Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010 problems by year and mileage
1st (only) generation · GM Delta (GMX001)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20267,966 complaints, 6,579 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 63,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,649
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2005
- Steering1,143 reports · median 61,000 mi
- Electrical system323 reports · median 60,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline99 reports · median 65,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 66,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,330
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2006
- Steering1,299 reports · median 61,000 mi
- Electrical system412 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system255 reports · median 99,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,564
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2007
- Steering689 reports · median 52,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system283 reports · median 96,000 mi
- Electrical system281 reports · median 73,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 69,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 940
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2008
- Steering311 reports · median 68,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system207 reports · median 101,000 mi
- Electrical system172 reports · median 72,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 58,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 900
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2009
- Fuel and propulsion system232 reports · median 97,000 mi
- Steering210 reports · median 55,000 mi
- Electrical system158 reports · median 54,000 mi
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
Close- Median failure report
- 63,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 583
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2010
- Steering242 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Electrical system128 reports · median 57,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system101 reports · median 104,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — side/window · Electrical system — ignition · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2009, and the 2008 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 65,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 134,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 6,579
- Recalls
- 10
Most reported
- Steering48.9% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
- Electrical system18.5% of complaints · median 69,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system14.0% of complaints · median 99,000 mi
Owners filed 7,966 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt; the steering leads with 48.9% of them, and half of the 6,579 that record an odometer reading came by 65,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 41,000 to 98,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt last?
On the 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, half of the 6,579 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 65,000 miles and 90% by 134,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
444 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 84 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Cobalt reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010 · 6,579 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 420 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 84 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 18,000
- 25%
- 41,000
- Median
- 65,000
- 75%
- 98,000
- 90%
- 134,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 256 | 3.9% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 143 | 2.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 165 | 2.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 152 | 2.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 161 | 2.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 163 | 2.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 214 | 3.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 261 | 4.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 334 | 5.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 383 | 5.8% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 420 | 6.4% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 273 | 4.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 365 | 5.5% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 302 | 4.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 296 | 4.5% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 248 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 271 | 4.1% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 213 | 3.2% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 189 | 2.9% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 182 | 2.8% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 219 | 3.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 131 | 2.0% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 126 | 1.9% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 125 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 124 | 1.9% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 101 | 1.5% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 109 | 1.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 70 | 1.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 92 | 1.4% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 47 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 85 | 1.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 38 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 54 | 0.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 25 | 0.4% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 47 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 26 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 37 | 0.6% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 20 | 0.3% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 11 | 0.2% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 17 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 84 | 1.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Cobalt problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Steering3,894 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 42,000–88,000
- Transmission and driveline371 reportsmedian 68,000middle half 40,000–99,000
- Electrical system1,474 reportsmedian 69,000middle half 41,000–100,000
- Airbag system622 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 41,000–100,000
- Fuel system481 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 52,000–102,000
- Engine341 reportsmedian 99,000middle half 70,000–129,000
- Fuel and propulsion system1,116 reportsmedian 99,000middle half 74,000–126,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3,894 | 48.9% | 60,000 | 42,000–88,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,474 | 18.5% | 69,000 | 41,000–100,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 1,116 | 14.0% | 99,000 | 74,000–126,000 |
| Airbag system | 622 | 7.8% | 70,000 | 41,000–100,000 |
| Fuel system | 481 | 6.0% | 75,000 | 52,000–102,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 371 | 4.7% | 68,000 | 40,000–99,000 |
| Engine | 341 | 4.3% | 99,000 | 70,000–129,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 306 | 3.8% | 12,000 | 5,500–22,000 |
| Suspension | 219 | 2.7% | 46,000 | 25,000–69,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 168 | 2.1% | 80,000 | 45,000–130,000 |
Known problems with the 2005–2010 Cobalt
Ignition Switch 2005–2010
The ignition switch detent plunger and spring provide insufficient torque to hold the key in RUN. Knee contact with the key ring, a heavy key fob, or a rough road can rotate the key to ACCESSORY or OFF, shutting off the engine and with it power steering and power brake assist, and — critically — disabling the airbag system so it will not deploy in the ensuing crash. GM recall 14V-047 (February 2014) covered 2005-2010 Cobalt; NHTSA fined GM $35 million for concealing the defect for roughly a decade. Thirteen deaths were initially acknowledged; the victim compensation fund ultimately recognized 124.
