Vehicle Data Hub

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical system problems

Owners reported electrical system problems in 156 complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 17% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
156 17% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
54,000 miles 107 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
8 and 0
Injuries and deaths
4 and 1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When electrical system problems show up

Electrical system complaints by mileage, 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 54,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 10 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 17 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 34 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 17 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 9 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 8 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 6 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 2 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 4 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 54,000 miles
Based on 107 complaints that include mileage. 57% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles10
20k to 40k miles17
40k to 60k miles34
60k to 80k miles17
80k to 100k miles9
100k to 120k miles8
120k to 140k miles6
140k to 160k miles2
160k to 180k miles4
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 107 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 54,000 miles, and 57% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 8 crashes, 4 injuries, 1 death.

What owners wrote

Letter to the president requesting an investigation into the possible cover up by general motors regarding an ignition switch defect. *smd the consumer stated her son was killed in an accident. The consumer stated her son had several keys on his key chain. The keys began to swing back and forth which caused the vehicle to shut off. Her son lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree.

January 2012 CrashDeath

During july I had to have my 2009 chevy cobalt towed into a repair shop because I couldn't turn my key in the ignition. I had to have the ignition cylinder replaced which cost me over $200. Now in november 2011, 4 months later, my car is having the same problems. There hasn't been a recall yet on this and multiple people are having the same issues. This is getting ridiculous.

Reported at 42,000 miles, July 2011

Other problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

Electrical system problems in other years

Electrical system problems across all Chevrolet models