The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
Better years to buy
29 owner complaints, first 3 years 26–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Honda Fit 622008 Toyota Yaris 562008 Nissan Versa 96
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
- Headlights18 complaintsmostly at 79,000–110,000 miles (127,000–177,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor14 complaintsmostly at 34,000–90,000 miles (55,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 3,000 and 26,000 miles (4,800–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 29 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 recall 14V261000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Chevy sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent antilock brake system (abs) warning light on; wheel speed sensor (wss)dtcs set”?
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 29 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 3K to 26K miles (5K to 42K km) on the car (27 of all 29 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.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent antilock brake system (abs) warning light on; wheel speed sensor (wss)dtcs set
- Intermittent or continuous high engine rpm when idling at normal or warmer operating temperatures
- There may be a lack of power or a rattle noise from the engine with stored trouble codes
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- 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.
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
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. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-aveo/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Chevrolet Aveo reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 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 2008 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (34%), brakes (17%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo get?
26 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Aveo problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 26,000 miles (4,800–42,000 km) (the middle half of the 27 complaints, of all 29 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Chevrolet Aveo have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Aveo year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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