Which year to buy
2010GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
513 serious complaints of 583, the most about steering (242) and fuel system (101); per car on the road, 1.0× this model's usual year. 6 recalls. NHTSA investigation PE20011: fuel line leak.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the power steering assist failed to operate as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Power steering warning light was also illuminated.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Oct 2013
“While driving in a suburban area , smelled strong gasoline odor coming from under the car. At destination, others noticed as well. Immediately parked car, looked up the issue and realized the fuel line/fuel pump/gas leak is a cobalt problem, yet not a recall. We got it serviced, but out of our pocket expense.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Jun 2017
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage On some vehicles, the mechanical flag used by the automatic transmission shift assembly to display the selected gear may break off from the flag carrier. 14519 - Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-2747, Sep 2016)
- Extended coverage On some vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, the vehicles transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal that allows the ignition key to be turned counter clockwise past the accessory mode to the lock position after the vehicle has been shifted into park.… (14632B, Mar 2015)
- Extended coverage 14632 - special coverage (q&a). On december 11, 2014, general motors released special coverage adjustment 14632. (G-206857, Dec 2014)
- Repair program This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module. (PIT5236G, Mar 2016)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
583 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 25–30 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo; 2.2L 4-cyl · Drive: FWD
2010 Cobalt trims
| 1LT | 2LT | Internet Model | LS | SS |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Chevrolet reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Chevrolet aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.2L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 25–30 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 583 | Steering (242) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Chevrolet Cobalt 2-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 583 |
| 2010 | Chevrolet Cobalt 4-DR w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 583 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Cobalt Coupe | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L |
27–29 |
| 2010 | Cobalt SS Coupe | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2010 | Cobalt Sedan | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L |
27–29 |
| 2010 | Cobalt XFE Coupe | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L | 30 |
| 2010 | Cobalt XFE Sedan | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L | 30 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.