YearToAvoid

2006 Chevrolet Aveo Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

43/100

#5 most-complained of 8 Aveo years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2006 Chevrolet Aveo has 189 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 43 out of 100 — #5 highest of 8 Aveo model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is electrical system (83 complaints, 44% of the total). Complaints report 13 crashes, 16 fires, and 7 injuries.

Complaints
189
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
13 / 16
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25.5
21.5 city / 31.5 hwy

Top 2006 Chevy Aveo problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System83 (44%)
  2. Airbags58 (31%)
  3. Engine31 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain16 (8%)
  5. Brakes14 (7%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body10 (5%)
  8. Steering9 (5%)
  9. Other7 (4%)
  10. Fuel System4 (2%)
2006 Chevrolet Aveo complaints: complaints filed per quarter302005 Q42007 Q42009 Q32011 Q22013 Q22015 Q12017 Q22023 Q1
250 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2005 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2014 Q3 (30).

2006 Chevrolet Aveo recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V261000May 19, 2014Electrical System218,000 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    General Motors is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Chevrolet Aveo vehicles equipped with daytime running lights (DRL). In the affected vehicles, there may be heat generated within the DRL module located in the center console in the instrument panel, which could melt the DRL module.

    Risk: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised DRL module, inspect the wiring connector for heat damage, and clean the DRL circuit grounds. Owners were sent interim notices on August 14, 2014. The recall began on February 6, 2015. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14236.

2006 Chevrolet Aveo fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21.5 MPG
Highway
31.5 MPG
Combined
25.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,550
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Aveo years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020052006200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Caution57235126.5
2006Good43189125.5
2007Avoid86216226.5
2008Caution71163126.5

All Chevrolet Aveo years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo ranks #5 of 8 among Aveo model years (Complaint Index 43/100, verdict: Good). It has 189 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (83 complaints), airbags (58 complaints), and engine (31 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 58,500 miles.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo, most recently reported 2014, covering electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo?
EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo at 25.5 MPG combined (21.5 city / 31.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,550. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.