Most common 2006 Chevrolet Aveo problems
Share of the 189 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Aveo complaints by model year
Best Aveo years: 2010, 2011. Compare all years →
2006 Chevrolet Aveo recalls (1)
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.
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.
What 2006 Chevrolet Aveo owners say
Electrical system all 67 →
The interior dash caught on fire and burned only in the middle of the dashboard. This happened hours after it started smoking inside the car and the headlights would not turn off even though they were already off.
This is happening to my car. Would like them to fix it . Manufacture defect and it is a huge safety issue. Effect pedal function. Some customers may comment on an intermittent malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) being Illuminated with a message or an indicator that displays Reduced Engine Power. The technician may observe on a scan tool DTC P2138 - Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) Sensor 1-2 Correlation set as Current or in History. This condition may be caused by water intrusion into the instrument panel (IP) to body harness connector, which carries the APP sensor signals to the ECM/PCM. This water intrusion results in a voltage difference between APP Sensor 1 and APP Sensor 2 that exceeds a predetermined value for more than a calibrated period of time, setting P2138. …
Air bags all 58 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. While attempting to park the vehicle, it failed to stop when applying the brakes. Instead, the tires spun in place and the vehicle took off and eventually crashed into a light post. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly independently into a pole. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were injuries to the contact's neck, back and leg. There was medical attention required. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Lights all 38 →
The splicer connected to the fuse box in the engine burns up after a while of use causing the Dash lights, right brake light and front marker light to not work at night. It is a major safety issue and hundreds/thousands of complaints online (via google) have been made about it burning up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the head lamps failed. The contact inspected the head lamp bulbs and found that the ground wires were burned due to overheating. The dealer advised that NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting) would only repair the drl module and would not replace any additional failure caused by the recall. The contact also wanted to state that the engine valve cover gasket was defective causing the engine fluid to leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2006 Chevrolet Aveo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 32 / 26 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 31 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo a good car?
Based on 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Aveo rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Aveo at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo?
The electrical system — 67 complaints, 35% of all complaints for this model year, most often about horn. Next are the air bags (58) and lights (38).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo have?
There is 1 recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo, the most recent from May 19, 2014 (headlights). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Aveo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010 and 2011. See the full Chevrolet Aveo years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Aveo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 59,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.