KnownCarProblemsHome › Chevrolet › Aveo › 2004
2004 Chevrolet Aveo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Aveo model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems
Engine
83 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I have a 2004 chevy Aveo that only has 65k miles on it and gets regular oil changes. I went in and had my transmission fluid flushed and was told the car looked great. Drove a few other places, and was on a steep hill, turning around (as I have done many times before), and all of a sudden smoke was pouring out of my…
My 2004 Chevrolet Aveo's thermostat housing busted today at 67,000 miles. This resulted in over heating the motor and dumping about one gallon of anti-freeze on the roadway. It turns outs this part was made out of plastic. A replacement aluminum version is now available by the dealer for $95.
Electrical
37 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
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…
One day, I was in a customer meeting and my factory installed car alarm just started going off. Nothing around it, no wind,etc. Now it has gotten to a point where I can not use the alarm and the drl and dashboard clock are constantly going on and off. I have read many similar complaints on autoforums.com regarding…
Air bags
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
: the contact stated while traveling 55 MPH the vehicle went in a ditch, causing damage to the front end. When this occurred the airbags did not deploy. The seat belt was worn, but the contact sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and has not been seen by a mechanic. Updated…
Tl contact owned a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into three deer. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and the contact was injured. The contact was transported to the hospital and a police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were…
Seat belts
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear/other, front.
2004 chevy Aveo rear seatbelts do not work . Safety recall issued and a guide to repair seatbelts was installed as part of the recall. The seatbelts once again are broken twisted and can not be used! I can sometimes fix one seatbelt but within a week it is not able to be used again! My daughter was squeezed by the…
The gas cap broke weeks after purchasing the vehicle. The consumer was unable to remove the gas cap to fill the tank. The dealer stated that the spring broke.. The dealer took it off so that the consumer could place gas in the tank. The consumer was unable to get another cap because the dealer was unable to obtain…
Transmission
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
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…
This is the same vehicle as NHTSA incident 10393028 (snapped plastic thermostat housing unit). Driving on a multiple lane freeway at ~65mph and the timing belt snapped (high pitched whistle like the car window was slightly open). Immediately lost all speed control and began rapidly decelerating. Thankfully, was in…
Lights
14 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: headlights, brake lights, turn signal.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the turning signal lights illuminated intermittently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was exhibiting the failure specified in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v261000 (exterior lighting).the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered intermittently. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v261000 (exterior lighting) however, the part to do the repair was…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that after refueling, fuel began to leak out from under neath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the carbon canister vent solenoid valve was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure…
Major fuel leak on my 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. Left me stranded. Pumped out 9 gallons of gas in 20 miles. Luckily no fire. Found the plastic retainer holding the main fuel line cracked and allowed the fuel line to come loose spraying gas over the bottom of the car. They will put another plastic retainer on the line but…
Brakes
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Ses light comes on not describing the problem. The fuel system is malfunctioning, gas escapes somewhere, not getting the actual gas mileage for the vehicle. Fill up on wed of one week, use only 34 miles, must fill up by tuesday of next week, the brakes make loud noise like brakes are going out, more of steel rubbing…
Rear brakes locked on application, luckily right in my driveway. Released by rocking back and forth, only to lock again....pulled drums myself to find all four linings delaminated from shoes! Phoned gm canada and got absolutely nowhere until I mentioned the fact that I carefully took pictures and it was lucky that no…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Chevrolet Aveo recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: If the drl module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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, 2014. The recall began on february 6, 2015. Owners may contact general motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet). General motors recall number for this campaign is 14236.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
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.
Fix: 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 located in guam should contact gm customer assistance at 1-671-648-8453.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear safety belt can become twisted.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Stuck throttle valve
Summary
To date, the office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of 29 non-duplicative complaints/field reports and 52 warranty claims related to the alleged defect affecting 69 unique subject vehicles.because the alleged defect condition is most likely to occur during winter months when ambient temperatures are below freezing, odi upgraded this investigation to an engineering analysis on february 14, 2008 so that it could continue to monitor the field experience during the 2007/2008 winter season.by letter dated may 22, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) supplemented its previous information request response with field data received by gm through may 1, 2008.according to gm, when moisture freezes i
Stuck throttle valve
Summary
On october 19, 2007, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged stuck throttle incidents due to ice formation within the engine air intake tract in certain model year (my) 2004-2005 chevrolet aveo vehicles manufactured for sale or lease in the united states.this investigation was prompted by a safety recall campaign (05f-069) conducted by general motors corp. (gm) involving substantially similar vehicles manufactured for sale or lease in canada.at that time, gm issued a technical service bulletin (tsb #05-06-04-065) to address the alleged defect condition in u.s. Vehicles.gm subsequently revised the canadian recall campaign to include mor
Questions about the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (83 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); electrical (37 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); air bags (23 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 19, 2014 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Aveo?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Aveo model year since 2000, with 206 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.