The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: airbags
51 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Hyundai Accent2006 Kia Rio2006 Mini Cooper 142
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo
- Airbag light / sensor14 complaintsmostly at 55,000–121,000 miles (89,000–194,000 km)
- Headlights14 complaintsmostly at 68,000–111,000 miles (109,000–179,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 189 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 34,000 miles (4,800–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 14V261000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 51 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 34K miles (5K to 55K km) on the car (44 of all 51 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Aveo. When the enginewas turned on the air bag indicator light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired on 4/16/07. The current and failure mileage were 6,358.
2006 Chevrolet Aveo owner · NHTSA complaint 10188666
More owner reports
Chevrolet 2006 Aveo hatchback gear shifter locking into positions while backing up, going forward or parking.
NHTSA complaint 10163782
Three times in the last year my airbag system malfunctioned. April, 2008 dealer stated that there was an electrical problem. Then april of this year I had it repaired twice. They stated that there was another electrical problem.
NHTSA complaint 10265315
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2014
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Aveo year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-aveo/?y=2006" title="Chevrolet Aveo reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-aveo/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Chevrolet Aveo reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 139; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Aveo year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (57%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo get?
25 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Aveo problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 34,000 miles (4,800–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Aveo year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works