2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Problems
- Complaints
- 190filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 11,900miles, 174 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Complaints for this model year center overwhelmingly on the rear brakes: owners describe premature pad wear, scored or pitted rotors, squealing and grinding, often at very low mileage. Brake-related reports arrive from the first few hundred miles onward and dominate the sample. Smaller groups of complaints cover ignition key and switch operation, airbag warning lights, fuel leaks, and an overheated blower connector.
- Brakes
Rear brakes wear out and rotors score early
- 143 complaints (75%)
- median 10,750 mi at 1.2 yrs old (130 state mileage)
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2009–2018
Owners describe rear brake squealing that turns into grinding within a few thousand miles, and inspection showing the inner rear pads worn to metal while the outer pads still look nearly new. Rotors are reported as deeply grooved, pitted or warped, and several owners say the rear pads wore out before the fronts. Dealers variously called it normal wear, attributed it to handbrake or driver use, resurfaced or replaced rotors and pads (sometimes under warranty, often not), or charged a diagnostic fee without a repair. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 30,000 miles, with most appearing well under 20,000 miles.
What to check: Have the rear pads and rotors inspected on a lift before buying, looking specifically at inner pad thickness and any scoring or pitting on the rotor faces. Ask for service records showing whether the rear brakes were replaced and at what mileage.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I drive a 2009 Cobalt Ss. When putting the car in reverse and backing up I notice a loud screechy sound when applying the brakes. I brought it to the dealer and they said this was normal. Recently I looked on threads and it turns out lots of other people are having the same problem. I also see that the brakes are wearing out alot faster in the rear.”
NHTSA complaint #10283627, filed 2009-09, 2,500 miles“I just bought a 2009 Cobalt Ss that only has 3289 miles on it and the rear brakes are already going bad, and the rear rotors are getting deep gouges. This could be a very bad problem. Would hate to see this turn into another toyota thing specially when the ss is such a great car. I think a recall should be done and better rotors and pads should be put on the ss cobalt.”
NHTSA complaint #10347403, filed 2010-08, 3,289 miles - Brakes
Rear caliper sticking or seizing
- 11 complaints (6%)
- median 27,100 mi at 2.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
- filed 2009–2019
Several owners describe a rear caliper that stuck or seized, so that only the inner pad contacted the rotor and wore down to metal without triggering a wear indicator. One owner reported losing rear braking when the caliper seized and reported fluid level and brake lines checked as normal; another described a rear caliper replaced along with pads and machined rotors, with rust later returning on the same rotor. Reported from about 10,000 to 76,000 miles.
What to check: After a test drive, feel the rear wheels for uneven heat and look for one rotor noticeably rougher or more rust-ringed than the other. Ask whether any rear caliper has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving the other day and noticed that one of my back brakes was sticking and so I took a look at it and fluid level was fine and there was no air in the brake line. I feel the cause of this is bad calipers and some others I have talked had the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11181202, filed 2019-02, 76,022 miles“I have a 2009 Cobalt Ss, and am having a problem with the rear brakes grinding, and making noise. I have had them checked at 6,000 miles and the rotors and pads were already real bad. Now at 11,000 miles had it checked out again and the inside pad is completely metal to metal and the out side pad is still like new. I think there are stuck calipers and making only the one pad do all the work. It is starting to have decreased braking ability and GM still wont warranty it.”
NHTSA complaint #10286685, filed 2009-10, 10,000 miles
Buying note. Rear brake condition is the first thing to verify on this model year: inspect the inner rear pads and rotor surfaces directly, check both rear calipers, and ask for brake service records. Also check ignition key operation and the fuel lines underneath before deciding.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 190 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS. 174 of the complaints include a mileage, and 90% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 11,900 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 190 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes163 86%
- Air bags8 4.2%
- Electrical system7 3.7%
- Fuel system7 3.7%
- Steering4 2.1%
- Engine3 1.6%
- Other or unknown3 1.6%
- Tires3 1.6%
- Wheels3 1.6%
Also reported: Seat belts (2), Electronic stability control (1), Engine cooling (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “I have a 2009 chevy Cobalt Ss and my rear brakes have failed- at 15000 I brought the car to the dealership and they said its still within factory spec- at 26000 my rear brakes are completely shot and worn down to the metal and I had to replace my calipers as they were sticking- currently in the shop to get fixed, will see if this happens again.”
NHTSA complaint #10416297, filed 2011-07, 26,000 milesAir bags: “December 29, 2011, I was driving home one evening in the cobalt when my car's engine shut off and I lost control on a semi-residential a few blocks from home. Driving at about 35-45 mp, downhill, I hit a parked car on the left side of the road (narrow road, cars parked on both sides, 2-way street). I thought, I'm going to die . …”
NHTSA complaint #10573809, filed 2014-03, 38,000 milesElectrical system: “I started my car and went to take off and the air bag light came on. There was a couple of incidences where I had a passenger and the airbag light came on to service airbag. I've read in multiple places where this occurrence has happened and the manufacture should fix this.”
NHTSA complaint #10717321, filed 2015-05, 98,000 milesFuel system: “Strong fuel odor coming from vehicle. Fuel dripping from bottom of car near fuel tank. Found fuel lines rotting and causing leaks on multiple sections starting at the fuel tank up to the engine. Protective heat wrap holding moisture and causing lines to rot.”
NHTSA complaint #10895010, filed 2016-08, 77,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
90% of the 174 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,400 and 23,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 190 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024Engine. This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk…
- 11008956Sep 9, 2024Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
Other model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 9 | 45,528 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 190 | 11,900 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2008 | 95 | 16,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Cobalt SS model years
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
Complaints for this model year center overwhelmingly on the rear brakes: owners describe premature pad wear, scored or pitted rotors, squealing and grinding, often at very low mileage. The issues reported most often: Rear brakes wear out and rotors score early; Rear caliper sticking or seizing.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS have?
NHTSA recorded 190 consumer complaints for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 163 complaints (86% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.
Has the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS reported?
Among the 174 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 11,900 miles and the middle half falls between 5,400 and 23,000 miles; 90% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.