repaired · 2016 Q2
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.
2008 Chevrolet AveoProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 163 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 14V-261 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo has problems
163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
70Air bags15 crash/fire/injury
44Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
30Exterior lighting6 crash/fire/injury
20Engine4 crash/fire/injury
15Power train
9Suspension
8Vehicle speed control
8Engine and engine cooling
7Structure
3314 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 70 | 15 |
| Electrical system | 44 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 6 |
| Engine | 20 | 4 |
| Power train | 15 | 0 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 3 |
| Structure | 7 | 3 |
| 14 other systems | 33 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2008 Chevrolet Aveo recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
60kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 59 air bags complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.
13under 30k miles50under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Aveo year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Aveo median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Chevrolet Aveo safety ratings
2008 Chevrolet Aveo 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Aveo owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, HAS BEEN ON WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER, SAID PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FUSE WAS BAD, NEEDED REPLACED. NOTED THAT THE PASSENGER ON/OFF WILL AT RANDOM TURN ON OR OFF OR NOT EVEN SHOW AT TIMES, I HAVE ALSO NOTED THE SEAT MAKING SOME SORT OF NOISE WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON.
Own a 2008 Aveo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.