Research · Subcompact Cars

2007 Chevrolet CobaltRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 1,564 owner complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. Most complaints involve steering (689) and fuel/propulsion system (283). The EPA rates it 23–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
1,564
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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 "Off" position.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

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, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,564 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2006 – Jul 2026
  1. Steering689
  2. Fuel/propulsion system283
  3. Electrical system281
  4. Fuel system, gasoline150
  5. Air bags144
  6. Suspension75
  7. Engine56
  8. Power train43
  9. Service brakes25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cobalt model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20051,649
20062,330
20071,564
2008940
2009900
2010583
Crashes reported
116
Fires reported
16
Injuries reported
109
Deaths reported
7
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

689 reports61 crashes4 fires
“Fuel Leak it smells and leaks it seems to be coming from the gas tank and sometimes I get random electric failure when I'm driving I lose power steering and My brakes get stiff and hard to push down and my dash will go Off and then go crazy and show that i have no gas”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11748103

Fuel/propulsion system

283 reports1 crash1 fire
“I observed my mother’s 2007 Chevy Cobalt was leaking fuel near the rear tire by the fuel tank. I inspected the tank with engine off and it does not leak. Only with engine running. I lowered the tank and observed a small crack on the plastic return line on the fuel pump module. I started looking online and could not find a replacement part that was plastic. I then conducted more research and found the recall. I asked my mother and she stated she never received a recall. The recall was issued on 09-19-12. NHSTA ID#12v459000”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11731276

Electrical system

281 reports18 crashes6 fires
“I was in a crash on 9/19/25 and at the incident none of my airbags deployed. My daily driver for my children and I. I was lucky I was the only passenger at the time. I never expected my airbags not to deploy in a head on crash. The car still sits in my driveway and I have and identical one just like it that I drive! I’d like them evaluated.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11689938
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 2.2L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,100355
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500355
Cobalt
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Cobalt
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
202823$3,350386
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

5 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2615Vehicle 2385Vehicle 2093
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Cobalt questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

Owners filed 1,564 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (689), fuel/propulsion system (283), electrical system (281). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt at 23–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026