Q: What could be the causing loss of power while accelerating leading to engine stalling? 2011 Chevrolet Aveo

asked by on January 14, 2017

During the first 10 minutes of driving from a cold start, my car does any of the following randomly: 1. While stopped, engine suddenly rumbles and the car stalls and stops. 2. When accelerating from any speed, the car suddenly loses power and drops to about 10 mph...even on the highway. Stepping on the gas or releasing on the gas does not change anything. The car needs to be stopped and restarted. 3. When applying constant pressure on the accelerator, the car occasionally has an short acceleration burst.

When either #1 or #2 happens, pulling to the side of the road and restarting the car will resolve the problem. But it may happen again shortly after. These problems do not seem to happen once the engine is warm after 10+ minutes of driving.

My car has 40000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Engine hesitates during acceleration Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there - based on the symptoms you describe, I suspect that either the throttle position sensor or the fuel pump (or fuel pump relay) are failing. The result is either incorrect throttle position reported to the engine computer, or inadequate fuel pressure to fire the injectors. I recommend a car is stalling inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Key not going into ignition
Hi, if the wiring is damaged then the computer won't be able to communicate with the lock cylinder correctly and cause it to lock up. You should have a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect the wiring from...
Advice on buying a used Ford Taurus
I would definitely stay clear from cars from the '90's. A lot of them had horrible transmissions. They weren't that great cars. Lot of them rusted out, too. But for a 2000's car, the later ones and mid-to-late ones can...
How do I rewire under the dash pad? Many of the wires are just there disconnected and some are damaged.
Hello. If you were to purchase an entirely new harness that is made for your vehicle, it should a simple plug and play. I would not recommend tearing everything out. But instead, if I were to do it I would...
Wheezing when i press he gas more than 30 mph
Hello. The noises you are hearing are impossible to fully diagnose without the vehicle here. Lets begin with talking about that Check Engine Light. The light illuminates when certain codes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-read-and-understand-check-engine-light-codes-by-jason-unrau) are sent to the main computer. Not all codes...
car won't start after sitting for three weeks
In all probability the battery is dead. The reason the horn blared during the jump start attempt is the "restoration of power" is interpreted by the car's security system computer as an attempt to "steal" the car. That's just the...
Shifting problem?
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by...
2002 Toyota 4runner noise in 4x4
It could be an internal tranfercase noise, but I wouldn't jump to that conclusion yet. The noise could be coming from the front driveshaft, CV axles, ect. Anything that's turning when the four-wheel drive is engaged could be the culprit....
I Need to find transmission speed sensor location for a 2006 mazda 6s,auto 6 speed & manual
Hi J. M. Thanks for contacting us tonight. The speed sensor for a 2006 Mazda 6 is accessible through the engine compartment and is located on the top of the differential, towards the driver side of the engine compartment. Since...

Related articles

What Sensors Do All Cars Have? And What Optional Ones Are There?
Modern cars have an increasing amount of sensors. Most cars have an oxygen sensor and a throttle position sensor, but parking sensors are optional.
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Impala
A A true classic, the 2012 Chevrolet Impala may not have all of the latest high-tech features of other sedans on the market, but it is a tried-and-true model with lots of room, plenty of comfortable features, and a large...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2011 Dodge Dakota
2011 2011 marked the final year of production for Dodge’s venerable Dakota pickup truck. It was a compact pickup, not quite the size of the Ram, and competed with similar models like the Chevy S10 and the Ford Ranger (both...