Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I noticed that there was no turn signal sound indicating the turn signal was in use. At the same time I also noticed that all of the warning indicator sounds were also not working (set belt, door open with key in, low tire pressure, ect) none of the warning sounds are now working. It seems that the left front speaker is used for the transmitting of the warning sounds thus there is no sound from the left speaker. None the less I feel that with the warning sounds not working this is a safety issue. Everytime I start my car the svc light stays on all the time , my tires are always wobbly while slowing down and driving. Same as I have heard from others. Got in a hit and run if I have side air bags they didnt geploy
My Cobalt illuminates the check engine light as well as the theft light and displays engine power reduced happens multiple times first time it started was in 12/2017. The car was purchased in 2011 always serviced and repaired by dealer ship. The car stalls at stop signs lights or when you pull into a parking lot. Engine light comes and goes. Lights dim and flicker the gauges jump up and down in the dash. After you shut the car off the gauges in the instrument cluster jump adn make ticking noise. When there is no engine light present the car idles rough and acts like its going to die till you start driving then its fine. The issue with the brakes are when you to press them the pedal will depress all the way but its like it dont meet with the pad, this problem is intermittent as well. Obd2 codes have been p0641 p0017 p0651 p0573 current codes stored are p0340 p0300 p0341. …
OEM headlights had become dim and one could no longer be aimed, so I ordered these replacements through Amazon. I paid $92 to have them installed, and the mechanic let me know that the high beams could not be activated, except by holding the turn signal, making it dangerous to steer. In addition, when the headlights are on they create so much RF, the radio no longer gets most AM or FM stations. The mechanic confirmed, they are wired incorrectly, but did not wish to attempt to rewire them.
Deer hit car was very dark 7 am witness called 911 jackson twp police came car had to be towed front end of car all smashed air bag did not go off I was hysterical god sent me an angel that morning witness stayed with me until police came police called for tow truck & made report total cost of repairs over $6,000 thought car would be totaled I have copy of all repairs done.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 10 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the headlights. The contact discovered that the vehicle caught fire. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,783.
The automatic headlights on the car do shut off intermittently. They also turn on by themselves sometimes when the car is parked and off. We have been stranded with a dead battery when this happens. This seems to be a common problem with the 2007 and newer cobalts. Typically cars had a physical relay to control the headlights. In these cars the relay circuit is built in the underside of the engine compartment fuse box. The box is not seal properly and moisture gets into the box, causing a failure on the circuit board. This car first started doing this back in 2009 when my daughter had it. I recently took the car back and it was still behaving in this manner. The work around that seemed to work for a long time was to manually turn the auto lights off using the multifunction lever on the steering wheel. Today, the lights started coming on by themselves when the car was parked. …
First I experienced fule excel ration. Called manufacture told me I was experiencing a known problem but my VIN was not on the recall list. Took it in for ignition recall shortly after my head lights dim or one goes out then it comes back on then the other one will go out or dim took it to machanic they fixed it but it is now doing the same thing then the power steering sundenly went out almost had a collison light never came on. Restarted the car everything worked then power steering light came on took it to machcanic turned the car off to have him check it he pulled it in to the shop and light was not on. So he told me I had to bring it back when light came on in order to run a test. Light never came back on then 5 days ago lost power steering again almost had an accident. …
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the bulb shields inside of the headlamps can loosen due to vibration.
Remedy: Dealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. The recall began on November 17, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (27), 2006 (21), 2008 (20), 2007 (14) and 2010 (10) model years. Headlight complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cobalt headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-560 (headlights, Nov 22, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cobalt headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (9 mentions), followed by the turn signal (6).
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.