Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the RPM's continuously fluctuated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The ABS warning light was illuminated and the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to turn the steering wheel. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
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.
In my words and experience that happened on the day of 03/13/2013, appx 4:30 pm on my way home from work, like any other day over crowded traffic hour , stop and go, I started to experience loss of power in my vehicle. Twice it started loosing power then the vehicle veered towards oncoming traffic I steered to the right and vehicle would not steer back into normal position causing me to go over a dirt embankment and off a cliff, at that point I do not think the engine was running, I literally thought this was the end of my life, going through trees ,hitting rocks. There was nothing I could do but to wait to die. Then the vehicle hit something real hard causing the vehicle to roll over and come to a stop. I just remember wanting to get out of the car as fast as I could. I had to crawl out of the passenger side to get out. I didn't see anyone I couldn't see the roadway I was so far down. …
Vehicle was recalled around 2010 for steering and fixed. Since then numerous electrical failures, power brakes, and steering failures have happened. Vehicle has been in dealer and numerous other shops over the years for same problems. Chevy dealer (kerry Chevrolet in alexandria kentucky), where car was bought kept saying they did not know what was wrong. Even after hundreds of dollars spent to fix, problems eventually came back ( electrical failure, gauges fluttering, radio flashing, steering lock, power brake failure). This past weekend, gauges started fluttering, steering locked up while driving and car went into a spin running off the road. Chevrolet dealer has always passed all these things off as not their problem. I would like any info on what can be done about this. …
Brought 2007 Cobalt on 7/09/14. Reported the problem of the vehicle shutting- off on me and no inspection sticker was on the car 7/10/14. They wrote a work order out. Brought the vehicle to archer auto to get work performed and for a inspection sticker. Archer auto kept my 2007 Cobalt for 3 months. Until I called bbb business and filed a complaint. Archer auto said they fix my vehicle but didn't. Archer auto put a illegal inspection sticker on it to pass the emission test. Archer auto returned my vehicle. Then the power steering went out. Brought it to Firestone to get fix. Then later found out there was a recall on the power steering. The 2007 Cobalt was shutting-off on me and losing all power..then I took it back because their was another recall on the vehicle. Then on 9/13/14 the engine shut-off on me. Losing all power , locking the brakes and power steering also. …
On February 10, 2010, while traveling west on 14th street another driver in the left lane entered my lane (right lane), and I slammed on brakes to stop from hitting the other drivers vehicle. Despite the fact it was a sunny very cold day outside and the streets were dry the brakes on my vehicle locked up as though I have an anti-locking braking system, which I don't have on my car. The steering wheel became none responsive and my car ended up jumping the curb and hitting a telephone pole on the front driver side of the car. There is damage to the driver side headlight and a dent in the same area in the shape of the pole; furthermore, the airbag never deployed. …
Driver was changing lanes on highway in a 2007 Chevy Cobalt when her steering wheel froze up on her. She could not correct steering and her brakes seemed to lose power as well. She hit a concrete barrier, her car went airborne and started rolling. She was ejected about fifty feet. Vehicle was a complete loss. The auto insurance company won't investigate due to her car being just 12,000 miles over warranty. (economic loss rule) the car is still being held for further investigation per request of the driver. Vehicle never had trouble before this. Driver was severely injured spending 10 days in hospital, 2 of those in icu. Driver had complications due to injuries, now on round the clock iv's at home.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal and the steering wheel independently turned to the left, causing the vehicle to crash into a brick wall. The air bags deployed however, the contact was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries to her left foot, ankle wrist and pains to her chest. The contact had to be cut out of the vehicle, which was destroyed. A police report was filed of the incident. The cause of failure was unknown. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 65 MPH, the brakes engaged. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic were it was diagnosed that the front driver and passenger side brakes had to be recalibrated. The brakes were repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,686.
Brake complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 3% of the model year's 1,564 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.