2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Routine

Owners filed 190 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
12,000 milesMedian miles at failure

174 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic128
520
Service Brakes13
000
Parking Brake10
000
Air Bags8
303
Service Brakes, Electric5
000
Fuel/Propulsion System5
000
Electrical System4
000
Service Brakes, Air3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Tires2
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 201976,022 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING THE OTHER DAY AND NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY BACK BRAKES WAS STICKING AND SO I TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE AND THERE WAS NO AIR IN THE BRAKE LINE. I FEEL THE CAUSE OF THIS IS BAD CALIPERS AND SOME OTHERS I HAVE TALKED HAD THE SAME ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2018PA

FUEL LINE RUSTS THROUGH CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT NEXT TO EXHAUST PIPE. HAPPENS TO EVAP LINE AS WELL. POOR DESIGN IN THE HEAT SHIELDING TRAPS MOISTURE WHICH RUSTS THROUGH THE LINE. FUEL LEAKS OUT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, PARKED, MOVING OR NOT. REAR BRAKE CALIPER STICKS OUT FROM USING THE PARKING BRAKE AND PAD STICKS TO ROTOR CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 11, 2018105,000 milesDE

FUEL LINES UNDER THE CAR, DRIVER SIDE REAR STARTED LEAKING FUEL. THE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND FUEL LEAKED PAST THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHERE A POTENTIAL CAR FIRE COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF NOT NOTICED RIGHT AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND OFF WHEN I NOTICED THE STRONG SCENT OF GAS AND SAW A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE CAR. REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED AT PORTER CHEVROLET SERVICE IN NEWARK, DELAWARE. REPAIRS CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE FEED LINE AND FILL LINE. THE ESTIMATE QUOTED WAS $800. REPAIRS ENDED UP COSTING $480.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 1, 201873,000 milesTX

CONNECTOR FEEDING POWER TO THE A/C-HEATER BLOWER MELTED; CAUSED A CRACKLING SOUND, A SMELL, AND THE FAN TO STOP WORKING. THE CONNECTOR MELTED TOGETHER. TO GET A PICTURE OF THE PIN THAT FAILED REQUIRED ME TO BREAK THE CONNECTOR. POWER WAS PRESENT ON THE BROWN WIRE AS SOON AS THE IGNITION IS ON - THE BLOWER DID NOT NEED TO BE OPERATING TO GENERATE HEAT AT THE CONNECTOR. THE WIRE LEADING TO THE CONNECTOR WAS DISCOLORED FROM THE HEAT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 28, 201873,000 milesSD

LEAKING FUEL LINES ABOVE EXHAUST. WHERE THE FUEL LINE COMES DOWN OUT OF THE TANK AND RUNS FORWARD, THERE IS A HOLDER THAT WAS WEARING ON THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED A HOLE AND A LEAK.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 9, 20184,700 milesCA

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT STAY ON ALL THE TIME EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE IT MAY GO OFF BUT IT COMES BACK ON

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 27, 2017122,000 milesNC

THE FUEL LINES THAT ARE WRAPPED IN THE HEAT PROTECTIVE TAPE ON THE DRIVER REAR SIDE JUST AS THEY TURN UP TO GO TO THE FUEL TANK ARE RUSTED OUT BECAUSE THE HEAT SHIELD PROTECTOR HOLDS WATER ON THE FUEL LINES AND NOW MINE ARE RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER THE GROUND BY MY EXHAUST. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED WITH MANY CHEVY PRODUCTS. NOW IT'S GOING TO COST ABOUT $600 TO REPLACE THE LINES. CHEVY IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY WITH THIS DEFECT AND COSTING PEOPLE MONEY AND PUTTING LIVES IN DANGER BY HAVING A LEAK PRONE LINE RIGHT BY THE HOT EXHAUST. PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THIS. I HAD AT LEAST A GALLON SPRAY OUT WHILE DRIVING AND IT CONTINUED TO LEAK WHEN PARKED.

Air Bags
Filed May 12, 201780,000 milesSC

MY AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED RANDOMLY GOING ON AND OFF. I NOTICED THAT IT OFTEN OCCURRED WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE INDICATOR OFTEN INDICATED THAT NO ONE WAS SITTING THERE. THEN AFTER ABOUT A WEEK OF THIS OCCURRING, THE LIGHT AIRBAG REMAINED ON AT ALL TIMES AND THE INDICATOR STATED THAT NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PRESENCE SENSOR AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ADVISED THAT IT WOULD COST OVER $1,000. SO OBVIOUSLY I TOLD THEM THAT I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. I HAVE SEEN AND READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE ON TWO DIFFERENT COBALT FORUMS, THE NHTSA WEBSITE, AND ON VARIOUS OTHER WEB SITES THAT I ACCESSED THROUGH GOOGLE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF CHEVROLET. I AM OBVIOUSLY GOING TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN I GET THE MONEY EVEN WITH OUT A RECALL, BUT I THING THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND I AM WILLING TO LET WHOM EVER USE/LOOK AT MY VEHICLE AS A STARTING POINT. NHTSA OR CHEVROLET PLEASE CONTACT ME SO WE CAN GET THIS PROCESS STARTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. IM NOT SURE ON THE MILEAGE WHEN THIS PROBLEM ORIGINATED A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT, I BELI

Tires
Filed Oct 18, 201668,000 milesIA

MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S PLUS TIRES ARE "CHUNKING" AND HAVE DRY ROT/CRACKING ON THE TREAD. THE TIRES ARE 3 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 20K MILES. THEY HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ROTATED EVERY 6K MILES. MICHELIN WILL NOT ACCEPT A WARRANTY CLAIM, AS THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED BY THE VEHICLE'S PREVIOUS OWNER.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 11, 201677,500 milesNJ

STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM VEHICLE. FUEL DRIPPING FROM BOTTOM OF CAR NEAR FUEL TANK. FOUND FUEL LINES ROTTING AND CAUSING LEAKS ON MULTIPLE SECTIONS STARTING AT THE FUEL TANK UP TO THE ENGINE. PROTECTIVE HEAT WRAP HOLDING MOISTURE AND CAUSING LINES TO ROT.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 2015CA

REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT WAY TOO QUICKLY

Air Bags
Filed Oct 10, 201560,000 milesIA

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR MY PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SPECIFIC CODE IS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL. THEY SAID MY PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDS REPLACED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 201527,000 milesOH

ABOUT THE THIRD TIME THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES WITH IN LESS THAN 30000 MILES. THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD THE CAR. THE PADS WEAR UNEVEN, ONLY THE INTERIOR PAD IS BEING WORN. GM DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO STATE THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE. AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE IS COMPROMISED BY THIS UNEVEN AND PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR BRAKES.

Air Bags
Filed May 19, 201598,000 milesCA

I STARTED MY CAR AND WENT TO TAKE OFF AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS A COUPLE OF INCIDENCES WHERE I HAD A PASSENGER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON TO SERVICE AIRBAG. I'VE READ IN MULTIPLE PLACES WHERE THIS OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD FIX THIS.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 21, 201510,000 milesIL

WHEN I DRIVE THE AIR BAG WARNING GOES ON,AND THE TIRE STRESS GOES ON(WHICH MAKE ME SLOW DOWN WORRIED ! ). I REPLACED THE TIRES COUPLE OF TIMES BUT I STILL GET THOSE WARNING(TIRES STRESS AND AIR BAG). LATELY I ALSO RAN TO PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE. I TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS WERE THEY SAID I SHOULD REPLACE IT FOR 5700$. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 13, 201551,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 5/18/15 CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 4, 201488,000 milesOH

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, REAR ENDED LADY GOING 50 MPH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 8, 201465,666 milesLA

WANTED TO CHANGE OIL; HAD SMELLED GASOLINE FROM TIME TO TIME; CLOSER INSPECTION SHOWED LEAK AT FUEL TANK AREA. COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF INJURY TO FAMILY, INCLUDING TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 3, 201437,000 milesOK

CAR SUDDENLY SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF COOLANT LOSS A DYE AND PRESSURE TEST WAS COMPLETED AND FOUND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK THE NEXT DAY 15 MINUTE COMMUTE AND UPON ARRIVING LOW COOLANT INDICATOR POPPED UP I CHECKED THE DIP STICK TO CONFIRM MY FEAR THAT THE COOLANT WAS ENTERING MY OIL SYSTEM 1-WAY. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 2 WEEKS OF TEARDOWN VERIFIED THE ENGINE HAD NOT SIGNS OF ABUSE AND THE HEAD AND HEADGASKET WAS NOT WARPED OR LEAKING/BLOWN. THE CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY AND GM DECLINED WARRANTY. LUCKILY I HAVE A 3RD PARTY WARRANTY AND THEY AGREED TO COMPLETE THE WORK DUE TO KNOWN ISSUES WITH SAID ENGINE/ SYMPTOMS . GM NOTIFIED ME THEY DID NOT HAVE A ENGINE AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD BE UNTIL OCTOBER BEFORE THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND DENIED TO OFFER RENTAL WHILE I WAITED AFTER A MONTH OF FIGHTING WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY AGREED TO LEND A RENTAL CAR. TO THIS DAY MY CAR SITS IN A LOT ROTTING AWAY. A SHORT GOOGLE SEARCH OF CRACKED LNF ENGINES WILL BRING A HOST OF RESULTS EVEN MAJOR GM AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE COMPANY'S ARE AWARE OF DEFECTIVE CASTINGS OF THE LNF ENGINE .. BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES HTTP://WWW.COBALTSS.NET/FORUMS/DRIVETRAIN-79/CRACKED-BLOCK-2008-2-0-TURBO-62KMI-213316/ HTTP://WWW.COBALTSS.NET/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-SERVICE-MAINTENANCE-69/WHO-HAS-HAD-CRACKED-POROUS-BLOCK-LNF-287721/ *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 31, 201443,000 milesSC

I DRIVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS, MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN I PARKED AT A FRIENDS APARTMENT COMPLEX I APPLIED MY E-BRAKE ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE BRAKE DID NOT HOLD AT ALL. I HAD TO RE PARK MY VEHICLE ON A COMPLETELY FLAT SURFACE AND THEN PLACE IT IN FIRST GEAR. A FEW DAYS LATER I DECIDED TO TEST SOMETHING. SO I PARKED MY CAR ON A FLAT SURFACE AND ENGAGED THE E-BRAKE. THE LEVER WAS ABLE TO BE PULLED ALL THE WAY UP WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. I THEN GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PUSH MY VEHICLE FORWARD WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. I THEN TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FIXED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN BEGAN TO APPLY THE E-BRAKE AND PUT MY CAR IN FIRST GEAR EVERY TIME I PARK. THEN A FEW MONTHS AGO, ABOUT ON 01/05/2014 I EXPERIENCED THE SIMILAR ISSUE. I NOTICED THAT I WAS ABLE TO PULL MY E-BRAKE LEVER ALL THE WAS UP WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. I THEN PARKED MY CAR WITH IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE E-BRAKE ENGAGED AND WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR FORWARD WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PART IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. WHILE LOOKING ONLINE I NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE CABLE GET STRETCHED OUT VERY EASILY AND THAT ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE CABLES IS OFTEN MORE STRETCHED THAN THE OTHER. *TR

20 of 190 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2009
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20109010Routine
2009 — this page190020Routine
200895010Routine

Compare every Cobalt SS year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.