CHEVROLET COBALT SS · model year

2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS

14 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010CHEVROLETCOBALT SS carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 COBALT SS is steering with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and service brakes, hydraulic (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2010 COBALT SS, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

14
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

14 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
AIR BAGS2
SEAT BELTS2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20180507AIR BAGS

"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. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Mileage: 70,000

20180507ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"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. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Mileage: 70,000

20180507SEAT BELTS

"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. HOWEVER, GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOT ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Mileage: 70,000

20160117AIR BAGS

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. THEY ALSO LOOSEN THE WIRE BUNDLE LEADING TO THE RETRACTOR TO GIVE IT MORE PLAY AND ALTER THE SEAT BELT SLEEVE TO ALLEVIATE BI

Mileage: 3,000

20160117SEAT BELTS

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. THEY ALSO LOOSEN THE WIRE BUNDLE LEADING TO THE RETRACTOR TO GIVE IT MORE PLAY AND ALTER THE SEAT BELT SLEEVE TO ALLEVIATE BI

Mileage: 3,000

20150124FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR

Mileage: 201,000

20150124FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR

Mileage: 201,000

20150124FireENGINE

VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR

Mileage: 201,000

20141224STEERING

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING THING COMES ON THINKING IT NEEDED FLUID I STOPPED TO CHECK THERE WAS NONE AND IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE I MADE IT BACK HOME CHECKING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CAR I WAS DRIVING SO I FOUND THIS SITE THAT'S WHY AM COMPLAINING. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

20140314ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION SOLENDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Mileage: 34,000

20130802STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 8 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. A DEALER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REMOVE THE FUSE AND THEN REINSERT IT. THE CONTACT DID AS SUCH HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN FIVE MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,900.

Mileage: 51,900

20130107STEERING

THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD AND A WARNING CAME ON. *TR

Mileage: 45,528

20120427SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DESPITE LOW MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR PADS AND SEVERELY SCORED. FRONT ROTORS ALSO SCORED. THIS IS A MATERIAL FAILURE OR DEFECT AS I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT REQUIRED ROTOR REPLACEMENT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR

Mileage: 16,950

20111031SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I BROUGHT MY CAR (2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS) TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP NEAR ME IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE WORN TO THE POINT JUST BEFORE A SENSOR GOING OFF. THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND REAR BRAKES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE ONES THAT LAST LONGER THAN FRONT ONES BUT MY FRONT ARE FINE. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE BRAKES UNDER THE 3 YEAR 36,000 [I]UNLIMITED[/I] WARRANTY OR THE 2 YEAR 20,000 MILE MAINTENANCE WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES ON WEBSITES ABOUT THE REAR BRAKES ON MY MODEL CAR AND THEY NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, BECAUSE IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, THEN ITS NOT A USER PROBLEM ITS A PART PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 30,230

Compare 2010CHEVROLETCOBALT SS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS have?
The 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS has 14 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS?
The most-complained component for the 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS is STEERING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.