2004 Chevrolet Aveo from North America - Comments

Most recently, the interference engine melted when the timing belt broke. Note to self: Change timing belt before 60,000 miles. A couple hundred buck versus a few thousand to replace the engine.

Front door locks fell into the door first year or two. I've noticed other Aveos with empty lock holes as well.

Gas cap broke off, of course.

Another Aveo driver recently pulled up alongside me at a light in town.

"Looks like you have a piece of crap, too," she called through her open window. "My gas cap's broke, too."

On the bright side, the Aveo took my teenagers across the nation to New York, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Amarillo, Las Vegas and back to home in Reno, Nevada.

I understand all so well her frustration. Here is my opinion on the whole subject of the Aveo.

A gas cap that breaks off, which is recalled by Chevrolet, a belt which will break, not possibly break, but WILL break and cause very, very expensive repairs should be written up and stapled to some kind of information board at the dealer-ship for all of the potential buyers to read. However if this was done, no one would buy the Aveo. Which proves that this car is not a good purchase for anyone.

I realize this information is in the buyers guide, but how many people actually read this manual? I guess as consumers we should, but the books are so thick and you never expect to have an issue happen so quickly. Or happen as soon as the warranty runs out. Or happen 3 months before the darn thing is paid off.

There is a problem when so many people are paying so much money for the same issue. I think Chevrolet should re-think its position on helping out its customers with the expense of the problem of the belt, or at least attach a sheet of instructions to the final buyers guide labeled "Attention, issue with Timing Belt, please follow the recommendations outlined in the buyers manual." At least this would give the good customers of Chevrolet a fighting chance.

At this point, we have spent on the timing belt, which was replaced, the car returned to us, then broke again less than 25 miles of driving, bending the valves again, then it was returned to us and had we drove it 5 more miles it would have broke the belt again. Needless to say it is still at the shop, we have paid out over $3500 dollars.

After seeing these comments on this site today we have contacted Chevrolet and have a file opened on our car and have been instructed to take it to the dealer on Monday to let them check it out, then Chevrolet will go from there. I can say if some kind of cash help is not given to us, we have considered contacting the "Today Show" or "Oprah" or someone who can warn others about the issue with this car. Consumers have the right to know about defects.