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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,737 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.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Jan 262014

Cobalt

  • 63,000 miles

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

Takata recall, I was driving my vehicle 2 weeks after 2 recalls were repaired on it. It was rush hour I went to push on my breaks and the steering wheel locked and the car turned off, at this point im freaking out. I contact Chevy service for assistance and they advise that they can not fix the problem because the recall was repaired they also could not duplicate the problem because it was to dangerous for their employees. So I ask the bank to refinance me another vehicle because this car was way too dangerous to put my baby in, they said no due to my credit. I then had them repo the vehicle because I would not continue to pay for a death trap. Now they are suing me for the remanding balance on the vehicle. I am going to court and wondering if I have a case.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #18

Jul 302016

Cobalt

  • miles
The car lights will flicker on and off while driving. Strong smell of gas after I put the car in park. Been going on for the flickering 2 months now. For the fuel 2 weeks now

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #17

Apr 192016

Cobalt

  • 95,000 miles
I have recently had my Cobalt to the Chevy dealership in redlands ca due to a horrible gas smell. The dealership looked if my car was under recall for the fuel pump however it was not. I indeed had a crack on the fuel pump having to replace it as the fuel smell was over the top. I paid for the part and labor out of pocket yet wonder why my VIN was not recalled when I have a 2009 Chevy Cobalt with the exact same fuel pump issue"?"

- Pacoima, CA, USA

problem #16

Mar 152016

Cobalt

  • 129,000 miles

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

Driving on a highway going 65 mph and the check engine light came on along with the traction light. The display says engine power reduced, service traction. I was nearly rear ended when this happen because my car automatically slowed down to 10 mph and stalled out and was barely able to get it over to the shoulder. I keep going to different mechanics and everyone says its something else and I have already sank over $1500 into this and yet it is still happening with no end in sight!!

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #15

Jul 112011

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While attempting to drive, the gear shifter seized without warning. The contact stated that the air bag and check engine warning lights illuminated randomly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle began to overheat randomly. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. Updated 01/11/2017

- Oakdale, CA, USA

problem #14

Oct 062015

Cobalt

  • 89,548 miles
I have a 2009 Chevy Cobalt and since I purchased it it has been problem after problem first the key got stuck in the ignition before the recall. I had to spend all day at the dealership, then I had to take it back for the ignition switch recall. Next it was taken back for suspension problems and a cracked steering column, now I kept hearing a noise when I pressed the gas to speed up took it to two places and it was the catalytic converter which cost me $1,548 out of pocket because the warranty I had didn't cover the catalytic converter this car only has 89414 miles on it I keep up the maintenance but this car is beginning to make me not want to buy any american car ever. I initially purchased the car because it was economy car, good on gas which is still good on gas. I seen in the earlier models there were recalls on the catalytic converter so I was trying to find out if there were any on this particular model? when I purchased this car I was happy about the the car but problem after problem is beginning to be more than I can handle and the last thing is this catalytic converter, thank god I had the money. The catalytic converter was cracked and gaskets had to be replaced.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #13

Dec 162014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,127 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder number three needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,127. Updated 7/29/15 MA 10/19/2015 MA 10/22/2015 updated 10/18/2017

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #12

Mar 052014

Cobalt

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While operating the vehicle, the check engine sensor light illuminated and the vehicle experienced mis-firing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the valve in the number two cylinder was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. Also, the contact indicated that the air bag light would randomly turn on while operating the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Milwalkee, WI, USA

problem #11

Jan 122015

Cobalt

  • miles
Service engine light has been on intermittently for a year. Dealer said it was probably due to a loose gas cap and nothing more. Engine started shaking when stopped at stop lights and the service traction and traction off lights would come on. The engine light would start blinking, and if the car was stopped for too long the engine would shut off. One mechanic said it was the cam shaft, which I got fixed and still continued to have the same problem. Took it to another mechanic who replaced the cylinders. Problem continues to occur which engine shutting off if stopped longer than a minute.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #10

Feb 092015

Cobalt

  • 181,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and the engine RPM's would increase before experiencing unintended acceleration. Also, the contact indicated that the power steering sensor light had illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 181,000.

- Gallup, NM, USA

problem #9

Jan 282015

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 30 mph, there was black ice on the road, which caused the vehicle to spin and crash into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact did not disclose whether a police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Sparta, TN, USA

problem #8

Aug 292014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
I have already had the recall service performed on my 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, but the ignition switch problem still persists after having the recall service performed. There's the possibility that a safety hazard to the american public still exists if there are cases similar to mine. The vehicle ignition was inadvertently switched to the "off" position while I was getting onto a highway. I was shifting my hips to adjust my seating position, and my knee bumped into my keychain and caused the ignition to switch to the "off" position. I lost speed control and power steering, but I was luckily able to move to the shoulder of the highway, shift into "park", and re-start the vehicle. This event happened within 48 hours of me having the recall service performed at a Chevrolet dealership.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #7

Jun 022014

Cobalt

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the engine power reduction warning indicator illuminated. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

problem #6

Jul 052014

Cobalt

  • 80,320 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a large rock and damaged the oil pan. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The results of the test were unknown and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,320.

- Middleberry, VT, USA

problem #5

Apr 232014

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled and the key was unable to be removed from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a dealer.the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

- Corpus Christi, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 302014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
My wife tried to start the car on 4/30/14. Put the key in the ignition and try to turn the key to start the car the key wouldn't turn. It was locked up. The steering wheel wouldn't turn, the engine wouldn't run. Eventually if she comes back after approx. One hour and try again the key will turn in the ignition and the car will start. This happens couple of time a year since we bought the car brand new from the dealer. We contacted the dealer service department; they told us that they do not know of any such problem with this Chevy model.

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 032014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Driving vehicle on highway when engine check light comes on and "reduced engine power" message appears on status bar of dashboard. Repaired at dealership by replacing throttle control body. Occurred twice more over next 3 days, repaired at different dealership saying first throttle control body was defective. Occurred again 2 days later, dealership replaced crankshaft position sensor. Occurred again 1 day later. Need to take in for more service. Basic internet research shows that this is common problem on Chevrolet Cobalts.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #2

Mar 122014

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, engine power reduced then the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where the mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 94,000.

- South Ryegate, VT, USA

problem #1

Oct 152012

Cobalt

  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that she was driving approximately 25 mph when she was advised by another driver that the driver's side tail light failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the tail lamp assembly needed to be replaced. Also, the contact mentioned that several days later, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000 and the current mileage was 25,000.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

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