.) THE FRONT END SUSPENSION STARTED SQUEAKING, ~ AND THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING CAME APART. *TR

NHTSA ID 10584550 · filed Apr 23, 2014

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2005 CHEVY AVEO 2 WKS AGO WHEN THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT OF MY CAR AND I WAS HAVING SURGERY THE NEXT DAY THEN WOULD NEED A CAR FOR WORK 2 DAYS LATER, SO I HAD NO TIME TO PROPERLY LOOK FOR A CAR. I JUST CAME OFF THE EXIT OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY 1.5HRS AWAY FROM HOME. AS I WAS SLOWING TO STOP THERE WAS A BUNCH OF WHITE SMOKE (TURNED OUT TO BE STEAM) BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. A MAN HELPED PUSH THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND THEY LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING SPLIT APART. IT'S PLASTIC! THE HOUSING WAS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE SINCE IT WAS SHEARED IN HALF AS IF CUT WITH LARGE KNIFE. HOW STUPID! HE GAVE MY HUSBAND A RIDE TO THE NEAREST NAPA AUTO PARTS WHERE THE ORDERED FROM ANOTHER DEALER. WE HAD TO WAIT 1.5HR AND THE OWNER HELPED REPLACE IT. THE NEW ONE WAS METAL! PUT ANTIFREEZE IN AND TRIED TO START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES AND IT WON'T START. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I GOT ON THE COMPUTER FOR HELP DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVER A MILLION COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS.COM, AUTOMOTIVE FORUMS, ETC. THAT GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR YEARS SUCH AS PLASTIC PULLY, TIMING BELT BREAKS THAT COMPLETELY KILLS THE ENGINE. THAT'S WHERE I FOUND THIS SITE.THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! HECK ON THIS SITE THERE ARE COMPLAINTS FROM 2011 AND STILL NO RECALLS! FROM WHAT I LEARNED READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN THIS CAR IS JUNK. I AM NOT GOING TO PUT ANOTHER PENNY INTO THIS CAR. IT'S AT THE MILEAGE RANGE TO REPLACE THE TIMING BELT, THE PLASTIC PULLY, AND THE WATER PUMP, NOT TO MENTION THE ELECTRICAL STUFF. IT WOULD'VE BEEN CHEAPER TO RENT A CAR FOR THE 2WKS. STRUTS BUSTED. I'M GONNA TAKE THE LOSS AND NEVER BUY CHEVY AGAIN! PLEASE HELP US OWNERS GET CHEVY TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THEY AND YOU HAVE KNOWN THE MANY PROBLEMS A LONG TIME! PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING! *TR

NHTSA ID 10575452 · filed Mar 28, 2014
All 9 reports naming suspension

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT 50 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND WAS HIT IN THE REAR TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR KNOCKING HER IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND GM'S INVESTIGATION SAYS SHE WASN'T HIT HARD ENOUGH. SHE WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL VIA EMS WITH BACK AND NECK INJURY'S THIS WHOLE ACCIDENT WAS CAUGHT ON THE CAR WASH VIDEO CAM .

NHTSA ID 11000060 · filed Jun 19, 2017

1. MULTIPLE TIMES, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN INTO THE DOOR. I HAVE PROBABLY HAD THIS ISSUE "REPAIRED" FIVE TO SIX TIMES, BY BOTH THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, AS WELL AS MY OWN MECHANIC. 2. THINGS THAT WERE WRONG WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS IN EARLY APRIL 2014. THIS IS THE LIST WE GAVE THEM, MODIFIED FOR SPACE: *CLOCK A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE CLOCK IN MY CAR STOPPED WORKING. OFTEN, THE CLOCK WOULD READ 1:00 WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON, NO MATTER WHAT TIME IT WAS. SOMETIMES, IT WOULD RANDOMLY DISPLAY ANOTHER TIME. EVENTUALLY, IT JUST STOPPED TURNING ON ALTOGETHER. *CD PLAYER THREE TIMES, THE RADIO AND/OR CD PLAYER HAVE TURNED ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED RECENTLY. THE CD PLAYER SOMETIMES WORKS JUST FINE. OTHER TIMES, IT DOES NOT. WHEN IT DOES NOT WORK, IT DOES ONE OF TWO THINGS. IT WILL EITHER SPIN AND SPIN AND SPIN AND THEN SPIT THE CD OUT, OR, MORE OFTEN, IT WILL READ ?ERROR 7.? I DO NOT KNOW IF THE LATTER IS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER ISSUES DESCRIBED HERE, BUT THE FORMER (THE TURNING ON AND OFF) PROBABLY IS. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK. MY REGULAR MECHANIC TRIED REPLACING THE BULBS, BUT NEW BULBS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I MUST MANUALLY TURN THE LIGHTS ON. REVERSE LIGHTS SOMETIMES THE REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES, THEY DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. INTERIOR LIGHTS/GAUGES ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO, ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND GAUGE LIGHTS STOPPED TURNING ON, EVEN WHEN I MANUALLY TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THE CAR INTERIOR IS COMPLETELY DARK. FOG LIGHTS I BELIEVE THESE MIGHT NOT BE WORKING EITHER. INTERIOR DOME LIGHT THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT BURNED OUT. MY REGULAR MECHANIC REPLACED THE BULB, AND THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. RIGHT TAIL LIGHT THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT IS OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10595081 · filed May 30, 2014
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE BURNED AND CAUSED ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUSE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID 10631654 · filed Sep 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN CHANGING GEARS AND IN ADDITION, THE HEATER WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER AND A LOCAL MECHANIC WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10443352 · filed Jan 10, 2012
All 8 reports naming visibility

