Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2009)

900 consumer complaints on file.

#10460885June 7, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, PARKING BRAKE
NOTICED PARKING BRAKE NOT HOLDING ANYMORE. THEN CHECKED REAR BRAKES AND FOUND REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER BRAKE PAD (NOT THE OUTER PAD) COMPLETELY WORN OUT....ALL OTHER PADS ON CAR HAVE ATLEAST 70% PAD LEFT. NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE WITH NOT BEING DRIVEN IN ANY WINTERS. HOPE THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS! MAY BE PROPORTION VALVE DESIGN PROBLEM? *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459978May 29, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
MY SON WAS DRIVING TO WORK, HE WAS HEADING DOWN A LONG WINDING ROAD WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES HAD SUDDENLY FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO TO THE FLOOR; IT WAS STUCK AND UNABLE TO MOVE. HE DESCRIBED THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO STALL AND CONTINUE TO DRIFT DOWN THE HILL WITH NO ABILITY TO STOP, GRADUALLY PICKING UP SPEED. HE GOT IN THE CURB LANE AND CONTINUED STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE SAFEST PLACE TO CRASH, AS THIS WAS HIS ONLY OPTION BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO SLOW TO A STOP. IN THE MIDDLE OF MORNING RUSH HOUR, HE WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY CROSS OPPOSING LANES OF TRAFFIC AND CRASH HEAD-ON INTO A HILLSIDE IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN, DAMAGING THE FRAME BEYOND REPAIR. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WHICH RESULTED IN BRUISING OF THE CHEST. HE DID NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS, AND DID NOT ACQUIRE ANY CUTS OR SCRATCHES. HE DID REQUIRE TRANSPORTATION TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, AND WAS STRAPPED TO A BACKBOARD AND PUT IN A NECKBRACE. AT THE HOSPITAL, HE WAS GIVEN A CHEST X-RAY AND AN EXAMINATION, WHICH DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS BROKEN OR FRACTURED. HE DID SUFFER MICRO TEARS IN THE MUSCLES OF HIS BACK DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH, AND A BRUISED CHEST AS A RESULT OF THE SEATBELT AND AIRBAG. NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE MISSED WORK THAT DAY AND THE NEXT THREE WEEKS OF WORK WHILE RECOVERING. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10458863May 17, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458043May 10, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED DURING OR AFTER THE FAILURES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION AFTER ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO MOMENTARILY REST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457681May 7, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, A PASSENGER HAPHAZARDLY STRUCK THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD FROM THE RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER AT A LATER DATE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 6/12/12 *CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457360May 3, 2012
STRUCTURE
WATER IS LEAKING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE LEAK IS LOOKS LIKE ITS COMING FROM BLOWER HEATER WHEN THE A/C IS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456839April 30, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DID NOT LAST. MY BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING WAY EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456430April 25, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED.THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED THREE MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455627April 18, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER BEING INFORMED BY NEIGHBORS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ALL NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE COMPUTER SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455417April 16, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AND PUTTING THE PARKING THE CAR IN ITS SPOT, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE TURN OFF THE CAR. WHEN YOU TRIED TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND IT CONTINUE TO RUN. THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WAS NOT ABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE WERE FINALLY ABOUT TO GET THE CAR OFF BUT WE COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (VOSS CHEVROLET) SO THAT IT CAN BE FIXED. WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD HAVE TO CALL GM TO AUTHORIZED PAYMENT. THE TECHNICIAN (JAMES) SAID HE WOULD CONTACT GM REPRESENTATIVE, MIKE (1-866-790-5700), OPENED A CASE NUMBER #711054174869 AND TURN THE CASE OVER TO JAMEELAH (EXT:41241) ON 04/02/2012. SHE WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL AND WOULD NOT GET BACK WITH ME AND I HAD TO KEEP CALLING HER SINCE SHE DID NOT CALL ME. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEY HEARD FROM GM, SO WE HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I FINALLY CONTACTED HER SUPERVISOR, HEATHER (X21146), ON 04/16/2012 BECAUSE I WAS NOT GETTING ANY HELP FROM JAMEELAH. JAMEELAH WOULD SAYS WILL LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK WITH ME. WHEN I TALKED TO HEATHER, HEATHER SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON 2009 COBALT WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING GM COULD DO FOR US. I DID NOT LIKE THIS ANSWER SO I FOUND YOUR SITE AND I TALKED TO ONE OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND SHE TOLD ME TO FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2009 COBALT FOR THIS PROBLEM. ( RECALL #10256 IGNITION CYLINDER ). THIS RECALL IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 01/31/2013. I FEEL THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2009 COBALTS SINCE I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS DOCUMENTED IN RECALL #10256 IGNITION CYLINDER . I WOULD LIKE YOUR COMPANY TO LOOK INTO THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP, YOU CAN PROVIDE ME. