Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
1G1AK18F987••••••2008 Chevrolet COBALT
This build draws 1.8× more complaints than the average 2008 Chevrolet COBALT build (15 vs 8).
15on this build
730on the model
87builds in total
2involved a crash
Most reportedSteering 8Electrical System 4Air Bags 3Service Brakes 2
What owners of this build wrote
Vehicle Speed ControlcrashJul 2014
I was in my driveway I was attempting to just back up and turn around I no sooner put the car in reverse and just touched the gas pedal when they car accelerated out of control with both feet on the brake the car still would not stop and crashed into a another family car was…
Service BrakescrashDec 2013
While driving in the left lane on a multiple lane interstate highway the driver on my right changed lanes into my lane. On my left was a concrete barrier without enough room for me to avoid the other driver. I aggressively applied the brakes to try and avoid the other vehicle.…
Fuel/propulsion SystemMar 2021
A fuel leak.corroded fuel line.03
SteeringJul 2017
While leaving work on back roads with a lot of turns my power steering came on. I got the power steering replaced 3 years ago with a recall and now the power steering motor is not working
Air BagsJul 2016
Airbag and/or seat belt tensioner module. The service airbag warning light is illuminated on the dic. Two dealerships have been notified of the issue and say it's a "known problem" but not covered under any warranty, TSB, or recall, and quote $500-1000 to repair the issue. The…
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Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 87 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 1G1AK18F987296984 · decoded Sep 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.