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2011 Chevrolet Aveo Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2011 Chevrolet Aveo has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission speedometer and gear-shift failure.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission speedometer and gear-shift failure

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2018-02

“AT 60K MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE RUNS FINE BUT NOT HAVING A SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW TRANSMISSIONS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IN OPERATED BY A PLASTIC GEAR INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11074169
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY HESITATING FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY HESITATE BEFORE RAPIDLY ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10465819
“I HAVE BEEN AT THE DEALERS REPAIR SHOP LIKE 10+ TIMES FOR THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. TODAY I WAS OUT ON A QUICK TRIP TO THE STORE AND WHEN I CHANGED GEARS FROM REVERSE (TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY) THEN TO DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFTER BECAME HARD TO MOVE?”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10429547

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key stuck or seized in ignition switch

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2019-05

“KEY GETS LOCKED IN IGNITION. IT WONT TURN OR IF IT TURNS IT DOES NOT COME OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11210060
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AND WORSENED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104108
“AFTER PUTTING TGE CAR IN PARK I COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT'S STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION AND WON'T BUDGE. I LOOKED IT UP A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAMS PROBLEM WITH THE AVEO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10785879

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of power while driving

ENGINE

20 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2017-12

“I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING 4 TIMES ALREADY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE DRIVING IT WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11011216
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621167
“VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER & HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TOOK NUMEROUS TIMES TO TRY TO START IT AGAIN. NOT HAPPY WITH THIS. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10618971

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine overheating and head gasket failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2020-01

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10515564
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897088
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453871

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and non-deployment

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2020-02

“THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TO TURN OFF MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR A PASSENGER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11308969
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY A PARENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190040
“ON/ABOUT 07-24-2015 THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I CONTACTED GM/CHEVROLET AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE CAR TO AUTHORIZED CHEVY MECHANIC TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. MODERN CHEVROLET MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TWO DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSORS IN PASSENGER AIRBAG. COST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10783160

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake hose, pad, and pedal failure

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 → 2019-03

“RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BLEW OUT LEAVING ME WITH NO BRAKE WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. UNABLE TO STOP HAD NO BRAKES HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO KEEP FROM HITTING CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MECHANIC SAID IN HIS 35 YEARS AS A MECHANIC NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN AND TO MAKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11186186
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE REAR BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10958436
“WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ALL THE WAY TO LEFT OR RIGHT BRAKES FAIL TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND GIVES YOU LESS THAN 10% BRAKING FUNCTION. IS NOT INTERMITTENT, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME VEHICLE IS TURNED COMPLETELY TO LEFT OR RIGHT AND THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10462906

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel separation and steering pull

STRUCTURE, WHEELS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2010-12 → 2021-03

“I WAS DRIVING AND MY WHOLE RIGHT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD OUT OF NOWHERE. I SLID ABOUT 30 YARDS DOWN THE STREET AND HIT AN OBJECT THAT DAMAGED MY FRONT END. THOUGHT IT WAS MY TIRE BUT COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS LITERALLY MY WHOLE WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651738
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TIE ROD FAILED, CAUSING THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10533142
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET AVEO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT ABNORMALLY THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A WHEEL AND STEERING ALIGNMENT BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10368727

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

68 crashes 1990–2024

How the 68 occupant deaths break down

52

driver deaths

16

passenger deaths

68

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

10

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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