Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2004 Chevrolet Aveo: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, most recently filed May 2014. Owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 14V261000 Filed May 19, 2014

Daytime Running Light Module Overheating

Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
28.6% repairedof 218,000 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V261000
Listed for 2004 Chevrolet Aveo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V407000 Filed Aug 17, 2004

GM/REAR SAFETY BELT TWISTED

Seat belts · rear/other
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR MAY LOCK IN POSITION SO THAT THE BELT CANNOT BE USED. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
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 IN GUAM SHOULD CONTACT GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE AT 1-671-648-8453.
Repair progress not yet reported32,301 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V407000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (206)

206 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

23involved a crash
9involved a fire
20injuries reported
2deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 206.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other Aveo years

Best and worst Aveo years →
200420052006200720082009201020112012
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
23
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Chevrolet Aveo configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 32 / 27$2,500329
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26$2,600342

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 Aveo for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Aveo years

Where to next

2004 Chevrolet Aveo FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 14V261000 (lighting), 04V407000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Chevrolet Aveo problems?

Owners filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (62), Electrical system (37), Air bags (23) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Chevrolet Aveo get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 32 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2004 Aveo compare with other years?

Among the 2004–2012 Chevrolet Aveo model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2005 the most (235). The 2004 drew 206. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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