Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic — runs 11.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
190Complaints
6Recalls
8Crashes
2Fires
3Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic (70% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints here are 11.0× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
133 · 70%
No official action
—
Parking Brake
18 · 9.5%
No official action
—
Service Brakes
13 · 6.8%
No official action
—
Air Bags
8 · 4.2%
Recalled
Recall 14V047000
Electrical System
7 · 3.7%
Recalled
Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000
Service Brakes, Electric
6 · 3.2%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 190 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“REAR BRAKES ON A 2009 COBALT SS TURBO SCORE AND GRIND WITHIN 10,000 MILES. YOU HAVE TO PUT AFTER MARKET BRAKES ON THE CAR.”NHTSA complaint 10371149 — filed 12/18/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
“I PURCHASED MY 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS/TC IN EARLY JUNE OF 2010. IT WAS A GM CERTIFIED USED CAR. WHEN I INSPECTED THE CAR BEFORE…”NHTSA complaint 10368623 — filed 12/02/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
“REAR BRAKES WORE TOO QUICKLY FOR A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR THAT ONLY HAVE 10,000 MILES ON IT.”NHTSA complaint 10365523 — filed 11/12/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
Service brakes, hydraulic issues are the most-reported category, cited in 133 of 190 NHTSA complaints (70%), followed by parking brake (18), service brakes (13), air bags (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS have?
190 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 8 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS's reported problems?
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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