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2009 Chevrolet Aveo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 169.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

144 reports with mileage · 25 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports3 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

169 reports
9,000 miles · Oct 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED HE WAS UNABLE TO INCREASE SPEED. AFTER COASTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A WIRE LOOSE ON THE SENSOR FOR THE ACCELERATION. THE LOOSE WIRE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10433652

22,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I BOUGHT MY 2009 CHEVY AVEO A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. WHEN MY CAR WAS AT 6,000 MILES, I DROVE MY CAR TO SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WOULD NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. WHEN MY CAR REACHED 16,000 MILES I BEGAN EXPE…

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I BOUGHT MY 2009 CHEVY AVEO A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. WHEN MY CAR WAS AT 6,000 MILES, I DROVE MY CAR TO SCHOOL AND PARKED IT IN A PARKING GARAGE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WOULD NOT START. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND A FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. WHEN MY CAR REACHED 16,000 MILES I BEGAN EXPERIENCING SHAKING AT STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS, AND VERY SLOW DELAYED ACCELERATION WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE AFTER STOPPING. THE SHAKING AND DELAYED ACCELERATION WOULD OCCUR RANDOMLY YET WAS VERY LIKELY WHEN MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET THEY SAID THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AROUND 22,000 MILES. OVER THE LAST WEEK MY CAR HAS BEGUN DECELERATING AND THEN SUDDENLY LUNGING FORWARD WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE DECELERATION AND LUNGING FORWARD IS HAPPENING WHEN I AM DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS AT ABOUT 30MPH AND WHEN I AM ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING AROUND 70MPH (AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN). TODAY, PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, MY CAR WAS VERY DELAYED IN ACCELERATION. WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, MY CAR BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN SHUT OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS SPORADIC, YET INCREASINGLY WORRISOME AND DANGEROUS. DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM AND INSIST THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428878

70,000 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

BOUGHT A 2009 CHEVY AVEO LAST YEAR SEPT. 2010 I AM JUST NOW HAVING A PROBLEM WITH IT. YESTERDAY AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT MY CAR SHOOK AND JERKED. THEN THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT FLASHED ALONG WITH THE HOLD LIGHT. I COULDN'T HARDLY MANAGE TO MOVE MY CAR. I ALREADY HAD THE SPARK PLUGS CHECK, WHAT COULD IT BE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422758

34,442 miles · Aug 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

HARMONIC BALANCER WAS WORN AND DAMAGED THE TIMING BELT. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE DAMAGED TIMING BELT, BELT TENSIONER, BOLTS, AND WORN HARMONIC BALANCER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THIS, WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE CAR MADE A VERY HARD "MISS" TWICE. SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE AND/OR TIMING BELT AREA ARE STILL NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI #10423376

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2011
Tires

2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT HIS EXIT, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE STARTING THUMPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT LATER, THE INNER STEEL BELT ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND THERE WAS A BULGE WHERE THE BELT HAD …

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2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT HIS EXIT, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE STARTING THUMPING AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT LATER, THE INNER STEEL BELT ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED AND THERE WAS A BULGE WHERE THE BELT HAD SNAPPED. THE LOCAL DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE TIRES HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIRE BELT FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING. UPDATED 08/24/11. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10415931

16,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY DECELERATE, SURGE FORWARD AND THEN SHAKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY DECELERATE, SURGE FORWARD AND THEN SHAKE WHILE SLOWING DOWN. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING AT A NORMAL RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED AN ENGINE COIL AND CYLINDER HEAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10405906

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2011
Suspension

2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE PREMATURELY WEARS OUT TIRES, PREMATURELY WEARS OUT SHOCKS AND STRUTS AND CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD ALIGNMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL ROAD WITH NO WIND. ALSO, THE LEFT REAR AXLE WAS REPLAC…

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2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE PREMATURELY WEARS OUT TIRES, PREMATURELY WEARS OUT SHOCKS AND STRUTS AND CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD ALIGNMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL ROAD WITH NO WIND. ALSO, THE LEFT REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10397876

42,000 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR SITTING IDLE IN PARK, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WOULD RECUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE MANUFACTU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR SITTING IDLE IN PARK, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE WOULD RECUR ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE A REPAIR FOR THE KNOWN DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10396704

15,000 miles · Mar 18, 2011
Power TrainStructureSuspension

I HAVE A 2009 AVEO 4 DOOR WITH HATCHBACK I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN APRIL 2010. WE HAVE HAD TONS OF ISSUES WITH IT. IT HAD A BATTERY LEAK DUE TO A BAD WELD JOB THAT CRACKED THE BATTERY AND ACID WENT THROUGHT THE ENGINE AREA (AND ALL OVER OUR NEW HOME'S GARAGE AND DRIVE) ALL THE FRONT END HAS BEEN REPLACED FROM THE AXLE, CV BOOTS, LOW…

