AI Damage2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS: common problems
Owners of the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 33% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 22% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 22% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (33% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (33% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (22% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
"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.
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.
Vechical started making a loud noise and all of a sudden it blew up in flames.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cobalt SS has 98 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 9, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, air bags. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (11%), seat belts (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2010 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.