Problems · by component

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical system problems

158 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt cite electrical system, 18% of all 900 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
158
18% of all complaints
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The air bag never deployed I bought car in 2018 from original owner with car only having 33,000 miles on it and still under warranty til car had 100,000 miles and I hit a deer head on 2 months after getting car which bought in may of 2018 hit the deer in July 2018 . The deer was hit with the front passenger side it broke my headlight n messed my hood up and smashed in the grill little and my air bags never deployed I hit deer at 50 mph , after that had happened I took it in to Chevy dealership and had them look at car cause I told them I hit that deer and air bag never deployed and that my air bag light came on once in awhile and said service air bag . The dealership said they do that sometimes and did something to make light go off that was it my air vag light still comes on and says service air bag . Also ignition switch and fuel smell foul coming from car a lot and is as I speak . My reduce engine power light comes on a lot and have no power to gas pedal n car won’t stay running . I have try to get two recalls fixed back in 2-21 I was having problems with my car back then too special reach called me in Jan of 2021 and told me that there were two recalls on…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2024Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11631947
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2024Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 11585314
“Wiring harness is located too close to the human under the driver's seat. Exposes the driver to electrical frequencies that could be avoided if the wire harness was a further distance away from the human. Also, the the fuel line rusted through after 9 years about 9 inches away from the rear axle where the metal tape ends around the fuel line. The metal tape seems to allow more moisture to become trapped around the fuel line; which promotes rust and a leak where the metal tap ends. After the metal tape, the fuel line is in good condition on this specific vehicle. The fuel leak is about 0.5 inches wide and a lot of gasoline drips / leaks after the car is started. The rust particles are located after the fuel filter; which may promote the rust particles to reach the engine via the rusted fuel line. The car has trouble starting (a delay) and needs to have the key turned twice due to the leak. The leak is very close to the muffler, so it seems like it would be at risk of catching on fire if the muffler was hot enough or if it were traveling on a long trip or going up or down a steep hill. The vehicle has been inspected by police. There were no warning lamps or lights.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2022Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11464722
“The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake, and the vehicle would power off inadvertently. The vehicle would restart however, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2021Steering, Electrical systemODI 11422791
“WITH NO RECENT CHANGES TO THE CAR, IT WON'T START, THEFT LOCK SYMBOL IS ON. TRIED THE SPARE KEY. TRIED THEFT LOCK RELEARN 10 MINUTE AND 30 MINUTE PROCEDURE. DISCONNECTED AND RE-CONNECTED NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL. NONE OF THE STEPS WORKED. THIS ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO KEEP FAMILIES STRANDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2021Electrical systemODI 11400264
“NO START ISSUE. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR GOOD. WONT START AFTER IT'S BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. WHEN YOU TURN CAR OFF IT WON'T START UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE BECAUSE IT WON'T START WHEN I COME OUT OF STORE ST SHOP AGAIN. NEW STARTER PUT IN AND WON'T START. THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP LOOKING”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 29, 2020Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11385500

Showing 6 of 158 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

2 recalls on this component

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
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.