Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Aveo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving approximately 70 MPH, smoke entered the vehicle through the vents and impaired the contact's visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V261000 (exterior lighting) however, the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000.
My Chevrolet Aveo 2006 automobile has several issues that need to be addressed immediately. My car has issues with shifting and it suddenly speeds up for unknown reasons. My check engine light comes on all of the time. I tighten the gas cap as the manual states and it remains on. Also, there could be possible problems with the gas line as the car is making a loud sounds when I accelerate and smells like gas. I received a safety recall notice last year and was told that I would be contacted by mail when parts were ready. After 6 months, I contacted Chevrolet who replied that the parts were still not ready after no response from Chevrolet. I had to do the leg work myself. Their absolute disregard for immediate action is utterly reprehensible. People are being killed or injured because of their lack of or inability to address the situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that radiator fluid mixed with the transmission fluid. As a result, the transmission hesitated when the contact attempted to switch gears and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to community Chevrolet (200 w olive ave, burbank, ca 91502, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the clock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine and air bag warning indicators were illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,794.
I fell asleep at the wheel went through the median while driving down the interstate where the speed limit is 80 outside douglas wyoming. As I woke when the car was in the middle of the median my car impacted a concrete culvert and went through the guard rail onto the other side of the interstate where it finally can to a stop across the other two lanes of on coming traffic all with no air bag deployment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to maneuver to the side of the road. After fifteen minutes, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
After pulling into a parking space, my 06 Chevy Aveo's engine shut off and I started rolling backwards out of my parking space. I had to press hard on my brakes to stop me from rolling. I had to remove my key and start my engine again. I was still in drive when my engine died and everything in my car was still on ie radio and lights. There is no reason that my automatic car should be rolling backwards while still in drive. Took it to the dealership and they said my comp was running a throttle body repair. Since that would be the third throttle body in nine month, the dealer decided to contact GM and look into it. Throttle body checked out fine, and GM told dealership to run more diagnostics and put miles on my car. After a whole week, the best the dealership could tell me was that they had no idea what was wrong with my car and GM didn't know either. …
I was driving down the hwy about 60 MPH and tried to push the gas but all it did was sputter and slowdown. Had to pull over and see what was wrong. Cod not find anything so I started it up again and the same thing. It just sputters. So I drove to a service station (very slowly) that I just had my oil change the previous day thinking they May have done something. After they checked it, they said it was nothing related to them but that they hooked it up to a machine and it was reading 11 different types of censors causing it to misfire. They had just had in a 2007 Chevy cobalt doing the same thing that there was a recall on. Wondering if the recall for the 2006 Aveo for the drl would cause these problems?! They service tech mentioned more than likely it is not 11 censors but just 1or 2 affecting the others read on the machine.
There was no specific event leading up to the failure. The failure occurred in my 2006 Chevy Aveo. The thermostat housing (made of plastic) completely broke apart and all the antifreeze flowed out. There was no warning. I have ordered a new housing and thermostat, which Chevy has re-designed to aluminum....no longer plastic, and my husband will be replacing. Obviously, Chevy knew there was an issue or they would have stuck with the plastic version. I believe this item should be recalled. Thank you
Dt: the contact stated his vehicle shut down while driving. Prior to the car shutting down the engine RPM dropped and then increased suddenly. At the same time the check engine light came on. The vehicle has been intermittently losing power since the contact purchased it. This is the third time the vehicle has been in the shop for the same problem. The dealer thinks the problem lies with the PCM, but they were unable to obtain a replacement part from another vehicle.
Engine complaints in other Aveo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo, 12% of the model year's 189 complaints. The component named most often is cooling system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Aveo engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Aveo engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.