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2005 CHEVY AVEO WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING FOUR YEARS LATER. *TR

NHTSA ID 10276033 · filed Jul 7, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP ON HIS VEHICLE. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, HE STATED THAT THE FRONT HALF OF HIS VEHICLE STOPPED, BUT THE REAR CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS AND LOCKS INTO GEAR BY ITSELF. THE FAILURE BEGAN AFTER A RECALL WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. GM DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID 10269143 · filed May 18, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS IS NOT MY VEHICLE. I AM REPORTING FRAUD BY GM. PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION I AM SUPPLYING BECAUSE THE NEW GM FAILED TO DO SO.*DT *JS

NHTSA ID 11354804 · filed Sep 13, 2020

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO THAT HAS GIVEN ME NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I NOTICED I COULD NOT SHIFT MY CAR OUT OF PARK I HAVE TO USE A SCREWDRIVER TO SHIFT MY GEAR OUT OF PARK. SOON AFTER I NOTICED MY BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I BOUGHT A BOX OF FUSES BUT THIS ONLY FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR LESS THAN A WEEK. EVERY TIME I PUT A NEW FUSE IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WENT BACK OUT IN A DAY OR TWO. ONE DAY WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY MY CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER IT WAS STILL UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. IT WAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSING ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND COST OVER $2,000 TO FIX. A YEAR LATER THE PROBLEMS STARTED AGAIN I CAN'T MOVE MY GEAR WITHOUT USING A SCREW DRIVER, MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT. IF I SLAM THE HOOD OF MY CAR ONE HEADLIGHT WILL COME ON WHICH SHOWS THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE WIRING. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND HOLD MODE LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY. I FEEL THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHICH CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE BECAUSE OF NO BRAKE LIGHTS A $125 TICKET. I AM IN A BIND BECAUSE I REALLY NEED MY CAR FOR WORK BUT I DO NOT HAVE $2,000 (NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY) TO FIX THIS CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN MONTHS FROM NOW. ALSO, I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL FROM THE CAR THAT HAS ME CONCERNED. I HAVE READ SO MANY INTERNET POST FROM OTHER PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. THIS CAR SERIOUSLY NEED TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS ENDANGERING PEOPLE LIVES. *KB

NHTSA ID 10429535 · filed Oct 11, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR WENT TO 500 RPM THEN DROPPED TO 300 RPM THEN DOWN TO 100 RPM; I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE MAIN ROAD TO A SIDE STREET. LOST POWER STEERING AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART CAR AGAIN. CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON THE VEHICLE, DETERMINED THE CAR WAS SAVABLE AND THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE CAUSING THREE SETS OF VALVES TO BEND. THE TIMING BELT KIT, HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP AND VALVE KITS NEED TO BE CHANGED. THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE RECONDITIONED; NEW ENGINE OIL NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO THE CAR ALONG WITH FLUSHING THE FLUIDS. SINCE THIS IS A MASSIVE REWORK OF THE VEHICLE, IT WILL BE OUT OF SERVICE ONE WEEK AND THE REPAIR COST IS $2,100.00. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS UNDER 60,000, I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. GENERAL MOTORS - CHEVROLET DIVISION CONTACTED BECAUSE I DID NOT TAKE TO A GM DEALER FOR SERVICE (UNABLE TO AFFORD) AND BECAUSE THEY ADVISED ME THIS IS SO FAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. HOWEVER, I DID LOOK UP A SERVICE BULLETIN AND IT DID SAY THE PARTS ARE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10664849 · filed Dec 17, 2014

SON GOING TO WORK AND STEERING LOCKED UP GOING INTO A TURN CAUSING THE CAR TO GO STRAIGHT INTO A POWER POLE. SON HAD TO BE EXTRACTED OUT OF CAR AND LIFE-BIRD INTO HOSPITAL WITH FACIAL LACERATION, BROKEN AN DISPLACED ELBOW AN SLIGHT CONCUSSION. ACCIDENT WAS IN THE MORNING AND THAT AFTERNOON WAS A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR. SON WAS LUCKY, VERY LUCKY JUST TO HAVE THESE INJURIES. CAR TOTALED. *JS

NHTSA ID 10617035 · filed Jul 28, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 8/26/2010, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING JUST SPLIT IN HAVE ON MY 2005 CHEVY AVEO LS. THE ANTIFREEZE SPILLED OUT AND I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS MADE OF CHEAP PVC PIPE LIKE MATERIAL AND IS IN TWO PIECES THAT APPEAR TO BE GLUED TOGETHER. A VERY LOW GRADE RISKY DESIGN IN MY OPINION. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM A GM DEALER AT A COST OF $98 PLUS TAX. THE REPLACEMENT PART IS MADE OF STURDY ALUMINUM. IT APPEARS TO BE A BETTER DESIGN AND STRUCTURALLY SOUND. MY COMPLAINT IS, GM OBVIOUSLY KNEW THIS PART WAS SUBSTANDARD. EVIDENCE OF THAT IS THE REENGINEERED REPLACEMENT PART. GM SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE CHEVY AVEO'S AND REPLACED THE CHEAP/DEFECTIVE THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSTEAD OF NOT INFORMING OWNERS OF THE DEFECT, AND ALLOWING THE PART TO FAIL ON THE OPEN ROAD. FURTHER, THE COST OF $98 PLUS TAX FOR THE UPGRADED THERMOSTAT HOUSING SHOULD NOT PASSED ON TO THE OWNER/CUSTOMER. GM SHOULD REFUND THAT COST AND/OR RECALL THE VEHICLES FOR FREE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU BREAK DOWN ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, IN A SMALL COMPACT CHEVY AVEO, WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF BLOGS ONLINE OF CHEVY AVEO OWNERS THIS SAME PART HAS FAILED ON (AFTER MINE FAILED). IT'S APPALLING THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED GM TO RECALL THE VEHICLES WITH THIS CHEAP/FAULTY THERMOSTAT HOUSING. IT'S NOT ONLY A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT NO ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SO A PERSON CAN CONTINUE DRIVING AND CAUSE FURTHER SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR IF THE ENGINE BLOCK SEIZES UP, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID 10352561 · filed Aug 29, 2010

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY AVEO AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS EVER SINCE. AFTER 1 YEAR THE CAR BROKE DOWN. THE IDLER STUCK AT FULL-THROTTLE AND BURNED MY TIMING BELT OFF. NOT ONLY THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR WAS RENDERED USELESS AFTER THAT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (MY POPS DID REALLY) AND NOW THE SECOND ENGINE HAS DONE THE VERY SAME THING AT ONLY 18,000 MILES. TWICE I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME AND I COULD PUSH MY CAR OFF OF THE ROAD MYSELF AND NOT GET KILLED. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THEY WILL FIX THE PROBLEM FOR ME. THE FIRST TIME I TALKED TO THEM THEY WOULDN'T EVEN LISTEN TO ME. THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALLS...THOUGH THESE CARS HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN REPLACED OR I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN MY MONEY BACK. I HAVE BEEN RENDERED HOMELESS AND JOBLESS TWICE NOW BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I'VE LOST EVERYTHING. I CAN'T KEEP PAYING ON THIS CAR WITH THEIR FAULTY ENGINES. IF I REPLACE THE ENGINE IT WILL DO THE SAME THING. IT'S NOT VIN SPECIFIC...IT'S THE ENGINES PERIOD. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED TWICE! *TR

NHTSA ID 10267341 · filed Apr 30, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED AND WOULD DEPRESS TO THE FLOOR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT MATERIAL BEGAN TO GET FUZZY AND WOULD GET CAUGHT IN THE RETRACTOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID 10465217 · filed Jul 11, 2012

LTR FM REQUEST THE INVESTIGATION OF HIS 2005 CHEVROLET AVEO HIS SEATBELT FAILED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED IN ACCIDENT**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS REAR ENDED ON JULY 30, 2007 WHICH RENDERED HIM UNCONSCIOUS AND HE WOKE UP IN AN AMBULANCE. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD ON HIS SEAT BELT, THROUGH THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW, BREAKING IT IN THE PROCESS, THE DOOR DID NOT OPEN. THE CONSUMER WAS SEEN BEING EJECTED OUT THE WINDOW. THE CONSUMER THEN HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY HIS SEAT BELTS FAILED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING SUCH A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER WITNESSES HE WAS APPARENTLY HIT IN FRONT AND SPUN AROUND AND THEN HIT ONCE AGAIN IN THE REAR. COMMONWEALTH OF VA POLICE REPORT ATTACHED. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

NHTSA ID 10202644 · filed Sep 5, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .