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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-CHEVROLET-COBALT
2009 · Chevrolet

Chevrolet Cobalt problems

1 safety recall. 900 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
209 reports · avg $700
critical
brakes
162 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
123 reports · avg $850
critical
airbags
49 reports · avg $1,100
critical
fuel system
34 reports · avg $1,200
moderate
engine
28 reports · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
20 reports · avg $2,500
severe
body
8 reports · avg $1,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 Cobalt · steering
2009 CHEVROLET COBALT WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT AND HARD TO STEER
12/30/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164130.0
2009 Cobalt · steering
THE DIC SHOWS THE READING OF EACH TIRE PRESSURE BACKWARDS, FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IS ACTUALLY THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL, AND LEFT FRONT IS ACTUALLY REAR FRONT. ALSO I AM UNABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE LIGHTS TURNS ON BUT THE CAR DOES NOT ENGAGE IN THE SAME SPEED FOR…
12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668977.0
2009 Cobalt · brakes
MY 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS TURBOCHARGED HAS REAR DISC BRAKES THAT ARE WEARING PREMATURELY, SCREECHING/SQUEAKING NOISES ARE OCCURRING. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND I'VE DRIVEN IT FROM ANN ARBOR, MI TO LAKE ORION, MI COUNTLESS TIMES FOR WORK AND SCHOOL. THE FRONT BRAKES…
12/30/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10297590.0
2009 Cobalt · electrical
NO START ISSUE. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR GOOD. WONT START AFTER IT'S BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. WHEN YOU TURN CAR OFF IT WON'T START UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WON'T START WHEN I COME OUT OF STORE ST SHOP AGAIN. NEW STARTER PUT…
12/29/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11385500.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V459000 19/09/2012

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

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 900 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 209 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chevrolet Cobalt has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 900 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Other model years
2010 Cobalt2008 Cobalt2007 Cobalt2006 Cobalt2005 Cobalt
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Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chevrolet. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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