2004 Chevrolet Aveo LS from North America - Comments

My 2004 auto LS has not had problems, despite having been in two accidents, one of which tore the back bumper off (with no injury to me or my 90 year old mother). A good Chevy dealer told me about the timing belt, so had it looked at by an independent shop who said it looks fine so far (45K miles) but recommended changing the serpentine belt. It was recommended to buy auto (don't remember why) and knew I would not be driving a lot and have had it to 75-80 with no problem. It's a GM Holden (Australian) engine, assembled by Daewoo, Italian body design (guy who designs Maserati's). People ask me if it is hybrid. It's pre-Fit, wanna-be Mini. Here, used Honda's with 60,000 miles still cost $18K, and all my prior (used) cars needed repairs right away. Been lucky (k.o.w.)?

I just yesterday purchased a 2004 Aveo LS with 43K miles. I got a great deal on a looks-like-new car, but I wish I would have read these comments a couple of days ago...

My car is running extremely well, but I think I'll push it to a mechanic and have the timing belt looked at before I start it up again! Thanks to all who have commented.

We purchased a 2004 Chevrolet Aveo in March of 2008 for my daughter to drive back and forth to college. We were looking for something cheap and easy on gas just to get her through the next 3 years. I wish we would have checked for comments and problems before we did.

It had 83,000 miles on it, and within 2 months we had our first timing belt to break and had to pay over $1000.00 to buy a new engine, and guess what, the timing belt broke again.

If we can fix it this time we will be getting rid of it to get something else. We will not be buying another one.

Hi, I just posted the following to Craig's list hoping to find someone who could help me. It's about the timing belt.

I do understand that at least according to Chevy, I should have read the owner's manual, I think having whatever they have in the owner's manual has protected them from anyone suing them, or whatever.

We did change the oil, we did try to take care of the car. One night my son turned on the car and it sounded horrible. He had nothing else to drive, he drove it to school and then to work. It died while sitting in the parking lot. I had the car towed to the dealer. They say it will cost 5,300.00 to put in a new belt and a new engine. I just feel terrible.

So I wrote on Craig's list and just got a whole bunch of people swearing at me. Here is what I wrote

"Does anyone have any ideas as to what to do with a car that is dead after being brand new four years ago? My son's Chevy Aveo died three weeks ago. The timing belt was bad after 80,000, and Chevy says since we were told in the owner's manual to have it changed at 60,000 miles they can't and won't help.

5,300 dollars later I can have the car fixed. I think that is crummy. I was wondering if anyone had heard of any class-action suits, or anything about this type of problem. I went on a site (that would be this site) that talked about a lot of different people's experiences with Chevy Aveo, and more were in the same mess as myself than weren't. If the car companies want help they need to build cars that work, OR TELL the buyer that they will need to do XYZ before so many miles instead of hiding behind the owner's manual. Thank you"

Hmmm how can you possibly blame Chevrolet for something that is clearly your own fault. It's not hidden in the manual - it's written clearly in the servicing schedule at the back of the manual.

Quite frankly I am amazed that you could consider taking any legal action against Chevrolet.

Trying to sue GM for not bothering to service a vehicle is probably NOT a very wise course to pursue. Virtually ALL engines using a rubber timing belt clearly state in the owner's manual that replacement is recommended at 60,000 miles or severe damage may result. That would be like trying to sue a car maker because you went 60,000 miles without changing your oil (which you might be able to, but I don't recommend it). All car makers include recommendations in their owners manuals pertaining to necessary servicing. You should ALWAYS read your owner's manual recommendations. It's one of the very first things I do when I purchase a new car.

I can understand the frustration. Although it is recommended to service the timing belt at 60,000 miles, you never expect the belt to break right at 60,000 miles. I was 200 miles from home with my mileage at 60,149 when the car stopped running. Maybe I should have anticipated it breaking right at 60,000, but I have never owned a vehicle that punished a person for such a little waiver. I have owned Chevrolet my whole life, but the taste this left me has me looking elsewhere. Maybe this is a part of the reason the big three are in dire straits.

"I have owned Chevrolet my whole life, but the taste this left me has me looking elsewhere. Maybe this is a part of the reason the big three are in dire straits"

The Aveo ISN'T a Chevrolet. It's a Korean-built import sold through Chevy dealers. It has nowhere NEAR the quality of a real GM car. Also, the GM compacts are actually rated HIGHER in mpg than the Aveo.

Timing belts can go at any time from 60,000 miles to 120,000 miles. I kept putting off changing the timing belt on one of my Dodges until it finally broke at 125,000 miles. This was no one's fault but mine. I generally change timing belts in my cars that have them at around 80,000 miles or so. Most usually won't break until almost 100,000 miles, though imports tend to fail earlier. I'd change the belt religiously at or before 60,000 miles on ANY imported vehicle, as the makers tend to use lower quality parts that are designed for minimal service.

The Aveo owners manual clearly states that the timing belt has to changed every 60,000 miles. It is not a difficult or expensive job to do. I did one over the weekend (before it broke, thank you very much). And while the book does say 60,000 miles, it's best to have a little factor of safety and plan on doing it every 50,000 miles.

Anyway, this is what I did: http://home.earthlink.net/~aveobot/id1.html

I have a 2004 Aveo and I couldn't be happier with it! I did have to take it in because the clock wasn't working and the service tech said that a lot of aveo's were having this problem. I have 90,000 miles on it and this past Saturday, the timing belt did break. This is very unfortunate, but it's my fault. I'll have it fixed and take better care of it!!!

Thanks to everyone for commenting on what a poor car this is. I have been looking at them for 2 months and will look elsewhere now!

Bought my 04 Chevy Aveo in Dec. of 04. My timing belt first went in March of 07 at 83000 miles. It cost me roughly $2400 to fix it. Now, it's gone again this morning at 121000 miles. General Motors only guarantees the replacement belt for 12 months or 12000miles! So beware!! I spoke with Chevy for about an hour and they have told me there have not been any recalls or service bulletins posted regarding the timing belt on an 04. But when I cruise the internet for 2 minutes, I find numerous websites concerning the issue... Hmmm...

"Bought my 04 chevy Aveo in Dec. of 04. My timing belt first went in March of 07 at 83000miles. It cost me roughly $2400 to fix it. Now, Its gone again this morning at 121000miles. General Motors only guarantees the replacement belt for 12 months or 12000miles! So Beware!! I spoke with Chevy for about an hour and they have told me there have not been any recalls or service bulletins posted regarding the timing belt on an 04. But when I cruise the internet for 2 minutes, I find numerous websites concerning the issue...Hmmm..."

I know a solution to your problem. It's a Chevy. Ditch it as soon as you can before it continues to swallow your bank account. If your looking for a car similar in size to the Aveo, buy a Honda Fit. Same size as the Aveo. Interior even has more headroom and legroom than the Aveo. Plus it's a Honda, so it'll last forever.

Holy Cow! My used Aveo just turned 73,000 miles. Guess I'll be putting in a new timing belt this weekend. Thanks for the comments everyone.

I bought a brand new Chevy Aveo Nov 2007, I'm a sales rep and do about 200km per day, I had no problems with the car. It handles well and I just LOVE it!!!