2005 Chevrolet Aveo Problems & Complaints

Average1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Aveo at the same age

Owners have filed 235 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Aveo at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (79 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

235complaints
1recalls
19crashes
17fires
16injuries
1deaths

Most common 2005 Chevrolet Aveo problems

  • Engine & cooling~65,000 miles
    7934%
  • Electrical system~85,000 miles
    6729%
  • Lights~70,000 miles
    5222%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~60,000 miles
    188%
  • Air bags~45,000 miles
    167%
  • Speed control & acceleration~54,000 miles
    167%
  • Locks & latches~50,000 miles
    136%
  • Brakes~53,000 miles
    125%
  • Suspension~41,000 miles
    94%
  • Body & structure~50,000 miles
    83%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~27,000 miles
    63%
  • Steering~64,000 miles
    52%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~34,000 miles
    52%
  • Other / not specified~48,000 miles
    42%
  • Seat belts~20,000 miles
    31%
  • Equipment & accessories~90,000 miles
    31%
  • A/C & heater~93,000 miles
    21%
  • Stability & traction control~90,000 miles
    10%
  • Seats~123,000 miles
    10%

Share of the 235 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Aveo complaints by model year

200420052006200720082009201020112062351892161631696677
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Aveo. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Aveo years: 2010, 2011. Compare all years →

2005 Chevrolet Aveo recalls (1)

Exterior lighting › Headlights

NHTSA recall 14V-261 · May 19, 2014 · 218,000 vehicles

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.

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, 2014.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo:

Stuck throttle valve

NHTSA investigation PE07051 · opened Oct 19, 2007 · closed Feb 14, 2008

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.

Stuck throttle valve

NHTSA investigation EA08005 · opened Feb 14, 2008 · closed Oct 14, 2008

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…

What 2005 Chevrolet Aveo owners say

Engine & cooling all 79 →

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.

140,000 miles · Sep 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.

Aug 2021

Electrical system all 67 →

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. …

178,000 miles · Nov 2018 · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the headlights failed. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the wiring harness connectors shorted due to overheating, which burned and melted the wires. The dealer advised that NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting) would only repair the drl module and it would not replace any additional failure caused by the recall. The contact also stated that the engine valve cover gasket was defective and caused the engine fluid to leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

80,000 miles · Jan 2013 · fire

Lights all 52 →

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.

60,000 miles · Aug 2022

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. …

178,000 miles · Nov 2018 · fire

2005 Chevrolet Aveo engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD23 / 32 / 27
1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD23 / 31 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo a good car?

Based on 235 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Aveo rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Aveo at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo?

The engine & cooling — 79 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the electrical system (67) and lights (52).

How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo have?

There is 1 recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo, the most recent from May 19, 2014 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Aveo?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2011. See the full Chevrolet Aveo years comparison.

At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Aveo problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 63,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.