Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and had the headlights illuminated. The contact's wife went to start the vehicle and turned off the lights when smoke began to emit from the dashboard and the engine compartment. The contact was able to disconnect the battery and the smoke had stopped. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with, NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V261000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that they were able to assist but would not without the contact having computer access. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
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 owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving approximately 40 MPH at night, the headlights became inoperable without warning. In addition, the contact stated that there was smoke emitting under the hood and into the vehicle. As a result, the contact discovered that the headlight plug and wiring were melted. The failure recurred three times. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I was rear ended and it was not a bad accident but needed a bumper and I noticed that after this happened my airbag sensor light came on. When we took the vehicle in for repair I told the technician that I was more concerned about the airbag sensor light then the bumper. They said they would look at it. When we picked up our vehicle they said they looked at the airbag light sensor and reset it. Now 6 months later the light is back on. I took it back and they suggested I check on the internet for any recalls. I did not see any. Can you suggest anything. I feel that they did not really properly check out the sensor light or to make sure the airbag is OK.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. After driving the vehicle for prolonged periods of time, fumes emitted from the front of the vehicle. When the contact opened the hood, smoke appeared. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting). The failure mileage was 80,000.
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. …
Chief deficiency: headliughts have spontaneously stopped illuminating. No high or low beam function of the driver or passenger headlamps. Bulbs were just replaced because lights were dimming. Upon replacement it was noted that the passenger plug in/socket was partially melted. Worked fine for 20 days; now no headlights at all. This occurred while I was driving after dark. I found there is a GM recall campaign 14236, dated 19may2014: recall # 14V261000 for exterior headlights. Additionally, to what is noted above, I have been smelling periodical whiffs of ozone while operating the vehicle these past few days. This vehicle is equipped with daytime running lights (drl).
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.
My dash board lights, my passenger rear blinker light, passenger read break light, and front passenger running light all went out. Fuses were checked and the recall relay switch was replaced but the lights are still out. I smell hot electrical when they went out. The lights were acting weird for a couple weeks. They wouldn't turn on then would when I was driving or they would shut off while I was driving. Now I have nothing.
Was driving smelling smoke like something burning, every other day I didn't known what it was until the front driver headlight not out but dim my son was about to remove it the bulb and found that the wires going to the socket is burned it wasn't the bulb it could have caught fire and burn the hold car a fire!
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
Headlight complaints in other Aveo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo, 19% of the model year's 163 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Aveo headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-261 (headlights, May 19, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Aveo headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.