Problems · by component

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt air bags problems

144 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt cite air bags, 9% of all 1,564 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
144
9% of all complaints
Crashes
48
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
50
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while the son was driving at approximately 52 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on into a second vehicle. During the crash, no air bags had deployed, and the driver sustained fatal injuries. Also, during the crash, the ignition key broke off inside the ignition switch, and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to a police inbound lot and later towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11724877
“The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a 12-point buck jumped into the roadway, causing the contact to abruptly depress the brake pedal; however, the vehicle skidded and crashed into the buck. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was drivable; however, the vehicle was towed to the residence due to the radiator being damaged. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his left knee, and his fiancée, who was seated in the front passenger side, sustained injuries to her left knee. The contact stated this morning that he noticed his knee was swollen. No medical attention was sought as of yet. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,265.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11709925
“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
“The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the Service Air Bag message was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2023Air bags, EngineODI 11551348
“The driver of the Cobalt lost control and swerved into the path of a tractor-trailer and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer. The airbag in the Cobalt did not deploy despite significant frontal damage to the Cobalt. A download of the ACU in the Cobalt revealed that the Cobalt's ignition switch was in the accessory position at the time of the crash. The ignition switch recall work had been performed on the Cobalt prior to the crash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11493937
“I purchased a 2007 Chevy cobalt and was told by an independent shop that their computer was reading codes for the ignition switch and the air bag lights are on. On top of it the power steering feels like it goes in and out. I know there’s recalls on the 2007 Chevy cobalts for the exact reasoning. Faulty ignition switch and the airbags not deploying because of it. Along with like 4 other recalls GM announced. I just purchased the car not even two weeks ago so I was told to come on here and file a complaint to see if I can get the recall letter so the dealership can fix the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2022Steering, Power train, Air bagsODI 11459346

Showing 6 of 144 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

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

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