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454808April 11, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452750March 23, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER: CAN NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF OR REMOVE THE KEY, THE KEY STICKS IN THE IGNITION. COST $323 DOLLARS TO REPLACE ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. MULTIPLE REPORTS FROM 2009 COBALT OWNERS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS, OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10452315March 19, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS SIDE MARKER COVER CAME OFF ON BOTH HEADLAMPS NOT AT THE SAME TIME SHORT TIME AFTER THE FIRST ONE THEN THE RIGHT SIDE CAME OFF CAUSES GLARE. POWER LOCKS DO NOT FUNCTION ANY MORE WITH BUTTONS ONLY FUNCTION WITH GEAR SHIFTER SOMETIMES LOCKS WILL GO LOCK TO UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES MULTIPLE TIMES WITH OR WITH NOT DRIVING THE CAR. CONTACTED GM AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT RECALLED ON MY YEAR BUT THEY ARE FOR THE 2005'S. OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM FROM THEN. I WILL NOT BY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT EVER. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451975March 16, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL OPERATION JUST GOT INTO CAR MOVED IT INTO THE GARAGE AND WOULDN'T LET THE KEY COME OUT OF THE ON POSITION. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND I WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. PRIOR TO PROBLEM THERE WAS NO WARNING NO STICKING NO FEELING OF A MALFUNCTION OF ANY SORT. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL SINCE MY CAR IS A 2009 AND ONLY 3 YEARS OLD THE IGNITION GOES OUT BUT WORST OF ALL IT GOES OUT IN THE ON POSITION IT IS A VERY HAZARDOUS AND UNSAFE WAY TO FAIL. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE CLOSELY LOOKED AT PLEASE. PLUS IT IS VERY COSTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451255March 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION. CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY (WHILE CAR IS RUNNING) TO TURN OFF. ALTHOUGH SUPPORT BULLETIN 10256 REFERENCES THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH 2009 COBALTS, GM AND DEALER ARE SAYING THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS AND I HAVE TO PAY TO GET FIXED. THE SUPPORT BULLETIN SAYS DEALERS FIX AT NO COST THROUGH JANUARY OF 2013. BUT...MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SUPPORT BULLETIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HAVING TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AND DAMAGE THAT MAY BE CAUSED TO OTHER EQUIPMENT BECAUSE OF CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. I SEE SO MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE WITH SOME PEOPLE HAVING ISSUE. HOW DO WE GET THE LIST OF VIN'S UPDATED. HOW DO WE GET THE WORD OUT TO CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT A KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION IS A COMMON PROBLEM. GM DID COMPROMISE WITH ME WITH MY DEDUCTIBLE BUT I HONESTLY THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451275March 12, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ON MY CAR AT AROUND 28,000 MILES. AS SOON AS I GOT THE NEW ONES INSTALLED THEY STILL ARE TERRIBLE, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WOULD BE SUCH BRAKES THAT FAIL SO EARLY AND COULD CAUSE HARM TO PEOPLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE BRAKES, THEY ARE ENTIRELY TOO UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451271March 12, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION SWITCH STUCK ON. HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY AND STALL CAR. FOUND RECALL # 10256 AND CALLED DEALER, DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO RECALL NOTICE. DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR SOMEONE THAT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DISABLE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450550March 6, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING SHAFT AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10450282March 5, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE KEY HAD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE BATTERY TO DIE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449391February 26, 2012
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NOTICE VERY BAD GAS SMELL AFTER ON THE WAY BACK FROM THE STORE HEADING HOME ENGINE WAS HEISTING REALLY BAD. PARKED THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT TURNED OFF THE CAR ASAP. LOOKED UNDER NEATH THE CAR AND SAW FUEL LEAKING I JACKED THE CAR UP WITH THE JACK. I SAW FUEL COMING OUT FROM ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. I CHECK OUT THE FUEL LINES AND NOTICE ONE WAS CRACKED. HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TOMORROW 2/27/12 TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP. HAS LESS THEN 80,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Cobalt