Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Chevrolet Cobalt, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1996
2000
2002
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2016
2017
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt - 1,865 complaints in its first 8 years (2,330 to date)
- 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt - 1,248 complaints in its first 8 years (1,564 to date)
- 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt - 1,225 complaints in its first 8 years (1,649 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt - 417 complaints in its first 8 years (574 to date)
- 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt - 463 complaints in its first 8 years (710 to date)
- 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt - 587 complaints in its first 8 years (845 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 Chevrolet Cobalt | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt | 574 | 417 | 5 |
| 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt | 710 | 463 | 5 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt | 845 | 587 | 4 |
| 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1,564 | 1,248 | 5 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | 2,330 | 1,865 | 5 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1,649 | 1,225 | 5 |
| 2002 Chevrolet Cobalt | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 Chevrolet Cobalt | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V500000 | 2010 | Air Bags | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. |
| 14V171000 | 2005-2010 | Electrical System | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn... |
| 14V153000 | 2010 | Steering | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn... |
| 14V047000 | 2005-2010 | Electrical System | This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition... |
| 12V459000 | 2007-2009 | Fuel System, Gasoline | General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and... |
| 10V073000 | 2005-2010 | Steering | GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. |
| 09V419000 | 2006-2007 | Fuel System, Gasoline | GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND... |
| 09V073000 | 2009 | Power Train | GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. |
| 07V014000 | 2005-2006 | Structure | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 04V560000 | 2005 | Exterior Lighting | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |