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 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The air bags did not deploy. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle. There was an abnormal sulfur and fuel odor detected. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the MAP sensor needed to be reset. The mechanic reset the air bag light. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the air bag failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.
The air bag never deployed I bought car in 2018 from original owner with car only having 33,000 miles on it and still under warranty til car had 100,000 miles and I hit a deer head on 2 months after getting car which bought in may of 2018 hit the deer in July 2018 . The deer was hit with the front passenger side it broke my headlight n messed my hood up and smashed in the grill little and my air bags never deployed I hit deer at 50 mph , after that had happened I took it in to Chevy dealership and had them look at car cause I told them I hit that deer and air bag never deployed and that my air bag light came on once in awhile and said service air bag . The dealership said they do that sometimes and did something to make light go off that was it my air vag light still comes on and says service air bag . Also ignition switch and fuel smell foul coming from car a lot and is as I speak . …
Passenger side seat caused a situation where the air bags were turned off and warning lights to come on in dash. This occurs sporadically, it happens if I move the seat or if some one sits in it then gets out of the car. Has happened since I first bought the car used.
Takata recall my fianceand my son was involed in a crash hit on drivers side none of the airbags deployed not front or curtain the both lost their lives my 29 yr old soon to be wife and my 7yr. Old son was killed on augest 3rd 2018 when hit by a tri axel truck on the drivers side after the car went into a slide for an unknow reason but the airbags failed my son would still be alive if the side bag would of went off he was in a restraint seat in the back he was still strapped in he died from blunt froce trauma to his head which if the airbag would of went off it would of softened the blow Chevy sucks the airbag people need to be held responsible Chevy needs to be held responisable I lost my family I lost my only car I am broken I want someone to take responsab;ilty and face what they May we buy your cars with the airbags thinking they r safe well wrong my son should be here with me today …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While idling at a red light, another vehicle traveling approximately 50 MPH rear ended the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact struck the preceding vehicle. The trunk of the contact's vehicle was pushed into the back seat approximately four inches from the front seat. The front of the vehicle was buckled into the windshield. None of the frontal air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The passenger was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was unconscious. The driver refused medical treatment, but was taken to the hospital later by a family member. The vehicle was towed to a junk yard. …
Tl contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle at an unknown rate of speed causing extensive damage to the vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The driver and the passengar sustained injuries to the head, the neck and the back which both required medical attention. The contact metioned that due to the impact of the crash, the driver and passengars head came in contact with the windshield. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V047000 (air bags , electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 MPH and attempting to come to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard independently. As a result, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags deployed with excessive force. The contact had to puncture the air bag to avoid suffocation, which caused the air bag to explode. The contact sustained back, neck, and ear injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard and was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle stalled. Consequently, the consumer crashed into a tree and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact was not aware of the diagnosis. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was later repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Ma 10/5
Takata recall my vehicle was hit head on I have pictures of the airbag and my head impacting top windshield insurance settle net me 3750. Lumbar 4,5 broken thumb severed from right hand in unconscious attempt to hold my self in seat obviously that thumb gave way but did more than the airbag which did not even clear the steering wheel all my ribs were broken OnStar already notified my atty isn't very Smart on this I hope the agency has some way to avoid publicity to hurt any GM but I want to be reimbursed for the time lost approx 1 years at my average earnings and future ability for rehabilitation or minor surgery
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The front and side curtain air bags did not deploy. The driver suffered back and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The contact also indicated that the ignition switch was faulty and the vehicle would suddenly shut off while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 41,147.
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 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 9% of the model year's 900 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 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 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 26 crashes, 0 fires and 18 injuries and 2 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.