Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2009)

900 consumer complaints on file.

#10405788June 9, 2011
PARKING BRAKE
I BROUGHT MY 2009 COBALT SS INTO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, 20K MILEAGE CHECK. IT HAS A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY REAR ROTORS WERE SCORED BADLY POSSIBLY FROM THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING ON WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE SURFACE WAS TOO FAR GONE TO TURN THEM. I'M THE ONLY PERSON THAT DRIVES THE CAR AND I KNOW I DON'T DRIVE WITH THE E-BRAKE ON, NOT EVEN ONCE. HOWEVER, I DO PULL THE E-BRAKE WHEN I PARK MY CAR WITH THE TRANS IN GEAR. LET ME SAY ALSO I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR HARD LIKE RACING OR DRIFTING. I DID PULL THE TIRE AND ROTOR FROM THE LEFT REAR TO FIND THAT THE INNER ROTOR SURFACE WAS INDEED SCORED BADLY WITHIN 3/4-INCH OF THE OUTER ROTOR DIAMETER. THE OUTER ROTOR SURFACE WAS CLEAN AND SMOOTH. THE OUTER BRAKE PAD LOOKED LIKE IT HAD 2X THE MATERIAL LEFT VERSUS THE INNER PAD. I DID NOT PULL THE RIGHT SIDE ROTOR YET. (MY NEW BRAKE ROTOR ORDER GOT FOULED UP. STILL WAITING.) LIKE MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED, MY CAR HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 21K MILES ON IT SO WHY SHOULD IT NEED REAR BRAKES SO QUICKLY? MOST OF THE WEAR SHOULD BE ON THE FRONT BRAKES DUE TO WEIGHT AND MOMENTUM DURING BRAKING. SOMETHING DOESN'T ADD UP. WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN WITH THE NEW ROTORS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405385June 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE WAS BEING REPLACED WITH A REBUILT ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405343June 6, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT FORCE; HOWEVER, HE WAS ALSO UNABLE TO TURN IT BACK TO THE LEFT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SUFFERED CONTUSIONS AND BACK PAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10403777May 31, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I WENT TO SHUT OFF MY CAR SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 28TH AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY HAD TO REMOVE BATTERY CABLE TO SHUT CAR OFF. DEALER FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEM . APPARENTLY AT LEAST 200$ SOLUTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER FOLKS ALSO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403634May 28, 2011
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I BOUGHT A 2009 CHEVY COBALT IN DEC. 2010 IN FEB. 2011 I WENT TO TURN MY CAR ON THE BATTERY HAD DIED AT THAT TIME I TRIED TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AN IT WAS STUCK. A PERSONAL MECHANIC CAME AN PRESSED THE RELEASE BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN A MONTH A LATER I GO TO GET IN MY CAR AN TURN IT ON THE KEY IS IN BUT THE IGNITION WON'T TURN OVER AGAIN THE MECHANIC COMES AN RELEASES IT. NOW TWO DAYS AGO I GET INTO MY CAR TURN IT ON AN I STOP AT A STORE AN GO TO TURN OFF THE CAR THE KEY IS TURNED COMPLETELY BACK AND WON'T BUDGE SO I HAD TO PUMP GAS WITH MY CAR ON ANYTIME I WENT INTO A STORE HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR RUNNING WHEN I GOT HOME I CALLED MY MECHANIC I TOOK THE CAR TO HIM AN HE SAID THE KEY MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HE SHOWED ME A WAY TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AN OFF UNDER THE COLUMN BUT THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WANT ME TO PAY THE 99 DOLLAR DIAGNOSTIC WHICH I DON'T HAVE BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO LIVING CHECK TO CHECK SO I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM ALL THEY COULD TELL ME WAS THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE AN SHE WILL CALL ME BACK IN A WEEK TO SEE IF I DECIDED TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC DONE ON THE CAR NOW WHEN I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO RECALL THE ISSUE I DON'T FEEL THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR AN BEING THE KEY WON'T COME OUT THE IGNITION I CANT LOCK MY DOORS ANYONE CAN COME AN TAKE WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY WANT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403098May 19, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COULD NOT SHUT CAR OFF WHEN PARKED. THE KEY WOULD NOT MOVE LOCK TO SHUT CAR OFF. COULD MOVE KEY FORWARD (TO START), BUT COULD NOT MOVE TO OFF. IMMEDIATELY DROVE CAR TO DEALER. DEALER TOLD ME THEY HAD TO DISCONNECT BATTERY (WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING) TO SHUT OF THE CAR THEN PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE REMARKS ON DEALER REPAIR INVOICE WERE " REPLACED IGNITION CYLINDER DUE TO THE KEY GETTING STUCK IN THE HOUSING AND THE CYLINDER BLOWING UP". NOTE THAT I