2009 Chevrolet Aveo

Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2009 Chevrolet Aveo: common problems and reliability

· 2003-2026

An average Aveo year.

169 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 1 recall.

Should I buy a 2009 Aveo?

The 2009 Chevrolet Aveo has 169 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag poor build quality with rattles, creaks, and cheap interior materials.

Safety record for the 2009 model year

169
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
13
Crash reports
3
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Chevrolet Aveo vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Aveo years only. How we score it

Is 2009 a good year for the Aveo?

Across the 9 Aveo model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2012) to 235 (2005). With 169 complaints, the 2009 Aveo sits about the same as the model's median of 169.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

electrical system
50
engine
36
engine and engine cooling
29
suspension
22
vehicle speed control
22

Recalls affecting the 2009 Aveo

service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

Campaign 14V460000

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.

What owners report on the 2003-2026 Aveo

Owner sentiment for this generation is overwhelmingly negative, with the Aveo repeatedly described as cheaply built, underpowered, uncomfortable, and unreliable.

  • Very frequentPoor build quality with rattles, creaks, and cheap interior materials
  • Very frequentWeak acceleration and difficulty reaching or merging at highway speeds
  • Very frequentUnreliable reputation and premature breakdowns
  • RecurrentTiming belt failure causing major engine damage if not serviced
  • RecurrentAutomatic transmission slow or hesitant shifting

Owner insights for the 2003-2026 Aveo. Read the full 2003-2026 owner report.

Typical used price

Used Aveo listings typically run $3,775–$6,075 across 2004 to 2011 model years.

Other Aveo model years

Compare every Aveo year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Aveo against its rivals

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