2005 Chevrolet Aveo LS from North America - Comments

I am yet another "lucky" Aveo owner, or as it is sold in Pontiac dealerships in Canada, a Pontiac Wave 5. This car is a piece of crap and the level of service from the dealership is absolutely awful. It is easy to see why GM stock is tanking with these Yahoos running the service department.

At 13,000 km, the engine failed due to a faulty piston. The service manager, who has the manners of a warthog, informed me that it was my fault because I was using synthetic oil. I informed him that he had better call all the Corvette owners in North America and tell them to switch to conventional oil. It took six weeks to replace the engine while the service department, parts department and GM fought over who would pay the stocking charges on the engine. Then the car came back filthy, covered in grease. I called GM Canada and of course they did nothing.

At 20,000 km the manual transmission failed to shift into second gear. I knew the second gear sychro was done and it would need a new transaxle. The dealership then tried to blame me for the failure. Apparently they did not want to give me a rental car since they were over their quota. Another call to GM Canada, which got the rental car. Of course the customer service of the service department hasn't changed.

Two weeks later, the right rear seat refused to latch. The dealer has to order the latch. They tell me it will be two weeks to get the part, but the car is drivable. I responded I am not going to put my seven year old in that seat and I need a loaner car. Of course the service manager says no on general principles. It is fun to show you have power over customers. Another hour on the phone to GM Canada gets me my loaner car.

As another poster has stated here, you get what you pay for. I could have had a Honda or Toyota for an extra $40 or so a month on the lease (the car is leased). For the time I have wasted fighting with GM to fix their car, that $40 a month would have been well spent.

There are two years left on the lease. Needless to say I will not buy the car out and will be happy to see it gone.

A word to the wise: Lease a car to start. By the time the lease is up, you will know if it is reliable or not. It doesn't cost you any more than buying and you save because you don't have to finance the taxes.

I too have a 2004 Aveo; I did not buy it, my parents gave it to me new one Christmas. I like nothing about the car, except the case that holds your eyeglasses.

I had to have new tires before 10000 miles.

The clock resets itself.

The keyhole is so far in the door and it's flimsy; it's hard to open the door.

However the worst thing that has happened was at 15000.00 miles; I heard a slight knocking, checked the oil, was fine, looked a little thick, within in one week, the clatter was so loud, and the engine oil was like chunky peanut butter.

Had the oil changed, dealer said nothing wrong with the car.

Two months later, the check engine light began flashing every other day. The car was losing oil, had to check oil every three days.

Dealer said nothing wrong. The engine light has now been on steady for 3 months, two shops did not even want to work on the car, because every time they have worked on one, the owner came back with more problems and blamed them.

Now that the warranty is over, the dealer has found a problem, need gaskets valves, etc...l.. And because the check engine light won't go off till I get renew everything, I cannot get the car inspected because of the stupid light being on, and emissions test fail it. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Be leery of the presents you accept. LOLOLO just kidding mom.

Totally Ticked in Texas.

Purchased the 2005 Aveo LS, this thing is a POS. Had the same creaky / squeeky problems when going over bumps or turning, got it fixed (which they told me was just something or other needing grease added), still happens, but not as bad. Soon after the check engine light would start coming on at around 65 MPH. Only happened in the morning or at night. Been in the shop 4 times in the last 2 weeks for this problem, they cannot fix it! First they blew out the injectors, then replaced spark plugs and wires, then re-aligned the intake and reset computer, now something in the intake is getting machined and the exhaust is getting looked at (instructed by GM when they were done scratching their heads trying to figure it out). I know damn well that engine light is going to start blinking at me again.

Luckily for me I got a good deal on it. 2005 bought in 2006 with only 6K miles on it, I am currently at 19,500 miles on it and I do not trust it at all. All I owe on it is $3500 and I am going to trade it in as soon as I get it back from the chevy dealer. I am not messing around with this car anymore. Daewoo crap is what it is.

Beware people, this car should not be purchased.

After my comment about my Wave5, the engine died and the PCM needed replacement. A whole 17km later, the thing died again, another PCM. I decided to bite the bullet and get rid of the POS while it was still something. I had kept it looking very nice and found a sucker, oops, buyer, to take over the lease.

