2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt.

20082010
Complaints
916
Crashes
103
Fires
9
Injuries
54
Fatalities
10
Recalls
4

Worst 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1226 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:100,585 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:4
#2194 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:72,721 mi
Crash-related:24
Fires:1
#3131 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:64,749 mi
Crash-related:7
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt.

Fuel System
226
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Avg Miles
100,585
Steering Defects
194
complaints
Crashes
24
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,721
Electrical Faults
131
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
64,749
Airbags
69
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
Avg Miles
80,153
Engine Problems
39
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,961
Gasoline Fuel System
28
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,407
Transmission / Drivetrain
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
71,991
Electrical System:Ignition
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,727
Unintended Acceleration
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
67,611
Body Structure
11
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
71,426
Wheel Issues
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
60,662
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
10
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
22,765
Electronic Stability Control
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
97,616
Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
45,356
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Avg Miles
38,625
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
73,450
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,950
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,057
Headlight/Taillight Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
69,614
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,081
Steering:Column
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
44,372
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
42,864
Fuel Pump
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,482,605 vehicles.

14V171000Electrical System:ignition
~2,191,014 affected

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.

14V047000Airbags · Electrical System:ignition:switch
~2,190,934 affected

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.

12V459000Fuel Pump
~49,768 affected

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. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

10V073000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~1,050,889 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Cobalt Years

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt has 916 NHTSA complaints, 103 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System with 226 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Top reported problems: Fuel System (226 complaints, avg 100,585 mi); Steering Defects (194 complaints, avg 72,721 mi); Electrical Faults (131 complaints, avg 64,749 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 79,308 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt include 103 crash-related reports, 9 fire reports, 54 injuries, and 10 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,482,605 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cobalt reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

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