Chevrolet Cobalt recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 7,672 owner complaints for the Chevrolet Cobalt (model years 2000, 2002, 2005–2012, 2016–2017). The most reported problem area is steering (3,885 complaints), followed by electrical system (1,458 complaints). The 2010 model year has the most recalls (5).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 574 | 46 | 7 | |
| 2009 | 5 | 710 | 59 | 7 | |
| 2008 | 4 | 845 | 76 | 14 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 1,564 | 116 | 16 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 2,330 | 164 | 14 | |
| 2005 | 5 | 1,649 | 97 | 12 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2006 (2,330), 2005 (1,649) and 2007 (1,564). Among model years at least two years old, the 2000 has the fewest complaints on file (1).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Chevrolet Cobalt model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,885 | 6 of 12 | |
| Electrical system | 1,458 | 6 of 12 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1,105 | 6 of 12 | |
| Air bags | 608 | 6 of 12 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 462 | 5 of 12 |
Latest 8 of 10 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15V500000 | Aug 10, 2015 | Air bags: side/window | 2010 | 59,474 |
| 14V171000 | Apr 10, 2014 | Electrical system: ignition | 2005–2010 | 2,191,014 |
| 14V153000 | Mar 31, 2014 | Steering: electric power assist system | 2010 | 1,373,177 |
| 14V047000 | Feb 10, 2014 | Air bags | 2005–2010 | 2,190,934 |
| 12V459000 | Sep 19, 2012 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2007–2009 | 49,768 |
| 10V073000 | Mar 3, 2010 | Steering: electric power assist system | 2005–2010 | 1,050,889 |
| 09V419000 | Oct 29, 2009 | Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump | 2006–2007 | 69,139 |
| 09V073000 | Mar 6, 2009 | Power train: automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shift | 2009 | 276,729 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 558 complaints and a fire in 70 complaints; 542 people injured and 48 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.