Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Internal mechanism of the driver-side door handle broke and the door would not open from the inside. Tne dealership confirmed that the inside door ah glue is broken. The cable retainer snapped apart and the cable cannot stay connected. This might be available for inspection. Driver must exit the vehicle by crawling over to the passenger side. The problem has been confirmed by a Chevrolet dealer. There were no warning lamps or messages. The manufacturer no longer makes this part and it could not be replaced. Service description says that the customer had an electrical concern and that the door would not unlock from the inside. This was inaccurate. It was mechanical. The door could unlock, it could not open. The dealership would not let the diagnosis proceed until the customer agreed to that statement. The dealership inaccurately recorded the mileage.
I have owned a 2010 Chevy Cobalt since 2012. Shortly after purchasing, the check engine light turned on. The power locks erratically lock and unlock. The windows will become jammed and suddenly will not roll back up. Cruise control will randomly stop working. I had issues with the transmission which cost me over $3,000 to fix. Then, there was the ignition switch recall which the dealer fixed at no cost. But now I am having problems with the power steering. I have to turn my ignition off and on for the power steering warning message to turn off but then it turns back on a few minutes later. I am aware that there was a recall for the power steering but yet the dealer refuses to address this issue with my car because they say that recall was performed by a previous owner. The NHTSA website states bulletin 14115 regarding power steering recall began July 17, 2014. …
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 …
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
I am using my partner's grandparent's 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt ls to get back and for to work. This morning I got up as usual, and went out to my car to let it warm up. I started my car, mind you I keep the driver's side door open because my car automatically locks, and started the car. Doors locked as per usual. However, upon hitting the unlock button on my key fob, the driver's side door would not unlock, passenger side did. I rolled down the window and closed the door, I didn't have a choice, I have to work. Anyway, I had to climb in through either the open window or the passenger side. I called reeder Chevrolet in knoxville and they stated that it would be several hundred dollars to fix potentially one of two parts in the vehicle. …
Issue #1) fuel leak from top of fuel tank. This creates a strong fuel smell in cabin during any operation, and fuel leaking on driveway after operation. Fumes are strong enough that any open flame in cabin would detonate creating death and/or critical injury. The fuel pump has been replaced once in aug 2017 costing over $600 dollars. Issue #2) both interior front door handles have broken resulting in doors being unable to open doors normally. To open doors, windows must be cranked down opening doors using the outside handle. The failure area is where door latch cable connects to rear of door handles. Both door handles have been replaced, but replaced service handles have sharp edges from plastic flash. Both issues are critical to safe vehicle operation. This could result in death and/or critical injury if either issue fails during any vehicle operation. …
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering warning light illuminated. Additionally, the pipes connected to the manifold were rusted and had detached. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
My 16 yr old son was driving in a cul-de-sac when he was about 3/4 of the way thru the curve his steering failed and he hit a light pole. He stated that the steering wheel froze up on him. He couldn't turn the wheel. We took the vehicle to Chevy dealership. They stated that the recall work was already completed. Then why are we continuing to have this problem? My son is suffering from whiplash and is going to chiropractor visits twice weekly.
Related recalls (1)
Structure
Certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof-mounted side impact air bags fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact.'
Remedy: Dealers will install energy absorbing plastic to the headliner trim to reduce the severity of head impacts in a crash. The recall began on March 21, 2007. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (51), 2005 (46), 2007 (19), 2009 (16) and 2010 (14) model years. Body complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cobalt body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 07V-014 (structure, Jan 18, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cobalt body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (83 mentions), followed by the body › door (26).
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.