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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 190 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, most often about the brakes (83% of complaints, typically around 11,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cobalt SS model year since 2000.

Complaints190
Recalls0
Crashes reported8
Fires reported2
Injuries reported3

Most common 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS problems

  1. Brakes

    158 complaints · 83%

    Half of these problems showed up before 11,000 miles.

    1. Car is a daily driver, so no abuse or anything. 2. Rear brakes are squealing again after being replaced once (pads and rotors replaced by dealership) 3. The rotors and pads have been replaced once, but it's happening again.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 11,000 miles
    Noticed multiple times that my parking brake seemed to "hang up" when released. Took to dealer and they found nothing wrong . I am at approx 10,500 miles now and have no parking brake to hold my car. I was told both the inner pads on both sides for my rear brakes were gone and will need the rotors replaced also. Have…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 10,500 miles

  2. Air bags

    8 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 55,500 miles.

    The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS. The contact started the vehicle and the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 51,000 miles
    My airbag light is on for my passenger seat. I have taken to a dealership and they said the specific code is not covered by a recall. They said my passenger presence module needs replaced.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 60,000 miles

  3. Electrical

    7 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.

    I was trying to start my car and turned the key in the ignition and my car was completely dead. I thought it was the battery and tried to take the key out, but it was stuck and wouldn't come out. I googled how to take it out and that worked, we jumped the car thinking it was the battery, but without the key in the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 66,000 miles
    Connector feeding power to the A/C-heater blower melted; caused a crackling sound, a smell, and the fan to stop working. The connector melted together. To get a picture of the pin that failed required me to break the connector. Power was present on the brown wire as soon as the ignition is on - the blower did not need…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 73,000 miles

  4. Fuel system

    7 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles.

    Strong fuel odor coming from vehicle. Fuel dripping from bottom of car near fuel tank. Found fuel lines rotting and causing leaks on multiple sections starting at the fuel tank up to the engine. Protective heat wrap holding moisture and causing lines to rot.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 77,500 miles
    Leaking fuel lines above exhaust. Where the fuel line comes down out of the tank and runs forward, there is a holder that was wearing on the fuel line and caused a hole and a leak.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 73,000 miles

  5. Service Brakes, Electric

    6 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles.

    My rear brakes on my 09 Cobalt SS are wearing unevenly. My right side rear brake pads are completely used up and as a result have begun to grind on to the rotors and caused them to form pits, and or grooves. Very disappointing.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 14,200 miles
    Normal driving lead up to the extremely premature failure of the rear rotors and brake pads, increasing stopping distances which could result in a crash. I took my car to the Chevrolet dealer and, though at only 25,000 miles, they said I needed to *replace*, not resurface the rotors. 25k miles! To remedy the problem…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 25,010 miles

  6. Wheels and tires

    6 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles.

    When I drive the air bag warning goes on,and the tire stress goes on(which make me slow down worried ! ). I replaced the tires couple of times but I still get those warning(tires stress and air bag). Lately I also ran to problem with my engine. I took it to pep boys were they said I should replace it for 5700$.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 10,000 miles
    2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS brakes squeak after 2 weeks of owning the vehicle- I cannot step on my brakes without hearing the noise of them squeaking. The noise will not go away!
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 2,000 miles

  7. Steering

    4 complaints · 2%

    Making left turn. Wheel turned about 45 degrees and stuck. After coming to a complete stop, I could turn wheel freely. Wheel often slips left or right for no apparent reason, as though it needs an alignment. Only three months and 3,000 miles old.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 3,000 miles
    Tl contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the front and rear brakes pulsated when they were depressed and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that there was nothing wrong. The vehicle had not been repaired. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 16,000 miles

  8. Engine

    4 complaints · 2%

    The front intercooler on the vehicle was designed below the ground effects of the front bumper. The intercooler has cracked 3 to 4 times and is not repairable. This is a flaw on all 2008-2009 chevy Cobalt SS models. The result was a broke down vehicle. The air system on the car failed. The dealership neglected to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2011, at 20,000 miles
    December 29, 2011, I was driving home one evening in the cobalt when my car's engine shut off and I lost control on a semi-residential a few blocks from home. Driving at about 35-45 mp, downhill, I hit a parked car on the left side of the road (narrow road, cars parked on both sides, 2-way street). I thought, "I'm…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 38,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (158 complaints, typically around 11,000 miles); air bags (8 complaints, typically around 55,500 miles); electrical (7 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
It is the most complained-about Cobalt SS model year since 2000, with 190 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Cobalt SS years

Chevrolet Cobalt SS problems by year