2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Engine Problems

My car turned off while I was driving and almost caused me to crash into an 18 wheeler. Thank God I turned on my emergency signal and the truck swerved!. I would of died. I was stuck in the middle of the road and luckily some passersby helped me push it into a commercial parking area. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't start. But, when I turn my key into the off position, my car tried starting by itself. It was scary. It was checked by a mechanic, prior to this happening, because the car was hard to start. The mechanic told me to find out if there is a recall. However, I did some research and there was a recall on the ignition switch and fuel pump. The ignition switch was faulty causing the car to turn off while moving and two people died as a result. I entered the VIN # and it didn't show any recalls.

NHTSA ID

11555972

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after driving to a local store and turning off the vehicle, the contact then returned to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel level sensor circuit and cam shaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11548298

Incident

May 15, 2023

Mileage

153,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated and the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel had leaked from near the rear passenger-side wheel area. The contact discovered that the leak was due to a corroded and damaged fuel line. In addition, it was discovered that the fuel line connecting to the fuel filter was corroded and damaged. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 97,600.

NHTSA ID

11488820

Incident

Oct 2, 2022

Mileage

97,600 mi

The contact's mother owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while his mother was starting the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag made clicking sounds. Additionally, the engine would rev, and the vehicle would shake while idle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, and ignition coils; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,864.

NHTSA ID

11447314

Incident

Jan 13, 2022

Mileage

106,864 mi

FUEL LEAK FROM FUEL LINE IN THE REAR ON VEHICLE. CORROSION TO FUEL LINE. LEAKS BADLY WHEN RUNNING! LONG ENGINE CRANK AFTER SITTING A SHORT TIME. LEAVES PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER VEHICLE. FUEL SMELL ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

11373688

Incident

Nov 7, 2020

KEEP SMELLING FUEL VAPORS ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CHECKED THE FUEL FILTER AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING DESPITE MY GAS MILEAGE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. I'VE BEEN BURNING A FULL TANK OF GAS GOING LESS THAN 250 MILES WHEN I SHOULD GET NEAR 400 MILES A TANK.

NHTSA ID

11338017

Incident

Jul 4, 2020

Mileage

100,392 mi

THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND SHUTDOWN WHILE TRAVERSING RT 287 NEAR BOONTON AT SPEEDS AROUND 65. I COASTED OFF AN EXIT AND CAME TO A STOP AT PARK AVE AND WOOTTON ST. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR MY VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN SO I COULD EITHER FIX/CONTINUE DRIVING, IT HAD BECOME APPARENT THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD STARTED TO COMBUST. NOTICEABLE BY THE SOUND OF THE FIRE. THAT LEFT ME RUSHING TO EMPTY OUT THE VEHICLE OF BELONGINGS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. NOTE THAT PRIOR TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING LIGHTS NOR INDICATORS HAD TURNED ON. WHEN VEHICLE OVERHEATED THE TEMPERATURE LIGHT TURNED ON AND THAT WAS ALL UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY ON FIRE AND HAD SHUT ITSELF OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327186

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

I BOUGHT A USED 2009 CHEVY COBALT 2 YEARS AGO IN 2017 WITH 119K MILES. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A HEADACHE WITH THINGS GOING WRONG! THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE CODE P2135 THAT SENDS THE CAR INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND THE ENGINE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. THIS IS VERY SCARY ESPECIALLYWITH 3 YOUNG BOYS IN THE CAR WITH ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY, ECM, ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH NEW SENSOR, CRANKSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES. AFTER ALL THESE THINGS I AM OUT OF IDEAS ONWHY THIS KEEPS HAPPENING IN BUT ALL THOSE NEW PARTS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT KEEPS OCCURRING. PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS A RECALL OR YOU CAN AT LEAST TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11316325

Incident

Jun 1, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11311185

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT READ AN ARTICLE THAT MENTIONED THAT THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE FUEL PUMP COULD DETACH AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR TO THE VEHICLE IN HIGH HUMIDITY CLIMATES. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), WHICH WAS THE SAME FAILURE THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11257321

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR OUTSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11233845

Incident

May 24, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY PRE-INSPECTION STICKER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM DEL CHEVROLET (1644 LANCASTER AVE, PAOLI, PA 19301, (484) 324-4265). AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION SHOP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED REPLACEMENT, THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT, FOUR NEW TIRES, AND A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MORE THAN ONCE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11176204

Incident

Mar 15, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE QUARTER PANEL AND FUEL LINE WERE CORRODED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,500.

