VehicleVerdict

Chevrolet Cobalt years to avoid

The Chevrolet Cobalt years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2017 is the cleanest year on record.

10,109

Total complaints

11

Recall campaigns

1996–2017

Years covered

6

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Cobalt years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2006High complaint rate3,056
2005High complaint rate2,231
2007High complaint rate2,001
2008High complaint rate1,102
2009High complaint rate916
2010High complaint rate794

Every Cobalt year

YearComplaintsRecalls
201710
201610
201210
201120
2010avoid7946
2009avoid9166
2008avoid1,1025
2007avoid2,0016
2006avoid3,0566
2005avoid2,2316
200220
200010
199610

Common questions

What are the worst Chevrolet Cobalt years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Cobalt years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest year on record is 2017.

What is the best year for the Chevrolet Cobalt?

By complaint volume, 2017 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Cobalt years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Cobalt have?

Across all model years, the Cobalt has 11 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 10,109 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.