Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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 engine turned off all by itself while I was driving around a corner, causing the car to go off the road. I was going about 35 MPH, and applied the brakes as fast as I could, but the car went up and over the curb, across the sidewalk, and both front tires went down off the steep edge of the sidewalk's far side into the mud. The part of the car body immediately behind the front tires was almost touching (way less than 1 inch above) the edge of the top / edge of the sidewalk. I couldn't reverse back up and over the sidewalk edge. A tow truck was called, and pulled the car straight back and up/over the edge of the sidewalk and onto the road. Some sort of dust cover thing from up inside the passenger-side wheel well had been torn loose during the crash off the sidewalk edge and was still laying in the mud. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle shook intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and it was determined that the front bushings, electronic stability control, steering column, and the front driver and passenger side lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The driver side headlight stays dim. Check engine light keeps coming on with something different. Had two fuel pumps installed. The car last night had power but would not turn over or attempt to start. When driving at highway speeds the steering is loose, at low speeds power steering sometimes works. Loud popping in slow sharp turns. Just had it checked and new tires said suspension was great.
My Cobalt has had issues with the lower control arms on multiple occasions since my purchase in 2012. I finally found a mechanic who told me it was the control arms and had them replaced, and within the year was told to have them replaced again. Now I have been told my suspension is gone. These complications seem like reoccurring issues with not only cobalts but many Chevy vehicles.
When braking, the tires bounce causing a serious vibration which makes steering difficult when braking hard. There is no visible damage or lose suspension parts but I'm guessing it's either bad struts or control arms? I'm replacing the parts today as a guess and hope it fixes the issue. This is my daughters car and she's afraid to drive the vehicle.
2007 Chevy Cobalt, 60,000 miles. Bushing on driver side was completely missing, busing on passenger side was almost gone. Car would veer to the left, counter steering would cause the car to be very erratic. Was told by Chevy that only the bushing would be covered under warrant, however my mechanic would not replace just the busing as the control arm would be compromised. Replaced parts - only to have the car start acting the same way. On a recent trip upnorth for the holidays, when I reached 60 MPH the steering wheel started vibrating and it felt like the wheel was not on securely. My son and I were bounced around inside of the car as if we were swaying back and forth. I was told by our local Chevy dealership that this problem with the bushings is not going to be recalled as it is not a safety issue. …
Car has a hard yank after coming to a stop and starting off. Knocking noise coming from rear of car since day one of purchase. Vibration in accelerator and gear shifter. Lights on interior of car dashboard goes on and off. Problem still happening today and the tsm was replaced as well, as they always say they cannot duplicate the problem. Check engine light has never came on at anytime the problem happened. It happens after car is driven and heated up. Only happened when long trip over 50 miles, now since ignition has been changed on call back. Problems has worsened lights on and off, transmission hard shift when driving short trips as well as a constant vibration. Knocking coming from gas tank side of car was mainly during cooler weather now happened when day was above 90 degrees. Electrical problem with vehicle I think and has caused many problems and even deaths. …
I am writing because I did get the recall on my vehicle of the power steering , the motor kit was fixed on 8/12/10.I took my car to midas on 10/24/2009 for a noise bumping noise coming from my vehicle and fuel/oil leaking. They said it was my struts, and they had to be replaced. I paid $500.31 for that repair all receipts and invoices on hand. On 4/25/2011 I took my car to tire discounters only to find that I needed 2 lower control arm bushings(7) labor for suspension service. My total cost was $339.12. I just pulled up recalls on my vehicle and I noticed that people where saying there struts had to be replaced to and the had problems with their power steering suspension. From what I have seen a faulty power steering is a component of a larger the larger suspension and if left unfixed it could lead to other major problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact drove over a pothole and the rear passenger side wheel bent abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the mechanic replaced the wheel. Later, the failure occurred again when the contact drove over another pothole. The vehicle was again, taken to a local mechanic and the bent wheel was replaced. The contact stated that on a later date, the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the front vertical bushing on both front lower control arms were replaced as well as both end links for the front sway bar. In addition, the contact stated that the steering shaft and column assembly would also need replacing. He called the manufacturer and they advised him that they could not assist with the cost of the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired for the steering failures. …
Suspension complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the suspension of the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, 5% of the model year's 1,564 complaints. The component named most often is front (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to suspension 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.