2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 4%of 710 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 4% of the 710 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Ecm problem. Lost steering and all dashboard information. Vechile does not start.dealer tells me it is a bad ECM and it is $841.00 to repair it. Including a $250.00 chargere to diagnose the problem than I find out there was a huge recall on these ecms but for some reason mine was not included. Gm should make good on this and replavce it at no charge since they know they have had huge issuyes with this”
NHTSA complaint #11024560, filed 2017-09, 131,000 miles“My vehicle transmission was stuck in park, it wouldn't start and would still roll when in park. We have come to the conclusion it was a faulty transmission cable clip or installed improperly. I have contacted GM about a recall and said it was closed due to a dealers inspection in 2012. I have since taken it in to get fixed and it appears it is a problem with the recalled part. Gm still refuses to cover it. I am enclosing below my email to GM below with attachments and links. …”
NHTSA complaint #11079803, filed 2018-03, 77,000 miles“The vehicle anti theft light keeps coming on. When this occurs the vehicle jerks in drive, hard to stop, wheel will lose power steering in drive, and all needles will move. The RPM, MPH, and gas needle continues to fluctuate. The gas needle will indicate low fuel when fuel is present. I can never know what speed I'm doing. The vehicle flashes power steering digitally. The car will shut off in mid drive! Taken to many mechanics including dave gill Chevrolet and no one fully diagnosed the issue!”
NHTSA complaint #11267137, filed 2019-10, 128,000 miles“I have a 2007 chevy Cobalt and the power steering goes out when I go to make a sharp turn. (the wheel will not turn unless I give it gas and go straight for a little while, then sometimes it will then turn.) garage says that computer doesn't show anything wrong with it...but will take it back to garage again and again...until they tell me that a recall is on it. I pray that this doesn't happen when I'm in heavy traffic! Very dangerous!”
NHTSA complaint #10291876, filed 2009-11, 32,000 miles“I just found out there was a recall on the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt due to failure with the electric power steering assist motor / system. As I looked it up I found 2 additional recalls which Chevrolet was supposed to contact me on all 3. I was not contacted, and do not know if my car has had the repairs done prior to me purchasing the vehicle in january 2011. The 2 other recalls are as follows. Shifter cable problem with car not in proper gear, clip on cable, if not installed properly, Chevrolet is supposed to replace the entire cable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10552568, filed 2013-11, 154,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V073000Mar 6, 2009General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 buick enclave, chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, gmc acadia, pontiac g5, g6 and saturn aura and outlook…Covers: Chevrolet Cobalt 2009, Malibu 2009, Pontiac G5 2009 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This 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…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242061Aug 7, 2023This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10237846Jun 7, 2023This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel on automatic transmission shift and engine driveability concerns and/or MIL ON due to aftermarket oil bath air…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
261 complaintsSteering
206 complaintsElectrical system
151 complaintsAir bags
72 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsWheels
12 complaintsSuspension
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology