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2005-2017 · 10 model years

Chevrolet Cobalt Problems by year

Owners have filed 2,428 complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt across 10 model years, and it has 11 recalls. The 2008 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (940), while 2012, 2016, 2017 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the steering, followed by the fuel system.

Most complaints for its age2008940 complaints · 5 recallsSee the 2008
Complaints
2,428
Recalls
11
Crashes
189
Fires
32
Injuries
168
Deaths
23

Cobalt complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20171000SteeringA
20161000Fuel systemA
20121000-A
20112000SteeringA
20105836468SteeringF
20099006679Fuel systemF
200894057615SteeringF
20070600-C
20060600-C
20050600-C

Most common Cobalt problems

Chevrolet Cobalt recalls 11

Electrical system: switch

14E02100014,529 vehicles affected

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...

Electrical system: ignition

14V1710002,191,014 vehicles affected

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...

Steering: electric power assist system

10V0730001,050,889 vehicles affected

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...

Latest Cobalt complaints

2010 Chevrolet CobaltAirbags

Walked out to the car and the side air bags deployed and now it won't start. No power No accident. Drove it to the driveway and parked it. Now it won't start.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11757142
2008 Chevrolet CobaltAirbagsCrash

No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11752490
2009 Chevrolet CobaltFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11728020
2010 Chevrolet CobaltFuel system

Fuel lines leak around fuel tank, causing a fuel smell around the vehicle and a major fire hazard

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11696707

Questions about the Chevrolet Cobalt

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2008 (940), 2009 (900), 2010 (583). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2008 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2012, 2016, 2017 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Cobalt years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the steering (766), fuel system (641), electrical system (458) most often.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cobalt have?

NHTSA lists 11 recalls across all Chevrolet Cobalt model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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