MYRModel Year Report

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

▲ Better than typical
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cobalt Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 2000: 1 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1649 complaints 2006: 2330 complaints 2006 2007: 1564 complaints 2008: 843 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 2010: 573 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2016: 1 complaints 2017: 1 complaints 2017
2009: 710 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
20022
20051649
20062330
20071564
2008843
2009710
2010573
20112
20121
20161
20171

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 32%

32% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 226 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20121219

STEERING 27%

27% of complaints: steering — 194 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 131 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 69 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20241221

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, 20241204

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, 20171112

ENGINE 5%

5% of complaints: engine — 39 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20171112

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20090315 — power train

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 C

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 EXPE

Campaign 09V073000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100127 — PE (closed 20100719)

Electric Power Steering Failure

R 20100329 — steering

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 O

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 LOCATED

Campaign 10V073000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20101118 — AQ (closed 20151228)

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

R 20130101 — fuel system, gasoline

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 20

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 r

Campaign 12V459000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140404 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — electrical system

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...

Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — air bags, electrical system

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.

Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20200705 — PE (closed 20230817)

Fuel Line Leak

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (226 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (194 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (131 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 09V073000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V073000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2008 ◆ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ◆ 2005 ◆ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.