2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Owners have filed 916 complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system accounts for 24.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 22.9%.
Complaints916
Crashes103
Fires9
Injuries54
Deaths10
What owners report breaking
Fuel/propulsion system 24.7% · 226
Steering 22.9% · 210
Electrical system 17.0% · 156
Air bags 8.0% · 73
Engine 4.3% · 39
Fuel system, gasoline 3.9% · 36
Power train 3.2% · 29
Unknown or other 2.5% · 23
Severity
Of those complaints, 103 describe a crash, 9 describe a fire, 54 report an injury and 10 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt in this data, 2009 draws comparatively few complaints; 2006 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 13 in the last three years against 71 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 74,000 miles.
In owners' own words
My car smells like gas inside and out. Chevy dealership says that it is fuel line leakage which has been reported by many for this model. But for some reason, my vin was not included in the recall which was done in 2012. Fuel line leak did not happen in my car until now. It is like driving around in a fuel bomb with my little kids. It is too expensive to pay out of my pocket ($1100) for a car that is not worth much. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 79,000 miles
Fuel leak coming from corroded fuel lines at the bend located at the driverside rear of car. The heat tape aroud the fuel lines holds moisture and salt which corroded the line. Fuel leak occurs right by the exhaust pipe. Dealership explained how much of a fire hazard this was and that it should be fixxed immediately. Fuel lines should be made of stainless to prevent corrosion and possible fire from occuring. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 93,000 miles
The leaks are caused by corrosion of metal fuel lines near polymer blocks that hold the lines to the body. The leaks are beneath an insulation heat shield near the exhaust pipe and muffler. The vehicle was stationary on a city street. I bought this vehicle in 2010 with about 8,000 miles on it and it's been a garage kept car. The corrosion is just on the gas lines and not so much on the body of the vehicle. Fuel/propulsion system · reported at 63,865 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…