Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Electrical system Problems

Complaints
125about this part
Share
22%of 574 total for the year
Median mileage
56,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 125 complaints about the electrical system of the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 22% of the 574 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,500 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, 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.

“The steering wheel locked as I was getting off the highway. So scary!!!! Went to local dealer for it to be fixed. This was before recall....have been waiting for at least a half year to get new ignition switch....was also told there will be a steering wheel recall.....have not been taken care of and feel that I'm driving in a death machine.”

NHTSA complaint #10618347, filed 2014-08, 25,000 miles

“The key is stuck in the ignition switch and will not shut off. Called chevy and they will not stand behind it. All of the 2009's got recalled because of that incident, but they will do nothing for me about my 2010!! We did however, disconnect the battery so it wouldn't go dead! I bought a brand new car and now I am having issues, didn't buy a new car to have issues!!”

NHTSA complaint #10510167, filed 2013-04, 96,000 miles

“As I was driving in the highway 70 MPH car abruptly loss engine power to almost a complete stop car would not go over 10 MPH car keeps having same safety problem I numerous times engine losses power while im driving I replaced 02 sensors battery and others car still have the same problem it is a recurrent problem in this car that no one seems to fix puts the driver in a very dangerous situation when you are in the high way and dangerously the car losses engine power all of the sudden.”

NHTSA complaint #11251995, filed 2019-08, 65,000 miles

“The power steering light comes on and makes it hard to turn, it comes on suddenly and go back out after about 1 or 2 minutes. I was told that there is a recall on these cars for that reason but I haven't received a letter yet. This is so dangerous . I didn't know it had electric power steering.”

NHTSA complaint #10573599, filed 2014-03, 36,000 miles

“I took evasive action by swerving to avoid collision with other vehicle that abruptly changed lane and collided with my vehicle. A results, my vehicle struck a concrete barrier wall of the roadway, then burst into flames upon impact. My vehicle was completely burnt out at a total loss before fire rescue responded. The airbag never deployed. Prior to accident I was having numerous ignition related problems with my chevy Cobalt.”

NHTSA complaint #10694303, filed 2015-03, 76,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201012522%
200915121%
200816620%
200728118%
200641218%
200532320%

Other parts of the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

Steering
239 complaintsFuel system
122 complaintsAir bags
77 complaintsEngine
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsBrakes
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
11 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology