Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Chevrolet Cobalt Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns across the Chevrolet Cobalt, 1996–2017. Owners have filed 7,975 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 2006 drew the most (2,330) and the 1996 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls10campaignsCovering 1996–2017 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints7,975filedOwner reports across 13 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy30mpg combined2010 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Chevrolet Cobalt complaints by model year

7,975 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

1 1 2 51,649 52,330 51,564 4940 5900 5583 2 1 1 1
1996200020022005200620072008200920102011201220162017
19961 20001 20022 20051,649 20062,330 20071,564 2008940 2009900 2010583 20112 20121 20161 20171
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1996 · 1 complaints
  • 2000 · 1 complaints
  • 2012 · 1 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2006 · 2,330 complaints
  • 2005 · 1,649 complaints
  • 2007 · 1,564 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2005–2017. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Chevrolet Cobalt owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2005200620072008200920102011201220162017
Steering 1,1431,2996893112102422001
Electrical system 3234122811721581280000
Fuel/propulsion system 382552832072321010010
Air bags 7114614410280790000
Fuel system 182201524437220000
Service brakes 475148102174300000
Power train 99137432932310000
Engine 6993564242390000

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Chevrolet Cobalt recalls (10)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Cobalt model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Cobalt
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
15V500000Aug 10, 2015Improperly Routed Side Impact Wire Harness201055.8%
14V171000Apr 10, 2014Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off2005–201071.6%
14V153000Mar 31, 2014Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering201060.1%
14V047000Feb 10, 2014Ignition Switch may Turn Off2005–201071.7%
12V459000Sep 19, 2012Fuel Pump Module May Crack2007, 2008, 2009—
10V073000Mar 3, 2010ELECTRIC POWER STEERING2005–2010—
09V419000Oct 29, 2009FUEL PUMP MODULE2006, 2007—
09V073000Mar 6, 2009SHIFT LEVER INDICATOR/FMVSS 102 & FMVSS 1142009—
07V014000Jan 18, 2007FMVSS 201/HEADLINER TRIM2005, 2006—
04V560000Nov 22, 2004GM/CHEVROLET/FMVSS 108/HEADLAMP BULB2005—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗
All 10 Chevrolet Cobalt recalls by model year →

Fuel economy by model year

200523–25 mpg
200623–25 mpg
200723–25 mpg
200825–29 mpg
200925–30 mpg
201025–30 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2017 Chevrolet Cobalt report1 complaints · 0 campaigns →2016 Chevrolet Cobalt report1 complaints · 0 campaigns →2012 Chevrolet Cobalt report1 complaints · 0 campaigns →Every Chevrolet modelChevrolet models →

Chevrolet Cobalt FAQ

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Cobalt had?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns that cover at least one Chevrolet Cobalt model year from 1996 to 2017. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Chevrolet Cobalt year has the most complaints?

Among the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 2006 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2,330) and the 1996 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

Across the 2005–2017 model years, owners most often name the steering, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Chevrolet Cobalt get?

EPA rates the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt at 25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this page useful?Report a data error