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2006 Chevrolet Aveo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Aveo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 169.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

148 reports with mileage · 41 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports16 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

67 reports
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125,442 miles · Jan 30, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DASH LIGHTS AND CLOCK LIGHT FLICKERED FOR MONTHS THEN DASH LIGHTS FINALLY WENT DEAD. DASH LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK AND ALSO HAS AFFECTED REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP. THE PLASTIC SPLICE CONNECTOR BOX IN THE UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX IS BURNT TO A CRISP. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS AS THOUGH SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM…

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DASH LIGHTS AND CLOCK LIGHT FLICKERED FOR MONTHS THEN DASH LIGHTS FINALLY WENT DEAD. DASH LIGHTS NO LONGER WORK AND ALSO HAS AFFECTED REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LAMP. THE PLASTIC SPLICE CONNECTOR BOX IN THE UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX IS BURNT TO A CRISP. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS AS THOUGH SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10495202

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2012
Electrical System

I HAVE BEEN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT GOING OUT ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SHIFT GEAR LIGHT AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED THERE ALL GOOD SO WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SOME PEOPLE DASH EVEN STARTED A FIRE COME ON CHEVY PEOPLE DO…

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I HAVE BEEN READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT GOING OUT ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SHIFT GEAR LIGHT AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED THERE ALL GOOD SO WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SOME PEOPLE DASH EVEN STARTED A FIRE COME ON CHEVY PEOPLE DO A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486256

39,000 miles · Oct 22, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

MY 2006 CHEVY AVEO HATCHBACK WAS SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN TURNED ON IN THE LAST 12 HOURS. MY DOGS STARTED TO BARK, AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF, VERY QUIETLY. I WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THAT IT WAS COMING OUT O…

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MY 2006 CHEVY AVEO HATCHBACK WAS SITTING PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN TURNED ON IN THE LAST 12 HOURS. MY DOGS STARTED TO BARK, AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF, VERY QUIETLY. I WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THAT IT WAS COMING OUT OF MY AIR VENTS AS WELL. HOWEVER THE ENGINE WAS NOT ON FIRE, NOR WAS IT EFFECTED. I TRIED IMMEDIATELY TO UNLOCK MY CAR, BUT MY LOCKS HAD GONE OUT, SO I HAD TO USE MY KEY AND MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS. IT WAS ONCE THE SMOKED CLEARED I COULD SEE MY DASH WAS COMPLETELY MELTED IN WHERE MY AIR VENTS AND CLOCK ONCE WERE. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT IT HURT THE CD PLAYER DIRECTLY BELOW IT HOWEVER. MY WINDOWS ARE RUINED BY THE SMOKE AS WELL AND THEY ARE DARKENED WHERE THE "FIRE" STARTED. PRIOR TO THIS DAY MY BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD TWICE, BUT THERE WAS NOT WARNING SIGNS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG. I NEVER RECEIVED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT. IT NEVER SHOWED ANY PROBLEMS OPERATING OTHER THAN THE TWO DEAD BATTERIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481433

60,000 miles · Mar 6, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE HAD SOME THINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH FLAMES COMING UP FROM AROUND THE FRONT CONSOLE OF THE DASH BOARD. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE JUST BEFORE TH…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE HAD SOME THINGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT. SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR WITH FLAMES COMING UP FROM AROUND THE FRONT CONSOLE OF THE DASH BOARD. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND WERE ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE JUST BEFORE THE FIREMEN ARRIVED. SHE ONLY LOST HER CELL PHONE WHICH WAS LAYING BETWEEN THE SEATS AND A FEW THINGS WERE RUINED FROM THE FIRE RETARDANT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450496

110,000 miles · Jan 2, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ALL WENT OUT. THIS IS AN ISSUE I FOUND OUT FROM OTHER OWNERS HAS HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442125

91,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREA, SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT FLAMES SEEN COMING FROM CENTER DASH OF 2006 AVEO. VEHICLE STOPPED IN STREET AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER USED TO CONTROL FIRE AND BATTERY DISCONNECTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP AND INSPECTION REVEALED DRL MODULE, AIRB…

