Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Aveo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving, the vehicle began experiencing repeated electrical failures including blown fuses, inoperative headlights and brake lights, and the transmission becoming locked in PARK. When the fuse blows, the gear shift cannot be moved out of PARK and the ignition key cannot be removed, leaving the vehicle stuck and unable to be driven or safely turned off. The brake lights and daytime running lights also stop working, making the vehicle unsafe to operate in traffic. This condition has been occurring repeatedly and requires frequent fuse replacement just to move or shut off the vehicle. An emergency override hole on the shifter had already been exposed, indicating the problem existed before and the vehicle was previously being forced out of PARK manually. A tow truck driver had to use this override to move the vehicle. …
I was driving to my mother's house, the car was not shifting right and the engine was whining, all of a sudden I smelled smoke and seen fire under the hood. GM would only fix the harness , the vehicle would start again but you could not drive it. No power in the engine. So I had to eat $6400.00 dollars I owed and traded it with carbone auto in yorkville new york. They sold me a car with the ABS lights on the traction lights on, the tire pressure lights come on and my doors lock and I have to climb over to the other seat to get out. The salesman knew these lights were on before I signed the papers and my car is still not fixed. This past winter I had no heat and got caught in an ice storm and my windows iced right over I could not see and hit a pole by my driveway and dented and scratch the whole right side of my car. It is carbone auto that made it so my Aveo caught fire. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. While the vehicle was parked or while driving, a burning electrical odor was detected in the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the odor could not be determined. The contact was referred to an electrical specialist by the independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fees. The contact stated that the independent mechanic advised her to disconnect the vehicle's battery. The contact researched the issues online and found NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting), but the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall, and referred the contact to NHTSA. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. …
The daytime running lights module had a recall on it. I made an apt at the local dealer last week and made an appointment today to get the recall done. Recall number is 14236. They did not fix it, said they didn't have the part even though I contacted them last week and gave them the VIN and the recall number. I picked up the car with the intent of taking it to another dealer and it caught fire on the way home and destroyed the car.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH on a highway, the vehicle had lost all power on three separate occasions. The warning lights illuminated on and off and the engine idled as the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle restarted, and then stalled after a few minutes. The vehicle was towed to the sales/service dealer, where the problem could not be recreated. The second time, the electronic ignition switch was replaced and the third time, the alternator was replaced. Also, while traveling 45 MPH, the vehicle avoided the tire tread thrown off the tire of a tractor trailer, and struck a median divider. The frontal air bags failed to deploy. The 18 year old driver sustained chest bruises from the seat belts and the 42 year old female sustained bruising due to the seat belt and skinned the left shin. Neither occupant went to the hospital. There was a police report taken. …
Been smelling something that similar to plastic but could not locate anything but now I have had multiple fuses blown for low beams and drl. Ultimately all dashboard lights have now gone out along with no tail lights or low beams or drls at all and no horn. Dealer is saying that the fuse block is going to have to be replaced but the car only has 83,000 and noticed that there was a recall out there for the drl module melting or catching on fire but low and behold my car is not on that recall but looks to me that it should be. In addition to the lights not working correctly, the gear shifter will not come out of park and the key will not release from the ignition switch. I did also think it odd that my key would be hot to touch when it would release on previous occasions leading up to this failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a burning smell inside the vehicle. As a result, the instrument panel became inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the park position. Also, the contact mentioned that the ignition key failed to disengage from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuse box wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 71,000. Updated 4/29/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. When the contact pulled in the driveway and attempted to turn off the vehicle, the electrical power shut off. As a result, the contact was unable to roll the windows up or down, unlock the door with the switch, and the key would not turn to the off position in the ignition. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
I have a 2007 Chevy Aveo that I've had to replace the drivers side > headlight on 5 times in the 4 yrs I've had it. Also, for the past 2 yrs I > haven't had any radio lights. There's a recall on the running light > modules for this year, the cars can catch fire. Recall number: 14V261000. The module on my car is melted and black. I have pictures of this. I've called Chevy several times > but get told there's no recall on my car. Do I have to wait until the car catches fire to do be able to do something about this?
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving at 30 MPH, all the instrument panel lighting failed to illuminate. In addition, the gauges displayed incorrect readings and failed to function. The key failed to eject from the ignition and remained in the accessory position. The gear lever failed to shift and remained in the park position. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Electrical complaints in other Aveo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, 23% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 6 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.