Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 2.6× a quiet Aveo year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 22k–71k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Aveo owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 44,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 63 (37%) | 24k–71k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 50 (30%) | 26k–89k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 22 (13%) | 21k–74k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 22 (13%) | 21k–68k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 19 (11%) | 20k–53k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 16 (9%) | 32k–88k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 14 (8%) | 7k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 (6%) | 58k–104k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 44,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 169 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
1st time-I was driving and my car started to sputter and when I hit the gas pedal for acceleration nothing would happen,the RPM would raise and the car wouldn't accelerate.
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.
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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 44,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo: 1
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. If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 303
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Neighbouring years
2008 Aveo: 163 complaints, keep it · 2010 Aveo: 66 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Aveo year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · All Aveo years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo a bad year?
169 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 64, 2.6× a quiet Aveo year. At 44,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 22k–71k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (63), electrical system (50), speed control (22), suspension (22), fuel system (19). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 22k–71k miles.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 14V-460). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.