VehicleVerdict

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 916 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 458.0 times the median Cobalt year — the 2009 model ranks #5 of 13 Cobalt years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 10 deaths and 54 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 262 reports (29% of the total).

916

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

103

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

54

Injuries

10

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Cobalt years?

Cobalt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted3,056 complaints1996: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints2002: 2 complaints2005: 2,231 complaints2006: 3,056 complaints2007: 2,001 complaints2008: 1,102 complaints2009: 916 complaints2010: 794 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 1 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints
Cobalt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cobalt years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System26229%
Steering21023%
Electrical System16818%
Airbags738%
Engine526%
Transmission293%
Other243%
Brakes202%
Tires & Wheels172%
Body & Structure152%
Speed Control142%
Suspension101%
Lighting91%
Latches & Locks61%
Visibility & Wipers51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14E021000Electrical SystemApril 30, 2014 · 14,529 units

Defect

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 use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

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. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

14V171000Electrical SystemApril 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 units

Defect

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. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

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 necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

12V459000Fuel SystemSeptember 19, 2012 · 49,768 units

Defect

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 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Consequence

Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

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 repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

10V073000SteeringMarch 3, 2010 · 1,050,889 units

Defect

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 OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence

IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

09V073000TransmissionMarch 6, 2009 · 276,729 units

Defect

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 COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

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 EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING HARNESS MELTED, WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO BECOME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 7, 2017 · fire

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET TO TURN INTO MY PARKING LOT I STARTED TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT WHEN I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DROVE OVER THE CURB OF MY APARTMENT COMPLEX CAUSING MY WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR $1300.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 26, 2014 · crash

DEER HIT CAR WAS VERY DARK 7 AM WITNESS CALLED 911 JACKSON TWP POLICE CAME CAR HAD TO BE TOWED FRONT END OF CAR ALL SMASHED AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF I WAS HYSTERICAL GOD SENT ME AN ANGEL THAT MORNING WITNESS STAYED WITH ME UNTIL POLICE CAME POLICE CALLED FOR TOW TRUCK & MADE REPORT TOTAL COST OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 3, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 8, 2012 · crash

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PARKING CAR AND TURNING VEHICLE OFF PULLING KEY OUT GETS STUCK HAVE TO WIGGLE IT OUT GOT HIT ON DRIVERSIDE FRONT END NO AIRBAGS CAME OUT THE TIME I GOT HIT DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS BECAUSE I TRIED TO STOP AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING WOULDN'T STOP

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 7, 2017 · crash

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt — common questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 916 complaints put the 2009 model at #5 of 13 Cobalt years. It is one of the Cobalt years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Cobalt problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (262 complaints), steering (210 complaints), electrical system (168 complaints).

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years should you avoid?

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

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.