Check a VIN

Chevrolet Cobalt airbag light comes on

152 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2007 model year.

owner complaints
152
worst model year
2007
typical repair cost reported
$924
typical mileage
75,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Power steering loss 12Check engine light 9Won't start 5Seat belt 5Stalling 4Engine failure 4No deployment 4Wipers 3

Trouble codes mentioned

B0081 2U0101 1P1682 1B1370 1B0020 1

What owners say

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · 259,000 miles · OR

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.

Filed Dec 21, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · IL · crash

The air bag never deployed I bought car in 2018 from original owner with car only having 33,000 miles on it and still under warranty til car had 100,000 miles and I hit a deer head on 2 months after getting car which bought in may of 2018 hit the deer in July 2018 . The deer was hit with the front passenger side it broke my headlight n messed my hood up and smashed in the grill little and my air bags never deployed I hit deer at 50 mph , after that had happened I took it in to Chevy dealership and had them look at car cause I told them I hit that deer and air bag never deployed and that my air bag light came on once in awhile and said service air bag . The dealership said they do that sometimes and did something to make light go off that was it my air vag light still comes on and says service air bag . Also ignition switch and fuel smell foul coming from car a lot and is as I speak . My reduce engine power light comes on a lot and have no power to gas pedal n car won’t stay running . I have try to get two recalls fixed back in 2-21 I was having problems with my car back then too special reach called me in Jan of 2021 and told me that there were two recalls on my car ignition switch and fuel module so I informed dealership when I took my car in That next month in feb 21 told them I was informed on 2 active recalls on my car . When they were done with my car later that day I asked them if they fixed the recalls they said no cause it was map sensor so I then made an appt to get recalls fixed when I got there for the recalls to be fixed one of the technicians told me it shows that they were done . I called Chevy and complained about the issue I just had and never had recalls fixed but they must of put it in computer they fixed them So I’ve been really upset that I been trying to get past recalls fixed that are on my car and I get run around and told there isn’t any I know about a past recall on shift selnoid low circuit too that was a past recal

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Acceleration, Airbags · 33,000 miles · IL · crash

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The air bags did not deploy. Additionally, while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle. There was an abnormal sulfur and fuel odor detected. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the MAP sensor needed to be reset. The mechanic reset the air bag light. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the air bag failure. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

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.

Filed Oct 4, 2022 · Airbags, Seats · PA

Air bag light is on the dash and the passenger seat does not sense weight on the seat so all airbags are disabled I know many others with this problem and it is a serious issue that there should be a recall for

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Airbags, Steering · OH

I purchased a 2007 Chevy cobalt and was told by an independent shop that their computer was reading codes for the ignition switch and the air bag lights are on. On top of it the power steering feels like it goes in and out. I know there’s recalls on the 2007 Chevy cobalts for the exact reasoning. Faulty ignition switch and the airbags not deploying because of it. Along with like 4 other recalls GM announced. I just purchased the car not even two weeks ago so I was told to come on here and file a complaint to see if I can get the recall letter so the dealership can fix the car.

Filed Jun 18, 2021 · Airbags · KY

key got stuck in ignition ,now wont start car , now airbag light is on

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Driver assistance, Steering · 154,000 miles · KY

2-3 weeks ago I got in my car to go somewhere. From the time I pulled out of my driveway my car was in limp mode. At the same time my check engine light, air bag light, power steering light, service traction light and theft light all came on. I got my car back to the house and when I shut it off it would not start back. I hooked it up to the obd2 scanner and the codes that came back were p1682( faulty ignition switch) and code u0101(transmission control module).

Filed Jun 16, 2020 · Airbags, Wheels · 10,000 miles · AR

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.

Filed May 27, 2020 · Airbags · 76,911 miles · TX

My air bag lights on dash for driver and passenger side come on at random. I also have a light on my dash that's says service air bag. I have went to the chevrolet dealership and they say there is no recall for this. It worries me with my children in the car that if I have a accident that the airbags in the vehicle could not deploy. This could lead to serious injury or even death. Chevrolet doesn't seem to care whether or not it gets fixed. It happens at random sometimes when I start the car other times when I'm driving.

Related recalls

Air bags: side/windowReported August 10, 2015 · 59,474 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles manufactured January 4, 2010, to June 23, 2010. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an improperly routed Side-Impact Sensor (SIS) wiring harness in the driver side front door. The misrouted wiring harness could cause an electrical short that disables the driver side curtain air bag.
Risk
A disabled driver side roof-rail air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of that air bag, increasing the risk of injury to the driver.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sensor's wiring in the driver's door and make repairs as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 8, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is 15075.

Recall number 15V500000 · Recall details

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 Chevrolet Cobalt airbag light

Why does the airbag light come on in the Chevrolet Cobalt?

Owners who report it most often also describe loss of power steering, check engine light and won't start, and the codes they mention most are B0081, U0101 and P1682.

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have airbag warning light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2007 (36 complaints), 2006 (34 complaints) and 2008 (32 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Chevrolet Cobalt?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $924 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Chevrolet Cobalt?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history