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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-CHEVROLET-AVEONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chevrolet
2009 Chevrolet Aveo problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo has 169 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 41 complaints, typically surfacing around 63,679 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Aveo?
Acceptable — with caveats
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 7.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
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.
Buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Aveo? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 41 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,679 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,206 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
suspension — 21 owner reports
· tends to show around 44,503 mi · ~$900 to fix
cruise control — 14 owner reports
· tends to show around 49,843 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 63,679 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 Aveo· powertrain
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…
Had a problem with your 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles
If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 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 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 41 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,679 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 169 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 63,679 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Aveo.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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