This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags problems
critical 49 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
17crashes
14injuries
2fatalities
What stands out
Owners have filed 49 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
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 ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗14314 - Special Coverage. Certain 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Solstice, Saturn Sky, and 2008-2009 Chevrolet HHR SS vehicles may have a condition in which the steering wheel airbag coil wires to the driver airbag may become chafed on a sharp edge of the steering wheel horn plate. In vehicles with this condition, the airbag indicator lamp may be continuously or intermittently illuminated in the instrument panel cluster, and DTC codes B0012 or B0013 may be stored in the Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system. If this condition is not corrected and a chafed wire were to ground to the horn plate, the driver airbag may not deploy in the event of a vehicle crash. Dealers are to insta
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHEVROLET/PONTIAC/SATURN: TSB CONTAINS AN OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, ON A SHARP EDGE OF STEERING WHEEL HORN PLATE, WILL BECOME CHAFED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG COIL WIRES AND CAUSES AIRBAG NOT TO DEPLOY, IF NOT CORRECTED. MODEL 2008-09 HHR SS, 2009 COBALT, G5, SOLSTICE, SKY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt report a troubling pattern with the airbag system. The most critical issue is failure to deploy in actual crashes—multiple owners describe collisions at 25 to 60 mph where frontal or side airbags never activated, leaving occupants with head and neck injuries from windshield contact and body trauma. One fatal crash at 35 mph resulted in the deaths of the driver and a child in the back seat when side airbags didn't deploy.
The intermittent "Service Airbag" warning light plagues many owners. It flashes on and off at random intervals—sometimes five times in a 20-mile drive—but disappears by the time owners reach a dealer, leaving technicians unable to diagnose. Owners suspect bad connections or wiring shorts but get no resolution. Passenger-side occupant sensors consistently fail to recognize seated passengers, disabling that airbag and illuminating the warning light; one dealership quoted over $1,000 for sensor replacement.
Some Cobalts exhibit the opposite problem: spontaneous deployments while parked or at traffic lights, without any crash event. One owner's curtain airbags deployed while stopped, damaging the headliner; another experienced side airbag deployment simply closing the driver door.
Early narratives describe clock spring coil wires chafing against the steering wheel horn plate, risking failure of the driver airbag. GM issued a recall letter in 2015, but dealers refused repair unless the warning light stayed on continuously—contradicting the recall language stating intermittent light indicates the problem.
Same Chevrolet Cobalt airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Clock spring coil chafing / driver airbag wiring damage
Clock spring coil wires to driver airbag chafe on sharp edge of steering wheel horn plate, risking ground contact and preventing deployment if defect progresses. GM issued recall letter (March 2015) noting intermittent airbag warning light as indicator of condition.
When: Reported in 2015 per GM recall notification
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent airbag warning light on instrument panel; Risk of driver airbag non-deployment if wiring grounds to horn plate
Repairs/costs cited: GM stated repair would be performed at no charge under recall, but dealers refused repair citing continuous light requirement rather than intermittent light
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recall letter (March 2015) advising of condition and free repair; dealers applied informal exclusion criteria not matching recall language
Passenger airbag presence sensor failure
Occupant detection module fails to correctly sense passenger presence, disabling passenger airbag deployment and illuminating service light. One owner reported repair cost over $1,000 at dealership. This defect appears across multiple narratives and online forums per owner reports.
When: Reported at approximately 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on continuously or intermittently; Passenger seat indicator showing no occupant when someone is seated; Passenger airbag disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair quoted over $1,000 for passenger airbag presence sensor replacement
Frontal and side airbag failure to deploy in crashes
Frontal and side/curtain airbags fail to deploy during crashes with sufficient impact force to cause injury or death. Multiple narratives describe crashes at speeds ranging from 25–60 mph where airbags did not activate despite severe damage.
