Chevrolet Aveo problems
169 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 41 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 33,000–90,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Just put it in drive give it gas wont go over 20 MPH, put in nutreal it reves up rpms go up and sounds good put back in drive back to 20 MPH even when giving it gas no rpms no go just 20 MPH wont go any faster. What is going on. This seems to be a problem... *tr
I purchased this car september 2009 and have drive around 5,000miles only. The engine is stalled everyday. However, the dealer said there is no issue. 2 months ago, this problem happened, the dealer changed a battery. Since december 11, 2010, again the engine has been…
At 24000 miles the timing belt had to be replaced due to a worn harmonic balancer. Now there are more problems which cannot be duplicated at the dealership. When trying to start the car, it will sometimes not start. After waiting about 5 minutes, it will eventually start. No…
When making turns, going over bumps or parking with the wheels side-ways, the front end of the vehicle makes a growling/roaring/grinding sound. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 41 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 33,000–90,000 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 41 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,679 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 51,715 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Aveo has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 169 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.