RoadVitals

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
144
Latest Mar 17, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 1,564 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
49
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
52

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 144 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 144, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2026
Crash reported1 death reported

The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while the son was driving at approximately 52 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on into a second vehicle. During the crash, no air bags had deployed, and the driver sustained fatal injuries. Also, during the crash, the ignition key broke off inside the ignition switch, and the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed to a police inbound lot and later towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11724877
Incident
Apr 29, 2023
Airbags
Filed Jan 9, 2026
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, a 12-point buck jumped into the roadway, causing the contact to abruptly depress the brake pedal; however, the vehicle skidded and crashed into the buck. No air bags deployed. The vehicle was drivable; however, the vehicle was towed to the residence due to the radiator being damaged. The contact stated that he sustained injuries to his left knee, and his fiancée, who was seated in the front passenger side, sustained injuries to her left knee. The contact stated this morning that he noticed his knee was swollen. No medical attention was sought as of yet. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,265.

NHTSA ID
11709925
Incident
Jan 8, 2026
Mileage
16,265 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 26, 2025
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was in a crash on 9/19/25 and at the incident none of my airbags deployed. My daily driver for my children and I. I was lucky I was the only passenger at the time. I never expected my airbags not to deploy in a head on crash. The car still sits in my driveway and I have and identical one just like it that I drive! I’d like them evaluated.

NHTSA ID
11689938
Incident
Sep 19, 2025
AirbagsEngine
Filed Oct 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the Service Air Bag message was intermittently displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11551348
Incident
Oct 4, 2023
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2022
Crash reported1 death reported

The driver of the Cobalt lost control and swerved into the path of a tractor-trailer and collided head-on with the tractor-trailer. The airbag in the Cobalt did not deploy despite significant frontal damage to the Cobalt. A download of the ACU in the Cobalt revealed that the Cobalt's ignition switch was in the accessory position at the time of the crash. The ignition switch recall work had been performed on the Cobalt prior to the crash.

NHTSA ID
11493937
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
AirbagsPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Apr 2, 2022

I purchased a 2007 Chevy cobalt and was told by an independent shop that their computer was reading codes for the ignition switch and the air bag lights are on. On top of it the power steering feels like it goes in and out. I know there’s recalls on the 2007 Chevy cobalts for the exact reasoning. Faulty ignition switch and the airbags not deploying because of it. Along with like 4 other recalls GM announced. I just purchased the car not even two weeks ago so I was told to come on here and file a complaint to see if I can get the recall letter so the dealership can fix the car.

NHTSA ID
11459346
Incident
Apr 2, 2022
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jan 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact’s mother stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the ignition switch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID
11448653
Incident
Jan 14, 2022
Mileage
107,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jan 13, 2021

WHEN CAR HAS ISSUES JUST STOPS AND TURN ITS SELF WHILE DRIVING. NO REACTION TIME TIME TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD FALULTY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON.THIS HAPPENED WHEN MY SERPITINE BELT BROKE ALSO BROKE THE PISTONS NEEDING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. RECENTLY AFRAID TO DRIVE VECHICLE AT ALL WITH NEW BATTERY BECAUSE IT JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE IN IDOL AGAIN NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . ALSO ANTI THEFT IS FAULTY WHEN CAR SHUT SOWN YESTERDAY CAR WOULD NOT UN LOCK AND COULD NOT REMOVE KEY

NHTSA ID
11387847
Incident
Jan 12, 2021
Mileage
75,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Aug 12, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD NOT TURN. ADDITIONALLY, THE SERVICE AIR BAGS MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE OCCURRING, AN ABNORMAL CRACKING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11348784
Incident
Aug 9, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 21, 2020
Crash reported

2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. CONSUMER STATED THAT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID
11299850
Incident
Jan 15, 2017
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS NOT REGISTERING WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOX AUTO GROUP CHEVROLET CADILLAC BUICK GMC (150 ROBERT DANN DR, PAINTED POST, NY 14870, (607) 937-5431) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS NOT REGISTERING AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THAT THE RETRACTOR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ID
11286659
Incident
Nov 17, 2019
Mileage
24,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 10, 2019

"AIRBAG SERVICE REQUIRED" LIGHT STARTED APPEARING ON DASHBOARD APPROX 1 MONTH AGO ONCE HITTING CLOSE TO 100,000 MILES. IT OCCURRED AT A RANDOM TIME WHILE IN MOTION, DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGE. LIGHT OF AIRBAG SERVICE STARTED APPEARING RANDOMLY. AT FIRST IT WOULD TURN ON AND OFF; NOW IT CONSTANTLY APPEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO USED CAR DEALER THAT I BOUGHT CAR FROM; THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO CALL GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE IT APPEARS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AFTER THEY INVESTIGATED IT. GENERAL MOTORS TOLD ME IT WAS NOT A RECALL, YET THEY WERE AWARE IT IS A SERVICE ISSUE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL HAVE DEALT WITH. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO NEAREST CHEVY DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICES AT A UNREASONABLE COST. CALLED LOCAL CHEVY DEALER THEY WANTED DIAGNOSING PAYMENT PLUS PAYMENT TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. I DID NOT TAKE VEHICLE TO CHEVY BECAUSE THE PRICING IS OUTRAGEOUS, THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES OR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. OTHERS HAVE WRITTEN ONLINE ABOUT PAYING FOR THE SERVICE AND IT OCCURRING AGAIN OR EVEN ACCIDENTS OCCURRING WITH AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA ID
11230696
Incident
Jul 10, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed Jun 26, 2019

