2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS problems
The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS has 222 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (78%) concerns brakes. After that come air bags (4%) and electrical system (3%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 222 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 78% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 12,000 miles 203 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 137 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 34 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 203 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 12,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 11,000 miles (157 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
This has been an ongoing problem for over a year now. I take my vehicle to the dealer and tell them the rear brakes are locking up and they respond with "this is caused by driver abuse, you have been powersliding it" I have had it to three different dealers. The rear brakes have been replaced 3 times within 9 months and are now needed again. Chevrolet states they are not willing to fix the problem.
Vehicle's automatic door locks began to engage and disengage on their own, possibly locking the steering column as vehicle entered into a curve. Caused driver to loose control go into ditch, bounce out of ditch and log roll the vehicle. Air bags did not deploy. Door locks were still going up and down several hours later at the vehicle impound yard and was observed by the police officer and noted in his report. Additional. This problem is much bigger than believed!
Car had approximately 15,000 miles on it when the back brake pads wore out. Took the vehicle to my mechanic he said something was not right and I should take it to the dealer and get it fixed for free due to faulty install. Dealer assured me there was nothing wrong and charged me a 60 dollar diagnostic fee. Why would the back brake pads wear out before the front..and why at 15,000 miles with conservative driving? Something is clearly faulty with either the brake pads themselves or how they are being installed.
When I drive the air bag warning goes on,and the tire stress goes on(which make me slow down worried ! ). I replaced the tires couple of times but I still get those warning(tires stress and air bag). Lately I also ran to problem with my engine. I took it to pep boys were they said I should replace it for 5700$.
Other model years of the Cobalt SS
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008