Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS a bad year?
190 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cobalt SS years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS are in line with other Cobalt SS years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Cobalt SS owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 10,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 155 (82%) | 5k–17k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Parking brake | 18 (9%) | 7k–16k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 10,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 190 complaints: 8 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 3 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Feb 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS: 0
No recall campaign lists this model year.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 113
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Fuel Line Leak
Electric Power Steering Failure
Neighbouring years
2008 Cobalt SS: 95 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Cobalt SS year
2008 · 2009 · 2010 · All Cobalt SS years side by side
Other Chevrolet models: Chevrolet Astro · Chevrolet Avalanche · Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 · Chevrolet Aveo · Chevrolet Blazer · Chevrolet Bolt EV · Chevrolet Camaro · Chevrolet Captiva · Chevrolet Cavalier · Chevrolet Cobalt · Chevrolet Colorado · Chevrolet Corvette · Chevrolet Cruze · Chevrolet Equinox · Chevrolet Equinox EV · Chevrolet Express · Chevrolet HHR · Chevrolet Impala · Chevrolet Malibu · Chevrolet Malibu Classic · Chevrolet Malibu Maxx · Chevrolet Monte Carlo · Chevrolet S10 · Chevrolet Silverado · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 · Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD · Chevrolet Silverado 2500 · Chevrolet Silverado 3500 · Chevrolet Sonic · Chevrolet Spark · Chevrolet Suburban · Chevrolet Suburban 1500 · Chevrolet Tahoe · Chevrolet Tracker · Chevrolet Trailblazer · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT · Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370 · Chevrolet Traverse · Chevrolet Trax · Chevrolet Uplander · Chevrolet Venture · Chevrolet Volt. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS a bad year?
190 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cobalt SS years. At 10,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (155), parking brake (18), air bags (8), electrical system (7), fuel system (7).
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS have?
No recall campaign lists this model year in NHTSA data. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.