U.S. public vehicle records

2010 Chevrolet COBALT SS problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

9 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

45,528 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	3	33.3%
Braking behavior	1	11.1%
Electrical and battery issues	1	11.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System

Steering

Air Bags

Seat Belts

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Engine

Structure:Body

Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Air Bags: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Engine: 1; Structure:Body: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2018

2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10491634 · 2013-01-07 (January 7, 2013)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 45,528 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491634 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10533263 · 2013-08-02 (August 2, 2013)

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 51,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533263 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10433649 · 2011-10-31 (October 31, 2011)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 30,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10433649 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10820741 · 2016-01-17 (January 17, 2016)

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). …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

9 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage9 / 9 records

100.0%Valid incident date9 / 9 records

100.0%Valid filing date9 / 9 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates9 / 9 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2008	2009	2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	6467.4% ODI 10263799 · 16,000 mi PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON INSIDE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS SCORED FROM PAD FAILURE. FAULTY EQUIPMENT. GM WOULD NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY AT ONLY 16,000MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10263799 at NHTSA ↗	13370.0% ODI 10263782 · 8,104 mi ON MY 09 CHEVY COBALT SS THE REAR BRAKES GOT VERY LOUD. THE FAILURE WAS THE INNER REAR BRAKE PADS WENT METAL TO METAL BY 8000 MILES FROM NEW. THE OUTER PADS WERE LIKE NEW. DEALERSHIP RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS. THEY HAD THE CAR 5 DAYS AND GAVE ME A RENTAL. 2000 MILES LATER AND THE BRAKES ARE GETTING LOUD AGAIN. *TR Look up ODI 10263782 at NHTSA ↗	222.2% ODI 10433649 · 30,230 mi 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… Look up ODI 10433649 at NHTSA ↗
Parking Brake	55.3% ODI 10278867 · 4,000 mi THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES ARE SEVERELY GROOVED ON THE INNER AND OUTER SURFACES. THE INNER BRAKE PADS ON BOTH SIDES ARE WORN NOTICEABLY MORE THAN THE OUTER PADS. THE BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THE PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. THIS IS AT 4K MILES. *TR Look up ODI 10278867 at NHTSA ↗	189.5% ODI 10283034 · 12,000 mi REASON FOR INSPECTION WAS DUE TO REAR BRAKE GRINDING SOUNDS. AFTER 12,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY GONE, AND THE REAR ROTORS SEVERELY GROOVED AND WARPED. GM AGREED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE PADS AND ROTORS UNDER WARRANTY STATING THAT THEY'VE SEEN IT ON 3 OTHERS AND WERE TAKING THE SAME ACTION. *TR Look up ODI 10283034 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	77.4% ODI 10459533 · 48,066 mi EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES, CAUSING UNTIMELY REPLACEMENT. REAR BRAKES WEAR MORE QUICKLY THAN FRONTS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR Look up ODI 10459533 at NHTSA ↗	136.8% ODI 10456839 · 25,000 mi BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DID NOT LAST. MY BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING WAY EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD. IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD. *JS Look up ODI 10456839 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	44.2% ODI 10573016 · 51,000 mi 2 YEARS AFTER I HAD THE CHEVROLET DEALER FIX THE FIRST AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE IT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I DID REPORT IT TO GM AND THE DEALER HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DIC STATED SERVICE AIR BAG COMES ON THEN GOES AWAY THAT THE SYSTEM DID A "SELF CHECK" AND TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO INFORMED "SHOULD" IT COME ON AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK IN. WITH THE RECALLS GOING ON NOW AND MY YEAR OF CAR IS NOT IS THIS RECALL REALLY??? $22,000 ON A SPORTS CAR WHICH BY THE WAY IS TURBO CHARGED AND I HAVE AN AIR BAG ISSUE STILL..GOOD TH… Look up ODI 10573016 at NHTSA ↗	84.2% ODI 10566235 · 50,000 mi VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS BEGAN TO ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, POSSIBLY LOCKING THE STEERING COLUMN AS VEHICLE ENTERED INTO A CURVE. CAUSED DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL GO INTO DITCH, BOUNCE OUT OF DITCH AND LOG ROLL THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DOOR LOCKS WERE STILL GOING UP AND DOWN SEVERAL HOURS LATER AT THE VEHICLE IMPOUND YARD AND WAS OBSERVED BY THE POLICE OFFICER AND NOTED IN HIS REPORT. ADDITIONAL. THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH BIGGER THAN BELIEVED! I HAVE A 2011 HHR AND HAVE HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH TURN OFF WHEN I HAVE… Look up ODI 10566235 at NHTSA ↗	222.2% ODI 10820741 · 3,000 mi 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). … Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	44.2% ODI 10313460 HELLO I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY COBALT SS AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED A BIG DEFECT WITH MY CAR, THE CAR ITSELF TURNED OFF AS IN ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS WENT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION THIS WAS REPORTED TO MY DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY SINCE THIS IS A LEASED BRAND NEW CAR, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT IN ANYWAY, THE CAR HAS BEEN FIXED BUT STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR Look up ODI 10313460 at NHTSA ↗	73.7% ODI 10427712 · 