2004 Chevrolet Aveo Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 10%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, 10% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The timing belt broke in our vehicle while we were driving. The car made a horrible racket, then completely lost power before it died completely, when it broke, it bent the rods and pistons in the heads. Now just two weeks ago, it has done the same thing. Chevy needs to make a recall on this because its going to end up killing someone and this isn't the only AVEO to have done this.”
NHTSA complaint #10482944, filed 2012-11, 68,000 miles“I was driving down the interstate on my way home to knoxville from athens, tn, and I heard my car make a funny noise, and then I heard a loud noise, and the engine began to smoke, I pulled over off of the interstate onto an exit and then the car basically died when I made it to the side of the road. The smoke was white at first, but then it turned black so we ran from the car. The car proceeded to catch on fire and by the time the fire department arrived it was too late. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661361, filed 2014-11, 163,000 miles“I was driving and the car just stopped .. If I was driving any faster or if there was a car behind me I would have been killed!!!!result was the timing belt. The car only had 52000 miles. I contacted chevy and all they could offer me was a loyalty discount on a new car... Which I probably would be entitled to anyway .. I just found a letter from GM indicated that the required replacement of the timing belt was at 60k miles... Well my car didn't make it to 60k .....so they know that there is a problem and continue to deny it!!”
NHTSA complaint #10681979, filed 2015-02, 52,000 miles“As I began to accelerate onto the highway, I felt that my car was not picking up, I could only get to around 40-45mph on a highway that is 65mph. I nearly got rear-ended by cars flying up on me and I quickly pulled off to the shoulder just in time as the power steering also went out and the car appeared to have stopped running. I could not get the car to start again. The diagnostics came back that the timing belt had gone and it could be fixed for anywhere between $800 to needing a brand new motor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10505451, filed 2013-04, 84,000 miles“I am on a fixed income. I bought this car used with 22,000 miles on it which I intended to take care of and drive for years to come, in fact into the ground. The manual I received with the car indicated that the timing belt should be replaced at 100,000. I live in a rural area where you really need a vehicle. I had driven to another town for a medical appointment. While traveling at 55 MPH the car just died in heavy traffic in a 55 MPH zone. I was lucky that a good samaritan helped me out of the dangerous condition I was in on the road. My vehicle had 65,321 miies on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10850538, filed 2016-03, 65,321 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
62 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsSeat belts
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology