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ProblemsByVin Model / CHEVROLET AVEO
8 model years · 2005–2012

Chevrolet Aveo reliability by year

3 recalls and 1,116 owner complaints across 8 model years. Best year to buy: 2011. Year to avoid: 2007.

Best year to buy
2011
8.0/10
0 recalls · 77 complaints
See the 2011 Aveo →
Year to avoid
2007
7.2/10
1 recall · 216 complaints
See the 2007 Aveo →

Worst model years to avoid → — the single year to avoid for every model line we track, ranked side by side.

Years to avoid — and why 4 flagged on the NHTSA record

2008 Avoid — the electrical system 7 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system 2007 Avoid — the electrical system 6 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system 2006 Avoid — the electrical system 11 fire-related complaints on the electrical system 2005 Avoid — the electrical system 11 fire-related complaints on the electrical system

Cleaner on the data: 2009, 2010, 2011 . Still verify the specific vehicle.

At-a-glance: every year color-coded

Each cell shows the last two digits of the model year and its 0–10 reliability score from NHTSA data. Click any year to see the full record. best year · year to avoid.

Year-by-year reliability 8 model years · newest first

2012
9.6/10
0 recalls · 1 complaint
2011
8.0/10
0 recalls · 77 complaints
Caveats
2010
7.8/10
1 recall · 66 complaints
OK
2009
7.6/10
0 recalls · 169 complaints
Caveats
2008
7.4/10
1 recall · 163 complaints
Avoid
2007
7.2/10
1 recall · 216 complaints
Avoid
2006
7.4/10
0 recalls · 189 complaints
Avoid
2005
7.4/10
0 recalls · 235 complaints
Avoid

Common trouble spots across the Aveo aggregated across 8 model years

electrical
259 complaints across 7 years · avg $850
airbags
205 complaints across 7 years · avg $1,100
engine
192 complaints across 7 years · avg $3,100
lighting
76 complaints across 5 years · avg $250
powertrain
70 complaints across 7 years · avg $2,500
suspension
59 complaints across 6 years · avg $900

Common questions

What's the best year to buy a Chevrolet Aveo?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume and severity weighting, the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo scores 8.0/10 — the strongest in the 2005–2012 range. 77 complaints on file, 0 active recalls. Reliability scores reflect the federal complaint record, not subjective owner reviews.

Which Chevrolet Aveo year should I avoid?

The 2007 Chevrolet Aveo scores 7.2/10 — the weakest in the lineup. 216 owner complaints with NHTSA, 1 active recall. That doesn't mean every 2007 is a problem — it means failure rates run higher than peer model years on the same platform.

Which years of the Chevrolet Aveo should I avoid?

On the NHTSA complaint and recall record, the model years to be most careful with are 2008 (avoid — the electrical system — 7 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the electrical system); 2007 (avoid — the electrical system — 6 fire-related complaints and 2 crash-related complaints on the electrical system); 2006 (avoid — the electrical system — 11 fire-related complaints on the electrical system); 2005 (avoid — the electrical system — 11 fire-related complaints on the electrical system). The cleaner years on the data are 2010, 2011, 2009. This is our read of the federal data, not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection of the specific vehicle.

How many years of the Chevrolet Aveo are tracked?

8 model years (2005 through 2012) with NHTSA records on file. Total across the lineup: 3 recalls and 1,116 owner complaints.

What's the most-reported problem on the Chevrolet Aveo?

electrical is the most-reported category — 259 complaints across 7 model years. Average shop repair runs about $850.

Year-over-year reliability scores derived from NHTSA recall and owner complaint volume, severity weighted by reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Best/worst year calls require a minimum complaint sample per year so single-data-point years aren't crowned by chance. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet.
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