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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Cobalt inherited most of the problems from the 2005 and 2006 model years, but toned them down (a bit). Sure, the power steering still fails and the car has a chance of going up in flames due to a cracked fuel tank, but it’s not as prevalent as the older models. At least not yet.

In 2012, the Cobalt was recalled for gas tank fires but only for owners in certain states.

Then in 2014, the 2007 Cobalt was part of a massive GM recall due to a defective ignition switch that could cause the airbags to not deploy during an accident. The problem led to 13 deaths, government investigations and multiple class-action lawsuits.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,702 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems

engine problem

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2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #19

Jul 042018

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car dies unexpectedly when coming to a full stop at traffic lights and stop signs.

- San Marcos, TX, USA

problem #18

May 062018

Cobalt

  • 110,386 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving unknown speeds, the gear shifter failed to move. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 110,386.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #17

Mar 012017

Cobalt

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own. When the brakes were applied, the vehicle did no slow down. The vehicle had to be placed in neutral to slow the vehicle to a safe speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

problem #16

Dec 072015

Cobalt

  • 43,703 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. After having the vehicle repaired for the ignition key to be removed from the starter, the engine light illuminated and the steering was in dic mode. Also, the power steering failed. When depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate accordingly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was repaired with an aftermarket part that needed to be replaced. The part was replaced, but the failure recurred. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no resolution. The approximate failure mileage was 43,703.

- Clatskanie, OR, USA

problem #15

Nov 042014

Cobalt

  • 78,000 miles
While driving at highway speeds using cruise control the vehicle suddenly decelerated. This abrupt slowing almost caused an accident because I along with the other drivers behind me had no warning of such a sudden reduction of speed. A "reduced engine power" light came on, the vehicle would not accelerate to a safe highway speed, and it no longer exhibited the power necessary to climb a hill. If this had happened on a freeway or on a mountain pass it could have been extremely dangerous or deadly. The dealership diagnosed a faulty throttle body which was subsequently replaced. This however didn't rectify the situation and the condition still randomly happens. We no longer feel safe driving this vehicle.

- Banks, OR, USA

problem #14

May 252014

Cobalt

  • miles
Replaced all of the following components since purchase: Both front lower control arms due to bushing failures; both front shock and strut assemblies due to shock failures/leaks; both sway bar links due to failed components; both front sway bar bushings due to dry-rot; both front rotors due to failed/warped components caused by defective brake calipers; harmonic balancer due to defective/weak component; both rear shocks due to failures/leaks. Still need to replace rear coil springs due to weakness, all wheel hub bearings due to unstable driving/steering and the vehicle speed sensor causing high idle and erratic idling after warm-up.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #13

Apr 202012

Cobalt

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle has a built in anti theft system. This system is controlled by a computer. As well as an etching in the key that is recognized by the ignition. This has been an on going problem for us where the anti theft system will engage while you are driving. When this happens you lose your instrumentation, power steering, your transmission slips and your engine sputters. This has happened to us at high speed in the freeway, slow speed on city streets and everything in between. The real issue is that it is so sporadic that our local GM dealer is unable to assess the issue.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #12

Mar 092015

Cobalt

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 70 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the speedometer remained on 0 mph. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to numerous dealers, who confirmed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Titusville, FL, USA

problem #11

Dec 152014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles
At 8:30am on Dec 15th with the temp outside of 40 deg. I turned left onto an acceleration ramp and put the accelerator almost all the way down. I let up off the accelerator to yield to another car on the ramp. The vehicle continued to accelerate and would not slow upon braking hard. I stomped the pedal twice as if it were stuck. This had no impact upon my uncontrolled runaway acceleration. I shut the key off and luckily the other car yielded to me upon hearing my motor rev up. I was able to pull over to the side of the road and stop safely. I restarted the car and did not have any further difficult making to more 10 mile round trips. The ignition key has been changed per recall and the power steering has been done also on recall. However the power steering did fail about 1 month ago despite the fact that it also had been recalled. At that time I replaced the battery because it was almost 9 years old. No further power steering problems. I have also had difficulty with the floor shift sticking after parking..

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #10

Nov 052014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
I was driving in town and the power steering warning flashed across the dashboard reader. I assumed I would need to go get some power steering fluid to fix the problem. The next day I was descending rapidly down a very steep curving hill when the power steering went out completely and I could not control the vehicle! I narrowly avoided a collision with another car and some trees! since then I have done some research an found innumerable complaints about this very issue across several model years of the Cobalt. It is well documented that this is a serious and chronic issue and GM has largely ignored the safety of those who keep them in business!! what a bad business model! we are a one car and one income family and now I simply cannot let my teenagers drive at all because I don't have $1000 to fix my car right before the holidays! thanks GM!!

