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 2008 Chevrolet Aveo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There was no prior warnings or notices that there was an issue. While diving on a major road with my children, smoke started coming into the cabin from the vents, and around the stereo. Luckily I was near a very vacant parking lot and immediately pulled over. I removed the kids from the car safely and did open the hood to try troubleshoot the problem. There was no smoke anywhere under the hood. Immediately after, sparks started falling from under the steering wheel to the gas pedal. Immediately after that the car was engulfed in flames. The car is currently located at my local police impound and is available for inspection upon request. From the time the smoke started to when the car was engulfed, it was approximately 5 minutes. This could have been dangerous had we been on a highway and unable to pull over and get out of the car safely within that time. …
In-dash clock module contains the vehicle 'Check Engine Light' - required to pass inspection. Solder joints are defective ('cold' or cracked) creating intermittent electrical connections. Prevents warning of engine defects to driver. Solder defects eventually cause destruction of the module incurring unreimbursed denial of transport and expense to driver to repair.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving 20 MPH, smoke entered the cabin of the vehicle from under the steering panel. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. The fire department was called and was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. Prior to the fire, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic due to an abnormal chemical odor in the vehicle. The contact was informed to lubricate the wires in the instrument panel, remove the fuses from the fuse panel, and do the same with the proper di-electric grease. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire before performing the lubrication. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting). The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. …
Tl* the contact called on behalf of their mother who owned a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 35 MPH, a white smoke was present coming from the rear of the vehicle and the instrument gauges began to malfunction. The engine rpms violently increased and decreased. The hazards were engaged and moments later smoke was scene coming from under the hood of the vehicle. After stopping and exiting the vehicle, flames were seen coming from under the vehicle and from under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. While the air conditioner was activated, the vehicle stalled. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle also stalled. Furthermore, the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuse box was melted. The contact was referred to the local dealer. The vehicle was towed to grey Chevrolet (4949 hovde rd, port orchard, wa 98367, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the positive battery cable and underhood bussed electrical center fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 67,396.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving at any speed, the instrument panel lighting failed and the key was very hot once it was removed from the ignition. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated once the vehicle was started; however, the instrument panel lighting did not operate while driving. The contact noticed an occasional odor of burning plastic. The dealer (Chevrolet of lafayette in lafayette, indiana) stated that there was no recall and that the warranty did not cover the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
I purchased this vehicle brand new. The first winter I had it, the throttle body seized leaving the throttle open and the engine racing - the car has a manual transmission, therefore I was able to depress the clutch and pull it over. The local Chevrolet dealer in circleville, oh performed a technical service bulletin on the car, rerouting the EGR system & removing some parts around the throttle body. On subsequent events, the car experienced severe loss of power and surges. The throttle body was replaced. The problem occurred again with the same trouble code being set. The car is now on its third throttle body (tps sensor cannot be replaced separately) this model year has a throttle-by-wire engine control system. My car still suffers from an intermittent engine trouble codes related to the throttle body and surging problems. …
The key comes out of the ignition even while the car is running and driving. I drove the car and thought I turned it off all the way - turns out there was another 'click' to turn the engine completely off. Engine also clicks after being turned off. Headlights went out, replaced bulbs only to realize the connectors were melted, bulbs being blown are not the cause of this issue. After doing research into the problem I came across recalls for this year, make model I came across a recall from 2014 (documents on this site) that said all 2008 Chevy Aveo's were affected. I purchased the car from a used car dealership in May, 2014 - I don't believe this car should have been sold given the issues and recall notices out at the time. I only found out this week (sept 2016) about the issues. …
While parked outside where my husband works, a fire occurred in the dashboard of the car. The heat was so intense, the windshield shattered. A giant hole - bigger than a bowling ball was left in the top of the dashboard. The car was a total loss and we still had 23 payments on this car. Since the electrical system was destroyed, no diagnostics were run, and no assistance with trying to find out why this happened or if it was due to a manufacturing issue was offered. Prior to this, nothing indicated a problem. I'm just glad we weren't driving the car at the time or I might not be here to write this. Updated 05/17/12
The driver side head lamp is not working properly. The wire lighting harness kept shorting out, I had it repaired at a shop. It later melted and the light went out. I tried to order another on, but the dealership only sells the whole kit not just the light bulb itself. I am having to pay over $300 for a new kit when all I needed was a bulb and the harness. This is insane, especially when there have been recalls for this very same problem. I also had an electrical problem where my car battery would drain, and lose power.
Electrical complaints in other Aveo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, 27% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is horn (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, though it has 1 recall 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 2008 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 7 fires and 3 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.