Problems with 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt AIR BAGS

One morning when i started my 2008 chevrolet cobalt with the 2lt trim package, the airbag readiness light came on and stayed on the whole time i was driving, and at the same time the passenger airbag status indicator off symbol was lit. the car had never been involved in an accident and the approximate millage on my car at this time was 50,577. there was a person setting in the passenger seat that weighed approximately 140 pounds, so the airbag should have been on. ever since that day, every time i start my car the airbag readiness light and the passenger airbag off lite come on and stays on. i checked the connectors under the passenger seat and all were connected. i took my car, paid out of pocket to have diagnostic testing to get the error codes for this but no codes were shown. recently i took it to the dealership for the ignition switch safety recall repaired. after reading chevrolet cobalt technical service bulletins about airbags, numerous complaints from other cobalt owners about this exact problem, recalls that had the term airbags mentioned, i decided to tell my concern to the service employees and was told this wasn't covered, that i could pay for them to do testing on it. seeing as i had already paid for the exact same testing before with no results as to what was wrong, i declined to have it done again. i contacted chevrolet by email concerning this. they emailed me back asking for additional information. i replyed with that information and have never heard anything back from them. what do those of us who have safety concerns associated with the airbags need to do to get chevrolet to acknoweledge that this is a problem that needs their attention seeing as this is a common problem with the cobalts? seeing as chevrolet has put out technical service bulletins concerning this exact problem proves they are aware of it but have yet to do anything about it.

Ignition switch jams; air bag light stays on; cruise control stopped working; airconditioner stopped working; tire light stays on; engine light stays on; and now heater is barely working. *tr

My air bag light stays on even after they fixed the ignition. ignition still sticks after fixing it. *tr

Air bag light come on service immediately may not be protected in accident kept coming on had to take to tech codeboo13/0012 clockspring it scary for a car thats five years old . to find out its in steering area. *tr ## vin failed ##

On my way home from work in heavy traffic in indianapolis, someone in front of me hit their brakes hard. as a result, i also had to slam on my brakes. when i did so, my rear end spun out. i lost power steering. i crashed head first into the concrete median. however, the airbag did not deploy. luckily, i escaped severe injury; although the wreck, the resulting loss of power steering, and the fact that the airbag did not deploy were directly due to the negligence of general motors. *tr

On tuesday morning i went to pick up my mail and i notice something hanging from my car ceiling inside the car when i went to take a look, it look like my airbag from the passenger side from front all the way back are deployed. there was no accident nor anyone attempt to steel the car. i'm 70 years old imagine if this thing deployed while i'm driving, for sure there will be someone dead. i contacted gmc to help me out so far they keep saying they will send an inspector to take a look but this will not happen for another week or so. so i can't drive the car for safety issues and they will not give me a rental car. what if there is an emergency and i do need a car what then? i'm not happy with the service that they providing me. this issue should not be taken lightly, if it happen to someone else for sure there will be a fidelity. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph and attempting o decelerate, the brake failed to engage and the contact proceeded to crash into a stop sign. the front driver side air bag failed to deploy. the contact was not injured. the vehicle was towed to a local body shop for further investigation of the failure. the vin was not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 39,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition and he was unable to remove it. also, the contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 45 mph the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer six times who diagnose that the ignition module, steering wheel column and driver side air bag module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 82,600.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while parked, the air bag warning light and service air bag message illuminated on the instrument panel. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 38,128. .. updated 08-27-12 *bf the coil assembly was replaced. update 08/28/12

The vehicle began having electrical problem a few years after purchase in 2008. the power windows became non operable, radio speakers stopped working, door locks don't unlock via power switch, ac/ heat issues (doesn't function properly), and wire harnesses near seat belt column (where belt meets floor) became severed from seat belt column movement.... this caused air bags to stop functioning.

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. while driving 30 mph, the vehicle was involved in a crash while trying to avoid another collision. the air bags partially deployed and did not function as designed. the driver sustained liver injuries. the passenger was taken to his residence where he later succumbed to fatal injuries. the passenger was taken to the hospital where it was determined that the cause of death was due to blunt force trauma to the chest and internal bleeding. a police report was filed. the vehicle was destroyed and towed. the failure mileage was unknown.

