CarBrief

Owners filed 583 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Cobalt[1], and steering is the biggest group[2]. The car has five recalls on file[3], so confirm each one was done before you buy.

583owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
25–30MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 583 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 46 mention a crash, 8 a fire, and 45 injuries[1]. Four deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Steering[2] 242 17 15
Electrical system[5] 128 9 4
Fuel/propulsion system[6] 101 1 0
Air bags[7] 79 26 27
Engine[8] 43 1 1
Power train[9] 31 1 6
Brakes[10] 30 5 4

Steering. This is the largest group at 242 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 56,000 miles[2]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 9 describe the wheel locking up, power assist cutting out, or the car veering while driving[2]. Two of the 12 describe pulling, heavy steering or swerving that continued after a repair or on a car built after the recall[2]. This matches the steering recalls below.

Electrical. There are 128 complaints[5]. In a sample of 12 we read, at least 3 describe an ignition key that would not turn or would not come out[5].

Fuel system. There are 101 complaints, and the median mileage at failure is 104,000 miles[6]. In a sample of 12 we read, 8 describe a gasoline smell or a leak from the fuel pump or from rusted fuel lines, and 2 describe a car that would not start with melted fuel pump parts[6].

Air bags. There are 79 complaints, with 26 crashes and 27 injuries[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 8 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash and 4 mention a warning light or sensor trouble[7]. Three of those 8 also describe a steering failure first[7].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2010 Cobalt, newest first[3].

Two of these recalls cover loss of power steering assist, and both list the 2010 Cobalt[13][15].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists several versions of the 2010 Cobalt. All use regular fuel and front-wheel drive.

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
No change needed, or put the ids after the cost.
Coupe or Sedan, 2.2L manual[16][17] 25 / 35 / 29 $2,300
Coupe or Sedan, 2.2L automatic[18][19] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
SS Coupe, 2.0L turbo manual[20] 22 / 30 / 25 $2,700

The annual fuel cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new[18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings do not list a rating for the 4-door or the 2-door 2010 Cobalt[21][22]. Check the recalls above, since they involve air bags and steering[11][14][15].

Engine and size

These sizes are Canadian-market specifications, so a US car may differ slightly[23].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LS/LT/XFE 2-door coupe[23] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,732 lb
LS/LT/XFE 4-door sedan[24] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in 2,780 lb
SS 2-door coupe, turbocharged[25] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,974 lb

How 2010 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 recalls20092010: 583 complaints, 5 recalls5832010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cobalt model year. The 2010 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051,6495
20062,3305
20071,5645
20089404
20099005
20105835

NHTSA has 583 complaints for 2010, the lowest of the six Cobalt years on file[3]. The others are 1,649 for 2005, 2,330 for 2006, 1,564 for 2007, 940 for 2008 and 900 for 2009[3]. Recalls are 5 for 2010, the same as 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009, and 4 for 2008[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough comparison only[3].

Should you buy a used 2010 Cobalt?

The 2010 Cobalt has fewer complaints than any other Cobalt year[3], but its largest group is steering, with 242 complaints and 17 crashes[2]. Five recalls cover steering, the ignition and an air bag wire[11][12][13][14][15]. Before you buy, ask a Chevrolet dealer to confirm each recall was completed[11][12][13][14][15]. Also look at the fuel lines, since owners in our sample describe leaks[6]. Manual versions are rated from 25 to 30 MPG combined[16][20][4].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 242, then electrical at 128 and fuel/propulsion at 101[2][5][6].
How many recalls does the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[3]. They cover power steering assist (10V073 and 14V153), the ignition switch (14V047), key removal (14V171) and side air bag wiring (15V500)[11][12][13][14][15].
How many miles per gallon does a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt get?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 MPG for the SS turbo manual to 30 MPG for the XFE manual[20][4]. The 2.2L automatic is rated 27 MPG combined[18].
Is the 2010 Cobalt the best Cobalt year?
It has the fewest complaints of the six years on file at 583, but counts are not adjusted for sales[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 583 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt (46 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 45 injuries, 4 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 242 complaints name the steering component group (17 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cobalt model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Cobalt XFE Coupe, 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
  5. 128 complaints name the electrical system component group (9 crashes, 3 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 101 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 79 complaints name the air bags component group (26 crashes, 1 fires, 27 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 43 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,686). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 31 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 30 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,372). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 15V500, filed August 10, 2015: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 14V153, filed March 31, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V073, filed March 3, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Cobalt Coupe, 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
  17. EPA rating for Cobalt Sedan, 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 Coupe, 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 Sedan, 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
  20. EPA rating for Cobalt SS Coupe, 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
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT/XFE 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
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT/XFE 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
  25. 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

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.