Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2006 Chevrolet OptraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Optra. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (1) and steering (1). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Oct 2007
Owner complaints
2
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES LOCATED IN GUAM AND SAIPAN, THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM OR DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) FUNCTION MAY BE INOPERATIVE DUE TO A MELTED SPLICE PACK (S201) ON THE IP HARNESS.

Exterior lightingReported Oct 16, 2007NHTSA 07V482000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

CERTAIN VEHICLES LOCATED IN GUAM AND SAIPAN WERE BUILT WITH A SEAT BELT BUCKLE WITH AN IMPROPER ULTRASONIC WELD OF THE SPRING RIB AND FIXATION RIB OF BUCKLE UNDERCOVER IN BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS. A SPRING RIB OR FIXATION RIB COULD BREAK AND REMAIN INSIDE THE BUCKLE, AND THE SEAT BELT TONGUE MAY NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE, OR THE PUSH BUTTON MAY BECOME STUCK, RESULTING IN AN OCCUPANT NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLATCH THE BUCKLE.

Seat beltsReported Jul 20, 2007NHTSA 07V328000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2009 – Dec 2017
  1. Exterior lighting1
  2. Steering1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Optra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20041
20056
20062
20071
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

1 report
“BIG PROBLEM WITH LIGHT SWITCH, THE ONE FROM FACTORY MELTED, AT THE TIME I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL. THE REPLACEMENT MELTED TO. AT THAT TIME I DID FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THIS CARS REGARDING THAT PROBLEM, THE DEALER DID NOT HELP WHIT THE PROBLEM DESPITE I TOOK DOCUMENTATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND WHAT THE FACTORY WAS DOING ABOUT IT. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME SO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAS CHANGE THE LIGHT SWITCH. AT THE MOMENT I AM NOT USING THE SWITCH , I CAME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE. THANK YOU.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2017Exterior lightingODI 11056915

Steering

1 report
“CONSTANT CLUNKING IN STEERING WHENEVER TURNING...... SUPPOSE TO BE GM CERTIFIED CAR WHICH ABSOLUTELY MEANS NOTHING.. WITHIN A YEAR OF DEALERSHIP DECLARING THIS TO BE GM CERTIFIED, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO FALL APART. I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, PART WAS $120 AND LABOR WAS $70. ALSO VALVE IN GAS TANK BAD, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH ALSO COST MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. THANKS GM, I WILL BE SURE TO BUY ANOTHER IMPALA OR ANY OTHER GM PRODUCT. TIME TO GO TOYOTA OR HYUANDI. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 14, 2009SteeringODI 10295701
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Optra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Optra 5
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$2,700386
Optra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
Optra 5
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
Optra Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Optra Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
  • Optra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Optra 5
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Optra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Optra 5
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Optra Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Optra Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Optra as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Optra questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Optra have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Optra problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (1), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Chevrolet Optra get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Optra at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026