While sitting in a parked position, the check air bag light and message lit up. tried to turn it off by having the passenger unlock and relock the seat belt. nothing changed. it has also come on while driving just a few feet. this is very annoying and worrisome. i would like to know what to do about this. two weekends a month i have my son and my grand daughters in the car. i want to feel safe while they are in this vehicle. if this can not be fixed, i want a brand new car of my choice at no charge!!!! i have not been very happy with this vehicle. it is not a good car. i am tired of all of the problems with this car. *tr

2008 chevrolet cobalt. consumer request information and records for this vehicle. the consumer and his girlfriend were involved in an accident and consumer asserts that there were mechanical defects *tgw the consumer believed the defect was in the power steering motor and air bags. the consumer crashed into a telephone pole and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. the consumers girlfriend owned the vehicle and was killed. *jb

Airbag : warning intermittently comes on.. then resets on the next ignition start. then will reappear again. suspension: severe clunking in front end only when turning or maneuvering . this vehicle has done 46k miles total.

My aircondition quits blowing cool air off and on the buttons are wrong. engine light comes on and off. the airbag light comes on and off. *tr

Service air bag light is illuminated in the driver information window. the light has been coming on and going off after a few days. currently the light has been on and will not shut off. didn't know until recently that when light is on, the air bags are inoperative in a crash. many customer complaints are logged in on the internet going back to 2005. in addition, several gm technical service bulletin numbers are on line plus two nhtsa items numbers. customers are paying from $300.00 to $1000.00 to have their chevrolet cobalt's repaired. dealers are changing the air bag modules. this is safety item and repairs should be free of charge. please advise. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the front driver side tire went flat and the contact lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle flipped twice and crashed into a ditch. during the crash, the driver side seat belt did not secure the contact nor did the air bags deploy. the contact suffered two broken ribs and a broken pelvis. the vehicle was destroyed during the crash. the failure mileage was 58,000.

2008 chevrolet cobalt. consumer writes in regards to vehicle accident and air bags did not deploy. *smd the consumer stated her daughter was involved in an accident on march 19, 2011. her daughter claimed, she had no idea what happened, when she lost control of the vehicle and it flew across the road, into the other lane, and lodged itself between two trees. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel locked and the driver was unable to turn the wheel. as a result, the vehicle was involved in a crash in which the air bags did not deploy. the driver and a passenger were reported injured and a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to a lot and was not examined for the cause of failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 10v073000 (steering:electric power assist system). the failure and current mileages were 55,000.

On february 21th, 2011, i was driving on the i-95 expressway. suddenly, i lost the control of my car which was hit by another car driven by [xxx] (case # [xxx]). on june seventh, 2010, my wife had similar accident with her 2006 chevy cobalt. the fact that both crashes were so similar made dubious about our responsibility on them. i asked to inspect my vehicle twice (3/25/11 and 4/9/11), but inspectors said that my car was ok. on december 12, 2011 i presented a complaint to f. h.s. m. v. d. m. s. (complaint #[xxx]), on december 16, 2011 its answer was; your complaints do not fall within its jurisdiction. dejected, i did not forward any more action. i have just received from gm a warning about a defect which relates to motor vehicles safety exists in 2005-2007 model year (my) chevrolet cobalt, then i read on tv news, and internet, that gm issued that it's possible that the air bags might not deploy if there is an accident. in this moment we realized that both the 2006 and 2008 chevy cobalt air bags did not deploy, regardless both vehicles crashes were on front bumper allstate insurance paid the amount of $6440.58 to repair my car. we have received a significant amount of letters from lawyers and allstate insurance dealing with injures damages and monetary compensation. allstate paid to mr. sentmanat the sum of $10 000, consequently our allstate insurance premium was raised substantially. this entire situation had caused stress, economic problems and lack of confidence in both my wife i. because both crashes happened in the afternoon rush hour, i-95 traffic was crowded and slow, but in other conditions and as consequence of air bag malfunction my wife and might have died. for the reasons explaining above i, the writer, demand from gm a monetary compensation for the psychological, legal, and monetary problems caused by my car malfunction. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

