Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
NHTSA data on file today
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 574 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V500000 Improperly Routed Side Impact Wire Harness NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14E021000 Aftermarket Replacement Ignition Switches NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V171000 Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V153000 Sudden Loss of Electric Power Steering NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V047000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V073000 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Steering 239 complaints
- Electrical System 125 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 101 complaints
- Air Bags 77 complaints
- Engine 38 complaints
- Power Train 31 complaints
Of the 574 complaints on file, 46 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 574 complaints, owners report 45 injuries and 5 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt has many complaints, notably in steering and electrical systems. With 6 recalls and 574 complaints, it's marked by issues like power steering failures and ignition switch defects. The widespread steering problems contribute significantly to a below-average rating. Although there are 77 airbag complaints, this issue has been subject to massive recalls, mitigating some risk. The dataset is rich, highlighting several potential problem areas.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering | 60,000-100,000 miles | No reliable estimate | very common |
| ignition switch | 40,000-80,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| airbags | Unknown | $700–$1,500 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotations and alignments
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission service
- Air filter replacement
- Battery check and replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel stiffness
- Ignition key issues
- Airbag warning lights
- Unresponsive power steering
- Electrical short circuits
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.