Steering 2005–2010
Electric power steering (EPS) motor and torque sensor failure causing sudden total loss of steering assist at any speed, with steering effort spiking without warning. NHTSA recall 10V-073 (2010), expanded under 14V-153, covering roughly 1.3 million Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles.
Engine 2008–2010
Ecotec timing chain stretch on the 2.2L and 2.4L, announced by a cold-start rattle and setting cam/crank correlation codes; often driven by excessive oil consumption and PCV-system oil carryover that lets the chain run dry.
Before you buy a 2005–2010 Cobalt: the 3-minute check
Generated from 6,579 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for hydraulic brake circuit repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 12,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check ignition switch on 2005–2010 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check steering on 2005–2010 cars.
- Check engine on 2008–2010 (2.4L LE5 and 2.2L LAP) cars.
- Years differ here: from 583 to 2,330 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Cobalt problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi44% below | At 90k mi70% below | At 120k mi85% below | At 150k mi93% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 42,000–88,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 41,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 74,000–126,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 41,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 52,000–102,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 40,000–99,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 70,000–129,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010 · 6,579 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 44% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 70% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 85% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 93% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt recalls (10)
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (2), the steering (2), the fuel system (2) (why one area can repeat).
Aug 2015 · 2010 · Air BagsA disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an improperly routed Side-Impact Sensor (SIS) wiring harness in the driver side…
What can happen. A disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sensor's wiring in the driver's door and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact…
Apr 2014 · 2005–2010 · Electrical SystemIf the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park"…
The free fix. General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers…
Mar 2014 · 2010 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds…
The defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there…
What can happen. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available…
Feb 2014 · 2005–2010 · Air BagsIf the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash…
The defect. 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.…
What can happen. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the…
Sep 2012 · 2007–2009 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The defect. General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles…
What can happen. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
The free fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for…
Mar 2010 · 2005–2010 · SteeringIf power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing…
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and model year 2007-2010 Pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while…
What can happen. If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located…
Oct 2009 · 2006–2007 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt and Saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac g5 and Saturn ion vehicles originally…
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california…
Mar 2009 · 2009 · Power TrainThe driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited…
The defect. General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102…
What can happen. The driver may not be able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle could roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible crash without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge. The recall is…
Jan 2007 · 2005–2006 · StructureIn a crash, head impact protection may be inadequate.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof-mounted side impact air bags fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'Occupant protection in interior impact.'
What can happen. In a crash, head impact protection may be inadequate.
The free fix. Dealers will install energy absorbing plastic to the headliner trim to reduce the severity of head impacts in a crash. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact Chevrolet at…
Nov 2004 · 2005 · Exterior LightingThe bulb shield can loosen or break because of vibration.
The defect. Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The bulb shields inside of the headlamps can loosen due to vibration.
What can happen. The bulb shield can loosen or break because of vibration. If this occurred on a headlamp installed in a vehicle, oncoming drivers may notice additional glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. The recall began on november 17, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 7,966 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 566 (7.1%)
- Fires
- 74
- Injury reports
- 312
- Fatality reports
- 42
Cobalt problems by model year
The 2006 drew the most complaints of this generation, 2,330, most of them about the steering, and the 2010 the fewest, 583. A typical year drew about 1,252.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,649 | 1,404 | 63,000 | Steering (1,143) | 5 |
| 2006 | 2,330 | 1,944 | 66,000 | Steering (1,299) | 5 |
| 2007 | 1,564 | 1,268 | 64,000 | Steering (689) | 5 |
| 2008 | 940 | 760 | 69,000 | Steering (311) | 4 |
| 2009 | 900 | 741 | 58,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (232) | 5 |
| 2010 | 583 | 462 | 63,000 | Steering (242) | 5 |
What Cobalt owners reported
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure…
2005 · 90,000 miles · Electrical system
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…
2007 · 16,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart…
2009 · 155,000 miles · Steering
The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or inspected for…
2010 · 54,000 miles · Steering
Built from 6,579 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built