These cars are absolute junk. They are poorly engineered and GM service departments are awful. I get a kick out of one poster saying a Cobalt is a better car. I had one for a month while the Wave was getting fixed and it was even worse, what an awful drive.

I took my own advice and now have a 2008 Honda Fit which is a whopping $40 a month more on the lease. I save $30 a month on fuel over the Destuctowave and have peace of mind in that I don't have to constantly be running the the crappy dealer to get the POS sort of fixed.

The Aveo/Wave is the best advertising Honda ever had.

I agree.

My 2005 Chevy Aveo had ignition switch trouble - Wd40 solution.

Replaced AT shifter cable that stuck in park at 7000 miles.

41000 miles replaced serpentine alternator belt - shredded.

Two weeks later the timing belt broke - yesterday.

My repair guy mentioned all the 2004 melted down engines. Will call tomorrow to see if he'll risk working on it. Broke just as I was going downhill into my town, and the power brakes stopped the car with lots of pushing the pedal. The power brakes must be connected to the timing belt. I'll call the dealer but will probably get the usual service department treatment that this will cost $$$'s.

They charged me twice to fix a geo air conditioner by saying that you didn't tell us to fix that part. The AC quit a week later and was out of repair money. Rode out the 105 degree weather until the motor blew up. Always have changed my oil religiously every 3000 miles.

Sounds like these Chevy boys are trained to charge you for service, no matter how big the lemon. Keeps their stock up.

We purchased a Chevy Aveo back in 2004. It was used, but only had 5,000 miles on it. We had no problems, except that the clock never said the right time no matter how many times we reset it. In January the car started dying while we were driving down the street, and not starting 80% of the time. My husband would get out and jiggle the battery cable and then it would start. We took it to 3 shops, before finally talking it to a dealership. At the dealership it only took the tech 1 day to figure out what was wrong with it. The power control module was going. They ordered the part right away. They were assured it would be overnight-ed from Canada, and it should arrive it 3 days. This was back on March 1st. They received a part 3 weeks later, but it was not the right part. The dealership is fed up. The gave us a loaner and told us to keep it until they have ours fixed. I have even called GM customer service. They cannot give me any better info than the dealership. Now they are not sure if or when the correct part will come in.

I have a 2004 Aveo bought new in 2005. I had it towed into the Chevy garage at 53,000 miles with a broken thermostat housing. Nothing was mentioned about the premature timing belt failure in the service bulletin. The next week on I485 driving 65 with 4 lanes of traffic it stopped, luckily we weren't killed. Had it towed to AAA garage and told the timing belt broke and the engine was ruined. Called our Chevy dealership and was told it wasn't covered under any warranty and would be $6500 to be fixed. Towed it 100 miles home and had a local mechanic replace the engine with a used Aveo engine from a damaged car. Then the check engine light wouldn't go out. Emission sticker expired and our new NC law won't pass one with the check engine light. Took it to the Chevy dealership and was told the valve seals were bad on the used engine-then was shown a service bulletin about the faulty valve seals on the 2004-2006 Aveo engines. Told it would be over $1000. After spending $2700 on the used engine, towing, etc. Then went home and checked the internet and found all this info. and the service bulletin that said they should have paid for a new engine. Called the main Chevy line and was told sorry, you didn't go to a Chevy dealership. I then asked for them to fix the faulty valve seals on the second engine that also is a known problem with a service bulletin. Sorry, can't do anything for you. Yes the car was cheap but it still should last more than 53,000 miles. And Chevy should fix their faulty product if they know there's a problem with it. The dealership should also have mentioned the service bulletin when I brought it in at 53,000 miles. Now I can't legally drive it because of the emission sticker and refuse to pay another $1000 on it. It won't shift into the highest gear and also can't lock it because the alarm goes off after a few minutes. I park it at the edge of the woods at my house hoping a tree will fall in a storm and crush it so I can be reimbursed by my insurance company. So after 25 years of Chevy cars and trucks for hubby and I we will no longer buy one. To add to the insult I got a letter in the mail about the VIN number fading on the sticker inside the door and a piece of plastic to place on it. I would have rather been warned about the timing belt so my car wasn't ruined.

