YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Aveo Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#2 most-complained of 3 Aveo years

The 2010 Chevrolet Aveo has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 2nd worst among 3 model years tracked. NHTSA lists 66 complaints, 1 recall, 8 crashes, and 8 injuries, with Engine problems the top area at 48% of complaints.

Complaints
66
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
8 / 0
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 34.5 hwy

Top 2010 Chevrolet Aveo problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine32 (48%)
  2. Electrical System16 (24%)
  3. Airbags9 (14%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain9 (14%)
  5. Brakes7 (11%)
  6. Fuel System7 (11%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (11%)
  8. Steering5 (8%)
  9. Other2 (3%)
  10. Seat Belts2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash situations, including collisions at low speed, at highway speed, and rollover events.
  • Owners report sudden loss of power or unintended deceleration while driving at highway speed, in one case dropping from 66 mph to a lower speed while going uphill under cruise control.
  • A vehicle unexpectedly slowed from about 60 mph to 30 mph after the transmission reportedly lost communication with the vehicle.
  • Owners describe the windshield washer system as ineffective at highway speeds, leaving the windshield dirty and reducing visibility.
  • A clutch master cylinder leak made manual gear shifting difficult, occurring alongside a check engine light triggered by a software issue and a rattling noise from a loose window channel.
2010 Chevrolet Aveo complaints: complaints filed per month6Feb 2010Feb 2012Sep 2013Jun 2014Mar 2015Dec 2015Jul 2017Oct 2022
100 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Oct 2022; peak Apr 2014 (6).

2010 Chevrolet Aveo recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V460000Jul 29, 2014Brakes1,968 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:fluid

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. 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.

    Risk: If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac). GM's number for this recall is 14505.

2010 Chevrolet Aveo fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
34.5 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,225
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Aveo years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict5066129
2011No verdict10077028.5
2012No verdict010—

All Chevrolet Aveo years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2010 Aveo has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 2nd worst of 3 model years tracked, with Engine complaints making up 48% of reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo?
Engine issues account for 48% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 24% and Airbags and Transmission & Powertrain issues each at 14%.
Does the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 14V460000) covering brake fluid that could corrode the ABS module valves; GM replaced the ABS module free of charge.
Did the 2010 Aveo have airbag deployment problems?
NHTSA complaints include multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes, with a median mileage at failure of 45,462 miles for the Airbags category, and this category is linked to 8 crashes.
How does the 2010 Aveo compare to the 2011 Aveo?
The 2011 Aveo has more complaints (77) but a higher Complaint Index of 100 and zero recalls, while the 2010 Aveo has a lower index of 50 but one recall.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.