Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving alone paying attention in daylight and suddenly I was knocked/startled and vision blocked and I was saying out loud oh God what is going on-what is happeningy/I was trying to figure out where I was - next I heard my car crunching-and still going to where I exited right side of road and turned on drivers side and slid across 2 lane road-hitting a raiseded bed of 2b 3b gravel and turned back up on 4 wheels. The slanted hill next to a small ditch-about5 ft approximately off road. This all happened very quickly. There was no crash until after I was hit by airbag. Severely crashed passenger side windshield shattered/no airbag went off. Police and by standers assuming zi lost control and could see where I was headed. I never mentioned to police how I felt airbag went off. …
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air bag pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.
When the driver's side window on my 2008 Chevy Cobalt is fully open/down, the "Service air bag" warning light comes on. This seems to be the exact same issue that resulted in a recall on the 2010 model (NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V500000). When I called Chevrolet corporate customer service regarding this, they explained the model years were manufactured the same, and the reason my year did not have a recall could be that there were not enough reported complaints on it. It is very concerning, since as my dealer indicated, the airbag system seems to be disabled when in this condition. I put today's date as the when the incident occurred, but it's been a condition for the last few years.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the contact's husband was driving approximately 60 MPH, a tow truck in front of the vehicle suddenly stopped and caused her husband to suddenly stop as well. The vehicle behind the contact's husband did not stop and crashed into their vehicle. As a result, the contact's husband crash into the rear of the tow truck. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact's husband was fatally injured, but was revived and received medical attention; however, he did not survive due to the extent of his injuries. The contact was also in the vehicle and received injuries to the face, back, arms, legs, and chest area, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, there was a loss of steering, which resulted in a driver side impact collision. The air bags did not deploy. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the vehicle was deemed destroyed. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags , electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into a concrete guardrail three times. The air bags deployed partially. A police report was filed. The contact stated that she could not move and was taken to the emergency room to receive medical attention. The vehicle was not destroyed. The local Chevrolet dealer was made aware of the crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash and performed a diagnostic test which found no failure. The failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 07/18/17
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While merging approximately 35 MPH, the front and rear exterior lights failed without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,048. ...updated 01/20/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired.
Related recalls
Air bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect.
Airbag complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 102 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, 11% of the model year's 940 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-047 (air bags, Feb 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 36 crashes, 3 fires and 60 injuries and 8 deaths to air bags 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.