2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Airbags Problems

No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag

NHTSA ID

11752490

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

Head on collision, airbag did not deploy

NHTSA ID

11751466

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.

NHTSA ID

11653303

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

259,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11628474

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

When the driver's side window on my 2008 Chevy Cobalt is fully open/down, the "Service air bag" warning light comes on. This seems to be the exact same issue that resulted in a recall on the 2010 model (NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V500000). When I called Chevrolet corporate customer service regarding this, they explained the model years were manufactured the same, and the reason my year did not have a recall could be that there were not enough reported complaints on it. It is very concerning, since as my dealer indicated, the airbag system seems to be disabled when in this condition. I put today's date as the when the incident occurred, but it's been a condition for the last few years.

NHTSA ID

11590366

Incident

May 23, 2024

My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.

NHTSA ID

11536384

Incident

Jul 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air bag pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11528886

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

Mileage

68,000 mi

I was driving alone paying attention in daylight and suddenly I was knocked/startled and vision blocked and I was saying out loud oh God what is going on-what is happeningy/I was trying to figure out where I was - next I heard my car crunching-and still going to where I exited right side of road and turned on drivers side and slid across 2 lane road-hitting a raiseded bed of 2b 3b gravel and turned back up on 4 wheels. The slanted hill next to a small ditch-about5 ft approximately off road. This all happened very quickly. There was no crash until after I was hit by airbag. Severely crashed passenger side windshield shattered/no airbag went off. Police and by standers assuming zi lost control and could see where I was headed. I never mentioned to police how I felt airbag went off. I knew their theory didn't match what I felt happened but after going back to scene my scenario from my memory is the only one I can verify. Not sure now what happens to vehicle now after I get my check today. I wasn't sure where to report. I did mention in text to adjuster but it is my understanding adjuster didn't get text ?? This just needed to be noted.

NHTSA ID

11426414

Incident

Jun 24, 2021

I RECENTLY ACQUIRED THIS VEHICLE, THE PRIOR OWNER PUT BLACK TAPE OVER AIR BAG DEFECTIVE MESSAGE. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2014, IT STATES THE OWNER WAS INFORMED OF THE RECALL INVOLVING THE IGNITION EFFECTING THE AIR BAGS. THE LISTING CODES NOT INDICATE WHETHER THE RECALL/ VEHICLE WAS EVER SERVICED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I TEND TO THINK IT WAS NEVER DONE. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DETERMINE, THE INCIDENT DESCRIBES THE CONSEQUENCE: 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. CURRENTLY ON MY DASH, THE CHECK AIRBAG IS DISPLAYED. ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE APRIL 18, 2014 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER N/A POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 2,190,934 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V047000 COMPONENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

NHTSA ID

11361936

Incident

Apr 18, 2014

WHILE IN MOTION THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON AND GOES OFF RANDOMLY. A MALFUNCTION IN THE SENSOR OR OTHER AREA HAS LEAD TO PREMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN OTHER'S VEHICLES. AIRBAGS ARE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT GIVE PIECE OF MIND THAT I CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE. THIS IS THE CAR WE ARE CONSIDERING HANDING DOWN TO OUR TEENAGE SON BUT AM CONCERNED WITH THIS WARMING THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AS WELL, EVEN WHEN TIRES HAVE ADEQUATE AIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329277

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

10,000 mi

MY AIR BAG LIGHTS ON DASH FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COME ON AT RANDOM. I ALSO HAVE A LIGHT ON MY DASH THAT'S SAYS SERVICE AIR BAG. I HAVE WENT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. IT WORRIES ME WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR THAT IF I HAVE A ACCIDENT THAT THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE COULD NOT DEPLOY. THIS COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. CHEVROLET DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE WHETHER OR NOT IT GETS FIXED. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM SOMETIMES WHEN I START THE CAR OTHER TIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

11326226

Incident

May 27, 2020

Mileage

76,911 mi

SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT MALFUNCTION AND PRETENSIONER ON PASSENGERS SIDE FAILURE DEACTIVATED PASSENGERS SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM

