2004 Chevrolet Aveo Base from North America - Comments

I haven't had many problems with my Aveo. Just a few.

First, I noticed that my stereo would not come on from time to time; then my back seatbelts stopped working and now, two years later, my timing belt breaks at 60k miles.

The biggest problem that I am having with that is the fact that I may need a new head on my engine.

Why? Well, I as told that the valves to the engine could have been damaged. Supposedly because of the type of engine that is in the Aveo. So, I may have to spend $1800 to fix the engine alone.

So, what happens the next time my timing beltb reaks - will I have to get the head fixed again?

Isn't it supposed to change the timing belt after each 60000 kilometers?

For anyone reading this: if you own an automobile with a timing belt normal maintenance on timing belts is to have them replaced every 39,000 to 50,000 miles (62,400 to 80,000 kilometers). If you do not replace the timing belt, it may break and cause over $2,000 of damage to your car. It's your choice. You can spend about $500 to replace the timing belt or spend around $2,000 in repairs to your engine.

If you don't know if your car has a timing belt, find out! Also find out when the last time it was serviced.

I don't know where the person of the last comment got his info, but my owners manual for my '89 Chrysler 4cyl. states timing should be changed every 90k miles. Oh, and it's a non-interference engine, which means if the timing belt should break, it won't damage the engine. The Aveo motor sounds like a poor design.

First of all, timing belt replacement varies on the car make. Some can go 40,000 miles, some can go 110,000 miles before replacement. The Aveo is NOT the only car that recommends replacement at 60,000 miles. Second, MANY "well-designed" cars have interference engines. Just because it's interference doesn't mean it's poor design.

Sorry, sounds like a cheap timing belt. Sure should have been replaced, but also should have lasted longer. the maker should know this and have spent $4 extra per car.

I think Chevrolet should acknowledge they have installed a cheap timing belt, but also installed it in a way that it will bend the valves and could cause engine damage. Which in this case it does. I have had other cars in which the timing belt broke and it had no effect on the valves or the engine.

The car is a cheap car for a reason. It is because they built this car as cheap as they possibly could so they could sell it at a cheap price and still make a profit while they sacrificed quality and dependability. This is a shame, since Chevrolet has built some very nice cars that were dependable.

I have experienced this problem with the timing belt and bent valves two times so far. I had the car fixed for $1250, while they had it for 3 weeks, rented a car to get back and forth to work for over $500, picked my car up after they said it was ready and "20" miles later the belt broke again causing the same damage. So I am waiting for it as we speak. And have contacted Chevrolet and filed a complaint which they gave me a file number and when it is picked up I will take it to a Chevrolet representative to have him look at it and try to get back some of my money if not all of it. Call this number, at least you can get a file number and a representative to look at your car. 1-800-222-1020.