286 of the 2,004 complaints about the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt are about the electrical system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 74,750 miles.
286
Complaints
18
Crashes
6
Fires
11
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Fuel Leak it smells and leaks it seems to be coming from the gas tank and sometimes I get random electric failure when I'm driving I lose power steering and My brakes get stiff and hard to push down and my dash will go Off and then go crazy and show that i have no gas
NHTSA complaint #11748103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was in a crash on 9/19/25 and at the incident none of my airbags deployed. My daily driver for my children and I. I was lucky I was the only passenger at the time. I never expected my airbags not to deploy in a head on crash. The car still sits in my driveway and I have and identical one just like it that I drive! I’d like them evaluated.
NHTSA complaint #11689938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the contact had to manually steer the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle without power steering functionality. The contact stated that additional electrical failures had occurred. The contact also stated that the ABS activated and deactivated independently, and the traction control became inoperable. The instrument panel also became inoperable, and the contact was unable to see the speedometer and fuel gauge functions on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11656377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving down the road and I used my blinker then my car shut off while driving, its turned back on in seconds then when I came to a complete stop the car shut off while on drive and it lost communication to the Tcm and it was displaying messages such as “low fuel” and the rpms was at zero
NHTSA complaint #11479482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact’s mother stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the ignition switch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11448653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact’s mother stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall without warning. The contact stated no warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the ignition switch replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #11448653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problems with ignition had a recall on ignition got it replaced still is messing up had to buy another car cause it won't start. It cut off while going down the road
NHTSA complaint #11434575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WILL NOT START- IGNITION BAD - RELAY BAD.
NHTSA complaint #11395651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN CAR HAS ISSUES JUST STOPS AND TURN ITS SELF WHILE DRIVING. NO REACTION TIME TIME TO PULL OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD FALULTY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER COMES ON.THIS HAPPENED WHEN MY SERPITINE BELT BROKE ALSO BROKE THE PISTONS NEEDING A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. RECENTLY AFRAID TO DRIVE VECHICLE AT ALL WITH NEW BATTERY BECAUSE IT JUST STOPS RUNNING WHILE IN IDOL AGAIN NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . ALSO ANTI THEFT IS FAULTY WHEN CAR SHUT SOWN YESTERDAY CAR WOULD NOT UN LOCK AND COULD NOT REMOVE KEY
NHTSA complaint #11387847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON WHILE THE CAR AT HIGH SPEED DRIVING AND CAR SHUT OFF/ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY, THANKS GOD WAS ON A RURAL ROAD AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC. TRY TO START CAR THE SECURITY LOCK CAME ON. SECURITY LOCK COMES ON THE CAR VERY OFTEN LEAVING ME STRANDED. THE CAR HAS 54000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11365246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WENT TO TURN THE CAR ON AND IT WOULDN'T START. AS I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION IT LOCKED ITSELF IN AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMOVE IT.I WAS GOING TO ATTEMPT THE CAR JUMP BUT I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO MOVE IT TO A POSITION TO GET A JUMP BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT IS ALSO LOCKED. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THIS CAR AS IS.
NHTSA complaint #11353394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TURN SIGNALS TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE AND/OR INOPERABLE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TURNING, ENGINE LIGHT ON CONTINUOUS AND NOT ABLE TO DETECT REASONS, DEALERSHIP REJECTED REQUEST TO IDENTIFY CAUSE AND EFFECT OF ENGINE LIGHT, CAR MAKING POPING SOUNDS, IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOT ADDRESSED. THE ONLY KNOWN RECALL REPAIR AND OR RECORD OF REPAIR IS FOR FUEL LEAKAGE. ALL "IN MOTION" RELATED PROBLEMS. PROBLEMS COME OUT OF NO WHERE AND ONGOING.
NHTSA complaint #11352307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, ABOUT TO TURN RIGHT WHEN MY LOCKS STARTED LOCKING/UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN REPEATEDLY. MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ACTIVATES.. MY DASH FLASHES SERVICE TRACTION /POWER STEERING. SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #11301516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR DO SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THEY ALSO TURN ON BY THEMSELVES SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AND OFF. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH A DEAD BATTERY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 AND NEWER COBALTS. TYPICALLY CARS HAD A PHYSICAL RELAY TO CONTROL THE HEADLIGHTS. IN THESE CARS THE RELAY CIRCUIT IS BUILT IN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX. THE BOX IS NOT SEAL PROPERLY AND MOISTURE GETS INTO THE BOX, CAUSING A FAILURE ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD. THIS CAR FIRST STARTED DOING THIS BACK IN 2009 WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAD IT. I RECENTLY TOOK THE CAR BACK AND IT WAS STILL BEHAVING IN THIS MANNER. THE WORK AROUND THAT SEEMED TO WORK FOR A LONG TIME WAS TO MANUALLY TURN THE AUTO LIGHTS OFF USING THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL. TODAY, THE LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON BY THEMSELVES WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. ALSO, TURNING THE AUTO LIGHTS OFF MANUALLY HAS STOPPED BEING EFFECTIVE. WE ARE NOW FEARFUL, WILL THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE WE ARE DRIVING, AND OFF COURSE WILL WE BE STRANDED WITH A DEAD BATTERY WHEN PARKING THE CAR. THE SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE TO REPLACE THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT A $200 PART PLUS A FEW LABOR HOURS. THEN YOU HAVE TO RIG UP A SOLUTION TO MAKE THE DEFECTIVE BOX SEAL, SUCH AS ADDING WEATHERSTRIPPING. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR GM TO FIX AT NO COST TO CUSTOMER. [XXX] *PM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11280418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION CONTROL MODULE OR CAM SHAFT SENSORS! CAR JUST STOPS WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN HAVE PROBLEMS STARTING BACK UP.
NHTSA complaint #11202696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THE STEERING WHEEL HAS LOCKED UP ON AND SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE ALSO SEEN ON YOUTUBE THAT A YOUNG MAN DIED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP ON HIM A 2007 CHEVY COBALT AS WELL I'M VERY CONCERNED I DRIVE WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR I HAVE TO GO TO A DEALERSHIP NOW TO REPLACE HIS CAR AND PAY MONEY THAT I DO NOT HAVE KNOWING THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL I SEEN IT ON YOUTUBE AND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #11187485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED(~6 MONTHS APART). WHEN I'M GOING AROUND 50-60 MPH AND NEED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR QUICKLY (NOT SLAM THE BRAKES), THEY LOCK UP. I HIT THE BRAKES AND TURNED TO THE LEFT THE FIRST TIME AND TURNED TO THE RIGHT THE SECOND. BOTH TIMES THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, I WENT FISHTAILING ACROSS 3 LANES AND ENDING UP FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC BOTH TIMES. I'VE BEEN LUCKY BOTH TIMES AND NOT BEEN HIT BY ANYONE ELSE BUT I'M SURE MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT ONE DAY. ADDITIONAL NOTE: THE CAR TURNED OFF THE FIRST TIME. AND THE 2ND TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED.--2007 COBALT- 125K MILES. BRAKE JOB DONE 2016. THIS ENTRY IS 2/27/19.
