Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2011 Chevrolet Aveo Engine problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 35% of all its complaints, most recently on January 2, 2020. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & cooling

I have been to the shop so many times since I bought this car. The first time out of nowhere it started smoking white smoke and overheated the engine and come to find out the tubing in the car had exploded. Then got everything fixed and now still having the same problem with overheating and white smoke but now a burning smell. It's something new every time. I found this response o. Your website with another person who has this car and this happened to mine as well: ' hoses to my cooling system all busted one after...

Read the full complaint

another with in 5 day we could see the week spot in the hose after thy busted,had the thermostat changed , it also blow my head gasket' this is also happened and I barely drive it. It's 5 miles down the street where I work with a 45mph max speed limit. I have pictures and videos as well but can't attach it

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11296778
Engine & coolingFuel system

Takata recall as I was heading to work one morning the light I was waiting at turned green as I got ready to go my car shut off completely, but restarted. Ifound out my car was leaking oil on my head gaskets causing it to shut off. My sales rep managed to talk his mechanic to fix that. Now my car has a problem with the fuel injectors causing the take off not to be proper & draining my gas!!

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11057629
Engine & cooling

My coolant reservoir has been emptied suddenly on 4 occasions. One one occasion, while driving on the highways, my car overheated, and was found to have no coolant. After filling it, letting the car cool, and driving 10 minutes down the road, it had overheated and was empty again. That time, and once before, it was the hose. Another time, the cap was damaged, and was allowing coolant to evaporate. The most recent time, there is a crack in the reservoir, allowing the coolant to leak. However, my overheating warning did not come on. My heat has also not been working, even if I warm my car up ahead of time in the cold weather.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11056739
Engine & cooling

The car has lost power while driving on 3 occasions so far over the past 3 years. Each time this happened, I have been driving between 25-45 mph in a residential/suburban area. I have had to roll to a stop and pull over on a busy road. My gas nor breaks worked at all while this was happening. I turned my car off, then on, and it worked like normal again.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11056738
Engine & cooling

2011 Chevy aveo. Consumer writes in regards to vehice overheating and blown head gasket. *Ld the consumer stated the vehicle has over heated a total of 3 times. The last incident caused the head gasket to blow. The vehicle has also experienced leaks. Updated 09/18/2017*js

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11024328
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost power and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact was unable to identify other warning indicators that were illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. Updated 07/11/17*lj *cn

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10981122
Engine & cooling

Last month will driving( highway, city street and parked) all my hoses to my cooling system all busted one after another with in 5 day we could see the week spot in the hose after thy busted,had the thermostat changed , it also blow my head gasket now I cant drive my car it has 74,756 miles I don't now the cause vin number is [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 10898372
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. While driving approximately 45 mph, the engine overheated and caused the radiator holes to explode. The contact independently repaired the radiator holes. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10897088
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

This aveo has only 7,552 miles and when accelerated to pull out it has no power.When you do get out in road it only goes 15-20 mpg even when acceleration is to the floor.I had to pull over to the side of road-turned it off and restarted then drove it about 2 miles and it did it again-very dangerous-unsafe-hope someone looks into this.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10888204
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. While driving 35 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the thermostat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the thermostat was replaced three times; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10875889
Acceleration & cruise controlBrakesEngine & cooling

My car has had multiple issue within the 8 months is have had it. My car has 68900 miles on it and is a 2011. My car was in the shop for a total of two months because, my breaks stopped working on the interstate, it was running hot, my acceleration ( pickup speed) will not work properly. My car is always drifting to the left when I do drive. My check oil light came on, took it to the dealership and had a full tank of oil. They told me again nothing was wrong. A large amount of liquid comes out my car after parking...

Read the full complaint

it, assuming it is from my a/c but its more then usual. My a/c does not get cold all the time, its pretty hot. My steering wheel has been shaking since I purchased it, when I go up hill my car wont go past 40 mph, then when it reaches to 60 mph it wont stop increasing, when I hit my break going down hill the steering wheel shakes, and the car too.The dealership keeps telling me nothing is wrong with my car.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10872193
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. While driving 45 mph, the speedometer displayed incorrect information. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle jerked before accelerating and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics where it was diagnosed that radiator fluid contaminated the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator, transmission, and trans lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000. Updated 07/12/16*lj *cn

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10863560
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

So as I'm driving (in motion) whether it be 30 mph or 70 mph my car dies out. Does not shut off, but I do not have any acceleration. I have to immediately pull over because I cannot move. I spoke to mechanics and they are saying it is the throttle body. As I research this, there has been so many complaints regarding this against gm and nothing not one thing has been done. Do they not understand that as your driving 70 mph and then have no control of speed in the passing lane or regular lane that you can get...

Read the full complaint

killed my another car? If you go under chevrolet you can see complaints about this. I asked if this was under warranty and it is not. It is not part of the power train. Yet gm knows there is a defective part and they are just not willing to fix it. They will wait til someone dies first and then fix it. I am filing a complaint regarding the throttle for it is just not my car for I have researched how many cars this has happened to, and knowing that gm knows about this indicated on complaints to gm this needs to be fixed for safety reasons. If something was to happen while I was driving my grandchildren around or when my daughter drives the car I will never forgive gm. Especially where they know about this part. Now I put this as of 11/1/15 but that is not the only time it's been ongoing since then. I am very worried to drive this car, yet it is very expensive to have this fix and it is not under a $2,000 warranty insurance I purchased when I bought this car. April 2014 is when I bought this used car and have had it towed 2x already and engine lights on 2x had to have repaired. So thinking there has to be recalls on this car and nothing is being shown.

