The 2009 Cobalt is a basic econobox with a major Achilles' heel: catastrophic ignition switch failures that can kill the engine mid-drive and disable airbags. Beyond that recall nightmare, both Ecotec engines are prone to timing chain stretch and oil consumption issues that can grenade motors if ignored.
Ignition Switch Failure (Recall 14V-047)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Engine suddenly shuts off while driving, especially on rough roads or with heavy keychain, Loss of power steering and power brakes with engine off, Airbag warning light on, airbags will not deploy in crash, Key can be removed while in ACC or RUN position
Fix: Replace ignition switch and lock cylinder under recall. If recall already done, recheck for proper repair—many early fixes were botched. 1.5-2.0 hours if paying out-of-pocket post-recall.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $250-400 if self-pay
Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Failure (2.2L and 2.4L)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle for 2-5 seconds that worsens over time, Check engine light with P0008, P0009, P0010, P0011 cam correlation codes, Rough idle and loss of power, Catastrophic engine failure if chain jumps timing
Fix: Replace timing chain, guides, tensioner, and cam phasers. If jumped timing, expect bent valves and head work or full engine replacement. Timing set alone: 6-8 hours. Engine replacement: 12-16 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000 (preventive) or $3,500-5,500 (engine damage)
Excessive Oil Consumption (2.2L and 2.4L)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart every 1,000 miles, Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, Low oil pressure if run too low
Fix: Worn piston rings and valve seals are the culprits. Band-aid: run thicker oil and check level weekly. Real fix requires engine rebuild or short block replacement. 14-18 hours labor for rebuild, 10-14 for short block swap.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000 (rebuild) or $2,500-4,000 (reman short block)
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Sudden complete loss of power steering assist while driving, Service StabiliTrak, Traction Control, and Power Steering messages, Steering becomes extremely heavy, especially at low speeds, May be intermittent at first, then permanent
Fix: Replace electric power steering motor/column assembly or control module. Some cases fixed by re-soldering connections inside module (1-2 hours), but most require column swap (2.5-3.5 hours).
Estimated cost: $400-700 (module repair) or $800-1,400 (column assembly)
Automatic Transmission 4T45E Failures
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Harsh 1-2 or 2-3 shifts, Slipping on acceleration, Transmission oil cooler line leaks (external or into radiator), Delayed engagement when shifting to Drive or Reverse
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler lines as preventive maintenance. Internal failures require rebuild or replacement. Cooler lines: 1.5 hours. Rebuild: 8-12 hours. R&R for reman: 6-8 hours.
Estimated cost: $200-350 (cooler lines) or $1,800-2,800 (reman trans)
Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with crank but no fire, Stalling at operating temperature, Loss of power under load or acceleration, Whining noise from rear of vehicle
Fix: Replace in-tank fuel pump module. Some affected by recall 10V-017 (check VIN eligibility). 2-3 hours labor to drop tank and swap assembly.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Owner tips
Check oil level every fill-up—these Ecotecs will burn oil and destroy themselves if run low
Listen for cold-start rattle; address timing chain noise immediately before it jumps
Verify ignition switch recall completion and use minimal keychain weight
Replace timing chain preventively at 100k if buying used with unknown history
Avoid the 2.4L SS/Sport models—higher oil consumption and timing issues than 2.2L
Hard pass unless free or under $2,000—ignition switch can kill you, and the engines are ticking time bombs after 80k without proof of timing chain service.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 14V171000
2014-04-10
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence: 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 not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not
previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
AIR BAGS · 14V047000
2014-02-10
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 10V073000
2010-03-03 · PE10005
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT · 09V073000
2009-03-06
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
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