No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags problems
98 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000. 37 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 98
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 60,000
- crashes
- 37
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal6
- Side/window4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Cobalt airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 14V047000 · Recall details
What 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Head on collision, airbag did not deploy
Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
When the driver's side window on my 2008 Chevy Cobalt is fully open/down, the "Service air bag" warning light comes on. This seems to be the exact same issue that resulted in a recall on the 2010 model (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V500000). When I called Chevrolet corporate customer service regarding this, they explained the model years were manufactured the same, and the reason my year did not have a recall could be that there were not enough reported complaints on it. It is very concerning, since as my dealer indicated, the airbag system seems to be disabled when in this condition. I put today's date as the when the incident occurred, but it's been a condition for the last few years.
My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air bag pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
I was driving alone paying attention in daylight and suddenly I was knocked/startled and vision blocked and I was saying out loud oh God what is going on-what is happeningy/I was trying to figure out where I was - next I heard my car crunching-and still going to where I exited right side of road and turned on drivers side and slid across 2 lane road-hitting a raiseded bed of 2b 3b gravel and turned back up on 4 wheels. The slanted hill next to a small ditch-about5 ft approximately off road. This all happened very quickly. There was no crash until after I was hit by airbag. Severely crashed passenger side windshield shattered/no airbag went off. Police and by standers assuming zi lost control and could see where I was headed. I never mentioned to police how I felt airbag went off. I knew their theory didn't match what I felt happened but after going back to scene my scenario from my memory is the only one I can verify. Not sure now what happens to vehicle now after I get my check today. I wasn't sure where to report. I did mention in text to adjuster but it is my understanding adjuster didn't get text ?? This just needed to be noted.
I recently acquired this vehicle, the prior owner put black tape over air bag defective message. I know that there was a recall in 2014, it states the owner was informed of the recall involving the ignition effecting the air bags. The listing codes not indicate whether the recall/ vehicle was ever serviced to correct the problem. I tend to think it was never done. I need to know how to determine, the incident describes the 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. Currently on my dash, the check airbag is displayed. Original recall from the federal safety agency manufacturer's report date april 18, 2014 the federal safety agency action number n/a potential number of units affected 2,190,934 the federal safety agency campaign id number 14v047000 component electrical system:ignition:switch
While in motion the service air bag light come on and goes off randomly. A malfunction in the sensor or other area has lead to premature air bag deployment in other's vehicles. Airbags are a safety feature that give piece of mind that I currently do not have. This is the car we are considering handing down to our teenage son but am concerned with this warming that will not go away. The low tire pressure light randomly comes on as well, even when tires have adequate air.
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 98 complaints about the airbags of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V047000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Cobalt have bad airbags?
The Chevrolet Cobalt model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (146 complaints), 2007 (144 complaints) and 2008 (98 complaints).
Other 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Steering 309Fuel system 243Electrical 166Engine 45Brakes 31Transmission 29Suspension 27Acceleration 22Driver assistance 20Lights 18Seat belts 18Body 11Wheels 9Visibility 6Locks 5Tires 5Seats 1
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