While heading south on 8 mile road in cincinnati,ohio. my car went out of control. when the car landed against the guard rail i was heading north. this is the second accident this year with this car. first one was feb.2010 odi #10307249. i was going about 35 mph , it had stopped raining and the street was still a little wet. the recall of the steering motor, had been replaced. my concern now the none of the air bags deployed. the car will more than likely be totaled. which would be a good idea to get this lemon off the road. *tr

The steering locked and hit a tree. the passenger side air bag did not deploy. passenger died. driver was air lifted. *tr

Tl*the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph she drove over a patch of gravel and the vehicle rolled over three times from one end to the other. the contact was taken to the hospital by ambulance and suffered neck injuries, abrasions, lacerations, including a fractured vertebrae. the contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was totally destroyed. the police responded to the crash and filed a police report. chevrolet was not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 56,000. the vin was unknown.

Cobalt 08 passenger airbags need service. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. while driving approximately 66 mph, the contact heard a loud, unusual noise and began to swerve. she was able to maintain control of the vehicle and moved off the roadway. the contact further inspected the vehicle and found that the passenger side curtain air bags had independently deployed. as a result, the headliner was damaged from the air bag. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. the failure and current mileages were 38,869.

I do not remember the exact dates and mileage, but i have seen recently the recalls on cobalt. i purchased a 2008 cobalt in 2008. had 5 miles on it when i bought it. by, 2010 the ignition switch had been replaced 3 times, due to failure. 2 times the ignition would not start. once, the car would not turn off. i had to drive immediately to the dealership that time. i contacted the dealership, gm, and interstate commerce dept. no one would help me. the only thing gm said they would do is give me $2500 towards the purchase of a brand new vehicle. i had just had my daughter and stuck on the side of the road with her the last time. after no help, i just had let them repo the vehicle. i know the recall only goes to 2007 models, but you may want to investigate the 2008 models as well. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. while braking from approximate speed of 30 mph, the contact proceeded to crash into a vehicle ahead of him. the air bags did not deploy yet there were no injuries. a police report was available. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated he had contacted the dealer several times prior top the crash because the air bags would partially deploy from its housing. the dealer would push the air bag back into place. on one occasion, the entire air bag was replaced. the failure and current mileages were 24,650.

My son was taking me to work on may 25th 2010 in our 2008 chevy cobalt. on the return home the steering wheel locked it would not move. in which caused us to run off the road into a ditch and turned on its side. also none of the 6 air bags deployed..we did not know of a recall on the power a steering until almost 2 weeks later. the car was a total loss. our 2 insurances companies paid the car off. the insurance company took the car so we do not have the defective part. we contacted general motors and they will not take responsibility for not sending us the recall. if we would of received the recall the wreck would not had happened it would of been fixed and our sons would not had gotten hurt.. consequences 2 hurt no vehicle gap paid car off. *tr

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

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. *ln

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.

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. *tr

I got the car new, with 13 miles on it, in 2008. the " service airbag " light came on and stayed on. i did get it checked when i went in for service, and the light went off for 4 days, and then it has been on ever since, when i went again for service, i mentioned it, they said they would look at it. they did nothing.

My son was in a motor vehicle accident. it was a single car accident in which he lost control of the car, went off the road, hit a tree stump and then the car was spun sides, rolled onto it's side and into a tree. none of his airbags deployed. he was killed in the car accident while 3 other kids walked away. he was the driver and the car was hit on the drivers side. *tr

I was driving a 2008 chevy cobalt lt at about 30mph on a sunny and beautiful day when for no reason at all the drivers side, passengers front, passengers side, and both rear passenger airbags deployed. i brought the car to a secure stop. there was no warning that this was going to happen. the airbag indicator light did not light up, nor did an alarm go off telling me that there was something wrong. general motors has done an investigation and has refused to release the reason that the airbags deployed. *tr