The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
312 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Honda Civic 812009 Toyota Corolla 2842009 Hyundai Elantra 46
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
- Rust / frame corrosion68 complaintsmostly at 66,000–130,000 miles (106,000–209,000 km)
- Fuel pump62 complaintsmostly at 70,000–116,000 miles (113,000–187,000 km)
- Steering rack / power steering59 complaintsmostly at 26,000–85,000 miles (42,000–137,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 900 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,000 and 35,000 miles (9,700–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 286 complaints, of all 312 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V047000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 1015 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Daewoo/saturn/opel/pontiac/chevrolet: instrument panel cluster (ipc) air bag indicator…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 312 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 34K miles (10K to 56K km) on the car (286 of all 312 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Rear brakes failing far to quickly, less than 23,000km, results in very loud screeching/grinding noise.
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt owner · NHTSA complaint 10284967
More owner reports
Brakes on a 2009 and 2008 chevy Cobalt ss turbocharged. Failing prematurely. I have 7500 miles and already have scored, fading brake performance, front and rear.
NHTSA complaint 10283410
Rear brakes wear out too quickly, horrible scoring on the rotors. Noise issues.
NHTSA complaint 10283039
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 13.4M views · 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors832K views
2009 Chevy Cobalt Camshaft Position Sensor Error Code and ReplacementWeekend Automotive · 169K views · 13 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical607K views
How to Replace Starter 2005-2010 Chevy CobaltTRQ · 120K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service458K views
OIL CHANGE (2005-2010 CHEVY COBALT 2.2L)BARRICADE GARAGE · 219K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt | AQ1085Filterheads · 128K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter341K views
2006-08 Chevy Cobalt Transmission Control Module FIX - UPDATED*Zach Tyler · 166K views · 5 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank258K views
Fuel filter replacement 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Install Remove Replace How to changeFixing cars and stuff · 117K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition257K views
2007 cobalt -The solution for lock symbol won't start problemRandom but Lively · 120K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine231K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt 2.2L Timing Chain ReplacementJoseph Vollmar · 98K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy Cobalt Coupe 1st Generation 2005-101A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 275K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt AC ProblemsGearmo Auto · 120K views
2005 Chevy Cobalt Electrical Problems *Fixed* See Descriptionjacobaaron11 · 102K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1015 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Daewoo/saturn/opel/pontiac/chevrolet: instrument panel cluster (ipc) air bag indicator…
- Gauges and warning lights are intermittently illuminated
- There are multiple warning lights
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicle.
Show all 6 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2012
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Steering · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cobalt recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel line leak2020–2023
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,100–$2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cobalt year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet Cobalt years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/?y=2009" title="Chevrolet Cobalt reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 370; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Cobalt year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (45%), steering (21%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt get?
25 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 6,000 and 35,000 miles (9,700–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 286 complaints, of all 312 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt cost in fuel a year?
About $2,100 to $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cobalt year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works