NHTSA ID

11169958

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

127,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START. THE VEHICLE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING AND FUEL WAS NOTICED ON THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOSEPH CHEVROLET (8733 COLERAIN AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45251) FOR OTHER REPAIRS AND THE FAILURE BEGAN AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ONLY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11103751

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

143,000 mi

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION WHEN PARKING CAR AND TURNING VEHICLE OFF PULLING KEY OUT GETS STUCK HAVE TO WIGGLE IT OUT GOT HIT ON DRIVERSIDE FRONT END NO AIRBAGS CAME OUT THE TIME I GOT HIT DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS BECAUSE I TRIED TO STOP AND VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING WOULDN'T STOP

NHTSA ID

11085186

Incident

Dec 7, 2017

Mileage

79,000 mi

MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING A CAR WITH A FUEL LEAK THAT IS HAS A RECALL IN SOME STATES FOR THE PROBLEM BUT NOT IN MINE. RECALL # 090226 , HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE, PLEASE HELP! I THINK I HAVE TO WORK AS HARD FOR MY MONEY AS OTHER STATES, AND I AM CERTAIN MY CAR COST AS MUCH TO PURCHASE AS IN OTHER STATES. HER CAR HAS FUEL DRIPPING BETWEEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND LEFT REAR WHEEL. APPEARS TO BE STARTING AROUND TOP OF TANK LOCATION.

NHTSA ID

11074718

Incident

Feb 16, 2018

Mileage

80,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD ON I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AIRBAG AND MY HEAD IMPACTING TOP WINDSHIELD INSURANCE SETTLE NET ME 3750. LUMBAR 4,5 BROKEN THUMB SEVERED FROM RIGHT HAND IN UNCONSCIOUS ATTEMPT TO HOLD MY SELF IN SEAT OBVIOUSLY THAT THUMB GAVE WAY BUT DID MORE THAN THE AIRBAG WHICH DID NOT EVEN CLEAR THE STEERING WHEEL ALL MY RIBS WERE BROKEN ONSTAR ALREADY NOTIFIED MY ATTY ISN'T VERY SMART ON THIS I HOPE THE AGENCY HAS SOME WAY TO AVOID PUBLICITY TO HURT ANY GM BUT I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TIME LOST APPROX 1 YEARS AT MY AVERAGE EARNINGS AND FUTURE ABILITY FOR REHABILITATION OR MINOR SURGERY

NHTSA ID

11045477

Incident

Sep 13, 2016

Mileage

106,000 mi

ECM PROBLEM. LOST STEERING AND ALL DASHBOARD INFORMATION. VECHILE DOES NOT START.DEALER TELLS ME IT IS A BAD ECM AND IT IS $841.00 TO REPAIR IT. INCLUDING A $250.00 CHARGERE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THAN I FIND OUT THERE WAS A HUGE RECALL ON THESE ECMS BUT FOR SOME REASON MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. GM SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THIS AND REPLAVCE IT AT NO CHARGE SINCE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE HAD HUGE ISSUYES WITH THIS

NHTSA ID

11024560

Incident

Sep 18, 2017

Mileage

131,000 mi

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON ALONG WITH TRACTION LIGHT WHICH APPEARS WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT USUALLY AT AN IDLE. SO WHEN TRACTION LIGHT IS ON & YOUR DRIVING IN NORMAL TRAFFIC, CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND YOU'LL HAVE TO STEP ON GAS REALLY HARD TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC, IF AND WHEN TRANSMISSION DECIDES TO SHIFT GEARS IT WILL BANG REALLY HARD INTO SECOND GEAR .