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DRIVING VEHICLE THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREA, SMOKE AND SUBSEQUENT FLAMES SEEN COMING FROM CENTER DASH OF 2006 AVEO. VEHICLE STOPPED IN STREET AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER USED TO CONTROL FIRE AND BATTERY DISCONNECTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND INSPECTED VEHICLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC SHOP AND INSPECTION REVEALED DRL MODULE, AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, AND EVAPORATOR CORE HOUSING BLACKENED AND MELTED ALONG WITH MULTIPLE AREAS OF THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND A CLAIM SUBMITTED TO THEIR CENTRAL CLAIMS DIVISION FOR CONSIDERATION. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY IN STORAGE AWAITING DECISION FROM GENERAL MOTORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10417928

80,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVisibility

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. JUNE, 2011 LIGHT KEPT COMING ON EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT FOR O2 SENSORS. JULY, 2011 THERMOSTAT HOUSING GOES OUT WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. HOUSING REPLACED AND LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON AGAIN. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN TEMPERATURE …

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY COMING ON. JUNE, 2011 LIGHT KEPT COMING ON EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT FOR O2 SENSORS. JULY, 2011 THERMOSTAT HOUSING GOES OUT WITHOUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. HOUSING REPLACED AND LIGHT KEEPS COMING BACK ON AGAIN. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED QUICKLY OUTSIDE. OTHER PARTS REPLACED AS WELL. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413999

37,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical System

2006 CHEVROLET AVEO INSTRUMENT LIGHTS FAILED, RS TAIL LIGHT FAILED, RF PARKING LAMP FAILED, SHIFTER LIGHTS FAILED, AND HEADLAMP ON WARNING INDICATOR FAILED. DUE TO A WIRE SHORT THAT APPEARS TO BE COMMON IN THIS YEAR/MODEL. CREATED DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR MY WIFE. WIRES MELTED TOGETHER, COULD HAVE BEEN FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389754

65,000 miles · Nov 18, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, ETC.) LIGHTS ON SHIFTER, AND RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHTS ALL WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. FUSES WERE ALL STILL GOOD, LIGHT BULBS STILL GOOD. EVENTUALLY TRACKED IT DOWN TO A BURNT OUT WIRING SPLICE, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOSS OF INTERIOR LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS IS A SERIOUS HAZAR…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS (SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, ETC.) LIGHTS ON SHIFTER, AND RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHTS ALL WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME. FUSES WERE ALL STILL GOOD, LIGHT BULBS STILL GOOD. EVENTUALLY TRACKED IT DOWN TO A BURNT OUT WIRING SPLICE, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LOSS OF INTERIOR LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD - ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FIX REQUIRES HUNTING DOWN BAD FACTORY WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10366760

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2010
Electrical System

I HAVE A 2006 AVEO. IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR LOSS OF POWER TWICE, THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED, HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT WITHIN MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. IGNITION GETS EXTREMELY HOT. RADIO BLEW OUT, A/C NO LONGER WORKS, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOW BURNED OUT, INSTRUMENT PANEL/SHIFT…

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I HAVE A 2006 AVEO. IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR LOSS OF POWER TWICE, THROTTLE SENSOR REPLACED. BATTERY REPLACED, HEADLIGHTS BLOW OUT WITHIN MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. IGNITION GETS EXTREMELY HOT. RADIO BLEW OUT, A/C NO LONGER WORKS, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOW BURNED OUT, INSTRUMENT PANEL/SHIFTER LIGHTS GOING OUT. AND THE CAR IS NOW BACK IN THE SHOP WITH A BAD ALTERNATOR. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS VEHICLE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS IS RIDICULOUS...NOT TO MENTION THE TOWING, THE STRANDEDNESS AND STRESS. I ALSO HAVE A 2000 TOYOTA COROLLA THAT HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE I PURCHASED IT OTHER THAN ROUTINE REPAIRS.....THE AVEO IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY, EVEN WHEN PURCHASED USED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10365581

Official recalls

1

14V261000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

May 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.

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. The recall began on February 6, 2015. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). General Motors recall number for this campaign is 14236.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.