Should I buy a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt with documented airbags problems?

Walk carefully. Critical-severity airbags issues can mean expensive failures and safety implications. If you proceed, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection, factor full repair cost into your offer, and consider extended warranty coverage that explicitly includes this category.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags problems

critical Owners of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have filed 64 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 67,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

airbags complaints on the Chevrolet Cobalt, by model year
Model year	airbags complaints
2005 Cobalt	28
2006 Cobalt (this page)	64
2007 Cobalt	60
2008 Cobalt	55
2009 Cobalt	49
2010 Cobalt	42

41crashes

36injuries

1fatality

When does it fail?

Of the 64 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.

0-25k

0 (0%)

25-50k

1 (100%)

50-75k

0 (0%)

75-100k

0 (0%)

100-125k

0 (0%)

125-150k

0 (0%)

150k+

0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Cobalt we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 64.

No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 14V047000 February 10, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system

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.

Fix: 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. GMs 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.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin 08-09-41-002H Nov 2016

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 08-09-41-006 Feb 2013

SIR/AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DTC B0081 (PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) CODE) STORED (INSPECT PPS SYSTEM CONNECTORS). UPDATED 5/22/09. UPDATED 4/22/13.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SB-08-09-41-002C Dec 2011

GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SB-09-09-40-003 Aug 2010

CHEVROLET/PONTIAC: SIR/AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DTC B0081 AND PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) CODE 23 STORED (REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND RE-ROUTE WIRE HARNESS). UPDATED 3/4/11.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin SB-09-09-41-003 May 2009

CHEVROLET/PONTIAC: THE SIR/AIRBAG LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE TECHNICIAN MAY FIND DTC B0081 SET.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

2006 Cobalt owners describe numerous airbag failures across real crashes. Owners report impacts severe enough to destroy the vehicle—head-on collisions at 40–60 MPH, side-impact collisions at highway speeds, rollovers, and rear-end hits—yet airbags remained inactive. Occupants sustained injuries (head, face, chest, shoulder, neck, back) consistent with impact to the steering wheel and interior hard surfaces. Insurance adjusters and collision mechanics noted that airbag deployment should have occurred at those impact speeds.

Owners also report persistent airbag warning lights and disabled passenger-side airbags. Some saw the light illuminate at low mileage (under 45,000 miles) and remain on continuously; others experienced intermittent cycling. Dash displays showed passenger airbag "OFF" even when occupied. Replacement costs cited include $850 for an airbag sensor module or a full passenger seat cover ($150+labor) because the switch was woven into the fabric.

A particularly troubling pattern emerged after GM's ignition switch recall: owners brought vehicles in for the mandatory repair, but the airbag warning light came back on afterward. Service invoices documented "no communication from airbag module." Dealers told owners the light was unrelated to the recall and demanded additional payment for diagnosis and repair—despite the recall supposedly addressing electrical issues tied to airbag safety.

Same Chevrolet Cobalt airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009

Failure modes owners describe

Airbags fail to deploy in crashes

Frontal and/or side airbags do not deploy during moderate-to-severe impacts (rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, rollover accidents, side-impact collisions) at speeds ranging from 10 MPH to 60+ MPH. Multiple owners report experiencing impacts severe enough to total the vehicle or cause significant injury, with no airbag deployment and no prior warning lights.

When: During crashes across the vehicle's service life; failures reported at mileages from 4,900 to 180,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during front-end collisions; No airbag deployment during side-impact collisions; No airbag deployment during rollover accidents; Vehicle experiences severe structural damage but airbags remain inactive; Occupants sustain impact injuries (head, face, chest, shoulder, neck, back, leg injuries) consistent with airbag non-deployment; Insurance adjusters and collision mechanics note impact severity should have triggered deployment

Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; vehicles typically totaled after crashes. One narrative mentions insurance unable to determine cause. Owner states car went to collision shop but no diagnostic data provided.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM told one owner they 'missed the sensor' and refused to take responsibility. Dealer stated parts unavailable for recall repairs (NHTSA 14V047000). One owner cited recall NHTSA 14V047000 (Airbags, Electrical System) but was told their VIN not included despite over 2 million Cobalts affected. Multiple owners report manufacturer made no meaningful response or stated 'we can't duplicate it.'

Airbag warning light illuminates; passenger airbag disabled

Service airbag light comes on and stays on or cycles intermittently. Passenger-side airbag shows 'OFF' in dash display despite occupant present. Owners report the light makes clear the airbag will not protect them in a crash.

When: Early in vehicle ownership or at various mileages; one case at 56,000 miles, another under 45,000 miles, others unspecified

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates and remains on continuously; Airbag warning light cycles on and off intermittently for days before disappearing; Beeping sound accompanies warning light; Passenger airbag display shows 'OFF' despite occupant in seat; Dash display shows 'SERVICE AIRBAG' message; Passenger airbag will not activate automatically when occupied

Repairs/costs cited: Airbag sensor module replacement cost cited as $850 before taxes. One owner told passenger seat cover (with integrated switch woven into fabric) must be replaced at $150 plus labor; independent mechanic found wiring harness failure requiring replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refused to cover repair costs under warranty. Recall NHTSA 14V171000 (Electrical System) applied to some vehicles but did not resolve airbag warning on others; one dealer stated ignition switch recall had nothing to do with persisting airbag light. One owner asked for financial help or part supply; GM declined. Dealer told owner passenger airbag light 'was in the sensor and person's weight' caused it.

Airbag module communication failure after ignition switch recall

After dealership completes mandatory ignition switch recall (NHTSA 14V047000), the airbag warning light comes on and remains on. Service invoice documents 'AIR BAG WARNING RELATED TO NO COMMUNICATION FROM AIRBAG MODULE.' Recall completion did not restore airbag functionality.

When: Immediately after ignition switch recall repair

Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag light illuminates after ignition switch recall; Airbag module loses communication with vehicle electronics; Dashboard warning light remains on despite recall completion; Airbag light comes on within days of ignition recall part installation

Repairs/costs cited: Service invoice documents diagnostic finding: 'AIR BAG WARNING RELATED TO NO COMMUNICATION FROM AIRBAG MODULE'. Vehicle returned to owner with unresolved airbag failure.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer completed ignition switch recall but stated airbag light 'wasn't related' to recall work. Mechanic wrote on invoice that communication issue exists but offered no repair solution. Dealer essentially discharged responsibility by claiming unrelated failure.

Airbag burned occupant upon deployment

During a 35 MPH crash, the frontal airbag deployed but the material burned the driver's arm. Airbag appeared as if it might catch fire.

When: At 4,900 miles, during crash at 35 MPH

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag material caused thermal burn to driver's arm upon deployment; Airbag appeared to present fire hazard during deployment

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to body shop for repairs. Police report filed.

Intermittent wiring harness failure causes warning light

Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently on dashboard. Independent mechanic diagnosed wiring harness failure.

When: At approximately 58,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates on instrumental panel on intermittent basis for one month

Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic identified wiring harness failure requiring replacement. Vehicle not repaired as of complaint.

Synthesized from 64 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

airbags · 36,000 mi · filed 12/28/2010

I have had a problem with my 06 cobalt back in early 07 it was under warranty at the 7 times I took it to the dealer for steering concerns. The dealership could not duplicate the hard steering problem or produce computer problem. I was very adamant about this and also got new tires thinking that was the problem. It was not ! I was not aware of any serious problem with the power steering, and was…

Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?

It's a serious issue. 64 complaints have been filed, including 41 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 56 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 30,000 and 100,098 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 100,098. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Chevrolet/Cobalt. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.