2009 Chevrolet COBALT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
710 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
74,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 568 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 226 of 710 complaints (31.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 219 | 30.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 132 | 18.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 77 | 10.8% |
| Braking behavior | 53 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 44 | 6.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 226 |
| Steering | 194 |
| Electrical System | 131 |
| Air Bags | 69 |
| Engine | 39 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Power Train | 22 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 226; Steering: 194; Electrical System: 131; Air Bags: 69; Engine: 39; Fuel System, Gasoline: 28; Unknown Or Other: 23; Power Train: 22
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 81 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 95 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 110 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 103 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 131 |
| 150,000 and above | 48 |
Under 25,000: 81; 25,000 to 49,999: 95; 50,000 to 74,999: 110; 75,000 to 99,999: 103; 100,000 to 149,999: 131; 150,000 and above: 48
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (131). 142 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 12 |
| 2010 | 47 |
| 2011 | 41 |
| 2012 | 46 |
| 2013 | 40 |
| 2014 | 128 |
| 2015 | 56 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 44 |
| 2018 | 71 |
| 2019 | 43 |
| 2020 | 60 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 2; 2009: 12; 2010: 47; 2011: 41; 2012: 46; 2013: 40; 2014: 128; 2015: 56; 2016: 47; 2017: 44; 2018: 71; 2019: 43; 2020: 60; 2021: 33; 2022: 20; 2023: 11; 2024: 6; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 219 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 132 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 77 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10284026 · 2009-09-15 (September 15, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT LOSS CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS FORCED SHUT THE ENGINE OFF SO THAT IT COULD RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650.
Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286931 · 2009-10-09 (October 9, 2009)
MY CAR WOULD CHIME FOR ME TO LOOK AT INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE THAT THE "AIRBAGS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED".IT WOULD GIVE ME THIS MESSAGE EVERY 15 MINS. FOR THE HOUR DRIVE I WAS ON THE ROAD. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALER & SET UP AN APPOINTMENT. THAT AFTERNOON WHEN THEY WERE DONE WITH MY CAR I WAS TOLD THAT THE MECHANIC HAD ALREADY SEEN THIS A FEW TIMES & KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. MY PRINT OUT FROM SERVICE READS "DIAGNOSTIC CODE #B0012 STORED IN SYSTEM TEST CIRCUIT, MODULE SHORTING OUT UNDER STEERING WHEEL , REPLACED SIR COIL & REPAIR CIRCUIT.* MY…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378471 · 2011-01-24 (January 24, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10424756 · 2011-09-12 (September 12, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WOULD FAIL TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVE FROM IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279060 · 2009-08-01 (August 1, 2009)
NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, I SEE THIS AS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT WITH BATTERY INSTALLED IN THE TRUNK. THE BATTERY VENT TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE TOP OF THE BATTERY BY A PLASTIC ELBOW, A PLASTIC VENT TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE MALE NIPPLE ON THE ELBOW. THE PLASTIC VENT TUBE INSIDE DIAMETER APPEARS TO BE TOO SMALL INSIDE DIAMETER FOR THE MALE NIPPLE. THE PLASTIC VENT TUBE IS SPLIT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO MY BATTERY WHERE IT IS PUSHED ONTO THE MALE NIPPLE WHICH WILL ALLOW THE VENTED HYDROGEN GAS TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361530 · 2010-10-21 (October 21, 2010)
2009 CHEVY COBALT. OVER PAST 6 MONTHS, ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS: IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I HAD TO SELECT IGN SWITCH ON/OFF SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ENGINE WOULD SWITCH OFF AND I COULD REMOVE KEY. SEPT 21 PARKED AT HOTEL TO CHECK IN. RETURNED TO CAR- STARTED NORMALLY. I PARKED CAR AT ROOM IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN OFF. KEY JAMMED IN IGNITION. I HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY TO SHUT OFF CAR. UPON RETURN HOME CAR TAKEN TO DEALER-IGNITION SWITCH,COLLAR AND KEY REMOVED/REPLACED. DEALER SERVICE MGR STATED HAD SEVERAL OF THESE AND MECHANIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275873 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DUPLICATED THE FAILURE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. HE WAITED TWO WEEKS FOR A CLAIM PERSON TO CALL HIM BACK. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST GO THROUGH HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DI…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275873 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10287403 · 2009-10-14 (October 14, 2009)
2009 COBALT SS. THE INNER REAR BRAKE PADS ARE COMPLETELY GONE WHILE THE OUTER BRAKE PADS STILL HAVE OVER 80% LIFE LEFT ON IT. BROUGHT THE CAR TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVY AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. THE CAR HAS 23K MILES ON IT, JUST ABOUT ALL OF THAT IS HIGH WAY MILES. I DRIVE THE CAR NORMAL AND DO NO ABUSE IT. ALSO WANT TO STATE THAT THE FRONT BRAKES STILL HAVE OVER 50% LIFE LEFT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290030 · 2009-10-27 (October 27, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE STEERING COMPONENT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 440. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WOULD BIND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL P…
Owner-reported narrative. 145 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317211 · 2010-03-05 (March 5, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED A JERKING MOTION. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STEERED OUT OF CONTROL TRAVELING THROUGH BUSHES AND CRASHED INTO SEVERAL TREES. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES TO THE HEAD, RIGHT LEG AND LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTS SYSTEM). TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316890 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE MUFFLER FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2010, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE LEFT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGH…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373166 · 2010-12-28 (December 28, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANS COOLER LINE THAT CONNECTED TO THE RADIATOR WAS NOT PROPERLY CONNECTED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK FROM A PREVIOUS REPAIR DONE AT AN UNAUTHORIZED REPAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373166 at NHTSA ↗