Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Fuel/propulsion System (31.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints here are 5.5× the median for that category across the 1400 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 226 · 31.8% | Recalled | Recall 12V459000 |
| Steering | 194 · 27.3% | Recalled | Recall 10V073000 |
| Electrical System | 131 · 18.5% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 69 · 9.7% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 |
| Engine | 39 · 5.5% | No official action | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 · 3.9% | Recalled | Recall 12V459000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 710 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2014 · reported 04/10/2014
If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2014 · reported 02/10/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E021000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V459000 · 2012 · reported 09/19/2012
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V073000 · 2009 · reported 03/06/2009
THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V073000 · 2010 · reported 03/03/2010
IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING MORE FUEL THAN NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION…”NHTSA complaint 10479866 — filed 10/12/2012 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A GASOLINE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 10479436 — filed 10/09/2012 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE, WHICH…”NHTSA complaint 10478714 — filed 10/05/2012 · FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Fuel/propulsion system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 226 of 710 NHTSA complaints (31.8%), followed by steering (194), electrical system (131), air bags (69). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
710 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 59 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 41 reported injuries. 5 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
