What year Chevrolet Aveo should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007 and 2009 Aveo are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 86 and 100, the two highest in the lineup.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Aveo?

The 2011 Aveo is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of any year at 14. The 2006 and 2010 model years are also rated Good.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?

The 2009 Aveo has the highest complaint index (100) among all Aveo years, with engine problems reported by 47% of complainants at a median of 40,000 miles, plus one recall for corrosion-prone brake fluid.

Does the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 Aveo: one for a daytime running light module that could overheat and another for a fuel line that could fracture in a frontal crash, both raising fire risk.

What are the most common problems across all Chevrolet Aveo years?

Across 2005-2012, electrical system issues account for 35% of the 1,116 total complaints, followed by engine problems at 30% and airbag issues at 23%.

Chevrolet Aveo Best and Worst Years (2005–2012)

Across 2005-2012, the 2007 and 2009 Chevrolet Aveo rank worst, with complaint index scores of 86 and 100 versus a 14 for the 2011 model, which is the Best year. 2006 and 2010 also earn Good ratings, while 2005 and 2008 fall into Caution.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2009 Best 2011

Model years: 8; 2005–2012
NHTSA complaints: 1,116
Recall campaigns: 3
Crashes reported: 105
Fires reported: 66
Top problem area: Electrical System

Aveo Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Chevrolet Aveo problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Caution	57	235	19	17	1	Engine	26.5	—
2006	Good	43	189	13	16	1	Electrical System	25.5	—
2007	Avoid	86	216	25	13	2	Airbags	26.5	—
2008	Caution	71	163	17	16	1	Airbags	26.5	—
2009	Avoid	100	169	13	3	1	Engine	29	—
2010	Good	29	66	8	0	1	Engine	29	—
2011	Best	14	77	10	1	0	Engine	28.5	—
2012	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—

Aveo years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Chevrolet Aveo Index 100 · 169 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2009 Aveo carries the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Engine problems made up 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles. Electrical system issues followed at 34% of complaints, and suspension problems affected 18%, failing at a median of 42,500 miles. Owners also reported steering wheels seizing or becoming hard to turn during driving, sometimes leading to crashes, and airbags not deploying in rollover and highway accidents. NHTSA recalled the 2009 Aveo for brake fluid that failed to protect ABS module valves from corrosion.

2009 engine problems →2009 electrical system problems →2009 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2007 Chevrolet Aveo Index 86 · 216 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2007 Aveo has a complaint index of 86, the second-highest of any year, driven mainly by airbags (39% of that year's complaints) and electrical system issues (32%). Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, with a median mileage of 38,334 miles at failure. Electrical complaints, including sudden loss of power while driving, showed up at a median of 71,000 miles. NHTSA lists two recalls for 2007, covering a daytime running light module that could overheat and a fuel line that fractured in frontal crash testing, raising fire risk.

2007 airbags problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 engine problems →

Most common Chevy Aveo problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System392 (35%)
Engine338 (30%)
Airbags261 (23%)
Transmission & Powertrain97 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires95 (9%)
Brakes78 (7%)
Structure & Body64 (6%)
Fuel System53 (5%)
Other49 (4%)
Steering49 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Chevrolet Aveo should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007 and 2009 Aveo are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 86 and 100, the two highest in the lineup.
What is the best year for the Chevrolet Aveo?: The 2011 Aveo is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of any year at 14. The 2006 and 2010 model years are also rated Good.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?: The 2009 Aveo has the highest complaint index (100) among all Aveo years, with engine problems reported by 47% of complainants at a median of 40,000 miles, plus one recall for corrosion-prone brake fluid.
Does the 2007 Chevrolet Aveo have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2007 Aveo: one for a daytime running light module that could overheat and another for a fuel line that could fracture in a frontal crash, both raising fire risk.
What are the most common problems across all Chevrolet Aveo years?: Across 2005-2012, electrical system issues account for 35% of the 1,116 total complaints, followed by engine problems at 30% and airbag issues at 23%.