The Chevrolet Optra spans 2004–2009 with 5 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2005, 2006, 2007 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2008, 2009, 2004. It delivers up to 23 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Chevrolet Optra is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2004 to 2009 across multiple generations.
How to read a Chevrolet Optra VIN — every digit explained
Every Chevrolet Optra carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Chevrolet and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Optra.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Optra, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Optra have?
The Chevrolet Optra has 5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2009. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2007 Chevrolet Optra recalls 1
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM, AND RISK OF INJURY TO AN UNBELTED PERSON IN A CRASH WOULD BE INCREASED.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM DAEWOO AT 1-671-648-8453.
2006 Chevrolet Optra recalls 2
Exterior Lighting:headlights
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RICK OF A CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM SPLICING TYPE AND SEPARATE IT FROM SPLICE PACK 201 TO PROTECT HOUSING MELTING DUE TO POTENTIAL POOR CONTACT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM DAEWOO AT 1-671-648-8453.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. THESE BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONS COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM, AND RISK OF INJURY TO AN UNBELTED PERSON IN A CRASH WOULD BE INCREASED.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM DAEWOO AT 1-671-648-8453.
2005 Chevrolet Optra recalls 1
Exterior Lighting:headlights
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RICK OF A CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE HEADLAMP LOW BEAM SPLICING TYPE AND SEPARATE IT FROM SPLICE PACK 201 TO PROTECT HOUSING MELTING DUE TO POTENTIAL POOR CONTACT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM DAEWOO AT 1-671-648-8453.
Best and worst years for the Chevrolet Optra
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 2005, 2006, 2007 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2008, 2009, 2004.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Optra | Exterior Lighting | Best | |
| 2005 Optra | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 2006 Optra | Exterior Lighting | Avoid | |
| 2007 Optra | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2008 Optra | — | Best | |
| 2009 Optra | — | Best |
What are the most common Chevrolet Optra problems?
The most-reported Chevrolet Optra problems are Engine (1 reports), Air Bags (1 reports) and Steering (1 reports) — out of 10 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Chevrolet Optra specifications & dimensions
The 2006 Chevrolet Optra measures 169″ long on a 102″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,765 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Chevrolet Optra window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 169″ | 68″ | 57″ | 102″ | 2,765 lb |
| 2004 | 177″ | 68″ | 57″ | 102″ | 2,756 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Chevrolet Optra cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Optra holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 97 cu ft of passenger volume and 19 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Chevrolet Optra tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Chevrolet Optra get?
The Chevrolet Optra returns up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,700/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2009 Chevrolet Optra (5.3L 8-cyl) gets 16 mpg combined and costs about $3,900/yr to fuel, emitting 555 g/mi CO₂ (smog 6/10) — about $8,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Optra | 14 | 20 | $3,900 | 555 | 6/10 | 5.3L 8-cyl | |
| 2008 Optra | 14 | 20 | $3,900 | 555 | 6/10 | 5.3L 8-cyl |
The 2007 Chevrolet Optra (2L 4-cyl) gets 23 mpg combined and costs about $2,700/yr to fuel, emitting 386 g/mi CO₂ (smog 6/10) — about $2,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Optra | 20 | 28 | $2,700 | 386 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2006 Optra | 20 | 28 | $2,700 | 386 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2005 Optra | 20 | 28 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2004 Optra | 20 | 28 | $2,850 | 404 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Optra stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Optra's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Chevrolet Optra have? Power & range
The Chevrolet Optra is offered with 2 powertrains — 5.3L 8-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 5.3L · 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Chevrolet Optra cost to own?
A Chevrolet Optra holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Optra is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Optra loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Optra ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Chevrolet Optra safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Optra yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Chevrolet Optra last?
A well-maintained Chevrolet Optra typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Chevrolet Optra’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Optra’s VIN free →All Chevrolet Optra model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Chevrolet Optra — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Optra | 0 | — | |
| 2008 Optra | 0 | — | |
| 2007 Optra | 1 recall | — | |
| 2006 Optra | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2005 Optra | 1 recall | — | |
| 2004 Optra | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Optra?
By owner-complaint volume, 2005, 2006, 2007 drew the most reports. 2008, 2009, 2004 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Optra have?
5 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2009. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Chevrolet recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Optra get?
Up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Optra last?
A well-maintained Optra typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Optra reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Optra is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Chevrolet Optra warranty?
New Chevrolet models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Chevrolet dealer.
Where is the Chevrolet Optra made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Optra's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Chevrolet may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Optra have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.