2004 Chevrolet Aveo Problems, Recalls & Reliability
271 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 84/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 64,675 miles.
Below average
Where 2004 sits among all Aveo years
What owners report
“Vehicle towed to dealership oct. 2009 no compression repair clean carbon from engine. Had timing belt replaced at this time as preventative maint. Engine failure on highway march 2010. Idler pulley broke bent all valves and broke 1 need to replace engine. Have read many complaints on line same…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Aveo
“Basically i am writing because gm issued a recall in june 2014 letting me know that my car has an issue which may lead to a fire in my car. The problem is that a year has passed and the status of that recall still is "general motors will provide its plan for remedying the defect as soon as it is…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Aveo
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 190 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 61,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 35,000 and 85,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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,…
Fix: 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,…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SAFETY BELT WEBBING GUIDE TO PREVENT THE BELT FROM TWISTING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438. VEHICLE OWNERS LOCATED…
Federal defect investigations
Technical service bulletins
409 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
The 2004 Chevrolet Aveo drew 271 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 84/100, scored against the model's worst year (2005).
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
The top reported problems for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo are engine (85 complaints), electrical (54), and airbags (23).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems show up?
Owners most often report 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems around 61,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 35,000 and 85,000 miles.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.