Problems · by component

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt air bags problems

102 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt cite air bags, 11% of all 940 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
102
11% of all complaints
Crashes
36
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
60
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11653303
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11628474
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2024Air bagsODI 11590366
“My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11536384
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air bag pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2023Air bagsODI 11528886
“I was driving alone paying attention in daylight and suddenly I was knocked/startled and vision blocked and I was saying out loud oh God what is going on-what is happeningy/I was trying to figure out where I was - next I heard my car crunching-and still going to where I exited right side of road and turned on drivers side and slid across 2 lane road-hitting a raiseded bed of 2b 3b gravel and turned back up on 4 wheels. The slanted hill next to a small ditch-about5 ft approximately off road. This all happened very quickly. There was no crash until after I was hit by airbag. Severely crashed passenger side windshield shattered/no airbag went off. Police and by standers assuming zi lost control and could see where I was headed. I never mentioned to police how I felt airbag went off. I knew their theory didn't match what I felt happened but after going back to scene my scenario from my memory is the only one I can verify. Not sure now what happens to vehicle now after I get my check today. I wasn't sure where to report. I did mention in text to adjuster but it is my understanding adjuster didn't get text ?? This just needed to be noted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2021Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11426414

Showing 6 of 102 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.