MYRModel Year Report

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

▲ Better than typical
2010 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
574
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2010

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

42% 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 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2010: 574 complaints 2010 574 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 2010: 574 complaints 2010 574 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 2010: 574 complaints 2010 574 2011: 2 complaints 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2017

2010: 574 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.

Steering

42% · 243 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My daughter was traveling on a straight road when the steering became difficult. The vehicle went from side to side moving from the right of the road to the left of the road while fighting the wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-14

Also filed under Air bags

On 3/5/10 at about 4PM I was traveling east bound on route 280 near newark exit. I was in the fast lane of a 3 lane highway. The middle lane was empty so I pulled into middle lane.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-03-10

Electrical system

22% · 128 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The brake lights remain on everytime I drive. They are intermittent. They will stay on for long periods of time and then they will turn off only to come back again.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-29

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc) and exterior lighting

Fuel/propulsion system

18% · 101 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I found out about the recall on the 2007-2009 on the corrosion of the gas lines on drivers side rear wheel when I took my car to a chevy dealer and they said its the same thing thats happening to my car.and that they only did the recall on...

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-08

Air bags

13% · 77 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that, while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed during an ice and rainstorm with poor visibility, a vehicle parked sideways in the middle of the roadway suddenly appeared.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-09-03

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 40 MPH when he crashed into the rear of a preceding vehicle and the air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-08

Walked out to the car and the side air bags deployed and now it won't start. No power No accident. Drove it to the driveway and parked it. Now it won't start.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-15

Engine

7% · 38 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. 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 →

  5. R
    2014-07-17Steering14V153000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-09-08Air bags15V500000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sensor's wiring in the driver's door and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 243 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 128 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 101 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V073000 · Steering
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
  • Recall 14V153000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V500000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 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.