10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
43,921 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #109

Oct 052016

Cobalt

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the instrument panel gauges fluctuated and the power steering failed. The low fuel, service traction, power steering, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over, shut it off, and restart it on the first attempt. However, the failed recurred. The vehicle was operable again after being parked for hours. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

- Ridge, NY, USA

problem #108

Sep 182016

Cobalt

  • miles
Had the ignition switch recall "fixed" about 6 months ago, and today I go to start it and exact same thing, key stuck in ignition, now when I search recall for my car it shows nothing under my VIN, now I'm stuck without my car because previous dealership didn't fix it correctly and the recall is the obvious reason!

- White Bear Lake, MN, USA

problem #107

Sep 012014

Cobalt

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's vehicle was included in a recall regarding the electrical system and ignition. The vehicle was repaired per the recall, which included new ignition keys. Shortly after the repair, the key pad for the doors no longer were able to control the door locks. The vehicle also began to emit a burning rubber odor from the steering wheel. Additionally, the starter key was difficult to remove from the ignition occasionally without having the steering wheel in a specific position. The contact also stated that sometimes the engine and all the electrical systems would fail to start; however, only the tail lights remained illuminated. It was diagnosed that the vehicle's micro switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

- Scraton, PA, USA

problem #106

Feb 092016

Cobalt

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle experienced the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 14E210000 (electrical system); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Harvey, IL, USA

problem #105

Apr 272016

Cobalt

  • 119,000 miles
The ignition switch was repaired under recall. Now the car will start without key in switch. Will stay running without key in switch. Has stalled out while driving now it will not stay running and gives ignition switch dtc

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #104

Mar 232016

Cobalt

  • 129,000 miles
Driving on the freeway and all my electrical dashboard units are flickering, my RPM and speed keeps going on and down, and my power steering message came up on the dash, then it went out and came back. Not cool. Not cool at all....

- Abingdon, VA, USA

problem #103

Jul 032015

Cobalt

  • 41,147 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 mph, a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The front and side curtain air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The contact also indicated that the ignition switch was faulty and the vehicle would suddenly shut off while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 41,147.

- Hialeah Gardens, FL, USA

problem #102

Mar 122016

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
My 2009 Cobalt began jerking when accelerating over the last few months and just 3 days ago, as I was driving down the road, my car stalls and won't turn back on. After looking at symptoms, it is very apparent that the fuel pump has gone out

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #101

Oct 182015

Cobalt

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle did not start and the key did not eject from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #100

Sep 022015

Cobalt

  • 60 miles
Automatic locking doors started unlocking and locking while I was driving vehicle(very scary). W/65,000 miles on this vehicle and having taken it to several repair places(one of which didn't even bother to make the change oil soon light go away after an oil change), I am now questionning the integrity of the repair guys. This will not make me a popular customer. Suggestions, please"??"

- Whitefish Bay, WI, USA

problem #99

Aug 012012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle stalled. Consequently, the consumer crashed into a tree and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was not aware of the diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was later repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. MA 10/5

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #98

Mar 162015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
My speedometer RPM and gas gauge started going up and down erratically I lost power steering. I had no idea what my speed was because the speedometer was inaccurate. This was a very unsafe situation to be in as I live in Colorado and we get snow and ice.

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #97

May 232014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer had car taken in repair shop to fix power steering problem ignition switch and the dealer kept the vehicle for three months. Each time the consumer called to inquire about the vehicle, she was informed they were waiting on the parts. When the vehicle was returned to the consumer, the turn signals and air condition were not working properly.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #96

Jan 062012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
Letter to the president requesting an investigation into the possible cover up by General Motors regarding an ignition switch defect. The consumer stated her son was killed in an accident. The consumer stated her son had several keys on his key chain. The keys began to swing back and forth which caused the vehicle to shut off. Her son lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree.

- Brodnax, VA, USA

problem #95

Sep 012014

Cobalt

  • 27,000 miles
The contact own a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the vehicle experienced numerous failures. The rack and pinion had to be replaced, the window motors were replaced six times, and the ignition was replaced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the failures were repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

- Wantagh, NY, USA

problem #94

Jan 072015

Cobalt

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 50 mph, the two doors unlocked independently. The contact did not specify which two doors experienced the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was not available.

- Bonham, TX, USA

problem #93

Sep 042014

Cobalt

  • 35,876 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) and believed the failure was related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,876.

- Mount Pleasant , PA, USA

problem #92

Dec 292014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
My electronic power steering is cutting in and out at random time intervals. Called the dealer to see if my Cobalt was part of the affected recall on the power steering and was informed that they will not cover the repair for my car under that recall.

- Hemlock, NY, USA

problem #91

Dec 272014

Cobalt

  • 55,000 miles
The dic shows the reading of each tire pressure backwards, for example right front wheel is actually the rear right wheel, and left front is actually rear front. Also I am unable to use the cruise control. The lights turns on but the car does not engage in the same speed for the cruise control.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #90

Nov 182014

Cobalt

  • 130,000 miles
My 2009 Chevy Cobalt is part of the recall affecting the ignition system, I have waited for months for the part to become available and finally received a notice stating the local dealership had the part. I contacted them to set up a date to drop it off only to be informed that they did not have the part. According to GM's CEO the parts would all be available by the end of October. I feel like I am getting a huge run around from GM in getting this vehicle repaired and need some help getting this finally handled.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »