Chevrolet Cobalt problems
The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both the Cavalier and the Toyota-based Geo/Chevrolet Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car. The Cobalt was available as both a coupe and sedan, as well as a sport compact version dubbed the Cobalt SS. Like the Chevrolet HHR and the Saturn ION, it was based on the GM Delta platform.
A Pontiac version was sold in the United States and Mexico under the G5 name for 2007–2009. It was sold as the Pontiac G4 in Mexico for 2005–2006 and as the Pontiac G5 in Canada for its entire run (where it was briefly known as the Pontiac Pursuit and later Pontiac G5 Pursuit). The G5 replaced the Cavalier-related Pontiac Sunfire. While the Cobalt was available as a 2-door coupe and a 4-door sedan in all markets it was offered in, the G5 was only available as a coupé in the United States while a sedan version was sold alongside the coupé in Canada and Mexico.
As with their predecessors, all Cobalts and its Pontiac equivalents were manufactured at GM's plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico and Lordstown, Ohio. The United States Environmental Protection Agency classified the Cobalt as a subcompact car.
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Chevrolet Cobalt model years
Common Chevrolet Cobalt problems
The Chevrolet Cobalt, produced from 2005 to 2010, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are the details of the most frequently reported issues:
- Ignition Key Stuck Due to Failed Shifter: This issue affects 2005-2010 Cobalts, with 302 owners reporting that their keys get intermittently stuck in the car's ignition cylinder.
- Check Engine Light and Misfire Due to Ignition Module/Coil Failure: This problem is the second most common issue found in 2005-2010 Cobalts. The car's engine cuts off randomly, sometimes when slowing down or at a stop light/sign. The reported fix for this issue is to replace the ignition coil, which could cost an average of $353 to $426.
- Broken Timing Chain: This issue has affected all Cobalt model years from 2005 to 2011. The main culprit is a faulty timing chain tensioner, which can fail around 108,000 miles. Many Cobalt owners reported spending around $1,500 to $2,000 for the fix.
- Engine Misfire: This issue can be found in 2005-2010 Cobalts and tends to crop up around 107,000 miles. Reports from owners state that the car's engine cuts off randomly, sometimes when slowing down or at a stop light/sign. The reported fix for this issue is to replace the ignition coil, which could cost an average of $353 to $426.
- Power Steering Issues: The 2005 Cobalt had over 1,000 complaints, 6 recalls, and the notorious "Avoid Like the Plague" designation. Its most prominent issue is with its electrical power steering system. According to numerous reports, drivers have lost the car's power steering, which can be a scary experience. In some cases, the steering becomes stiff and won't turn in any direction. It's such a widespread issue that GM sent a recall notice for the 2005-2010 Chevy Cobalt due to a faulty power steering motor.
- Grinding Transmission When Shifting: The 2008 Chevy Cobalt had over 1,000 complaints and 5 recalls. The most common complaint is the grinding transmission when shifting. Several causes of the transmission grinds include low fluid transmission, contaminated transmission fluid, cracked or chipped gear, and faulty synchronizer. According to the reports, the issue happens at low mileage too.
These issues have contributed to the Chevrolet Cobalt's overall reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from Repair Pal, but potential buyers should be aware of these common problems before purchasing a used Cobalt.
What year of Chevy Cobalt to avoid?
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
The 2007 model was better, but it's still one of the worst Chevy Cobalt years to avoid because it inherited most of the problems from 2005 and 2006. CarComplaints logged over 2,000 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls and gave the 2007 Cobalt the “Beware of the Clunker” badge.
Is the Chevy Cobalt a reliable car?
The Chevrolet Cobalt Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 5th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $453 which means it has excellent ownership costs.
What is the problem with Cobalt?
Cobalt (Co) is a hard, gray metal that occurs naturally. It is found in rocks, soil, water, plants, and animals, including people. It can harm the eyes, skin, heart, and lungs. Exposure to cobalt may cause cancer.
How many miles can a Chevy Cobalt last?
How long do Chevy Cobalts last? According to thedriveradviser.com, a good Chevy Cobalt should last 190,000-210,000 miles with proper maintenance. It's natural for a car to break at some point, but other items will also influence how long it will survive.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Chevrolet Cobalt years
We have researched Chevrolet problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Chevrolet Cobalt cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Chevrolet Cobalt model years:
- Chevrolet Cobalt 2006
- Chevrolet Cobalt 2005
- Chevrolet Cobalt 2007
- Chevrolet Cobalt 2008
- Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Chevrolet Cobalt model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Chevrolet Cobalt years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Chevrolet Cobalt car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Chevrolet Cobalt , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Air bags problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Chevrolet Cobalt vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Cobalt model years
A total of 558 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Cobalt model years
There were a total of 73 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Cobalt model years
There were a total of 533 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Cobalt model years
There were a total of 45 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 7940 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Chevrolet Cobalt . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Chevrolet Cobalt 2010
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 1G1AF5F57A7
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Internal mechanism of the driver-side door handle broke and the door would not open from the inside. Tne dealership confirmed that the inside door ah glue is broken. The cable retainer snapped apart and the cable cannot stay connected. This might be available for inspection. Driver must exit the vehicle by crawling over to the passenger side. The problem has been confirmed by a Chevrolet dealer. There were no warning lamps or messages. The manufacturer no longer makes this part and it could not be replaced. Service description says that the customer had an electrical concern and that the door would not unlock from the inside. This was inaccurate. It was mechanical. The door could unlock, it could not open. The dealership would not let the diagnosis proceed until the customer agreed to that statement. The dealership inaccurately recorded the mileage.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-26
- VIN: 1G1AL15F767
- Components: STEERING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My Power Steering is going out and then coming back in to use. Today is the second time it has happened. It went out just now, I reversed down the road to my house, and turn it off once I crank it again the steering is back. I haven’t gotten any pictures of it as I’m more worried about making it back to my house so I’m not in the road but will be more than happy to get a picture if this happens again. I’m also not sure which ADAS this connects to so I put cruise control.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-09
- VIN: 1G1AL18F387
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The gas lines rusted out and the fuel pump is pooring gas out of it. I just bought the car 2 weeks ago smelled gas hit u set the car it was pouring out. I was going to fix it my self then while looking up the parts I ran across the fact they recalled both parts but not for my vin . What can I do. I'm gonna catch on fire
Chevrolet Cobalt 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-06
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-07
- VIN: 1G1AK15F667
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Was driving home from work on i70 through the canyon when out of no where I wasn't able to steer my car...was able to stop the car, turned it off .waited a minute then started back up that is when power steering came across my dash .nothing was wrong with my car ,drove normal then out of nowhere going the speed limit 75mph. I'm not able to steer my car. This never happened before ,scared the crap out of me with no warning almost crashed cause I could not steer my car.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-21
- VIN: 1G1AT18H097
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
Chevrolet Cobalt 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-09
- VIN: 1G1AK52F357
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to pull off the roadway, turned off, and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the loss of power steering assist became a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2006
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-24
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-24
- VIN: 1G1AK55F167
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: The car idles very low when stopped and sputters/putters like it's going to die. It has now actually died on me twice while driving, luckily when you put it in park and turn the car off and back on it starts right back up but you can see how this is a severe safety hazard. The first time it died I was stopped in the turning lane waiting on traffic to go by so I could turn left (this is the busiest street in town) I go to start turning left the car just shuts off mid turn crossing the other lane of the street, luckily I didn't get hit by oncoming traffic and was able to coast onto the side street that I was turning on and pull over and turn the car off and back on and drive it home. I took it to the mechanic and he can't figure out what's wrong with it so he gives it a tune up and now the check engine light won't turn off...fast forward to today it dies again at a stop sign with my [XXX] in the car. It is ESPECIALLY bad if you have the AC on it seems like it effects the electrical like the car is going to shut off when I am stopped and the ac is running, so I turned off the ac and it was still sputtering when I would stop but didn't die again. There is an entire thread of people with the same issue as me: [XXX] this car needs recalled it is a death trap. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Chevrolet Cobalt 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-15
- VIN: 1G1AL58F987
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: My back seat belts don’t work properly. It takes 10-20 mins to try to get it to come out to buckle up. It locks up no matter how many times to let it roll up and try again. It’s happened since I’ve owned my car since 2019-2020. It’s the back seat belts only
