Research · Compact Cars
2011 Chevrolet AveoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 77 owner complaints for the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo. Most complaints involve engine (22) and electrical system (15). The EPA rates it 28–29 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
28–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
77
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
77 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2010 – Mar 2021
- Engine22
- Electrical system15
- Power train11
- Vehicle speed control11
- Air bags7
- Service brakes7
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Steering6
- Fuel/propulsion system5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
22 reports
“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 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”
Electrical system
15 reports1 fire
“ARRIVED AT HOME PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND MY KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND UNABLE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF. HAD TO PULL FUSE TO THE COMPUTER AND DISCONNECT NEGATIVE SIDE OF BATTERY. TOOK IT TO A SHOP THEY ADVISED NO COMMUNICATION WITH SHIFTER. SHOP DRILLED OUT MY OLD IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND REPLACED WITH A NEW KEY LOCK CYLINDER. SEEMS TO BE WORKING AS OF NOW AFTER A $518.74 BILL.”
Power train
11 reports1 crash
“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. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION COST ME 1600 DOLLARS AND THE 9 MONTHS LATER THAT GEAR LET GO ALSO. AGAIN I HAD TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT THE SPEEDOMETER WORKING. THIS IS A FAULTY DESIGN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
4 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars
- Engines
- 1.6L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aveo Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 29 | $2,150 | 306 |
| Aveo 5 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 34 | 29 | $2,150 | 306 |
| Aveo Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 |
| Aveo 5 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 317 |
- 29mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 204
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2011 Aveo questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2011 Chevrolet Aveo problems?
Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (22), electrical system (15), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Chevrolet Aveo at 28–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026