This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet Aveo powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 7 model years of Chevrolet Aveo in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Aveo powertrain failures cluster around loss of acceleration and power, with the most common complaint being engine sputtering, bucking, or losing responsiveness when owners press the gas pedal. Drivers describe RPMs rising but the car refusing to move, or crawling at 10-20 mph regardless of throttle input. These episodes happen sporadically at various speeds and road conditions, and some owners report the vehicle regains power after flooring the accelerator multiple times or restarting.
Owners took their vehicles to dealers repeatedly—one logged five dealership visits, another logged four—and dealers consistently reported inability to duplicate the failure. One dealer identified a low idle code and performed a $53 decarbon service that did not help. Another owner spent over $2,000 replacing a new throttle body, ECU, coil pack, and fuel pump without resolving the issue; the dealer then suggested cleaning the brand-new throttle body.
Separate powertrain issues include transmission shifter moving from Drive to Neutral without driver input at highway speed (65 mph), a dealer stating this is normal, and owners reporting they can shift the transmission without depressing the lock button. One owner experienced clutch failure at low mileage with a cracked case and fluid leak; the dealer refused warranty coverage, calling clutch a wear item. Vehicle stalling and no-start conditions also appear in the complaint set.
Same Chevrolet Aveo powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of power and hesitation on acceleration
Engine loses power or hesitates to accelerate despite driver pressing the gas pedal. RPMs may rise but vehicle does not move, or moves very slowly. Often accompanied by sputtering or bucking. May resolve temporarily or after multiple accelerations.
When: Occurs sporadically at various speeds and road conditions; reported at 4,500 miles, 13,000 miles, and other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: No power response to accelerator input despite high RPMs; Sputtering and bucking; Vehicle hesitant to engage power; Excessive vibration and shaking on acceleration; Engine feels slow and shaky; Regains power after flooring accelerator multiple times
Codes mentioned: Low idle code (reported by one dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed decarbon service ($53), which did not resolve issue. Numerous owners replaced throttle body, ECU, coil pack, and fuel pump without resolution. Check engine light appeared in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to duplicate failure in multiple visit attempts; one dealer suggested cleaning throttle body despite recent replacement; no recalls or TSBs mentioned for this specific issue
Transmission shift linkage disengages without input
Transmission shifter moves from Drive into Neutral without driver input or deliberate action, or can be shifted without depressing the button that normally locks it. Creates hazard when occurring at highway speeds.
When: One occurrence reported at 65 mph on new vehicle; issue present from early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter jumps or moves from Drive to Neutral at highway speed; Shifter can be pushed into Neutral without depressing lock button; Vehicle momentarily feels as if in Neutral despite driver setting in Drive
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated transmission operates normally and reported same behavior occurs on Cobalt model
Clutch premature wear and case failure
Clutch wears out at unusually low mileage and develops cracks in the case. Results in sudden loss of clutch function and fluid leakage.
When: Occurs at low mileage, specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch worn out; Loud cracking or dropping noise from clutch; Sudden clutch failure in traffic; Fluid leaking from cracked clutch case
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refused to perform warranty work, citing clutch as wear item; also identified cracked case leaking fluid
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer refused warranty coverage, claiming clutch is a wear item; declined to provide warranty details and refused to service vehicle
Shifter backlight inoperative
Lights integrated into the shift lever on the center console do not function.
When: No mileage or timing information provided
Symptoms owners cite: Lights on shift lever do not illuminate
Vehicle stalling and no-start condition
Engine stalls during driving or fails to start. May occur after power loss events. Battery condition may deteriorate.
When: After multiple loss-of-power episodes; current mileage 6-7 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during driving; Vehicle will not start; Battery goes dead; Stalling occurs after deceleration episodes
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced ignition coil and spark plugs; one recall was identified but not previously communicated to owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists but was not communicated to owner; no other manufacturer action documented
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet aveo. The contact was driving 5 MPH to a stop. As he attempted to accelerate, the vehicle began to shake and vibrate excessively. The vehicle was also hesitant to accelerate. The dealer was informed of the failure and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure recurred nine times. The vehicle was not…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 13,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 51,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Chevrolet/Aveo.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.