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10819019
Engine & coolingFuel system

I bought by chevy aveo in 2013 with roughly 27,000 miles on it. I loved that car and it worked well for me until recently at 45,000 miles. While driving, 15-20 minutes into the drive, the car would lose power and fail to accelerate. I would put the pedal all the way to the ground and the spedometer would barely creep up. The first two times it did this it "snapped out" of it and drove the rest of the way with no problems. This last time I had some leaking radiator fluid which the dealer wrote off as a "loose...

Read the full complaint

radiator cap". When the cap was screwed back on it still stalled for my father, and it wasn't from overheating. The dealer says they can't find anything wrong with my car. I currently have it at another mechanic for a second opinion. I am extremely disappointed with chevrolet. Will sell this car asap and never buy from chevy again!

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10735637
Engine & cooling

Driving down road and car starts shaking and if you do not press pedal to the floor, the car will go dead. If at red light, the rpm needle goes up and down. If you do not constantly press on gas, it will go dead. I have had to replace my headlights at least 5 times since I bought the car in 2012. I have a 2005 corolla and I have had to change my headlights maybe twice since 2005. I am also having other electrical issues inside. The "seat belt" light that is above clock goes on and off as well as my gear...

Read the full complaint

shift lights. With the gear shift lights, just hit it and they will come back on. All of these issues could not be found when I took to dealership under warranty. Now check engine light is on and I will be getting a new car soon. I highly recommend to not buy this car! There's a reason they stopped selling them. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10670010
SteeringBrakesEngine & cooling

I was driving on a backroad going about 30 mph. My engine shut off causing me to lose my power steering and power brakes. I was able to get the car into a parking lot and pull my emergency brake. I then shut off and restarted my car. It started fine. It is now at a dealership where they can find nothing wrong. Although it is still stalling on them as well.

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10667426
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel system

I bought a chevy aveo back in feb 2014. Was on way home sometime in august and getting on to highway from ramp would not accelerate and running hot according to temp gauge. I got it towed to shop and called the next day to find they could not find nothing wrong!! So I picked up the car and about three weeks later on way home this time only on back roads doing 35, the car does same thing. What is it gonna take for chevy to fix this issue that I have seen numerous complaints about. I am not able to just go but another car!!!! Wake up chevrolet!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10632396
Engine & cooling

For approximately the last year I have been having issues with this car being sluggish on and off and now it sporadically has no power, when you press on the gas, you loose power at times. Now it just dies whenever! I have had it to multiple shops including the chevy dealer and nobody knows what is wrong. What is it going to take? Having it stall in traffic and having someone die? Apparently this is an issue with many chevy aveos! I really think this needs to be looked into! Would you want your wife, husband,son, daughter,mother or father driving a car that is this unreliable? *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10626463
Engine & cooling

After driving vehicle I parked it. Started vehicle, accelerated and engine stalled. Idled to parking lot and engine died. Started back up and eventually got it running. Took off from a stop light and stalled when apply gas, finally got it to drive at speed posted. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10621167
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle decelerated and stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after numerous attempts and the contact mentioned that the failure occurred five times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10595875
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact rented a 2011 chevrolet aveo. The contact was driving an unknown speed and traveled over a pot hole when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and vin was not available. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10568729
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. The contact stated that after having the spark plugs replaced, the engine begin to malfunction while driving 70 mph. The vehicle would not shift out of first gear and an egg smell entered the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test however, the dealer could not identify the defect of the engine. The dealer repaired the heater blower but that did not remedy the defect. The failure mileage was 41,699. Updated 12/30/13*cn

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10552218
SteeringEngine & cooling

I have been trying to get this issue resolved for about a year to no avail. My 2011 chevy aveo 1.4L has a very bad vibration at idle that can be felt on the whole front end and through to the steering column. I have motor mounts replaced (they had broken), replaced spark plugs, and motor and transmission shifted to sit better. Unfortunately, none of this has rectified the issue. I have been speaking with chevy's customer service department that has proven useless and dealerships stating that this is just what...

Read the full complaint

the car does. I'm concerned that since this vibration can break motor mounts it can obviously cause damage elsewhere. I now have a burning smell that can't seem to be located and none at chevy seems to be concerned. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 10549324
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and overheated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostics, who stated that the camshaft was damaged. In addition, the head gaskets were blown and needed a new timing belt. The parts were replaced but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to dealer again and the contact was advised that the failure was caused by low cooling fluid. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 33,861. The current mileage was 33,890.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10515564
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chevrolet aveo. The contact stated the vehicle stalled and overheated while driving 55 mph. The contact towed the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer replaced the thermostat but that did not remedy the issue. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and replaced the thermostat and radiator cap. The failure mileage was 19,500.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10453871

Chevrolet Aveo engine complaints by year

Aveo engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2011 Aveo? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience