2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo Reliability Score: 6.6 out of 10

1,319 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

75 Fire Reports

127 Crash Reports

Data covers 2 NHTSA model names

AVEOAVEO4

Reliability Score

6.6 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar subcompacts

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 477 powertrain complaints. A typical subcompact fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 412.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Complaints have eased since 2023.

Breakdown

Complaints overall477 complaints against about 412 for similar vehicles

6.6

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced39 complaints against about 77 for similar vehicles

8.5

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20045.0
20055.7
20067.5
20077.8
20087.7
20096.2
20106.8
20117.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

L91

1.6L 4-cyl

934 complaints 133.7 per year Gasoline

64 fire reports 3 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

250

engine

241

safety systems

214

exterior

146

cooling

140

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Corvette (2005-2013)CHEVROLET Cruze (2011-2019)CHEVROLET Cavalier (2000-2005)

Chevrolet Aveo Unidentified Engine

272 complaints 34.0 per year

10 fire reports 3 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

engine

safety systems

cooling

exterior

LXV

1.6L 4-cyl

111 complaints 55.5 per year Gasoline

1 fire report 1 fatality

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

transmission

safety systems

brakes

Same engine used in

BUICK LaCrosse (2010-2019)

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LXT

1.6L 4-cyl

2 complaints 2.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

engine

wheels tires

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Camaro (2016-2024)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Aveo, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 360 owner complaints

Electrical System: 355 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 282 owner complaints

Cooling System: 203 owner complaints

Exterior: 171 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo

On a used 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (360), the electrical system (355) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (282). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 360 owner complaints on the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo about the engine, all engines combined.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 355 owner complaints on the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo about the electrical system.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 282 owner complaints on the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 203 owner complaints on the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo about the cooling system, all engines combined.
Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 171 owner complaints on the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo about the exterior lighting.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo

Recalls (4)

14V460000Jul 29, 2014serious

Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, affecting the closing motion of the valves.

14V261000May 19, 2014serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

06V398000Oct 17, 2006serious

Fuel System

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 1.6L ENGINE, DURING A NCAP SEVERE FRONTAL CRASH TEST, THE FUEL LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEVELOPED A FRACTURE. IN ADDITION, THE CRASH DAMAGE CAUSED FOUR SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE FUSE BLOCK, THE COMBINATION OF WHICH ALLOWED THE FUEL PUMP TO CONTINUE RUNNING AND FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND.

04V407000Aug 17, 2004serious

Seat Belts

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR SAFETY BELT CAN BECOME TWISTED.

Alternatives in Subcompact

2 engines / 47 complaints

2 engines / 108 complaints

3 engines / 269 complaints

2 engines / 759 complaints

2 engines / 448 complaints

3 engines / 192 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo complaints?

Owners have filed 1,319 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the safety systems.

Is the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 1,319 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo have?

NHTSA has 1,319 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Chevrolet Aveo?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Aveo have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2011 Chevrolet Aveo. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,319 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.