NHTSA ID

11276901

Incident

Oct 10, 2012

Mileage

55,125 mi

I HAVE A SERVES AIRBAG LIGHT ON IT COMES AND GOES AS I DRIVE DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER HIGHWAY OR IN CITY. EVEN IF I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. FROM MY RESEARCH IT'S A KNOW ISSUE WITH CHEVY COBALT FOR THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT OR THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS TO SHORT OUT I DON'T KNOW WHY IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET MY CAR HAS 89.000 MILES ON IT BUT SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT GO BAD AS SOON AS 35.000 NOW THIS IS AN SAFETY ISSUE THAT GM REFUSES TO ADDRESS I HAVEN'T SEEN MY MECHANIC YET BUT I'M SURE ITS GOING TO BE THE SEAT BELT HARNESS THAT NEEDS REPLACING THE DEALERS WANTS 500.00 OR MORE TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED

NHTSA ID

11271553

Incident

Oct 25, 2019

Mileage

88,000 mi

MY SERVICE AIRBAGS LIGHT KEEPS COMMING ON IT STARTED ONCE IT HIT 90 THOUSAND MILES

NHTSA ID

11243667

Incident

Jul 23, 2019

Mileage

9,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER INTO A PARKING LOT. IN ADDITION, THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE SEAT BELT CAME OFF THE SEAT AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S HAND. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JERRY'S CHEVROLET (1940 E JOPPA RD, BALTIMORE, MD 21234) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED AND THE REPAIRS HAD TO BE PAID BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID

11241150

Incident

Jun 10, 2019

Mileage

122,000 mi

THE VEHICLE BEGAN HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2008. THE POWER WINDOWS BECAME NON OPERABLE, RADIO SPEAKERS STOPPED WORKING, DOOR LOCKS DON'T UNLOCK VIA POWER SWITCH, AC/ HEAT ISSUES (DOESN'T FUNCTION PROPERLY), AND WIRE HARNESSES NEAR SEAT BELT COLUMN (WHERE BELT MEETS FLOOR) BECAME SEVERED FROM SEAT BELT COLUMN MOVEMENT.... THIS CAUSED AIR BAGS TO STOP FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ID

11234671

Incident

Jun 15, 2012

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED PERIODICALLY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNABLE TO BE TURNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,152.

NHTSA ID

11183543

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

Mileage

141,152 mi

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ID

11073446

Incident

Apr 21, 2017

Mileage

5 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID

11064740

Incident

Jan 12, 2017

Mileage

83,000 mi

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS WHILE PARALLEL PARKING OR WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND YOU TRY TO TURN THE WHEEL, ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. SCARY TO THINK IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAYS. STARTED A YEAR AGO AND NOW ITS PERMANENT

NHTSA ID

11048258

Incident

Mar 22, 2016

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A TOW TRUCK IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED AND CAUSED HER HUSBAND TO SUDDENLY STOP AS WELL. THE VEHICLE BEHIND THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO THEIR VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE TOW TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS FATALLY INJURED, BUT WAS REVIVED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, HE DID NOT SURVIVE DUE TO THE EXTENT OF HIS INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO IN THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE FACE, BACK, ARMS, LEGS, AND CHEST AREA, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *LN

NHTSA ID

11040563

Incident

Dec 2, 2009

Mileage

60,000 mi

ACCIDENT DECEMBER 02,2009 NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FATALITY IN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID

11040298

Incident

Dec 2, 2009

Mileage

60,000 mi

I GIVE MY CAR CHEVY COBOLT TO BILLY NAVARR LAKE CHARLES FOR IGNATION SWITCH RECALL BECAUSE GM CORPORATE TOLD ME TAKE THERE AND CHEVY DELAR BILLY NAVARR SOLD MY CAR TO SOME BODY BUT THEY ARE SAYING SOME BODY STEEL THE CAR AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING

NHTSA ID

11013845

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

69,000 mi

AIRBAG AND/OR SEAT BELT TENSIONER MODULE. THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DIC. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND SAY IT'S A "KNOWN PROBLEM" BUT NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY, TSB, OR RECALL, AND QUOTE $500-1000 TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE WIRES AND/OR MODULE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

NHTSA ID

11001672

Incident

Jul 11, 2016

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE GUARDRAIL THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED PARTIALLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE COULD NOT MOVE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH FOUND NO FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID

10992684

Incident

Mar 27, 2017

Mileage

134,000 mi