NHTSA complaint #11182710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IT STARTING HAVING FLASHING DASHBOARD LIGHTS ONCE AS I WAS DRIVING IT JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM MY HOME THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ALL GAUGES GO EVERYWHERE UP DOWN OR STOP IT LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE! AND BEFORE THE GEAR SHIFT HAD SOME CLICKING AT TIMES. THE CLICKING STARTED THEN THE GAUGES STARTED GOING ALL OVER AND THE SPEED WAS ALL OVER THEN DROPPED TO 0 NOT TO MOVE AGAIN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS BUT AS TIME GOES ON IT'S GETTING REALLY BAD I'VE KEPT LOOKING FOR RECALLS AS DID MY MOTHER AS SHE HAD THE CAR BEFORE MY OWNING IT. IT NOW DOES THIS ANYTIME AND THE STEERING STOPS WORKING WITH NO NOTICE OR IF IT'S NOT WORKING AND TRYING TO PULL OVER AS IT DID ON AN ON-RAMP IT KICKED ON AND MADE THE CAR JUMP INTO SIDE LANE ABOUT HALF WAY INTO THAT LANE. HAD IT BEEN A TWO LANE ROAD AND A CAR COMING TOWARDS ME IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAD HEAD HEAD ON COLLISION AS IT TAKES TIME AND A LOT OF POWER TO MOVE THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING IS LIKE A 1950 TRACTOR IN A WET FIELD! I HAVE BACK ISSUES AND DON'T HAVE THE UPPER ARM STRENGTH THAT IT REALLY NEEDS. THERE IN NO REAL WARNING WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. BUT SOMETIMES I HEAR A CLICK AND IT HAPPENS A FEW SECONDS LATER. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS EVERY ONE THROUGH INSIDE OF THE CAR STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 3 MONTHS WHEN MY PARENTS BOUGHT THE CAR USED BACK IN JUNE 08 THEY HAVE NEVER WORKED SINCE. IT HAD LIKE 23,000 MILES ON IT ROUGHLY. THEY WAS IN MIDDLE 60S BACK THEN. IT'S NOW A FAMILY CAR AND IT'S SCARY TO HAVE TO DRIVE IT BUT I'VE GOT MONEY IN IT I CAN'T AFFORD A REPLACEMENT NOW. I HAVE VIDEO OF WHAT IT DOES. I JUST HAVE VIDEOS NO PICTURES.
NHTSA complaint #11171745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY DAUGHTER'S 2007 COBALT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING TO AND FROM SCHOOL. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEAD. THE CAR WILL NOT START, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #11151958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN CUT OFF, I COULDN'T ACCELERATE THE STREARING WHEEL GOT STIFF AND IT JUST SO HAPPEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND NOT CRASH MY CAR OR EVEN HURT MYSELF..
NHTSA complaint #11142209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT ALL THE DASHBOARD NEEDLES WENT CRAZY THEN MY STEERING WAS HARD TO TURN SO I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T WANT TO START EVENTUALLY IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MORE TRYS TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. ALSO THE KEY IGNITION IS HARD TO TURN WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, AIR BAG SERVICE IS ALWAYS SHOWING ON MY DASH WHEN I'M DRIVING
NHTSA complaint #11124034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR DIES UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS.
NHTSA complaint #11112845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SAYS ECM BUT ALL GAUGES GOING NUTS
NHTSA complaint #11104990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TWICE NOW I'VE LOST ALL POWER TO MY CAR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY, THERE IS NO POWER TO ANYTHING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER THE 1ST TIME. EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11098026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FORCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11096975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN SEIZED AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLUCTUATED DURING THE FAILURE AND THE LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH (7320 N BROADWAY, DENVER, CO) WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
NHTSA complaint #11073022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHT ISSUE HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, ISSUE EFFECTS HIGH AND LOW BEAM, LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENT FAILURES. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY RELATIONSHIP TO MOVEMENT OR BUMPS IN ROADWAY. PIGTAIL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN HOT AND SHOWS SIGNS OF BEING OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #11063398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE PASSENGER AREA, BRAKE LIGHTS AND STEERING WHEEL LIGHTS /BUTTONS FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #11057033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING, ALL OF THE GAUGES INADVERTENTLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOST POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. AS A RESULT, THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOREHART MURPHY CHEVROLET GMC BUICK (30 PARKER AVE, DURANGO, CO 81303, (970) 247-2121) WHERE NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 8-367-733-9822. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11055321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WHILE IN MOTION, FUEL ODORS WERE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (401 S. LOOP HWY 59, LIVINGSTON, TX 77351 (936) 587-9398) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED AND FUEL STARTED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
NHTSA complaint #11054234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.