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I HAVE A 2009 AVEO 4 DOOR WITH HATCHBACK I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN APRIL 2010. WE HAVE HAD TONS OF ISSUES WITH IT. IT HAD A BATTERY LEAK DUE TO A BAD WELD JOB THAT CRACKED THE BATTERY AND ACID WENT THROUGHT THE ENGINE AREA (AND ALL OVER OUR NEW HOME'S GARAGE AND DRIVE) ALL THE FRONT END HAS BEEN REPLACED FROM THE AXLE, CV BOOTS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS (JUST REPLACED YESTERDAY). THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MULITPLE TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND STAYS IN THE SHOP. NOW--NEW ISSUE---HUBBY WAS DRIVING HOME IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. IT WAS REVVING UP BUT THE CAR WAS OUT OF GEAR SO HE AND HIS CAR POOL BUDDY PUSHED IT OFF THE ROAD, SHUT IT OFF, AND THEN TRIED TO RESTART IT BUT IT DID NOT WANT TO START BACK UP. THEY WALKED AROUND IT TO SEE IF THEY COULD SEE IF ANYTHING WAS LEAKING AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SEEN NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THEY GOT BACK IN AND IT FINALLY STARTED UP AFTER 10 MINUTES OR SO AND ALL WAS FINE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WHEN I CHECKED IN THE GUY POPPED THE HOOD AND PULLED OUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DIP STICK. HE SAID "NO FREAKING WAY" OVER AND OVER AGAIN AS HE PUT DROPS OF THE FLUID ON HIS PAPER AND SMELLED IT. HE SAID THAT THE FLUID WAS WAY DARK AND SMELLED BURNT AND THERE IS NO WAY A CAR WITH LESS THE 15,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD HAVE THAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. WELL THEY KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT CALLED ME TODAY TO TELL ME TO COME AND GET IT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THAT " THE TECH IS UNABLE TO VERIFY CONCERN, SCANNED FOR CODES AND BULLETINS AND FOUND NONE" SO THEREFORE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. NEXT TIME IT JUMPS OUT OF GEAR TO PUSH THE ONSTAR BUTTON AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM AND THEY WILL SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE IT OUT NEXT TIME. I HAVE A HANDICAP SON AND WE USE THAT CAR SINCE IT GETS GREAT GAS MILEAGE TO GET TO THE DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS FARTHER AWAY AND I DO NOT WANT TO BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY WITH HIM. AFTER READING THAT OUR LEMON CHEVY IS NOT ALONE WITH THIS ISSUE YOU WOULD THINK GM WOULD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10390584

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspensionTires

2009 AVEO HAD 17 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED 2 DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND DIED OUT IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO FIRST WAS TOLD IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOPPED UP THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE MOTOR PARTS WAS ORDER AND PROBLEM WAS FIX THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT TWIC…

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2009 AVEO HAD 17 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED 2 DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND DIED OUT IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR TWO FIRST WAS TOLD IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOPPED UP THEN WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE MOTOR PARTS WAS ORDER AND PROBLEM WAS FIX THEN ABOUT A WEEK LATER BLOWER MOTOR WENT OUT TWICE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT SO THEY REPLACED BLOWER MOTOR TWICE AND CIGARETTE LIGHT BLEW OUT FUSES TWICE AS WELL. CAR HAS BLOWN OUT 3 HEADLIGHT BULBS WAS TOLD THERE IS A SHORT IN THE SWITCH OR SOMEWHERE BUT DEALER DON'T WANNA LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, MOTOR IS TAPPING LOUDLY LIKE ITS NOT GETTING OIL TO THE LIFTER WAS TOLD TWO TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS THAT THE MOTOR IS SUPPOSE TO TAP BUT WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE MOTOR WAS QUIET I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE LIFTERS AND THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR ALSO OIL IS ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE MOTOR AROUND THE CAP WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING TO MANY EXCUSES TO NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. THERE IS ANOTHER NOISE THAT STARTS WHEN YOU FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP IS DEAF EAR TO THE TAPPING NOISE AND THIS NOISE AS WELL THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE NOISE BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER I START UP THE VEHICLES YOU HEAR THE NOISE PLAIN AND CLEAR, RATTLING NOISE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER HEARD THE NOISE FIRST HAND BEFORE AND HE KNOWS THERE'S A ELECTRICAL SHORT HE SAID SO HIMSELF. TIRES ON FRONT AND BACK ARE WEARING UNEVENLY DEALERSHIP SAYS THE ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE IS STRAIGHT HOW IS THAT WHEN IM GOING ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES NOW AND ITS 2011. DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM SAYS ITS NORMAL TO BE ON 3RD SET OF TIRES ANOTHER DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS NOT IM WORKING WITH THE GM COMPANY TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389924

Official recalls

1

14V460000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid

Jul 29, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.