MYRModel Year Report

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

▲ Better than typical
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
710
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel/propulsion system

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints 2006: 2,330 complaints 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints 2008: 845 complaints 2009: 710 complaints 2009 710 2010: 574 complaints 2011: 2 complaints 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2017
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints 2005 2006: 2,330 complaints 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints 2007 2008: 845 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 710 2010: 574 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2017
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints 2005 2006: 2,330 complaints 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints 2007 2008: 845 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 710 2010: 574 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2017

2009: 710 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
20022
20051,649
20062,330
20071,564
2008845
2009710
2010574
20112
20121
20161
20171

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel/propulsion system

32% · 226 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently stalled after starting. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the fuel pump assembly was cracked, and the wires were burned.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-19

Steering

30% · 210 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and column.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Electrical system

22% · 156 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Air bags

10% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-21

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-12-04

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Takata recall my vehicle was hit head on I have pictures of the airbag and my head impacting top windshield insurance settle net me 3750.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-12

Also filed under Engine and structure

Engine

5% · 39 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2009-03-15Power train09V073000 General Motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac G5, G6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2010-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-07-19 Electric Power Steering Failure
  3. R
    2010-03-29Steering10V073000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
  5. R
    2013-01-01Fuel system, gasoline12V459000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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.

    Remedy: 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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2020-07-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2023-08-17 Fuel Line Leak

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel/propulsion system: 226 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 210 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 156 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V073000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V073000 · Steering
  • Recall 12V459000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.