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.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake, and the vehicle would power off inadvertently. The vehicle would restart however, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
- Laredo, TX, USA
With no recent changes to the car, it won't start, theft lock symbol is on. Tried the spare key. Tried theft lock relearn 10 minute and 30 minute procedure. Disconnected and re-connected negative battery terminal. None of the steps worked. This issue has the potential to keep families stranded.
- Alpharetta, GA, USA
No start issue. Battery and alternator good. Wont start after it's been driven for about 1 hour. When you turn car off it won't start until it cools down. I have not been able to go anywhere because it won't start when I come out of store St shop again. New starter put in and won't start. They are going to keep looking
- Manchester, NY, USA
Ignition switch was said to be the issue with my car and there was a recall for years 2005-2010.ignition switch safety issue. Starter motor is good. Battery is good. Alternator is good. Will not crank or start.
- Baltimore, MD, USA
I bought a used 2009 Chevy Cobalt 2 years ago in 2017 with 119K miles. It has been nothing but a headache with things going wrong! the biggest issue is the code P2135 that sends the car into reduced engine power and the engine shakes violently. This is very scary especiallywith 3 young boys in the car with me. I have replaced the entire throttle body, ECM, accelerator pedal assembly with new sensor, crankshaft positioning sensor, camshaft sensors, spark plugs and spark plug wires. After all these things I am out of ideas onwhy this keeps happening in but all those new parts have not fixed the problem that keeps occurring. Please tell me there is a recall or you can at least tell me what the problem is. I have read many forums about people with this same issue.
- Blackfoot, ID, USA
The vehicle anti theft light keeps coming on. When this occurs the vehicle jerks in drive, hard to stop, wheel will lose power steering in drive, and all needles will move. The RPM, mph, and gas needle continues to fluctuate. The gas needle will indicate low fuel when fuel is present. I can never know what speed I'm doing. The vehicle flashes power steering digitally. The car will shut off in mid drive! taken to many mechanics including dave gill Chevrolet and no one fully diagnosed the issue!
- Garfield Hts., OH, USA
Hello, I have a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. It was running okay. I went to the store for some dog food. Parked the car, came back to go back home and the key 🔑 in the ignition would not turn. It was locked or jammed, don't know. Key would not turn in the ignition switch to turn the car on!!! I went to the internet and found that there was a recall from General Motors on my 2009 Chevy Cobalt. I found a NHTSA campaign id# 14V171000 that shows the recall for my car. It describes an ignition switch recall. I called the chuck nash Chevrolet where I bought the car and they told me that they had repaired the recall. Apparently they repaired it with a defective ignition-switch or not at all. The recall states that some vehicles were repaired with defective or used parts. Mary barra, General Motors CEO stated that all affected recall vehicles would be repaired up to customer safety standards. I really need your help in this matter. This car is my only means of transportation. Thanks. God bless.
- Maxwell, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel spontaneously failed to turn and seized. In addition, the tire pressure monitoring indicator illuminated and the remaining instrument cluster warning indicators were inoperable. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 152,000.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle did not start and spilled fuel without warning. The vehicle was towed to scenic Chevrolet (864-622-2555, located at 3449 blue ridge blvd, West union, SC 29696) where it was stated that the repairs for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) could not be performed due to corroded fuel lines. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
- Central, SC, USA
After driving car approximately 4 miles on county roads, at 25-35mph. I arrive at my destination, stop, shift into park, and reach to turn key off. I am unable to move key from the run position, and/or remove the key. So my car is sitting there running and I am unable to turn off the engine. After nearly 10 minutes trying to turn the key back to off while jiggling the key and the steering wheel, and shifting the gear shift down and back to park several times, I am unable to regain control of the ignition switch and key. I resort to pulling a fuse underhood to kill the engine.
- Berry, AL, USA
Wiring harness in driver's side front door creates an electrical short that disables side impact sensors/airbags. Symptoms match exactly the an existing recall (15V500000) that lists only the 2010 model year as being affected. The disabling of the airbag happens every time the driver's side window is rolled down. This occurs when driving and stationary.
- Vienna, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was no safety pre-inspection sticker when the vehicle was purchased from del Chevrolet (1644 lancaster ave, paoli, pa 19301, (484) 324-4265). As a result, the vehicle failed inspection. The inspection shop informed the contact that the battery needed replacement, the vehicle needed an alignment, four new tires, and a new lower control arm and ball joint. In addition, the vehicle stalled on more than once occasion. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V171000 (electrical system, 14E021000 (electrical system), and 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
- Broomall, PA, USA
The ignition switch won't turn on and sometimes won't turn off its very loose once you do get it on and now won't turn over at all
- Owasso, OK, USA
This has happened twice, my car wont start and the anti theft on the dash comes on but there's nothing on to kill the battery. Also sometimes while driving my service air bag light comes on but goes off right after. Last thing is my power locks would go crazy just locking and unlocking either when the car was off or in motion.
- Prescott, AZ, USA
Electromagnetic meter (emf meter for both wireless & non-wireless forms of electrical radiation) used to measure electrical radiation levels read high levels of radiation that the meter felt was over-the-limit only when powering the vehicle on buy turning the key (with a battery & gas in the vehicle). The increase of electrical power seems to be the cause of the meter increasing. There are many wires that were under the seat that are setting off the meter when held within 12 inches of it (in the area the driver & passenger would sit - on the seat). Perhaps, a recall and electromagnetic shielding needs to be added in the area where the passengers and drivers sit.
- Vienna, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The consumer stated upon entering the vehicle the anti-theft indicator was illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, it failed to start. The dealer (jim taylor Chevrolet located at 139 grimshaw St, rayville, la 71269; (318) 728-6550) was contacted and confirmed that the contact had to pay for the repair since the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-222-1020 and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 08/16/17 the consumer stated initially asked was there a recall on the ignition switch. The consumer also stated the diagnosis was the shift solenoid, which was replaced on 8/8/17 and 8/10/17 but this is still a recurring problem. The consumer stated the vehicle is back in the shop and the mechanic is saying its an electrical issue.
- Bastrop, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled and the low fuel sensor indicator illuminated. The contact stated that she had 50 miles to go until the fuel tank was empty. The contact had someone come to her location to replace the ECM/trans fuse, which allowed the vehicle to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in any open recalls per case number: 8-2926645326. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Eps motor has failed, I see some recalls on this why not mine. This seems to be a big problem with the Cobalt so I don't understand why mine is not in the recall. I was driving when this happened.
- Yucaipa, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed and the power steering indicator illuminated. In addition, the speedometer, RPM, and fuel gauges randomly moved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 71,250.
- Dixon, MO, USA
- Vienna, OH, USA