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2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SSProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 190 owner complaints about the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints19013 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage10kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 19, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: Sherwin Ilagan Solina, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS has problems

190 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic1335
Parking brake180
Service brakes130
Air bags83
Electrical system71
Service brakes, electric60
Fuel/propulsion system60
Steering42
Wheels30
13 other systems221

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

10kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 124 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 99% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
119under 30k miles123under 100k miles1100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2009 vs. every other Cobalt SS year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cobalt SS median. How we score

'08'09'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Electric Power Steering FailurePE10005 · closed Jul 19, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-073
  2. Fuel Line LeakPE20011 · closed Aug 17, 2023
    No recall
In owners' words

What Cobalt SS owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE REAR BRAKES FAILED ON MY CAR AT AROUND 28,000 MILES. AS SOON AS I GOT THE NEW ONES INSTALLED THEY STILL ARE TERRIBLE, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WOULD BE SUCH BRAKES THAT FAIL SO EARLY AND COULD CAUSE HARM TO PEOPLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE BRAKES, THEY ARE ENTIRELY TOO UNSAFE.…
Complaint 10451275 · Mar 12, 2012 · 28,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT SS TURBO. THE CONTACT STATED HIS REAR BRAKE PADS WERE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT RAPIDLY. THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PAD NEVER MADE ANY NOISE ALERTING THE CONTACT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED THE MECHANIC SHOWED HIM HOW THE…
Complaint 10447392 · Feb 10, 2012 · 31,000 miles
WHEN BRAKING SOFTLY, REAR BRAKES MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE SLIGHTLY UNEVEN WEAR ON ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE PADS. ALSO OCCASIONALLY WHILE MOVING IN REVERSE WITH FOOT BRAKES APPLIED I CAN HEAR A VERY VERY LOUD SOUND SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AND WAY LOUDER THEN THE SOUND WHEN MOVING…
Complaint 10442880 · Jan 9, 2012 · 28,000 miles

Own a 2009 Cobalt SS?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.