2009 Chevrolet Aveo: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 169 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (20% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shut off independently. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle because the vehicle failed to start. The dealer informed the contact that an unknown wiring harness might need to be installed to restart the vehicle; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to GM Campaign Number: N110290. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2023
“Our son had a car accident on high I -49 n, the air bags did not deploy. The brakes would not break. He substained head ,neck trauma , back and leg in the vehicle.”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2019
“Last year I bought this car in february and march is when the problems started, on i85 coming from durham the car wouldn't let me go no more than 20mph. I have been told the throttle body has been gone bad replaced it several time and I'm still having numerous problems with it and the break line rupturing while coming from raleighi keep good maintenance on my car to not understand why this is happening and yesterday the check engine light comes on again please put this car on recall. This car has stressed me to the max and I can't go places I want anymore!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hello. My aveo started, and when I tried to shut it off, it would continue to run. This problem persisted until I pulled a fuse from the engine. I returned the fuse to its allocated spot, but now there is zero life in the aveo when I attempt to start it. The lights come on, and I have tried jumping the battery on two separate occasions. This is the second such occurrence in three years. Last time I paid to have my vehicle towed to a mechanic, and all they did was jump it. Started right up, they said.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“The vehicle caught fire while travelling at approximately 40 mph on the highway, us route 93 at exit 33, south in massachusetts, and burnt and the gas tank exploded. There was no accident preceding the fire. The vehicle is a total loss.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet aveo. While driving on the highway at an unknown speed, the headlights went out abruptly. There were no warning indicators illuminated before or after the failure. The vehicle was taken to ourisman chevrolet of bowie (16610 governor bridge rd, bowie, md) where it was currently awaiting diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2018
“My key is stuck in the ignition and doest shut off to take the key out. I had to take the battery cable off so it wouldnt die. I looked up on the web why it would do this and alot of people complained that it happens in 2009 and 10 aveo cars. If thats the case why hasnt chevy done a recall on it.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2017
“You can't drive it anywhere it runs right then for no reason it loose power and won't accalrate while driving it will drop below 10 mph in traffic or lose all power while crossing road or turning I'm afeead I'll b hit in side or ran over in traffic.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2017
“When I go to turn off my car it will still run even if the key is out of the ignition. I seen a lot of people have this problem and it definitely is a safety hazard.I have a 4 year in my car when this was happening.I made it home off the high way with no problems but when I go to park my car it won't turn off.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2017
“I have had to replace the suspension rods, (tie rods, struts, and brakes and now the ball bearrings in the tires. I bought this car in 2010 which from my understanding it was supposed to be new at the time of purchase from baum chevrolet in clinton, illinois. I have bought three sets of tires (new) what is up with this car? Drive daily. I have reported it to general motors who insist it is not on recall. It should be.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 13 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, affecting the closing motion of the valves.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac). GM's number for this recall is 14505.
How other years compare
Check your exact Aveo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
NHTSA has 169 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The most complained-about area is electrical system (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Aveo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 45,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:fluid. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.