41,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF AND THE KEYS WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. Look up ODI 10427712 at NHTSA ↗	333.3% ODI 10569294 · 34,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10569294 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	55.3% ODI 10466717 · 69,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. Look up ODI 10466717 at NHTSA ↗	63.2% ODI 10643229 · 65,666 mi WANTED TO CHANGE OIL; HAD SMELLED GASOLINE FROM TIME TO TIME; CLOSER INSPECTION SHOWED LEAK AT FUEL TANK AREA. COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF INJURY TO FAMILY, INCLUDING TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD. *TR Look up ODI 10643229 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine	66.3% ODI 10568897 · 90,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE DASHBOARD AND HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER BEFORE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR Look up ODI 10568897 at NHTSA ↗	31.6% ODI 10573809 · 38,000 mi DECEMBER 29, 2011, I WAS DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING IN THE COBALT WHEN MY CAR'S ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I LOST CONTROL ON A SEMI-RESIDENTIAL A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME. DRIVING AT ABOUT 35-45 MP, DOWNHILL, I HIT A PARKED CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD (NARROW ROAD, CARS PARKED ON BOTH SIDES, 2-WAY STREET). I THOUGHT, "I'M GOING TO DIE". THIS IMPACT MADE THE CAR CONTINUE ON, FASTER AND MORE OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STREET AND I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY HITTING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL/B… Look up ODI 10573809 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	22.1% ODI 10295861 · 6,000 mi OWN A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AROUND A CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I CAME VERY CLOSE TO CRASHING BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTY OF STEERING. PULLED OVER AT NEXT EXIT AND COULD NOT FIND A POWER STEERING RESERVOIR OR ANYTHING. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON IT WAS FINE. LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP ONLINE THIS MORNING AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. THEY TOOK THEIR CAR TO THE DEALER TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED AND FOUND OUT THAT THE CAR HAS EL… Look up ODI 10295861 at NHTSA ↗	42.1% ODI 10313500 · 3,000 mi MAKING LEFT TURN. WHEEL TURNED ABOUT 45 DEGREES AND STUCK. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, I COULD TURN WHEEL FREELY. WHEEL OFTEN SLIPS LEFT OR RIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON, AS THOUGH IT NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT. ONLY THREE MONTHS AND 3,000 MILES OLD. *TR Look up ODI 10313500 at NHTSA ↗	333.3% ODI 10491634 · 45,528 mi THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD AND A WARNING CAME ON. *TR Look up ODI 10491634 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	70,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10569294 · 34,000 mi 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. Look up ODI 10569294 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	Too few reports for a range	51,900 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10491634 · 45,528 mi THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY HARD AND A WARNING CAME ON. TR Look up ODI 10491634 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10533263 · 51,900 mi 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. Look up ODI 10533263 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10668178 · 63,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10668178 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	36,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10820741 · 3,000 mi 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). … Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	Too few reports for a range	36,500 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10820741 · 3,000 mi 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). … Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Too few reports for a range	23,590 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10433649 · 30,230 mi 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… Look up ODI 10433649 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10456685 · 16,950 mi 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 Look up ODI 10456685 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	Too few reports for a range	201,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	Too few reports for a range	201,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2009: 159 complaints · 2010: 2 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2009	80	137	159
2010	0	1	2

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2009	187	0	3
2010	9	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System	Steering	Air Bags	Seat Belts	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Engine	Structure:Body
Electrical System	—	0	1 ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗
Steering	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	1 ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	2 ODI 10820741 · 3,000 mi 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). … Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Seat Belts	1 ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10820741 · 3,000 mi 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). … Look up ODI 10820741 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11092247 · 70,000 mi "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 GRO… Look up ODI 11092247 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗
Structure:Body	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	1 ODI 10678724 · 201,000 mi VECHICAL STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BLEW UP IN FLAMES. *TR Look up ODI 10678724 at NHTSA ↗	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

1 patterns with matching reports.

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 11.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 63,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10668178 · 63,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10668178 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b