CONSIDER NOT BEING ABLE TO SHUT OFF A RUNNING CAR EXTREMELY UNSAFE! IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENS LIKE THROTTLE STICKING ETC. (DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY HISTORY OF THROTTLE STICKING ON THIS MODEL YET). ALSO, GENERALLY IT IS BAD PRACTISE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLE ON A RUNNING ENGINE. THIS MAY AFFECT THE COMPUTER (FUTURE SAFETY ISSUE? OR FUTURE EXPENSIVE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REPAIRS). DOES GM CONDONE THIS PRACTISE AT THEIR DEALERS? DEALER USED MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CHARGED $106.00 FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE TO FIX THIS SAFETY ITEM. I FOUND SIMILAR 2009 COBALT IGNITION ISSUES ON YOUR NHTSA WEBSITE, REF. ODI ID'S 10364046, 10368042, 10361530, 10394051
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401475May 18, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING FROM NEW ORLEANS, LA TO MERIDIAN, MS. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 35 MILES OUTSIDE OF MERIDIAN, MS, MY CAR SHUT OFF AND A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. NONE OF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON TO LET ME KNOW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I HAD THE 2009 CHEVY COBALT TOWED TO THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALER IN MERIDIAN WHO TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND A ROD HAD SLIPPED OUT OF THE ENGINE. THIS TOOK JUST OVER TWO WEEKS TO ORDER THE NEW ENGINE AND REPAIR IT. THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPAIRED, I HAD THE CAR STARTED BUT WHEN I WENT TO TURN IT OFF, THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED TO REMOVE THE KEY BUT IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE FUSES AND BATTERY AND ALLOW THE CAR TO COOL BEFORE HE COULD TOW IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401286May 17, 2011
STEERING
MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONE AT NIGHT ON A HWY, WHEN SHE SAID HER STEERING LOCKED AND SHE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL, THE CAR VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND SHE CRASHED INTO SOME TREES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THIS CAR WAS IN FOR ITS ELECTRIC STEERING RECALL FEW WEEKS BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10400531May 11, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERABLE AFTER SEVERAL TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON THE NEW ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM. GENERAL MOTORS WAS AWARE OF THE CONDITION AS DISCLOSED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC BULLETIN PROVIDED TO ME AFTER THE THIRD RETURN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. (SEE ATTACHED BULLETIN). I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE SUPPORTING THE STATEMENT PROVIDED IN THE BULLETIN THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION AND NO RESOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED THE DEALER SALESMAN, MANAGEMENT AND TITLE AGENT THE VEHICLE WAS NEEDED FOR DRIVER EDUCATION PURPOSES. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND PUTS STUDENTS IN DANGER WHEN MAKING HARD TURNS, EVASIVE MANEUVERS TO AVOID ACCIDENTS AND PARALLEL PARKING. IN ADDITION, THEY ARE FAILING THE MVA ROAD TEST DUE TO AN INABILITY TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THE SELLING DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THE BULLETIN AND SHOULD HAVE INFORMED ME THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING BECOMES INOPERABLE WHEN THE SYSTEM WARMS-UP. AND TO NOT HAVE A RESOLUTION IS UNCONSCIONABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398079April 28, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY CAR HAS GROOVES BECAUSE OF SUB PAR BRAKE PADS IN REAR AND MY ROTORS WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CHEAP PADS CHEWING DEEP GROOVES ON A 09 COBALT SS WITH 20K. FRONTS HAVE CERAMIC PADS SO NO WEAR AT ALL. MECHANIC SAID THEY USED EXPENSIVE CERAMIC UP FRONT AND CHEAP SEMI METALLIC IN BACK AND NOW THE ONLY FIX IS NEW CERAMIC PADS BUT THE ROTORS ARE TO FAR GONE TO BE RESURFACED. CHEAP GM FACTORY FLAW WHICH SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398016April 27, 2011
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE WAS VEHICLE STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTS SYSTEM) AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,677. UPDATED 06/03/11*BF UPDATED 09/16/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10397466April 26, 2011
PARKING BRAKE