- Bremerton, WA, USA

problem #9

Jul 092014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 77,653 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down the highway @ 55mph and the power steering cuts off, the power brakes cut off, the ABS light comes on, the turn signals start going on and off at random, the gauges jump up and down nonstop. I just picked up my car and was told it referenced tsb#08-07-30-021 (NHTSA#10025402). The check engine light is still on because of this problem. The shop referenced the following error codes from the check engine light: P0575 U7300 U0121 U0140 thank goodness no one was behind me or around me at the time because I was unable to properly steer the vehicle, brake, or accelerate. This is a major problem that should be addressed by GM.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #8

Jun 112014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 63,881 miles
I take the car to camino real Chevrolet to do the recall for ignition key on 6/9/2014, I get back my car on the same day and go home. I feel that there is some problem on control of speed. On 6/11/2014, I went out with the car for a few mile, the car began lost power and slow down. So I called aaa to tow my car back to the dealer for investigate, they ask me for a checking fee of $300 and told me that they have changed the part, it will be other problem. So I searched the internet there is more recall on that model on the fuel pump and other, but they refuse to replace for me. So I called GM, they said there is no recall on my car, I don't know why" information I searched from the internet said that the wrong computer program, connection, coded keys anti-theft function will affect the car from starting. They never check that and told me to paid for changing the fuel pump. What should I do" I have no car to use over one week.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #7

Jun 072014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 101,325 miles
Was driving down the street like 25 mph all of asudden the gas pedal dropped car started to accelerate at a high speed I pulled up the emergency brake with lick put car in park while in motion and shut off car it still wanted to drive then shut down. I had my daughter and grandson in the car we were scared for our lives. I've been really upset with the recalls over the years always thought Chevy were the best now I've been waiting for weeks on the ignition switch parts and this happens need to no if this is another recall situation im scared to drive my car but have no choice. Very disappointed customer. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- El Monte, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 082014

Cobalt

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, the vehicle started going in reverse independently. The second time it had an opposite effect. The contact was in reverse and the vehicle went forward. The contact slightly crashed the side of the vehicle into the curb but did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000. Kmj

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #5

Jul 012012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The first incident happen in 2012 and caused a crash. I was driving down the street and needed to stop at a red light and put my foot to the floor on the brakes and it did not stop me. I could not move the steering wheel either so I could not avoid hitting the lady in front of me. Luckily, I was not going very fast and everyone was okay. While exchanging insurance information, I noticed my keys were in the floor board of my vehicle. I didn't think anything of it, because when it came out of the shop it seemed just fine. Then, I was on the freeway on my way to work in 2013 and my knee bumped my key ring and they fell to the floor. I could not slow down or switch lanes. I got a speeding ticket. Then in November, 2013, the same thing happened as the first time which caused a wreck. I could not stop at a red light and rear ended a vehicle in front of me. I was barely moving whatsoever though, so I got lucky again. Recently, my check engine light came on and I took it to the autovbody shop in town and had to pay 800 dollars to get the timing chain replaced. I have had nothing but issues with that car and now I find out that many recalls have been issued on the vehicle and I have not been notified of a single one. Apparently GM was supposed to notify owners with their registration information. My registration just came up for renewal as of May 1st and I have not been notified or instructed what to do. It has gotten to the point now where I duct tape my key so that it will not come out while I am driving. I limit my driving to necessity travel because I am too afraid that something else, possibly worse, than what has already happened thus far.

- Trinity, TX, USA

problem #4

Nov 102008

Cobalt

  • miles
I can not remember the date or mileage of first occurrence. I bought this car in July 2006 new. The main annoyance with this car is the bushings. I have gotten them fixed 3 times since 06, and yet making the noise again when I break which indicates they need to be replaced again. Second annoyance is the radio, I have had my speakers replaced as only the back ones would work. Every winter my speakers go out, one day will be the left front, next day will be front right - they choose when they want to work and when they do not want to, and the other day none of the sound would work! third my RPM's will randomly shoot up while I'm driving, going at a constant speed. Not very happy with this car...

- Streamwood, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 122011

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles
When coming to a stop, the car will accelerate on its own. It does this at random times, today at stop sign the car speedometer accelerated to 80 mph and car shut down while at a complete stop. No codes to read nor did check engine light come on.

- Woodsfield, OH, USA

problem #2

Feb 262010

Cobalt

  • 64,591 miles
Driving to work, we had some light snow and the wind was rather strong. I drive a 2007 Chevy Cobalt. The check engine light comes on mentioning reduced power. Seconds later traction control light comes on. At that point in time I can not accelerate or brake at all. I tired to push the brake as hard as I could with no effect. Gave up on that and used the emergency brake to slow the vehicle down and have it towed. Luckily I was going rather slowly due to the inclement weather, and there were no cars ahead of me. The Chevy dealer blamed it on a fuel tank pressure sensor.

- Mifflintown, PA, USA

problem #1

Sep 242007

Cobalt

  • 1,800 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway in a rainstorm, the contact noticed that the passenger side front floor panel was drenched with four inches of water. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and repaired. In addition, when pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal, it would constantly stick. The contact had to make several attempts before the pedal would release. There was also a malfunction with the steering rod. On four separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for identical failures, but with no resolutions. The contact was concerned of the safety risks involved. The failure mileage was 1,800 and current mileage was 14,000.

- Ferrrum, VA, USA

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