Chevrolet Cobalt 2010
- Date Of Incident: 2020-06-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G1AD5F56A7
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE 2007-2009 ON THE CORROSION OF THE GAS LINES ON DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS THE SAME THING THATS HAPPENING TO MY CAR.AND THAT THEY ONLY DID THE RECALL ON 2007-2009 COLBALT MODELS .THE LAST COLBALT'S MADE WAS THE 2010 MODELS.WHY DIDNT THEY RECALL THEM ALSO.I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALER IN AMELIA AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING.THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP.ITS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT FROM GM AND THEY KNOW IT.IF I HAVE TO I WILL GET A LAWYER AND SUE G.M. PERIOD.I CANT AFFORD TO FIX GM'S MISTAKES.THEY NEED TO COME CLEAN AND FIX THEM.IT LEAKS OUT GAS AND COULD START A FIRE OR EXPLODE WHILE I AM IN THE CAR.I DEMAND THIS TAKEN CAR OF BY GM AND STOP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.I WILL NOT STOP OR GIVE UP ON THIS .SENCE I WAS TOLD BY 2 DIFFRENT CHEVY DEALERSHIPS.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-28
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-28
- VIN: 1G1AP58XX97
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: 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, when the headlights are on they create so much RF, the radio no longer gets most AM or FM stations. The mechanic confirmed, they are wired incorrectly, but did not wish to attempt to rewire them.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-23
- VIN: 1G1AL58F987
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: When the driver's side window on my 2008 Chevy Cobalt is fully open/down, the "Service air bag" warning light comes on. This seems to be the exact same issue that resulted in a recall on the 2010 model (NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V500000). When I called Chevrolet corporate customer service regarding this, they explained the model years were manufactured the same, and the reason my year did not have a recall could be that there were not enough reported complaints on it. It is very concerning, since as my dealer indicated, the airbag system seems to be disabled when in this condition. I put today's date as the when the incident occurred, but it's been a condition for the last few years.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 1G1AL15F777
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a loud noise coming from the steering wheel. After the failure, while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact became aware of a crunchy sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that due to the failure result, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-25
- VIN: 1G1AT58HX97
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 however, the locks failed to lock the doors, and there was a clicking sound when the windows failed to roll up or down. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the tank was full however, the next day the fuel tank was empty. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,595.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-02
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-02
- VIN: 1G1AK52F457
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-11
- VIN: 1G1AP18P977
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Timing chain came right threw the valve cover
Latest 5 recalls Chevrolet Cobalt
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 35 recalls for different components of the Chevrolet Cobalt.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Chevrolet Cobalt 2010
- Report Received Date: 2015-08-10
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an improperly routed Side-Impact Sensor (SIS) wiring harness in the driver side front door. The misrouted wiring harness could cause an electrical short that disables the driver side curtain air bag.
- Consequence: A disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sensor's wiring in the driver's door and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15075.
- Model: Chevrolet Cobalt 2007
- Report Received Date: 2014-04-30
- Manufacturer: UCI-FRAM Group
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
- Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
- Model: Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
- Report Received Date: 2014-04-30
- Manufacturer: UCI-FRAM Group
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
- Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
- Model: Chevrolet Cobalt 2010
- Report Received Date: 2014-04-30
- Manufacturer: UCI-FRAM Group
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
- Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
- Model: Chevrolet Cobalt 2006
- Report Received Date: 2014-04-30
- Manufacturer: UCI-FRAM Group
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Consequence: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
- Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Latest negative Chevrolet Cobalt car reviews
Latest positive Chevrolet Cobalt car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2005
Hi there! I leased my Cobalt back in 2005 and I have to say, I really enjoyed having the car. One of the things I loved most about it was the great gas mileage and the impressive turning radius. However, I did have a couple of issues with it. For example, I noticed that the paint started to chip around the stereo after just 2 weeks. Additionally, the door pull handle broke off and unfortunately, I ended up getting cut pretty badly a few times. Overall though, it was a great car and I have some really fond memories of it!
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Vehicle year: 2010
The car has a better engine power than many compacts and is very willing to rev. The ride is quiet, especially for a compact. The ebony interior is actually not bad and the gauges and radio controls are likable. MyLink, the USB for music and Bluetooth for phone work fantastic. The seats are comfortable enough in the front, but the ergonomics are a bit off and space is tight, especially for leg room in the back. The A/C works well. However, there are big problems with cup holder locations and lack of storage in general. Tall beverages in cup holders block climate controls and the handbrake is located under the armrest, which is inconvenient. The trunk is a decent size. The steering lacks feel but the steering wheel with audio controls works great. The car looks good in red.
