Seat Belt complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car has approximately 3000 miles on it. It is alway garage (enclosed). During its 3000 miles, it has only had one passenger for about a 100 mile trip. No one has riden in the backseat nor has the rear seat been used for transporting items. The interior has not been cleaned (not needed). It is a collector car and used as such for occasional trips. Last week, the sir instrument light suddenly illuminated (service airbag) while on a trip to exercise the car (car was stationary and the sir illuminated when the automobile was started). See GM service bulletin 09-09-40-003a issued August 2010. When sir is illuminated, the airbags are non-functional, but the car is driveable. Seems GM has a latent defect in the passenger seat belt retractor and its wiring bundle. GM dealer charge ~$500 to replace the seat belt retractor and its defective wiring bundle. …
"service air bag" message shows in the driver information center. There have been numerous reports of people having the same issue. The message will display at any random time, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion. According to general motors bulletin no.: 09-09-40-003a, "the wire on the belt tension sensor (bts), that is part of the retractor assembly, May become open or acquire a ground near the sensor. If the bts is rotated toward the rear of the vehicle, added stress is applied to the wire bundle that May cause an open or a ground path." general motors bulletin no.: 09-09-40-003a states that the following vehicles are affected: 2006-2008 Chevrolet Cobalt coupe 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt ss coupe 2006 Pontiac pursuit coupe (Canada only) 2007-2010 Pontiac g5 coupe this concern May cause airbags to not deploy when needed, which is a major safety concern. …
My airbag light started randomly going on and off. I noticed that it often occurred when someone was sitting in the passenger seat. I also noticed that when someone was sitting in the passenger seat the indicator often indicated that no one was sitting there. Then after about a week of this occurring, the light airbag remained on at all times and the indicator stated that no one was sitting in the passenger seat even when someone was. I then took my vehicle to the dealership and they advised that it was the passenger airbag presence sensor and that it needed to be replaced. They advised that it would cost over $1,000. So obviously I told them that I could not afford it at this time. This is a major safety concern and should be an immediate recall. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the driver was traveling approximately 25 MPH and drove over a patch of ice. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guard rail and an embankment. The driver's side door then opened independently and caused the driver to be thrown from the vehicle while secured in the seat belt. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was air lifted to the hospital and treated for a brain injury. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included in the recall campaign. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
The back right seat belt and the back left seat belt lock up so much while trying to buckle in that we can hardly use them. I have tried everything from moving to up towards the roof to pulling down , getting in the trunk to release the seats. I have had this car for almost 3 years and it always does this. Please help! My email is. [redacted]
My back seat belts don't work properly. It takes 10-20 mins to try to get it to come out to buckle up. It locks up no matter how many times to let it roll up and try again. It's happened since I've owned my car since 2019-2020. It's the back seat belts only
I wrecked my car and after having it fixed and reset the seat belts are still locked up. this is an extremely common problem in cobalts it seems. i went chevrolet dealership and they are telling me that it isnt fixable, that the seatbelts will just suck back down inside again. my car is fixed but is now rendered not safe to drive because the seat belts dont work, and theres no way to have them fixed according to chevrolet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving the vehicle, the key was accidentally removed from the ignition switch and the vehicle continued to operate. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the front driver seat belt was faulty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the linkage was faulty. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 2/4/16
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have seat belt problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (19), 2007 (14), 2010 (13), 2006 (8) and 2005 (7) model years. Seat Belt complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cobalt seat belt problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seat belts recall for any Chevrolet Cobalt model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cobalt seat belt problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (4 mentions), followed by the front › retractor (1).
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.