Total Complaints
278 filings
CHEVROLET AVEO · model year
2009 CHEVROLET AVEO
278 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009CHEVROLETAVEO carries 278 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 8 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 AVEO is electrical system with 49 filings, followed by engine (36) and engine and engine cooling (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2009 AVEO, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
278
Complaints
23
Crashes
8
Fires
18
Injuries
3
Deaths
Crashes Reported
23 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 49 |
| ENGINE | 36 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 25 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 22 |
| SUSPENSION | 19 |
| AIR BAGS | 14 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 11 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN | 10 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 9 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| WHEELS | 7 |
| TIRES | 6 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
Recalls (1)
14V46000029/07/2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
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.
Recent Complaints
20240123ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Mileage: 90,000
20240123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 90,000
20200127ENGINE
MY 2009 CHEVY AVEO HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE! THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH 89,000 MILES. IN IDLE, AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. I BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY WITH NO PROBLEM THEN THE CAR SURGES, LOOSES POWER, THEN STALLED IN TRAFFIC. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES OF SITTING, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED THEN AFTER ABOUT 4 BLOCKS, LOST POWER AGAIN. THE CAR KEPT DYING & RESTARTING. FINALLY GOT HOME. TURNED THE CAR BACK ON , THE IDLE WAS GOING UP & DOWN, SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE IDLING IN PARK. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CHANGED, O2 SENSOR CHANGED, MASS AIR SENSOR CHANGED. AIR FILTER CLEAN. THIS CAR IS TERRIBLE. I WILL NEVER TRUST & BUY A CHEVY AGAIN!!!!! SHAME ON YOU CHEVY.! GET YOUR QUALITY CONTROL IN CHECK. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW TO STAY CLEAR OF CHEVY CARS!!!!!
Mileage: 8,900
20191122CrashFireAIR BAGS
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.
Mileage: 120,000
20191122CrashFireWHEELS
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.
Mileage: 120,000
20191020CrashFireAIR BAGS
I HAD A ACCIDENT THE CAR COUGHT ON FIRE.
Mileage: 7,800,000
20191020CrashFireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD A ACCIDENT THE CAR COUGHT ON FIRE.
Mileage: 7,800,000
20191020CrashFireUNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAD A ACCIDENT THE CAR COUGHT ON FIRE.
Mileage: 7,800,000
20190930ENGINE
TIMING BELT BAD, NOT EVEN 60K MILES
Mileage: 58,153
20190511FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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!
Mileage: 99,000
20190511SUSPENSION
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!
Mileage: 99,000
20190318ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Mileage: 88,000
20190318UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Mileage: 88,000
20181011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED MOST OF THE TIME OR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB
Mileage: 129,000
20180612SERVICE BRAKES
MY 2009 AVEO5 2009. MY BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT. BUT I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARINGS 3 TIMES IN LAST 3 YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. I AM SCARED BECAUSE THE BACK ONE IS NOW MAKING LOTS OF NOISE SO I KNOW IT'S ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING GRINDING.IS THIS CONSIDERED IN THE RECALL OF 2014 ON AVEO 5 2009.
Mileage: 100,000
20180612WHEELS
MY 2009 AVEO5 2009. MY BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT. BUT I AM HAVING TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARINGS 3 TIMES IN LAST 3 YEARS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. I AM SCARED BECAUSE THE BACK ONE IS NOW MAKING LOTS OF NOISE SO I KNOW IT'S ANOTHER WHEEL BEARING GRINDING.IS THIS CONSIDERED IN THE RECALL OF 2014 ON AVEO 5 2009.
Mileage: 100,000
20180522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COOLANT TEMPERATURE ENGINE HEATING UP
Mileage: 103,000
20180522ENGINE
COOLANT TEMPERATURE ENGINE HEATING UP
Mileage: 103,000
20180522UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COOLANT TEMPERATURE ENGINE HEATING UP
Mileage: 103,000
20180403FireENGINE
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.
Mileage: 48,500
Compare 2009CHEVROLETAVEO to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 2 Open
EA25007Engineering AnalysisOpen
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
PE23022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
PE20016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
EA20002Engineering AnalysisClosed
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
PE20011Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Fuel Line Leak
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO have?▼
The 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO has 278 NHTSA complaints, 23 crashes, 8 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO?▼
Yes, the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO?▼
The most-complained component for the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 49 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2009 CHEVROLET AVEO safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.