The Lemon Index
20051st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: electrical
67 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Hyundai Accent2004 Kia Rio 742004 Scion xB
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo
- Engine stalling16 complaintsmostly at 45,000–85,000 miles (72,000–137,000 km)
- Engine failure10 complaintsmostly at 84,000–97,000 miles (135,000–156,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,900 and 34,000 miles (4,700–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 67 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V261000 (lights) and 04V407000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Chevy sent dealers 409 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent engine misfire hesitation during vehicle warm up”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 67 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 34K miles (5K to 55K km) on the car (46 of all 67 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Both rear seat belts were not working. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, who indicated to the consumer that they didn't have any responsibility for the seat beltd due to consumer misuse of the sea tbelts.
2004 Chevrolet Aveo owner · NHTSA complaint 10089885
More owner reports
The locks quit working on my car. They wouldn't lock from the inside or from the transmitter.
NHTSA complaint 10138017
While driving 20 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart vehicle. Also, rear seat belt malfunctioned, it did not retract.
NHTSA complaint 10102054
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 409 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent engine misfire hesitation during vehicle warm up
- Engine oil pan drain plug replacement information
- Replacing the engine's oil pan drain plug sealing washer
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Lights · recall issued 2014
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedStuck throttle valve2008
- ClosedStuck throttle valve2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,200–$2,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Aveo year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-aveo/?y=2004" title="Chevrolet Aveo reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-aveo/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Chevrolet Aveo reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 126; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Aveo year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (19%), seat belts (16%) and engine (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have?
2 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo get?
26 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,900 and 34,000 miles (4,700–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 46 complaints, of all 67 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo cost in fuel a year?
About $2,200 to $2,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Aveo year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works