I am awaiting to hear what is wrong with mine. Bought 2005 Aveo New in August 2005 - 69,000 miles and this is the first issue I have had - the piece the radiator hose connect to on the block side is not connected any longer - not the hose itself but rather what it clamps onto - can't wait to get the diagnostics after reading all of this... grrrr.

I posted the comment yesterday - thermostat housing - covered under MPP - car back home today - no complaints at this point...

Wow, I sure feel sorry for folks who own Aveos. We signed an agreement to buy an aveo yesterday, but I am having second thoughts.

But, now with the 5 years, 100K powertrain warranty, it doesn't sound as bad. However, it does require that you follow the service recommendation to the letter. Which means having the timing belt checked at 30000 miles, and having it replaced before 60000 miles - an expensive service fee.

I am a little leerly of the powertrain warranty, as it say it would only cover the timing belt up till the first scheduled service appointment. Which means 30000 miles?? What if they inspected it at 30K, and it broke at 56K, and causing 4000 bucks of damage? What I've read so far is that GM will cover for damage. But the wordings does bother me.

Having such a purportedly extensive warranty is fine if you don't mind being possibly stranded mid-journey but having the cost of any potential fault (s) being corrected at GM's expense.

It does not remove the possibility that the Aveo could have issues that are still not fully addressed (some cars do go through their entire lives like this) but GM is counting that not all cars will be similarly afflicted.

I own a 2005 Pontiac Wave hatchback. Purchased used thru private seller 2 years ago with 48 000 kilometers.

Prior to purchase I contacted the dealer to see what warranty was remaining on car. Seemed great. Warranty and affordable price.

I had it 2 weeks and the check engine light came. Took it to the dealership. They weren't sure exactly what it was but ordered something for it. Told me I could drive it till the part comes in. They called me and I took it back in. The part didn't fix it so they said they'd have to order a catalytic convertor. A week later they installed it free under warranty.

At that time I had them check for an oil leak which looks like it was coming from the valve cover. They had to run dye in it and for me to bring it back again in a couple of days. They ended up saying it was the drain plug washer. They never charged me for checking, it was under warranty.

At 59000 kilometers I took it in to have the 3rd recall done for the PCV and for them to check the howling coming from the front end and my pre-mature rusty rotors causing unnecessary squeals. They did the recall work, took them 3 days -- worth the wait cause the driveability is 100% improved.

Anyways they said they have very bad news for me. They would no longer honor warranty for my car. WTF was my 1st reaction. Apparently the car was in an accident before I bought it. I have no luck. I called the dealership prior to buying it and they said it had warranty. I never would have bought this car if they had told me the 1st time I called it had no warranty. Screwed in Nova Scotia. Caveat Emptor, let the buyer beware, yeah right. I asked the right questions and still ended up burnt.

Now today my battery light on the dash starts flashing. I feel sick. For $3000 more than what I paid, I could have bought a brand new Wave.

I have a 2004 also and have had the timing belt break @ 59k which also resulted needing motor. It takes me back with every person I see that has had this happen to. Wow and there is a lot which I did not know. My Aveo has days where it will die when the clutch is in, and when stopped. Will run fine for weeks at a time, then it will start doing the same thing again. No matter how fast the car is going it will die only when shifting gears. No one knows whats wrong. My car has been going this on and off for over a year now. Has anyone had a problem like that?

2004 Aveo Class Action suit? Has anyone thought the need to start one? My 04 with just under 55,000 miles won't start back up after it is warm. Replaced tires at 45,000 miles and a bearing at 40,000. I will be taking it to the dealership in the morning and will keep you posted. TSB#060601021 is the number you need for the timing belt if you have under sixty thousand miles. The less than moral folks at GM gave out the technician Service Bulletin to the employees but not to the customers.

GM my father is retired and I no longer feel the need to show loyalty and will NEVER buy another one of your hunk of junk cars.

The Internet has taught me one thing, the 2004 Aveo is a pile of garbage.