2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026

69Air Bags complaints

9.7%Of all 710 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM226 · 31.8%

STEERING194 · 27.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM131 · 18.5%

AIR BAGS69 · 9.7%

ENGINE39 · 5.5%

Share of the 710 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt overview page.

What owners report

“I NOTICED THE PAST WEEK MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON AND NO ONE WAS SITTING THERE AND THEN THIS MORNING 10/02/12 I TURN…”NHTSA complaint 10478252 — filed 10/02/2012

“I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CURTAINS…”NHTSA complaint 10461496 — filed 06/13/2012

“AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT CRASH THAT CAUSED $7,200 IN DAMAGE AND ON STAR DID NOT CALL OR REPORT THE…”NHTSA complaint 10283773 — filed 09/12/2009

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt: 69 of 710 complaints on file (9.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have in total?

710 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 59 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 41 reported injuries, and 5 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.