The 2009 Cobalt SS with the LNF 2.0L turbo is a fantastic performance platform when maintained, but the factory tune runs aggressive timing and boost that can lead to catastrophic engine failure if owners neglect fuel quality or modifications. Transmission mounts and oil cooler lines are wear items that need attention before major engine work becomes necessary.
Catastrophic Engine Failure from Knock/Detonation
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: sudden loss of power under boost, loud knocking or rattling from engine bay, metallic debris in oil, misfire codes with no spark/fuel issues
Fix: The LNF's factory tune is aggressive and unforgiving with low-octane fuel or carbon buildup. Detonation destroys ringlands (piston #2 and #4 most common), cracks pistons, or spins bearings. Fix requires complete short block replacement or full rebuild with forged internals if owner wants to keep power levels. Engine-out job: 16-20 hours labor for short block swap, 24-30 hours for full tear-down rebuild with machine work.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: transmission fluid leaking near radiator or under car, low fluid level warning, erratic shifting or slipping, pink/red fluid spots on driveway
Fix: The rubber lines to the external trans cooler deteriorate and crack, dumping ATF quickly. Can lead to transmission failure if driven low on fluid. Requires line replacement and often the cooler itself if contaminated. 2-3 hours labor for lines only, add 1-2 hours if cooler replacement needed.
Estimated cost: $350-750
Collapsed Engine/Transmission Mounts
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive engine movement during acceleration/deceleration, clunking when shifting or launching, vibration at idle that worsens over time, driveline lash or thud when getting on/off throttle
Fix: The factory hydraulic mounts can't handle the torque from the turbo motor, especially if tuned. Transmission mount (upper and lower) fails most often, followed by torque strut. Each mount is 1-2 hours labor; full front-mount refresh is 4-5 hours if doing all at once. Aftermarket polyurethane upgrades recommended for performance use.
Estimated cost: $400-900
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: long cranking before start, especially when hot, lean fuel trims or low fuel pressure codes (P0087), stumbling or hesitation under boost, limp mode or reduced power warning
Fix: The cam-driven high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) wears internally and can't maintain pressure under load. Critical on direct-injection turbo motors. Requires valve cover removal and timing chain area access. 4-5 hours labor for pump replacement, more if debris from failed pump contaminated injectors.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Timing Chain Stretch and Guide Wear
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: rattling on cold start that goes away after 5-10 seconds, Check Engine Light with cam/crank correlation codes (P0016, P0017), rough idle or misfire at startup, metallic ticking that increases with RPM
Fix: The timing chain stretches over time, especially if oil changes were neglected. Worn guides and tensioners can lead to jumped timing or complete failure. Requires front engine disassembly: timing cover, chain, guides, tensioners, and often VVT actuators. 8-10 hours labor if caught early; if chain jumped and valves kissed pistons, add head work or full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800
Turbo Wastegate Actuator Sticking/Boost Control Issues
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: reduced power under acceleration, overboost or underboost codes (P0243, P0299), turbo whistling or fluttering abnormally, limp mode triggered randomly
Fix: The factory wastegate actuator on the K04 turbo sticks or fails, causing inconsistent boost control. Common after heat cycling or if intake system has oil contamination. Can often be freed and adjusted, but replacement actuator or upgraded unit is long-term fix. Turbo access is tight: 3-4 hours labor for actuator only, 6-8 hours if turbo needs to come off for service.
Estimated cost: $500-1,200
PCV System Carbon Buildup and Oil Consumption
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), intake manifold coated in oil, rough idle or misfires, white smoke from exhaust on startup
Fix: Direct injection means no fuel wash on intake valves, so carbon buildup is severe. Failed PCV valve or crankcase pressure issues push oil into intake, coating valves and causing consumption. Requires intake manifold removal, valve cleaning (walnut blasting recommended), PCV valve replacement, and catch can installation to prevent recurrence. 4-6 hours labor for cleaning and PCV work.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Owner tips
ALWAYS run 93 octane (91 minimum) — the factory tune demands it and detonation kills motors fast
Change oil every 5,000 mi or less with quality synthetic; timing chain and turbo longevity depend on it
Install an oil catch can early to prevent PCV system from coating intake valves and turbo inlet
If tuning or modding, upgrade engine mounts immediately — factory mounts fail fast under added torque
Check transmission fluid level and condition every 30,000 mi; these autos are sensitive to low/dirty fluid
Buy it if you can verify religious maintenance and no tunes without supporting mods — when treated right, it's a riot to drive, but neglect or cheap gas will grenade the motor.
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.
Performance
Horsepower
260hp
Torque
260lb-ft
0–60 mph
5.4sec
Quarter mile
14.0sec
Top speed
150mph
Capability & size
Curb weight
3,085lb
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0L I4 Turbo and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.