This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Chevrolet Aveo powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of powertrain failures. Several report excessive vibration at idle and when shifting into Drive, even felt in the back seat, with dealers claiming visual inspections and computer readings show nothing wrong.
Multiple owners report engine shutdown without warning while driving, with one case where the throttle body was replaced twice (dealer and independent mechanic) but the problem recurred anyway. One owner describes the transmission unbolting and separating from the vehicle entirely at 121,000 miles, with the engine also separating from motor mounts.
Motor mount and bracket failures appear multiple times: one owner's motor mount sheared at an intersection stop, causing the engine and transmission to drop and the car to stall with no way to restart or shift to Neutral. Another reports the engine mount bracket bolt breaking during normal acceleration, throwing the shift stick back on every acceleration. A fifth gear fork made of aluminum broke on the freeway at 50,000 miles and was replaced under warranty with an identical aluminum part.
Transmission and shifter problems include inability to shift out of Park, shifter lockup, and one case of torque lock. A park lock switch failure prevents shifting out of Park and disables brake lights simultaneously—leaving the driver without brake lights while driving.
Electrical faults include check engine lights, airbag warnings, and an ignition key that overheats. One owner's trunk opened on its own while driving. Multiple owners report dealers and GM denied knowledge of recalls or problems.
Same Chevrolet Aveo powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive vibration at idle and low speed
Vehicle vibrates noticeably when stopped at traffic lights and when shifting to Drive, even felt in back seat. Dealers performed visual inspection of motor and transmission mounts and claimed all was normal, including computer readings.
When: 1,740 miles
Symptoms owners cite: vibration when stopped at traffic light; vibration when shifting to Drive; vibration noticeable in back seat
Unplanned engine shutdown and power loss
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at low speed. Vehicle restarts, but failure recurs multiple times. Dealer replaced throttle body; independent mechanic replaced throttle body again. Failure persisted despite repairs.
When: approximately 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine shut off without warning at 15 mph; loss of power in middle of traffic; engine revved and jerked when shifted to Drive after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replaced by dealer and again by independent mechanic; failures continued
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no recall exists
Transmission separation from engine mounts
Transmission became unbolted and separated from vehicle while driving. Engine also separated from motor mounts, rendering the vehicle undrivable. Cause not determined at time of complaint.
When: 121,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: transmission unbolted and separated from vehicle; engine separated from motor mounts; vehicle undrivable
Motor mount failure causing engine drop and stall
Motor mount sheared while starting from an intersection stop. Engine and transmission dropped just enough to stall the vehicle, leaving it unable to restart or shift to Neutral to be pushed to safety.
When: 2/7/2010
Symptoms owners cite: motor mount sheared at start from stop; engine and transmission dropped; vehicle stalled; unable to start or shift to Neutral
Transmission fifth gear fork breakage
Fifth gear fork broke while driving on freeway. Mechanic noted the fork is made of aluminum. Dealership replaced part under warranty with similar aluminum replacement. Motor mount later sheared on same vehicle.
When: 9/4/2009
Symptoms owners cite: fifth gear fork broke while driving on freeway
Repairs/costs cited: Fifth gear fork replaced under warranty with aluminum part
Engine mount-to-frame bracket bolt failure
Bolt holding engine mount bracket to frame broke during normal acceleration from stop. Caused shift stick to be thrown back on every acceleration. Owner noted this as obvious safety risk.
When: during normal acceleration from stop
Symptoms owners cite: mount-to-frame bracket bolt broke during acceleration; shift stick thrown back on every acceleration
Gear shifter lockup and inability to shift
Gear shifter locks and cannot be moved. Also reported as transmission not engaging in gear and vehicle unable to shift out of Park. One case involved torque lock requiring manual override per owner's manual.
When: 64,000 miles and other mileages unknown
Symptoms owners cite: gear shifter locks up; unable to move shifter; unable to shift out of Park; transmission unable to engage in gear; torque lock condition
Park lock switch and brake light circuit failure
Park lock switch fails to function, preventing shift out of Park when brake is depressed. Same switch controls brake lights, so brake lights fail to illuminate when brake is applied while driving—creating unsafe condition.
Symptoms owners cite: unable to shift out of Park when brake depressed; brake lights do not illuminate; brake lights fail while driving
Check Engine light and multiple electrical/sensor faults
Check Engine warning illuminated along with passenger side airbag light. Engine sensor diagnosed as failed and replaced. Dealer repaired vehicle twice but all failures recurred. Dealer unable to diagnose airbag light and four-wheel-drive hold button failure.
When: 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine warning light illuminated; passenger side airbag warning light illuminated; four-wheel-drive hold button failed
Repairs/costs cited: Engine sensor replaced; vehicle repaired twice
Trunk lid opening independently
Trunk lid opened on its own while driving at unknown speed. No warning indicators illuminated. Not diagnosed or repaired.
When: 64,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: trunk lid opened independently while driving
Ignition key overheating
Ignition key gets extremely hot. Owner's grandmother reported the problem to multiple dealers but was told no recalls or known issues exist.
Symptoms owners cite: ignition key gets extremely hot
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 121,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 121,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Chevrolet/Aveo.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.