When: Reported at mileages from 33,000 to 134,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on impact despite suitable crash severity; Severe vehicle crush and windshield contact; Passenger door opening independently during crash; Injuries to head, neck, spine, and chest areas from lack of airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles involved in crashes were totaled; post-crash diagnostics inconclusive in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some cases referenced recall campaign 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System); manufacturer investigation noted by some owners
Spontaneous / unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deploy without crash or impact event while vehicle is stationary or moving at low speed. One owner reported curtain airbags deployed while stopped at traffic light in dry conditions, damaging headliner. Another reported side airbag deployed when closing driver-side door.
When: Reported while stationary or at low speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys without impact or crash event; Service airbag light illuminated on dash; Headliner damage from unintended deployment; Passenger struck by deploying airbag
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair completed at no cost in one case; GM investigator read vehicle CDR (crash data recorder) but cause attributed to moisture or other non-mechanical factor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM investigation completed; manufacturer declined to issue recall for unintended deployment incident, classifying it as unusual occurrence
Intermittent airbag warning light / service airbag message
Airbag warning light and 'Service Airbag' message on dashboard illuminates intermittently with no consistent trigger. Light may blink on/off multiple times during short drive or appear every 15 minutes. Dealers unable to diagnose when light is not illuminated at time of visit.
When: Reported at mileages from 35,000 to 96,000 miles; one case noted issue began after recall repair (campaign 14V047000)
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent airbag warning light on instrument panel; Service airbag message on dashboard; Light occurs at all speeds and road conditions (snow, rain, bumpy, smooth); Appears more frequently over time (up to 5 times in 20 miles); Light duration 5–30 seconds per occurrence
Codes mentioned: B0012 (SIR coil test circuit / module shorting under steering wheel)
Repairs/costs cited: One repair involved replacing SIR (supplemental inflatable restraint) coil and repairing circuit; cost over $900 in another case. Dealers often unable to diagnose due to intermittent nature.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case referenced recall 14V047000; GM stated issue is 'bad connection' per dealer; one owner stated GM called repair a 'manufacturing problem' per forum research
Airbag warning light / sensor issues after steering wheel horn plate area
Airbag system malfunction linked to steering wheel horn plate area, with chafed wiring or short circuits causing warning light and potential deployment failure. Related to clock spring coil issue.
When: Reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light intermittent or constant; Service airbag message on dashboard; Short circuit in horn plate area or clock spring
Codes mentioned: B0012
Repairs/costs cited: SIR coil replacement and circuit repair performed; recall 14V047000 referenced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) issued
Passenger seat occupant sensor malfunction
Occupant detection system fails to recognize seated passenger, disabling passenger-side airbags and triggering warning light. Issue noted occurring sporadically when passenger sits or moves in seat.
When: Reported at various mileages; one case noted issue occurred since vehicle purchase as used car
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; Passenger occupancy indicator shows empty seat when passenger present; Passenger airbag disabled / disarmed; Occurs sporadically when seat is moved or passenger enters/exits
Codes mentioned: Passenger airbag presence sensor fault code (specific code not cited in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag presence sensor module replacement required; cost cited as over $1,000
Airbag deployment with excessive force
Airbag deploys with force severe enough to cause injury to occupant, requiring occupant to puncture airbag to avoid suffocation.
When: Reported at 48,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys with excessive force on impact; Occupant required to puncture airbag to avoid suffocation; Airbag then exploded from puncture
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; driver sustained back, neck, and ear injuries requiring medical attention
OnStar / airbag system module disabling during crash
OnStar system module or central 'brains' of the vehicle disabled during crash impact, shutting down airbag system and safety measures. One owner reported OnStar did not call or report crash, and stated crash impact knocked out system that controls airbags.
When: Reported during crash event at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags fail to deploy during crash; OnStar system fails to detect and report crash; Central vehicle module incapacitated by impact
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle sustained $7,200 in damage with engine and radiator pushed back significantly
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
It's a serious issue. 49 complaints have been filed, including 17 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 53,234 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,234; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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/2009/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.