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 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, and it carries no recalls. 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 | 9 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Engine | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
PRIME WALL TIRES 185/60/R14, PIMEWALL TIRES PS830 185/60/R14 ARE SEPARATING FROM THE SEAM
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO TURN OFF MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR A PASSENGER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE BEEN TO THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME OUT OF NOWHERE IT STARTED SMOKING WHITE SMOKE AND OVERHEATED THE ENGINE AND COME TO FIND OUT THE TUBING IN THE CAR HAD EXPLODED. THEN GOT EVER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
KEY GETS LOCKED IN IGNITION. IT WONT TURN OR IF IT TURNS IT DOES NOT COME OUT.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
ARRIVED AT HOME PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND UNABLE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF. HAD TO PULL FUSE TO THE COMPUTER AND DISCONNECT NEGATIVE SIDE OF BATTERY. TOOK IT TO A SHOP THEY ADVISED NO COMMUNICA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL DRIVEN T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLEW OUT LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. UNABLE TO STOP HAD NO BRAKES HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MECHANIC SAID IN HIS 35 YEARS AS A MEC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE IGNITION SWITCH SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUSE OR THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO TURN THE VEHICLE O
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 50 | average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 9 of them (12%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 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 66/100. 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.