MYRModel Year Report

Chevrolet Cobalt — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 2 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution2 years

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2002: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints, Caution 2006: 2,330 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints, Caution 2008: 845 complaints, Recommended 2009: 710 complaints, Recommended 2010: 574 complaints, Recommended 2011: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2011 2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2014 2016: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2017: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2017 2006 · 2,330
1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1998 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2000 2002: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2004 2005: 1,649 complaints, Caution 2006: 2,330 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints, Caution 2008: 845 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 710 complaints, Recommended 2010: 574 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012 2014 2016: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2016 2017: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2006 · 2,330
1996: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2000 2001 2002: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003 2004 2005: 1,649 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 2,330 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints, Caution 2007 2008: 845 complaints, Recommended 2008 2009: 710 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 574 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2011 2012: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2016 2017: 1 complaint, Not enough data 2017 2006 · 2,330
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2017 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2013–2015 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2012 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2011 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2010 ▲ Recommended 574 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ▲ Recommended 710 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ▲ Recommended 845 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2007 ◆ Caution 1,564 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2006 ■ Avoid 2,330 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2005 ◆ Caution 1,649 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2003–2004 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2002 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
2000 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1997–1999 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1996 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

11

recalls on file across every Chevrolet Cobalt model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

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