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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-CHEVROLET-COBALTNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Chevrolet
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt has 582 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 3 active recall campaigns.
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt has 582 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 241 complaints, typically surfacing around 62,421 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Cobalt?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Steering: 241 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–74,000 mi
Electrical system: 82 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,493–83,000 mi
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 241 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,421 mi · ~$700 to fix
electrical — 82 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,563 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 42 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,756 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
fuel system — 22 owner reports
· tends to show around 116,307 mi · ~$1,200 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 62,421 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2010 Cobalt· steering
I purchased the vehicle in february 2010 and I didn't start noticing problems till around summer but they were not that bad till september were the car started showing strange electrical and steering issue. I received the recall letter in october and had the power steering issue…
Power steering failure. Car is out of warranty (20,000 miles) contacted Chevrolet who says part already replaced under recall (april 2010). This part has failed for a second time! Manufacturer of this exact part has had recalls with Toyota (2012) as well. Critical safety…
While I was driving the power steering thing comes on thinking it needed fluid I stopped to check there was none and it was hard to drive I made it back home checking the internet I found that there was a recall for the car I was driving so I found this site that's why am…
Had a problem with your 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010
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.
Fix: 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.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 Pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering
If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 582 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 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.
Should you avoid the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Steering: 241 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–74,000 mi; Electrical system: 82 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 30,493–83,000 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 241 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,421 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 582 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 62,421 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 241 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 62,421 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 62,756 miles. 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 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 582 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Chevrolet/Cobalt.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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