The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
60 owner complaints, first 3 years 28–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Fit 1112009 Toyota Yaris 662009 Nissan Versa 101
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo
- Engine stalling29 complaintsmostly at 20,000–69,000 miles (32,000–111,000 km)
- Headlights12 complaintsmostly at 60,000–90,000 miles (97,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,000 and 38,000 miles (14,000–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 50 complaints, of all 60 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 14V460000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 917 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent antilock brake system (abs) warning light on; wheel speed sensor (wss)dtcs set”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 60 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 38K miles (14K to 61K km) on the car (50 of all 60 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2009 Chevrolet Aveo. Consumer states vehicle prematurely wears out tires, prematurely wears out shocks and struts and consumer states vehicle does not hold alignment
2009 Chevrolet Aveo owner · NHTSA complaint 10397876
More owner reports
When making turns, going over bumps or parking with the wheels side-ways, the front end of the vehicle makes a growling/roaring/grinding sound.
NHTSA complaint 10441054
Bought the new from dealership ib 2009 by october 2010 had to buy new tires. Tires had prematurely wore out. Again in 2012 having same problems with tires wearing out too soon.
NHTSA complaint 10478856
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 917 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent antilock brake system (abs) warning light on; wheel speed sensor (wss)dtcs set
- Pontiac/chevrolet have inoperative ipc, won't shift out of park; backlight/dimming inop
- Engineering information closed/results provided-mil/check engine light on, reduced power mode
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Brakes · recall issued 2014
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$2,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Aveo year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-aveo/?y=2009" title="Chevrolet Aveo reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-aveo/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 194; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Aveo year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (43%), suspension (18%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1 safety recall (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo get?
28 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Aveo problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,000 and 38,000 miles (14,000–61,000 km) (the middle half of the 50 complaints, of all 60 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $2,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Aveo year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works