CarBrief

NHTSA has 900 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt[1], and five recalls touch this model year[2]. Steering, fuel pump, ignition and rear brake complaints show up most clearly in the samples we read, so check every recall before you buy.

900owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
25–30MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 900 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 67 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 44 injuries and 5 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below add up to more than the total.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Fuel/propulsion system[4] 232 97,341
Steering[5] 210 55,000
Brakes[6] 178 11,700
Electrical system[7] 158 54,550
Air bags[8] 80 79,500
Engine[9] 55 79,500
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 37 88,500
Power train[11] 32 63,000

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the four biggest groups. Here is what owners describe.

These samples are small. They show what owners write about, not how often it happens across all cars.

Recalls

Five recalls are on file for this model year. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists four ratings for the 2009 Cobalt. All are front-wheel drive and take regular gas.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Cobalt XFE, 2.2L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[3] 25 / 37 / 30 $2,250
Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[17] 25 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[18] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
Cobalt, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, manual 5-spd[19] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 2009 Cobalt as not rated in all four body configurations it shows: 2-door and 4-door versions, listed in four configurations (two of them marked W/SAB)[20][21][22][23]. That means there is no star score to compare. It does not say the car is safe or unsafe.

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications, and they can differ slightly from US models. All six versions are 180 in long, 68 in wide and have a 103 in wheelbase[24][25][26][27][28][29].

Version Height Curb weight
LS/LT 2-door coupe[24] 56 in 2,732 lb
LS/LT 4-door sedan[25] 57 in 2,780 lb
Sport 2-door coupe[26] 56 in 2,815 lb
Sport 4-door sedan[27] 57 in 2,870 lb
SS 2-door coupe, turbocharged[28] 56 in 2,974 lb
SS 4-door sedan, turbocharged[29] 57 in 2,954 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2005: 1,649 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 2,330 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 1,564 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 940 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 900 complaints, 5 recalls90020092010: 583 complaints, 5 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cobalt model year. The 2009 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051,6495
20062,3305
20071,5645
20089404
20099005
20105835

The 2009 Cobalt has 900 complaints on file[2]. Among the six model years from 2005 to 2010, only 2010 has fewer, at 583[2]. The other years are 2008 with 940, 2007 with 1,564, 2005 with 1,649 and 2006 with 2,330, the most of any year[2].

Every model year has 5 recalls on file except 2008, which has 4[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2009 Cobalt?

The complaint count is lower than most other Cobalt years, but the car still has five recalls covering ignition, air bags, steering, fuel pump and shifter[2][12][13][14][15][16]. Before you buy, ask a Chevrolet dealer to confirm with the VIN that each recall repair is done, since the 2014 air bag recall notice said repairs depended on parts being available[13]. Owners in the samples we read also describe steering assist loss, fuel pump leaks and early rear brake wear, so those are worth checking on a test drive and inspection[5][4][6]. Gas mileage is modest, from 25 to 30 combined MPG depending on version[19][3]. NHTSA has no star ratings for this car, so you cannot compare it that way[20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
By complaint count, the biggest groups are fuel/propulsion (232), steering (210), brakes (178) and electrical (158)[4][5][6][7]. In the samples we read, owners describe fuel pump leaks, loss of power steering help, ignition key trouble and early rear brake wear.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have any recalls?
Yes, five are on file: 14V171, 14V047, 12V459, 10V073 and 09V073[12][13][14][15][16]. The fuel pump recall covers only cars from certain states[14].
How many miles per gallon does a 2009 Cobalt get?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 MPG for the 2.0L turbo manual to 30 MPG for the XFE with the 2.2L manual[19][3]. The 2.2L automatic is rated at 27 combined[18].
Is the 2009 Cobalt a better year than other Cobalt years?
It has fewer complaints than 2005 to 2008, and more than 2010[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is only a rough guide.
What safety rating did the 2009 Cobalt get?
NHTSA lists it as not rated in all four configurations it shows[20][21][22][23].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 900 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt (67 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 44 injuries, 5 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cobalt model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Cobalt XFE, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 37 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 232 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,341). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 210 complaints name the steering component group (30 crashes, 1 fires, 23 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 178 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 158 complaints name the electrical system component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,550). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 80 complaints name the air bags component group (26 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 55 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 37 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 32 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 12V459, filed September 19, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V073, filed March 3, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 09V073, filed March 6, 2009: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Column Shift. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,732 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,780 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SPORT 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,815 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SPORT 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,870 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS 2DR COUPE FWD TURBOCHARGED: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,974 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS 4DR SEDAN FWD TURBOCHARGED: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,954 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.