YearToAvoid

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Engine Problems

NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 9% of all 710 complaints for this model year. That is #5 highest engine complaint count among 10 Cobalt model years. These complaints report 7 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury. Median mileage at failure: 79,500 miles.

Engine complaints
64
9% of 710
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
79,500 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 13, 2010, latest Dec 4, 2024.

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter62010 Q12012 Q22014 Q32016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32024 Q4
64 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2024 Q4; peak 2014 Q2 (6).

Engine recalls for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Cobalt model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005154 (9%)
  2. 2006171 (7%)
  3. 200796 (6%)
  4. 200864 (8%)
  5. 200964 (9%)
  6. 201054 (9%)
  7. 20110 (0%)
  8. 20120 (0%)
  9. 20160 (0%)
  10. 20170 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt have engine problems?
NHTSA has 64 owner complaints about the engine in the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 9% of all complaints for this model year, including 7 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 79,500 miles.
Which Chevrolet Cobalt year has the most engine complaints?
The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt has the most engine complaints (171), compared with 64 for the 2009.
Is there a engine recall for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.