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Vehicle year: 2009
I'm so glad I chose this car! It has a great factory warranty backed by GM, which gives me peace of mind. It's affordable and has good pick up on the highway and around town, which is perfect for my 1,200 miles a month. While it can be a little sluggish going up grades in regular drive gear, the good gas mileage more than makes up for it. The stereo is nice and the ride is quiet. It's also great in the snow, which is important since I live in Cleveland, Ohio. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase and plan to drive this car for a long time.
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Vehicle year: 2008
Yes, the critics were wrong! I bought it new and it has now clocked 277,000 miles. I have been doing DIY oil changes every 10,000 miles with full synthetic oil from the start. It constantly averages 32 mpg and the brake pads lasted for 145,000 miles. Although there were some minor issues that can be expected, it has been the cheapest, most efficient, and reliable car I have ever owned. Hats off to a great American built auto!
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Vehicle year: 2007
Looks great! It handles very well around corners. The engine size is good, and the radio upgrade from the '06 to the '07 model is nice. My only suggestion would be to have better quality speakers. Overall, it's a great car for a good price.
Are you having problems with your Chevrolet Cobalt?
Fernando Gislason 2025-08-24
Vehicle year: 2008
I bought this car brand new to drive to work and school. Previously, I owned a Chevy Lumina for many years. However, I wouldn't buy this car again. After two months of owning it and driving 3000 miles, I traded it in for a used Subaru. The Cobalt just didn't meet my expectations. It felt cheap and poorly designed. In fact, I now say that I would rather drive a used Subaru than a brand new Cobalt.
Aaron Dare 2025-08-24
Vehicle year: 2006
I purchased this car from a wonderful man named Vince at Car City on E. 14th Street in Des Moines, Iowa in April of 2012. Initially, I was searching for a Ford Focus with a 5-speed manual transmission, but the color of this car (Pepsi Blue) caught my eye. I have only encountered one issue with this car: the air conditioner pulley lost some mounting screws and a belt popped off. Losing a screw may have been due to my moderate off-roading at Jester Park, and a belt popping off can happen sometimes, but in this case, it was caused by the AC pulley shifting in position due to a lack of mounting hardware. It was just bad luck, really. Despite this, I absolutely adore this car. It doesn't have any fancy features like power windows, locks, or mirrors, and it's a 5-speed, but I still love it!
Giovani Hirthe 2025-08-22
Vehicle year: 2008
I bought this car with only 3 miles on it and it was good on gas. However, I regret trading my truck for it. Unfortunately, after only 2 days, the door panels were ripped off by other interior pieces. After 3 months, the trunk no longer latched properly and after 4 months, there were random shifting times (lag to shift up or fail to shift down when needed). After 6 months, all Cobalts were reduced to 9995 after I paid 15,995 for mine. Additionally, there were issues with the speakers, struts, exhaust, and hood prop. To make matters worse, there were several recalls, including the faulty ignition switch linked to 33 crashes and 13 deaths. Needless to say, I have since traded it in and only received 5k for it.
Verner Effertz 2025-08-15
Vehicle year: 2006
The car was great for a week. It looked great, was quick, and handled well. However, it unfortunately experienced some issues such as the crank shaft sensor blowing with only 300 miles on it, and the steering system failing a month later, requiring an entire replacement. Additionally, with only 7000 miles on it, it needed new control arms and ball joints, and the cruise control broke. As a result, I was left feeling disappointed with my purchase and would not recommend the Cobalt SS/SC. It is important to note that GM did not stand behind their product.
Shaun Bosco 2025-08-07
Vehicle year: 2008
We bought this car for my 18-year-old daughter's high school graduation, and she absolutely loved it. Last Sunday, unfortunately, she had an accident on the highway due to black ice. She hit a wall, and the car rolled over, landing on the roof. Thankfully, she was wearing her seatbelt, and without a scratch, she got out of the car and called me first, then 911. I arrived before the emergency services, and she was sitting on the side of the road without a scratch on her. After the insurance pays off, I will be getting her another Cobalt. This car did an excellent job of protecting my kid, and it will do the same for yours. Buy American! All in all, I am grateful to Chevy for caring enough and not cheaping out on the safety aspect of this little economy car.