AIRBAG LIGHT ON,TURNS LIGHTS NOT WORKING

NHTSA ID
11222608
Incident
Jun 20, 2019
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2019

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. WHILE LIT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION. IT HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY A CHEVROLET DEALER AT LEAST TWICE (12/2010 AND 2/2011). BOTH OF THOSE TIMES THE ERROR CODE WAS B0020. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC ON 8/2015 AND CODES B1370, B0081, AND B0020 SHOWED. THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS FIXED, TEMPORARILY, BY APPLYING CONNECTOR GREASE TO THE WIRE CONNECTIONS. ON 9/2017, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR. THIS ALSO FIXED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. BY PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR IS AFFECTED BY THE INTERIOR TEMPERATURE OF THE CAR. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE APPROXIMATELY 65F THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND RENDERS THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAGS USELESS! I HAVE YET TO FIND ANY PERMANENT FIX FOR THE ISSUE. HOWEVER THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY OTHERS ONLINE. IT SEEMS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME THAT A VITAL PIECE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS MALFUNCTIONING YET THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER WILL NOT TAKE ANY STEPS TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
11220845
Incident
Jun 18, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 17, 2019

PURCHASED A USED CAR AND WHEN I PURCHASED IT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON IN THE CAR.THEY WERE FULLY AWARE OF THAT..SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE AIRBAG.I HAVE A CAR FAX ON THE CAR .WHOEVER OWNED IT BEFORE HAD A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE FRONT.THAT WAS NEVER FIXED.SO I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A SENSOR IN THE BUMPER IN THE FRONT.WHENI PURCHASED THE CAR I SAID I DIDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MY TO SPEND.I AM ON A FIXED INCOME .HOPING TO GET SOME HELP SOMEWHERE. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE I PURCHASED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
11170532
Incident
Dec 25, 2011
Mileage
37,987 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Sep 24, 2018
Crash reported2 injuries reported

MARKESHIA WAS DRIVING IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN SHE SWERVED INTO A POLE WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING A STRAY DOG. HER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HER 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS DID NOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER ACCIDENT SHE WENT IN AMBULANCE TO TX. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WHERE HER DAUGHTER WAS RUSHED TO TRAUMA UNIT FOR IMMEDIATE SURGERY. HER DAUGHTER HAS A PERMANENT BRAIN INJURY.

NHTSA ID
11131001
Incident
Sep 2, 2018
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 2, 2018

TAKATA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT ALL THE DASHBOARD NEEDLES WENT CRAZY THEN MY STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN SO I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO START EVENTUALLY IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MORE TRYS TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. ALSO THE KEY IGNITION IS HARD TO TURN WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AIR BAG SERVICE IS ALWAYS SHOWING ON MY DASH WHEN I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11124034
Incident
Aug 31, 2018
Mileage
153,243 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Jan 18, 2018
Crash reported7 injuries reported

THE AIR BAG DEPLEYED CAUSING ME TO WREAK AND I BROKE 4 RIB AND MY STERUM

NHTSA ID
11063651
Incident
Dec 15, 2017
Mileage
97,534 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 21, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER (CIOCCA CHEVROLET, LOCATED AT 855 S WEST END BLVD, QUAKERTOWN, PA 18951; (215) 536-2100). THE CONTACT WAS ASKED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-222-1020 AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A 12 MONTH WARRANTY. CASE NUMBER: 8-3182953508 WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID
11016480
Incident
Sep 12, 2014
Mileage
83,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalFuel system
Filed May 6, 2017

I ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE AIRBAG AND IGNITION RECALLS BUT, NOW, I HAVE A FUEL LEAK WITH FUEL DRIPPING DOWN THE LINES FROM THE TANK ON TO THE GROUND AT A POSITION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND SEAT.

NHTSA ID
10983801
Incident
May 4, 2017
Mileage
142,000 mi
AirbagsFuel system
Filed Apr 18, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE AT A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL FUMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10979086
Incident
Apr 11, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 23, 2017
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TAKATA RECALL: MY AIR BAG SIGN PROBABLY IN THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY HAD APPEARED, AND OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING. I HAD GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 31ST AND THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM NOT POSITIVE IF THIS IS A PART OF THE RECALL SITUATION, BUT IT HAPPENED OUT OF NO WHERE, I JUST TURNED MY CAR ON ONE DAY AND IT STOPPED WORKING. ALSO IN THE ACCIDENT MY CAR WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND HIT BETWEEN THE RANGE OF 35-40 MPH

NHTSA ID
10968177
Incident
Jan 31, 2017
Mileage
11,300 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 8, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.

NHTSA ID
10933929
Incident
Nov 16, 2016
Mileage
119,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNSURE OF THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT A MODULE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10911094
Incident
Oct 3, 2015
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2016
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, BROKEN THUMB, AND HEAD INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ UPDATED 10/19/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10892005
Incident
Jul 16, 2016
Mileage
108,020 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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