Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
1,564
Latest Jul 3, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
132
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
7
Reports on file since Oct 19, 2006
What this page shows
Our database holds 1,564 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 1,564 · page 1 of 63
ElectricalFuel systemSteering
Filed Jul 3, 2026
Fuel Leak it smells and leaks it seems to be coming from the gas tank and sometimes I get random electric failure when I'm driving I lose power steering and My brakes get stiff and hard to push down and my dash will go Off and then go crazy and show that i have no gas
NHTSA ID
11748103
Incident
Jan 27, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Apr 15, 2026
I observed my mother’s 2007 Chevy Cobalt was leaking fuel near the rear tire by the fuel tank. I inspected the tank with engine off and it does not leak. Only with engine running. I lowered the tank and observed a small crack on the plastic return line on the fuel pump module. I started looking online and could not find a replacement part that was plastic. I then conducted more research and found the recall. I asked my mother and she stated she never received a recall. The recall was issued on 09-19-12. NHSTA ID#12v459000
NHTSA ID
11731276
Incident
Jan 28, 2026
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
Steering
Filed Dec 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA ID
11702992
Incident
Dec 4, 2025
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
Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2025
Hard to Turn Brand New front suspension
NHTSA ID
11682157
Incident
Aug 21, 2025
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the contact had to manually steer the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle without power steering functionality. The contact stated that additional electrical failures had occurred. The contact also stated that the ABS activated and deactivated independently, and the traction control became inoperable. The instrument panel also became inoperable, and the contact was unable to see the speedometer and fuel gauge functions on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA ID
11656377
Incident
Apr 23, 2020
Steering
Filed May 1, 2024
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a loud noise coming from the steering wheel. After the failure, while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact became aware of a crunchy sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that due to the failure result, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
NHTSA ID
11586366
Incident
May 1, 2024
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2024
Timing chain came right threw the valve cover
NHTSA ID
11576571
Incident
Jan 5, 2024
Filed Mar 7, 2024
Key can be removed while a car is still running. It still does this. Hasn't been repaired.
NHTSA ID
11575975
Incident
Apr 30, 2019
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2024
The fuel pump failed and had began leaking profusely. The car was brought to the Chevy dealership where I was told it would be fixed under special coverage 12191. Chevy had tried an aftermarket part to fix but it would not seal properly and continued to leak. I got in contact with General Motors who said a new part had been ordered, a week later they told me there was no new part as they discontinued it. They are now saying that it isn’t their responsibility to fix the car due to its mileage even though special coverage 12191 specifically states no expiration due to mileage. They are offering me a credit towards a down payment which I do not want as I am not interested in having a new car payment, i want my car repaired or to be compensated once they total it out. This is my daily driver car and I have been without it for four months while GM shoves me around and refuses to deliver on their failed product. Please help.
NHTSA ID
11564966
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2024
Started smelling gas when driving vehicle. Found fuel leak on top of fuel tank. Took vehicle to Mesa Auto Works (480-969-1954) on [XXX] and they diagnosed a Fuel Pump Module broken and leaking fuel. Replaced unit at a cost of $730.22 with the fuel pump module costing $382.80. This defect could have resulted in a car fire and or worse. Definitely a safety issue. I have searched online and found many other complaints about this same defect. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11564927
Incident
Jan 9, 2024
Steering
Filed Dec 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal sound while reversing. Additionally, the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel was firm. The contact turned around and drove back to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,200.
NHTSA ID
11561862
Incident
Oct 26, 2023
Mileage
179,200 mi
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
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor near the fuel tank. There was fuel leaking from the fuel cap. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
NHTSA ID
11542961
Incident
Mar 1, 2023
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2023
Gas smell, no gas is visable on ground and vehicle is hard to start after sitting.
NHTSA ID
11542831
Incident
Aug 18, 2023
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the RPM’s continuously fluctuated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The ABS warning light was illuminated and the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to turn the steering wheel. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
NHTSA ID
11519058
Incident
Apr 23, 2023
Mileage
191,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, he noticed a fuel odor and a leak at the rear driver’s side tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA ID
11507279
Incident
Feb 7, 2023
Mileage
140,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.
NHTSA ID
11503843
Incident
Jan 19, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the anti-theft warning light illuminated. Additionally, the low fuel warning light was illuminated; however, there was fuel in the tank. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 155,000.
NHTSA ID
11500834
Incident
Jan 6, 2023
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 21, 2022
fuel lines starting pouring gas right at driver side rear wheel gas lines rusted with holes in them and my car only has 40 thousand miles on it and parked in a garage this could have been very bad since the gas lines are right next to the exhaust
NHTSA ID
11498371
Incident
Dec 9, 2022
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at unknown speeds, he heard an abnormal beeping sound, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
NHTSA ID
11495323
Incident
Nov 26, 2022
Mileage
177,000 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
Steering
Filed Oct 31, 2022
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and started to shake. The power steering assist warning light illuminated then turned off. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact scheduled and appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA ID
11491561
Incident
Oct 27, 2022
Mileage
160,000 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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