Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2009)

900 consumer complaints on file.

#11728020March 30, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair; however, the mechanic found a fuel leak and an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,311.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694845October 21, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light was off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,824.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647813March 12, 2025
STEERING
Steering went out while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11631947December 21, 2024
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The air bag never deployed I bought car in 2018 from original owner with car only having 33,000 miles on it and still under warranty til car had 100,000 miles and I hit a deer head on 2 months after getting car which bought in may of 2018 hit the deer in July 2018 . The deer was hit with the front passenger side it broke my headlight n messed my hood up and smashed in the grill little and my air bags never deployed I hit deer at 50 mph , after that had happened I took it in to Chevy dealership and had them look at car cause I told them I hit that deer and air bag never deployed and that my air bag light came on once in awhile and said service air bag . The dealership said they do that sometimes and did something to make light go off that was it my air vag light still comes on and says service air bag . Also ignition switch and fuel smell foul coming from car a lot and is as I speak . My reduce engine power light comes on a lot and have no power to gas pedal n car won’t stay running . I have try to get two recalls fixed back in 2-21 I was having problems with my car back then too special reach called me in Jan of 2021 and told me that there were two recalls on my car ignition switch and fuel module so I informed dealership when I took my car in That next month in feb 21 told them I was informed on 2 active recalls on my car . When they were done with my car later that day I asked them if they fixed the recalls they said no cause it was map sensor so I then made an appt to get recalls fixed when I got there for the recalls to be fixed one of the technicians told me it shows that they were done . I called Chevy and complained about the issue I just had and never had recalls fixed but they must of put it in computer they fixed them So I’ve been really upset that I been trying to get past recalls fixed that are on my car and I get run around and told there isn’t any I know about a past recall on shift selnoid low circuit too that was a past recal
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628768December 4, 2024
AIR BAGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The air bags did not deploy. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle. There was an abnormal sulfur and fuel odor detected. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the MAP sensor needed to be reset. The mechanic reset the air bag light. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the air bag failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609896August 21, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a leak in the fuel lines that is just awful. Constant while driving Many others have experienced as well. Leaves huge puddles of gas
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11591166May 28, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS
OEM headlights had become dim and one could no longer be aimed, so I ordered these replacements through Amazon. I paid $92 to have them installed, and the mechanic let me know that the high beams could not be activated, except by holding the turn signal, making it dangerous to steer. In addition, when the headlights are on they create so much RF, the radio no longer gets most AM or FM stations. The mechanic confirmed, they are wired incorrectly, but did not wish to attempt to rewire them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11585314April 25, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted; however, the auto theft warning light illuminated, and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The contact was able to drive the vehicle however, the locks failed to lock the doors, and there was a clicking sound when the windows failed to roll up or down. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the tank was full however, the next day the fuel tank was empty. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,595.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568329January 28, 2024
STEERING
Loosing power steering
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555972November 20, 2023
STEERING, ENGINE
My car turned off while I was driving and almost caused me to crash into an 18 wheeler. Thank God I turned on my emergency signal and the truck swerved!. I would of died. I was stuck in the middle of the road and luckily some passersby helped me push it into a commercial parking area. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't start. But, when I turn my key into the off position, my car tried starting by itself. It was scary. It was checked by a mechanic, prior to this happening, because the car was hard to start. The mechanic told me to find out if there is a recall. However, I did some research and there was a recall on the ignition switch and fuel pump. The ignition switch was faulty causing the car to turn off while moving and two people died as a result. I entered the VIN # and it didn't show any recalls.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548298October 4, 2023
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after driving to a local store and turning off the vehicle, the contact then returned to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel level sensor circuit and cam shaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533270July 19, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My Cobalt 2009 has gas leaking in front of the back driver's side wheel. This has been report it seems by several people online that I have found. Why can not GM cover this repair in a recall? I've tried to call around for pricing but most garage's won't give me a quote over the phone. The best I got was that this would cost around 2000-3000 for replacement. But it seemed like a shot in the dark on the pricing. I called the local dealership near me in Darian Connecticut, and was told that this was not covered under any recall. Corrosion protection coverage expired in 2019 from GMs site. But why would a fuel line be made of a metal that rust and is near the hot exhaust requiring a heatshield on the pipes? Aftermarket repairs seems to be either Braided Stainless Steel around Nylon, or Some Nickel/Copper Piping using compression fittings that plumbers use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530524July 5, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel leak very strong gas smell
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529392June 28, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated after arriving at his residence, he became aware of a puddle of fuel underneath the vehicle. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529147June 27, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle while driving and while the vehicle was parked. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,816.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528202June 21, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
There is a gas leak an after reviewing online there are several complaints of chevy colbalt 09 owners whos car forms a gas leak on the driver side of the car near back seat. There is a very strong smell of gasoline and seems to be a repeated issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524835June 1, 2023
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that she smelled an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel lines were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel System Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519198April 27, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle is leaking fuel from rusted fuel line near drivers side rear tire. Apparently a common issue with this model with no recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516458April 11, 2023
STEERING
steering is going out. when turning slowly it’s hard to turn it back straight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501782January 14, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2009 Chevy Cobalt, Driving to work Friday January 13 2023, noticed heavy smell of gasoline. parked car and noticed a puddle just in front of the drivers side rear tire. Got it home and did an inspection of the area and discovered a fuel line leak when car is running and line is under pressure. It is a big leak seemingly caused by rust developing on the line because of a heat shield trapping water and debris. This leak is very close to the hot exhaust system. Fire is an obvious possibility. I'm afraid to even drive it to a shop. I plan on having it towed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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