2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (220) · Steering (175) · Electrical System (72)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Cobalt model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
568 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-04-30 · campaign 14E021000 · 14,529 vehicles
Defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Electrical System:ignition 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occup
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition
Air Bags 2014-02-10 · campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles
Defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,0
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2012-09-19 · campaign 12V459000 · 49,768 vehicles
Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt an
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2010-03-03 · campaign 10V073000 · 1,050,889 vehicles
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Risk: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Service bulletins (1,005)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-09-09 · 13598 · Other
new vehicle monitoring programs section in ivh
Unknown Or Other 2025-08-07 · PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. technician may find diagnostic trouble codes b3055, b3060, b3935, c0750, c0755, c0760, c0765, and/o
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,005 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-30 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 17,311 mi“the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair; however, the mechanic found a fuel leak and an abnormal gasoline odor. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 17,311. …”
2025-10-21 · Steering · 154,824 mi“the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. in addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was turned off. the contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was star…”
2025-03-12 · Steering“steering went out while driving …”
2024-12-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 💥 crash“the air bag never deployed i bought car in 2018 from original owner with car only having 33,000 miles on it and still under warranty til car had 100,000 miles and i hit a deer head on 2 months after getting car which bought in may of 2018 hit the deer in july 2018 . the deer was hit with the front passenger side it broke my headlight n messed my ho…”
2024-12-04 · Vehicle Speed Control · 33,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the contact struck a deer. the air bags did not deploy. additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. the contact restarted the vehicle. there was an abnormal sulfur and fuel odor detected. the air bag warning light was illuminated. …”
2024-08-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“there is a leak in the fuel lines that is just awful. constant while driving many others have experienced as well. leaves huge puddles of gas …”
2024-05-28 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:bulbs“oem headlights had become dim and one could no longer be aimed, so i ordered these replacements through amazon. i paid $92 to have them installed, and the mechanic let me know that the high beams could not be activated, except by holding the turn signal, making it dangerous to steer. in addition, when the headlights are on they create so much rf, …”
2024-04-25 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 161,595 mi“the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted; however, the auto theft warning light illuminated, and the key could not be removed from the ignition. the contact was able to drive the vehicle however, the locks failed to lock the doors, and there w…”
2023-11-20 · Steering“my car turned off while i was driving and almost caused me to crash into an 18 wheeler. thank god i turned on my emergency signal and the truck swerved!. i would of died. i was stuck in the middle of the road and luckily some passersby helped me push it into a commercial parking area. i tried to start it again and it wouldn't start. but, when i tur…”
2023-10-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 153,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that after driving to a local store and turning off the vehicle, the contact then returned to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. the vehicle was towed to the residence. the vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. the contact was informed that the fuel level sens…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.