RecallRepo

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,759,334 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 916 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V171000 2014-04-10 2,191,014 affected
Defect

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 Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the…

Consequence

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the…

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For…

AIR BAGS 14V047000 2014-02-10 2,190,934 affected
Defect

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 key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10,…

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12V459000 2012-09-19 49,768 affected
Defect

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 Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona,…

Consequence

Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

STEERING 10V073000 2010-03-03 1,050,889 affected
Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence

IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER…

POWER TRAIN 09V073000 2009-03-06 276,729 affected
Defect

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. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND…

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438,…

Complaints by component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
226
2crashes4fires
STEERING
194
24crashes1fires16injuries2deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
131
7crashes3injuries1deaths
AIR BAGS
69
22crashes14injuries2deaths
ENGINE
39
4crashes1fires1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
23
2crashes1fires2deaths
POWER TRAIN
22
2crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
15
1crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14
3crashes
Total complaints916

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair; however, the mechanic found a fuel leak and an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2026-03-23

“The contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while…”

STEERING · reported 2025-10-18

“Steering went out while driving”

STEERING · reported 2025-02-25

“There is a leak in the fuel lines that is just awful. Constant while driving many others have experienced as well. Leaves huge puddles of gas”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2024-08-21

“Oem headlights had become dim and one could no longer be aimed, so I ordered these replacements through amazon. I paid $92 to have them installed, and the mechanic let me know that the high beams could not be activated, except by holding the turn signal, making it dangerous to steer. In addition,…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:BULBS · reported 2024-05-28

“The contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted; however, the auto theft warning light illuminated, and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The contact was able to drive the vehicle…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2024-04-01

“The contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted; however, the auto theft warning light illuminated, and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The contact was able to drive the vehicle…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2024-04-01

“Loosing power steering”

STEERING · reported 2024-01-15

Defect investigations

Investigation AQ10001 Opened 2010-11-18 · closed 2015-12-28

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary…

Investigation PE10005 Opened 2010-01-27 · closed 2010-07-19

Electric Power Steering Failure

In a March 1, 2010 letter, General Motors Corporation (GM) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and MY 2007 through 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles equipped with electric power…

Investigation PE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17

Fuel Line Leak

On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…

Investigation PE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17

Fuel Line Leak

On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…

Investigation PE20011 Opened 2020-07-05 · closed 2023-08-17

Fuel Line Leak

On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.