Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 50 | 21% |
| Electrical system | 27 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 6% |
| Engine | 11 | 5% |
| Air bags | 10 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 8 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 3% |
| Power train | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact's daughter owns a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that intermittently, the headlights failed to illuminate. The contact's daughter had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V261000 (Exteri
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and making a stop, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The co
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Timing belt/chain broke. Car is below the 60,000 mile mark for scheduled replacement as stated from manufacturer. Car broke down suddenly in the middle of the road creating a hazard to the driver and others.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THIS IS NOT MY VEHICLE. I AM REPORTING FRAUD BY GM. PLEASE REVIEW THE INFORMATION I AM SUPPLYING BECAUSE THE NEW GM FAILED TO DO SO.*DT *JS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT I SAW THAT THE CHEVROLET AVEO'S STATUS WAS DEEMED, "RECALL INCOMPLETE," AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO WITH THE CAR; IF THERE ARE ANY REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE DONE OR IF REPAIRS CANNOT BE DONE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TACADA RECALL I BOUGHT MY CAR HAD 121000 MILES ALL A SUDDEN I HAVE NO RIGHT TAIL LIGHT NO DASH LIGHTS AN NO PASSENGERS FRONT ORANGE LIGHT THER IS NO POWER GOING TO FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY STATED
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
GM MUST NOT KNOW THIS THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK FOR THE LIGHTS. FOR SOME REASON THE POWER IS OVER WRITING THE FUSES AND NOT BLOWING AND CAUSING SMALL ENGINE FIRES THAT CO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY DAUGHTER CAME TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT 50 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER AND WAS HIT IN THE REAR TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR KNOCKING HER IN TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT D
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2005 Chevrolet Aveo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: If the DRL module melts due to the heat generation, it could cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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, 2
| Reliability raw | 63 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 235 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 50 of them (21%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 63/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.