VehicleVerdict

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 794 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 397.0 times the median Cobalt year — the 2010 model ranks #6 of 13 Cobalt years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 67 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 243 reports (31% of the total).

794

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

76

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

67

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Cobalt years?

Cobalt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 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, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cobalt years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering24331%
Electrical System14018%
Fuel System12315%
Airbags7610%
Engine425%
Transmission314%
Brakes294%
Other294%
Tires & Wheels162%
Speed Control142%
Body & Structure132%
Seat Belts111%
Lighting101%
Suspension81%
Visibility & Wipers30%
Seats20%
Latches & Locks20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

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

15V500000AirbagsAugust 10, 2015 · 59,474 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an improperly routed Side-Impact Sensor (SIS) wiring harness in the driver side front door. The misrouted wiring harness could cause an electrical short that disables the driver side curtain air bag.

Consequence

A disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.

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. GM's number for this recall is 15075.

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.

14V153000SteeringMarch 31, 2014 · 1,373,177 units

Defect

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. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

Consequence

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 31, 2016 · crash

I TOOK EVASIVE ACTION BY SWERVING TO AVOID COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY CHANGED LANE AND COLLIDED WITH MY VEHICLE. A RESULTS, MY VEHICLE STRUCK A CONCRETE BARRIER WALL OF THE ROADWAY, THEN BURST INTO FLAMES UPON IMPACT. MY VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNT OUT AT A TOTAL LOSS BEFORE FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 4, 2014 · crash · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CONNECTION TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS MELTED. AS A RESULT THE FUEL TANK WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 6, 2015 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD A SEIZURE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 29, 2010 · crash

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT HEADING WEST ON BELL RD. AND 43RD AVE IN PHOENIX ARIZONA. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION. THEN OUT OF NO WHERE I WAS HIT ALMOST HEAD ON BY A 1993 BUICK CAUSING ME HEAD TO HIT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, AND NO AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED TO PREVENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 9, 2013 · crash

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt — common questions

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 794 complaints put the 2010 model at #6 of 13 Cobalt years. It is one of the Cobalt years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Cobalt problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (243 complaints), electrical system (140 complaints), fuel system (123 complaints).

Does the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.