NHTSA ID

11019881

Incident

Jul 15, 2017

OVERHEAT BACK IN 2014 TOOK IN TO DEALER IN RICHMOND CA. AGAIN CAR OVERHEATING TOLD FINE BY DEALER. SUMMER HAD TO RUN HEATER FOR CAR TO COOL DOWN WHEN DRIVING. EVEN AFTER I PUT ANTIFREEZE IN& FLUIDS FINE. WOULD NOT PASS SMOG FOR 2016 TAGS, HAS 85,000 MILES.P03000 RANDOM MULTIPLE CYLINDERS MISFIRED DETECTED. WAS THEN TOLD NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR 2009 CAR! JUST ABOUT PAID OFF! REPLACED GEAR SHIFT 2YEARS AGO! CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ALL FLUIDS GOOD AND BATTERY GOOD! ALSO WHEN DRIVING CAR SEAT BELT PASSENGER LIGHT WOULD LITE UP W/NO ONE IN THE SEAT! CALLED CHEVY TOLD MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH TO ANY OF THE RECALLS ON CHEVY VEHICLES DEAL WITH IT!

NHTSA ID

10984713

Incident

Apr 15, 2017

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FLUCTUATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE LOW FUEL, SERVICE TRACTION, POWER STEERING, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT IT OFF, AND RESTART IT ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. HOWEVER, THE FAILED RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERABLE AGAIN AFTER BEING PARKED FOR HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.

NHTSA ID

10914240

Incident

Oct 5, 2016

Mileage

61,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE 2 WEEKS AFTER 2 RECALLS WERE REPAIRED ON IT. IT WAS RUSH HOUR I WENT TO PUSH ON MY BREAKS AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR TURNED OFF, AT THIS POINT IM FREAKING OUT. I CONTACT CHEVY SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY ADVISE THAT THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED THEY ALSO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS TO DANGEROUS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. SO I ASK THE BANK TO REFINANCE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS CAR WAS WAY TOO DANGEROUS TO PUT MY BABY IN, THEY SAID NO DUE TO MY CREDIT. I THEN HAD THEM REPO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO PAY FOR A DEATH TRAP. NOW THEY ARE SUING ME FOR THE REMANDING BALANCE ON THE VEHICLE. I AM GOING TO COURT AND WONDERING IF I HAVE A CASE.

NHTSA ID

10909689

Incident

Jan 26, 2014

Mileage

63,000 mi

THE CAR LIGHTS WILL FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. STRONG SMELL OF GAS AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. BEEN GOING ON FOR THE FLICKERING 2 MONTHS NOW. FOR THE FUEL 2 WEEKS NOW

NHTSA ID

10896197

Incident

Jul 30, 2016

I HAVE RECENTLY HAD MY COBALT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN REDLANDS CA DUE TO A HORRIBLE GAS SMELL. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED IF MY CAR WAS UNDER RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP HOWEVER IT WAS NOT. I INDEED HAD A CRACK ON THE FUEL PUMP HAVING TO REPLACE IT AS THE FUEL SMELL WAS OVER THE TOP. I PAID FOR THE PART AND LABOR OUT OF POCKET YET WONDER WHY MY VIN WAS NOT RECALLED WHEN I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT WITH THE EXACT SAME FUEL PUMP ISSUE???

NHTSA ID

10872646

Incident

Apr 19, 2016

Mileage

95,000 mi

DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE TRACTION LIGHT. THE DISPLAY SAYS ENGINE POWER REDUCED, SERVICE TRACTION. I WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED WHEN THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH AND STALLED OUT AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I KEEP GOING TO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND EVERYONE SAYS ITS SOMETHING ELSE AND I HAVE ALREADY SANK OVER $1500 INTO THIS AND YET IT IS STILL HAPPENING WITH NO END IN SIGHT!!

NHTSA ID

10851827

Incident

Mar 15, 2016

Mileage

129,000 mi