2007 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Owners have filed 2,004 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 35% of complaints. After that come fuel system (22%) and electrical system (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,004 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 35% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 173 and 21
- Injuries and deaths
- 171 and 10
- Typical mileage
- 65,000 miles 1,596 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 | 147 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 194 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 376 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 245 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 206 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 190 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 100 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 73 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 34 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 20 |
| 200k+ miles | 11 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,596 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 65,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 52,000 miles (596 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 173 complaints mention a crash; 21 complaints mention a fire; 171 injuries reported; 10 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2007 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt with enough data (1,063 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
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.
My stepbrother had two chevy cobalts. The first one he wrecked on a country road where he skidded on gravel, his car burst into flames. Fortunately, he was able to get out of the car. He replaced it with another cobalt. In january 2009 he had another wreck, single car. His car hit a pole and immediately broke out in flames. Unfortunately for my family he was not able to get out, he couldn't get his seat belt undone and the flames were melting the interior causing caustic flames.
On february 21, 2008 3:21 a.m. I was called by allegheny general hospital (agh) in pittsburgh, pennsylvania to inform me that my son was taken there by helicopter and was unresponsive. He was in a car accident and suffered severe brain trauma. Unfortunately he died on february 29, 2008. This was my son's first "new" vehicle. We purchased it on 12/3/2007 and he died in it 2 months later. The vehicle is a 2007 chevy cobalt.
Have not had an accident yet even though my automobile is the subject of a safety recall. The ignition switch has to be replaced and I have been advised the dealer will make the necessary repair at no cost to me. My problem is that even though I have contacted the dealer and have provided the requested information, it seems that parts are not available, at least to my dealer. I called them again today and the dealer says they have hundreds of repair requests but have only received eleven (11) switches.
Smell gas very strongly and gas is coming from the top of the gas tank.there was a recall for this vehicle model in 2009. Now it is closed. No longer open. What can be done about this problem?