YearToAvoid

2008 Chevrolet Aveo Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo carries a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags and electrical system problems dominate, including reports of failure to deploy and dashboard fires, backed by one recall covering daytime running light wiring.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
71/100
#3 of 8 Aveo years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
163
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
17
reported in complaints
Fires
16
Injuries
19
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26.5
23.5 city / 33 hwy
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Top 2008 Chevy Aveo problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags70 (43%)
  2. Electrical System63 (39%)
  3. Engine33 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain15 (9%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (9%)
  6. Brakes10 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body9 (6%)
  8. Other6 (4%)
  9. Steering5 (3%)
  10. Fuel System4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy or deploy improperly during moderate-speed rear-end and front-end collisions.
  • Dashboard or engine bay catches fire without warning, sometimes while the vehicle is parked or shortly after a crash.
  • Headlights and other electrical components stop working suddenly, with melted wiring and smoke entering the cabin.
  • Engine compartment produces smoke or fire while driving on the highway.
  • Steering wheel locks up and the vehicle shuts down unexpectedly, in one case after a fan belt failure damaged the timing belt.
2008 Chevrolet Aveo complaints: complaints filed per quarter132007 Q42009 Q42012 Q22014 Q12015 Q42017 Q42019 Q4
163 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2014 Q3 (13).

2008 Chevrolet Aveo recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V261000May 19, 2014Electrical System218,000 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.

    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. 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.

2008 Chevrolet Aveo fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23.5 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Aveo years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good43189125.5
2007Avoid86216226.5
2008Caution71163126.5
2009Avoid100169129
2010Good2966129

All Chevrolet Aveo years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Aveo has a Complaint Index of 71 and ranks 3rd worst among 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Aveo years.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA complaints show airbags account for 43% of reports and electrical system issues account for 39%, including airbag non-deployment and dashboard fires.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, 14V261000, covering a daytime running light module that could overheat in 2004-2008 Aveo models.
What year Chevrolet Aveo should I avoid?
Among Aveo years with data, 2007 and 2009 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index values of 86 and 100, higher than the 2008 model's 71.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
EPA rates the 2008 Aveo at 26.5 mpg combined (23.5 city / 33 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.