REAR BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO QUICKLY.. I HAVE HAD ONLY 20,000 KM ON IT AND ONE DAY I WAS GOING TO BRING MY KID INTO DAY CARE WITH IT.. PUT ON THE ON HAND BRAKE.. AND THEN MY CAR STARTED TO ROLL BACK WITH MY KID IN IT... ALMOST BRAND NEW CAR.. WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT MY BRAKES WOULD HAVE BEEN ALREADY WORN OUT.. MY KID ALMOST GOTTEN TO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS... NOW AN OTHER THING.. WE HAVE TO PAY NEW PADS EVERY 20,000 KM? THAT IS JUST INSANE.. AGAIN.. I SEE REPETITIVE POST ON HERE WITH COMMENTS THEY HAVE THE INSIDE PAD WORN OUT TO THE METAL AND THE OUTSIDE ONE TO 70%.. I HAVE NEVER CHANGED THE FRONT ONES ONCE YET.. AND THEY ARE STILL AT 65%.. NOW WHERE IS THE LOGIC IN ALL THIS??? FRONT ONES SHOULD BE MORE BADLY HURT THEN THAT.. ALSO THE BACK BRAKES EATS MY ROTORS LIKE CRAZY TOO.. GUESS WHAT MORE MONEY... ARRRGGG.. THIS IS REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I THINK A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE ON THIS.. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394051April 2, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
AFTER SHUTTING OFF MY 2009 CHEVY COBALT I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO RESTART THE CAR. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAVE A NEW IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392567March 23, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS BAD , SEVERE GROVES IN ROTORS . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386176March 2, 2011
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THAT LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,995.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383920February 22, 2011
PARKING BRAKE
PURCHASED THE CAR NEW. AT ABOUT 3,000 MILES I NOTICED SCORING ON THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS. AFTER ABOUT 12,000 MILES MY EMERGENCY BRAKE STARTED FAILING TO HOLD THE CAR ON EVEN THE SLIGHTEST HILL. AT ABOUT 14,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES STARTED TO GRIND. AT THIS POINT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE ROTORS TURNED. ONLY THE INSIDE PADS WERE WORN COMPLETELY DOWN, THE OUTSIDE PADS LOOKED RELATIVELY GOOD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383214February 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE ONCE THE KEY WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO COVER THE REPAIR COSTS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383630February 14, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING A FEW MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR BRAND NEW. NOW, ABOUT 1.5 YEARS LATER, THEY ARE GRINDING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT AND THEIR PERFORMANCE HAS EXTREMELY DECREASED. I FEAR I WILL HAVE TO CHANGE ENTIRE ROTORS AND PADS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OUT OF MY OWN POCKET WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH ON GOOD AFTERMARKET PARTS SINCE THE FACTORY CAN'T PRODUCE GOOD QUALITY OEM PARTS AND GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T GIVE A FLYING ****. I INFORMED MY LOCAL DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY SHRUGGED ME OFF, BUT ONLY AFTER WANTING TO CHARGE ME $60 TO JUST LOOK AT THEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO INSPECT BRAKES THAT ARE FAULTY IN UNDER 2 YEARS, AND 20,000 MILES; AND I ALSO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PAID FOR. APPARENTLY, IT'S JUST MAINLY THE REAR BRAKES THAT ARE THE ISSUE WITH THESE CARS, BUT EVERY OWNER I KNOW, WHO HASN'T ALREADY REPLACED THE BRAKES WITH AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE PARTS, HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, AND IN SOME CASES, MUCH WORSE. IF THE BRAKES FAIL WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR TWO AND AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS(QUITE POSSIBLE SINCE RUST IS APPEARING ON ONE OF MY REAR RIMS DUE TO THE ROTORS BEING SCOURED SO EXCESSIVELY, I FEAR ONE OF THEM MAY LET GO AND SNAP COMPLETELY OFF)BEFORE EITHER A RECALL, OR I PUT AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS ON, GM WILL BE FACING A LAWSUIT BY YOURS TRULY; ESPECIALLY IF SERIOUS INJURY OCCURS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381662February 12, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS. I BOUGHT IT IN MARCH 09. THE VERY FIRST COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAD A CRACKED TURBO COOLER AND HAD TO HAVE SOMETHING ELSE MAJOR REPLACED. THEN AFTER 24K MILES, I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED. NOW AT 31K MILES, MY SRV BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHT IS COMING ON. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE BRAKES ON MY CAR??? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380858February 5, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES ON MY 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS ARE [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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