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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: airbags did not deploy in a crash

27 of the 845 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
68,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Airbags · WV · crash

Head on collision, airbag did not deploy

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Airbags · PA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · TX · crash · 25 injuries

Accident december 02,2009 no air bags deployed fatality in accident

Filed Oct 27, 2017 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While the contact's husband was driving approximately 60 MPH, a tow truck in front of the vehicle suddenly stopped and caused her husband to suddenly stop as well. The vehicle behind the contact's husband did not stop and crashed into their vehicle. As a result, the contact's husband crash into the rear of the tow truck. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact's husband was fatally injured, but was revived and received medical attention; however, he did not survive due to the extent of his injuries. The contact was also in the vehicle and received injuries to the face, back, arms, legs, and chest area, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Mar 21, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · MI · crash · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while her son was driving and his cousin in the passenger side seat at 78 MPH, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that while her son was driving the vehicle caught on fire, lost control of the vehicle, hit a fire hydrant and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. It was unknown the origin of the fire. The driver was injured which resulted with laceration on the anterior right side, there were bilateral wrist fracture, fracture to the right femur and left knee. There was an aortic laceration and multiple bilateral lung lacerations and cardiac contusions, autopsy also reveled first to forth degree firms burns with charring on approximately 70% of the body surface area, there were thermal fractures to the skull and both the hands. The driver was reported dead at the scene and the front passenger sustained a head injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 30, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 138,000 miles · NJ · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, there was a loss of steering, which resulted in a driver side impact collision. The air bags did not deploy. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the vehicle was deemed destroyed. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. A police report was filed. There were no injuries reported that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Airbags, Lights · 117,048 miles · OK · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While merging approximately 35 MPH, the front and rear exterior lights failed without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a concussion that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,048. ...updated 01/20/16 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Airbags · 143,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2014 · Airbags · 30,000 miles · KY · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the passenger's side seat belt fractured. The contact sustained shoulder and neck injuries from the seat belt restraints and required medical attention. The front passenger sustained abrasions to the neck. A police report was filed of the incident. Additionally, the contact had been involved in a second crash while driving 55 MPH. The contact crashed into a deer and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained lower back injuries but a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · FL · crash · 2 injuries

The steering locked and hit a tree. The passenger side air bag did not deploy. Passenger died. Driver was air lifted.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Airbags · VA · crash · 1 injury

Lost control of vehicle, I hit a tree and the front airbag sensor was damaged but my air bags failed to deploy. Insurance deemed the car a total loss. Was taken to er via ambulance and seen for minor seatbelt bruising,rib bruising and back pain. I had to see a chiropractor for my back pain for the following 4 months.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, another driver pulled in front of her and she tried to avoid a crash as a result another vehicle crashed into the contact and the contact crashed into a bridge. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact injured her forehead, chest and suffered from back pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and was declared totaled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bagsReported February 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 vehicles affected
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. GM’s 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

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

27 of 845 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (3%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

There is 1 recall and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Fuel leak 114Power steering loss 99Fuel smell 98Fuel pump 74Steering lock-up 46Airbag light 32Engine failure 31Loss of power 31Check engine light 30Stalling 29Won't start 24Ball joint 15Grinding brakes 15Door locks 15Fire or smoke 12Headlights 11Hesitation 10Jerking 10Steering noise 8ABS 6Fuel gauge 6Harsh shifting 6Seat belt 6Pulling 5Warning lights 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt

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