Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Chevrolet Aveo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I am writing to you with regards to my Chevy Aveo 2009 lt,with automatic transmission. My wife usually drives this car and last week, suddenly my car wouldn't stop running. She was at her work place and she took off the keys but later realized the car was still running, so she returned back and couldn't shut off the engine.. So I had to leave my work and take the car to a Chevy dealership to find out it was a problem with a faulty ignition switch, but said it was not part of the recent GM ignition switch recall. But my question is: a. Why would the switch fail all of a sudden, and what if my wife left the car running all day and if it would've taken off by itself. B. I have been hearing a lot of news about Chevy recall of faulty ignition switches, does this not fall in that category? …
S10 appropriate handling- letter to the secretary from constituent re copy of a letter to the U.S. Attorney general regarding a complaint against general motors. The consumer stated in March 2011, the vehicle began to loose power steering and the engine would shut off by itself. The consumer went to the dealer, where they claimed the problem was fixed. However, the problem continued. The problem continued into 2012. In May 2014, due to the existing problem, the consumer was involved in an accident and the vehicle was totaled. Also, the air bag did not deploy, even though the impact was severe enough to warrant air bag deployment. Updated 10/05/15.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the vehicle veered to the right and went into an embankment. The contact also stated that three of the tires became detached from the wheels and the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, forehead, and back and the contact was taken to the hospital by an ambulance. The police was at the scene and filed a report. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000 updated 9/11/14 updated 1/20/2015
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.
Dash board lights began to flicker while driving on the interstate.dash board indicator lights would come on and then go out without cause while driving.then vehicle would not shift into automatic overdrive while driving on the interstate. Air conditioner then would stop cooling both on interstate and in town. Cruise control ceased to operate while engaged. Condition ruined battery, causing vehicle to not start. Vehicle currently in auto repair shop......updated 07/26/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that the ignition key failed to disengage from the ignition without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition key failed to move from the on position into the off position without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the housing cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,087.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. While driving various speeds, the vehicle attempted to stall and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,432.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo. The contact stated that while parked and removing the key out the ignition, the vehicle continued to operate. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.the VIN was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
When I go to turn off my car it will still run even if the key is out of the ignition. I seen a lot of people have this problem and it definitely is a safety hazard.I have a 4 year in my car when this was happening.I made it home off the high way with no problems but when I go to park my car it won't turn off.
Electrical complaints in other Aveo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, 30% of the model year's 169 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Aveo electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.