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FaultScore report

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS with NHTSA between 2011 and 2018. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Cobalt SS All 2010 cars
C

FaultScore 45/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

57,450 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

36%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 6 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 61 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 61
36% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2010 compares with every other Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Steering 3 21.4%

Median failure at 51,900 miles

Electrical System 3 21.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 70,000 mi

Seat Belts 2 14.3%

Median failure at 36,500 miles

Brakes 2 14.3%

Median failure at 23,590 miles

Airbags 2 14.3%

Median failure at 36,500 miles

Body & Structure 1 7.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 201,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 7.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 201,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 14.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 7.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 21.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 35.7%
150,000+ miles 3 21.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Oct 2011 peak 3 May 2018

NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE20011 Opened 5 Jul 2020 Closed 17 Aug 2023 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel Line Leak

On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.The subject metal fuel lines have a pro...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

ENGINE

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 70,000 miles Roseville, MI

SEAT BELTS

"SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE SHOWS IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MESSAGE WILL DISPLAY AT ANY RANDOM TIME, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A, "THE WIRE ON THE BELT TENSION SENSOR (BTS), THAT IS PART OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY, MAY BECOME OPEN OR ACQUIRE A GROUND NEAR THE SENSOR. IF THE BTS IS ROTATED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ADDED STRESS IS APPLIED TO THE WIRE BUNDLE THAT MAY CAUSE AN OPEN OR A GROUND PATH." GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A STATES THAT THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED: 2006-2008 CHEVROLET COBALT COUPE 2008-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS COUPE 2006 PONTIAC PURSUIT COUPE (CANADA ONLY) 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 COUPE THIS CONCERN MAY CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11092247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Roseville, MI

AIR BAGS

"SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE SHOWS IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MESSAGE WILL DISPLAY AT ANY RANDOM TIME, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A, "THE WIRE ON THE BELT TENSION SENSOR (BTS), THAT IS PART OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY, MAY BECOME OPEN OR ACQUIRE A GROUND NEAR THE SENSOR. IF THE BTS IS ROTATED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ADDED STRESS IS APPLIED TO THE WIRE BUNDLE THAT MAY CAUSE AN OPEN OR A GROUND PATH." GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A STATES THAT THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED: 2006-2008 CHEVROLET COBALT COUPE 2008-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS COUPE 2006 PONTIAC PURSUIT COUPE (CANADA ONLY) 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 COUPE THIS CONCERN MAY CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11092247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Roseville, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"SERVICE AIR BAG" MESSAGE SHOWS IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE MESSAGE WILL DISPLAY AT ANY RANDOM TIME, WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. ACCORDING TO GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A, "THE WIRE ON THE BELT TENSION SENSOR (BTS), THAT IS PART OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY, MAY BECOME OPEN OR ACQUIRE A GROUND NEAR THE SENSOR. IF THE BTS IS ROTATED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, ADDED STRESS IS APPLIED TO THE WIRE BUNDLE THAT MAY CAUSE AN OPEN OR A GROUND PATH." GENERAL MOTORS BULLETIN NO.: 09-09-40-003A STATES THAT THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED: 2006-2008 CHEVROLET COBALT COUPE 2008-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS COUPE 2006 PONTIAC PURSUIT COUPE (CANADA ONLY) 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 COUPE THIS CONCERN MAY CAUSE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED, WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11092247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Benton, TN

SEAT BELTS

MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALWAY GARAGE (ENCLOSED). DURING ITS 3000 MILES, IT HAS ONLY HAD ONE PASSENGER FOR ABOUT A 100 MILE TRIP. NO ONE HAS RIDEN IN THE BACKSEAT NOR HAS THE REAR SEAT BEEN USED FOR TRANSPORTING ITEMS. THE INTERIOR HAS NOT BEEN CLEANED (NOT NEEDED). IT IS A COLLECTOR CAR AND USED AS SUCH FOR OCCASIONAL TRIPS. LAST WEEK, THE SIR INSTRUMENT LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED (SERVICE AIRBAG) WHILE ON A TRIP TO EXERCISE THE CAR (CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE SIR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE WAS STARTED). SEE GM SERVICE BULLETIN 09-09-40-003A ISSUED AUGUST 2010. WHEN SIR IS ILLUMINATED, THE AIRBAGS ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE. SEEMS GM HAS A LATENT DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND ITS WIRING BUNDLE. GM DEALER CHARGE ~$500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND ITS DEFECTIVE WIRING BUNDLE. THEY ALSO LOOSEN THE WIRE BUNDLE LEADING TO THE RETRACTOR TO GIVE IT MORE PLAY AND ALTER THE SEAT BELT SLEEVE TO ALLEVIATE BINDING OF THE WIRING BUNDLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GENERIC TO THE WHOLE COBALT LINE AND ITS PONTIAC COUSIN THE G%. SINCE THE FIX IS COSTLY, MOST FOLKS CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE AND DON'T REALIZE THE AIRBAGS ARE NONFUNCTIONAL. THIS PRESENTS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OWNERS AND PASSENGERS OF COBALT AUTOMOBILES. THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE MANDATORY RECALL FOR GM!!!

NHTSA complaint #10820741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Benton, TN

AIR BAGS

MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES ON IT. IT IS ALWAY GARAGE (ENCLOSED). DURING ITS 3000 MILES, IT HAS ONLY HAD ONE PASSENGER FOR ABOUT A 100 MILE TRIP. NO ONE HAS RIDEN IN THE BACKSEAT NOR HAS THE REAR SEAT BEEN USED FOR TRANSPORTING ITEMS. THE INTERIOR HAS NOT BEEN CLEANED (NOT NEEDED). IT IS A COLLECTOR CAR AND USED AS SUCH FOR OCCASIONAL TRIPS. LAST WEEK, THE SIR INSTRUMENT LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED (SERVICE AIRBAG) WHILE ON A TRIP TO EXERCISE THE CAR (CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE SIR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE AUTOMOBILE WAS STARTED). SEE GM SERVICE BULLETIN 09-09-40-003A ISSUED AUGUST 2010. WHEN SIR IS ILLUMINATED, THE AIRBAGS ARE NON-FUNCTIONAL, BUT THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE. SEEMS GM HAS A LATENT DEFECT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND ITS WIRING BUNDLE. GM DEALER CHARGE ~$500 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND ITS DEFECTIVE WIRING BUNDLE. THEY ALSO LOOSEN THE WIRE BUNDLE LEADING TO THE RETRACTOR TO GIVE IT MORE PLAY AND ALTER THE SEAT BELT SLEEVE TO ALLEVIATE BINDING OF THE WIRING BUNDLE. THIS PROBLEM IS GENERIC TO THE WHOLE COBALT LINE AND ITS PONTIAC COUSIN THE G%. SINCE THE FIX IS COSTLY, MOST FOLKS CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE AUTOMOBILE AND DON'T REALIZE THE AIRBAGS ARE NONFUNCTIONAL. THIS PRESENTS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD TO THE OWNERS AND PASSENGERS OF COBALT AUTOMOBILES. THIS SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE MANDATORY RECALL FOR GM!!!

NHTSA complaint #10820741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 201,000 miles Greensboro, NC Fire

ENGINE

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES.

NHTSA complaint #10678724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Pine Ridge, SD

STEERING

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING THING COMES ON THINKING IT NEEDED FLUID I STOPPED TO CHECK THERE WAS NONE AND IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE I MADE IT BACK HOME CHECKING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CAR I WAS DRIVING SO I FOUND THIS SITE THAT'S WHY AM COMPLAINING.

NHTSA complaint #10668178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Hopewell Junction, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SOLENDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #10569294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,900 miles Rantoul, IL

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. A DEALER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REMOVE THE FUSE AND THEN REINSERT IT. THE CONTACT DID AS SUCH HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,900.

NHTSA complaint #10533263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,528 miles Kingsville, TX

STEERING

THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD AND A WARNING CAME ON.

NHTSA complaint #10491634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,950 miles Manlius, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DESPITE LOW MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR PADS AND SEVERELY SCORED. FRONT ROTORS ALSO SCORED. THIS IS A MATERIAL FAILURE OR DEFECT AS I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT REQUIRED ROTOR REPLACEMENT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10456685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,230 miles Lynn, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BROUGHT MY CAR (2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS) TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NEAR ME IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE WORN TO THE POINT JUST BEFORE A SENSOR GOING OFF. THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND REAR BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONES THAT LAST LONGER THAN FRONT ONES BUT MY FRONT ARE FINE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE BRAKES UNDER THE 3 YEAR 36,000 [I]UNLIMITED[/I] WARRANTY OR THE 2 YEAR 20,000 MILE MAINTENANCE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES ON WEBSITES ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES ON MY MODEL CAR AND THEY NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEN ITS NOT A USER PROBLEM ITS A PART PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10433649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.