2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Owner Complaints

AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND I NOTICED THE ODOR OF GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK FOR THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR AND FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND ONTO THE ROAD. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION, AS I COULD NOT STOP THE FUEL FROM CONTINUING TO LEAK. I FOUND THAT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND ENGINE RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH NEAR THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL, CAUSING THE LEAK. THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION VAPOR LINE WAS RUSTED AND LEAKING AS WELL, RESULTING IN FLAMMABLE FUEL VAPORS ESCAPING.

NHTSA ID

11144570

Incident

Feb 23, 2015

Mileage

70,000 mi

DRIVER DOOR STUCK. WILL NOT OPEN. IF YOU ARE INSIDE AND THAT HAPPENS, YOU CAN NOT GET OUT THE DOOR. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT. MORNING IT WOULD NOT OPEN. IT WILL UNLOCK, BUT NOT OPEN.

NHTSA ID

11122474

Incident

Aug 26, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. IN ADDITION, I CAN'T GET THE GEAR TO SHIFT TO PARK TO MOVE TO NEUTRAL, I'VE LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR FROM THE LIGHTS TO BEING UNABLE TO OPEN THE TRUNK. I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BREAK ON FOR FEAR THAT THE CAR WOULD ROLL AWAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

NHTSA ID

11052151

Incident

Sep 18, 2017

Mileage

179,000 mi

TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE IT IS EXPERIENCING A LONG PERIOD OF TIME CRANKING BEFORE STARTING EACH TIME, AND I FIND OUT THAT I HAVE A FUEL LINE LEAK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, I FIND THAT MY YEAR AND MODEL ARE NOT INCLUDED, ALTHOUGH MANY OTHER 08 CHEVY COBALTS ARE. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME THAT THIS MODEL OF VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF RECALLS THAT AFFECT THE SAFETY OF MY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION.

NHTSA ID

11051259

Incident

Nov 29, 2017

WHILE PARKED THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER RELEASE BUTTON JAMMED AND I COULD NOT RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKES. THERE IS ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD IN THE REAR BREAKING SYSTEM WHEN REVERSING. ABNORMAL PREMATURE WEAR TO INSIDE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR DISCS

NHTSA ID

10993868

Incident

May 7, 2017

Mileage

99,990 mi

REAR BRAKES WEAR THE PADS UNEVENLY AND SCRATCH THE ROTORS. COMMON PROBLEM THAT MOST 2008+ COBALT SS OWNERS EXPERIENCE. DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES, THE HAND BRAKE WILL OFTEN NOT WORK, WHICH IS A LARGE INCONVENIENCE IN A CAR THAT IS ONLY AVAILABLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN TRYING TO PARK ON A HILL.

NHTSA ID

10893782

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

Mileage

67,700 mi

CLEAR COAT ON THE FRONT BUMPER IS COMING OFF REALLY BAD. THE PAINT SEEMS TO STAY ON THE BUMPER BUT PROGRESSIVELY FLAKES OFF MORE EVERY DAY. IT STARTS AS A SMALL SPOT THEN EXPANDS LIKE A VIRUS. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS BEGIN TO RUST AND ARE SPREADING TO THE OUTER PARTS OF THE DOORS AND BODY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR THE CENTER-CONSOLE (CLIMATE CONTROL) BURN OUT FAST AND FAIL TO ILLUMINATE THE REST OF THE BUTTONS. SEAT BELTS WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY FAST AND THE BUTTONS THAT STOP THE BELT BUCKLE FALL OUT PREMATURELY. -------- *THIS PROBLEM IS FOUND ON THE COBALT SPORT 2008 2.4L (MANUAL)

NHTSA ID

10735916

Incident

Jul 13, 2015

Mileage

70,386 mi

UPON START OF THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING IS ILLUMINATED. THE AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT STAYS ON. IF I WIGGLE THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE WARNING GOES AWAY TEMPORARILY. ALSO IF A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IT WOULD INDICATE AN AIRBAG SENSOR AND THE INDICATOR WOULD SHOW IT BEING OFF ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. I TOOK IT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHO PULLED MY VIN AND INDICATED NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE VIN, BUT KNOWING OTHER 2008 CHEVROLET COBALTS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES IS MY CONCERN EVEN IF MY VIN SHOWS NO RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10725525

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

Mileage

94,000 mi

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.... HAD IT CHECKED BY FIRESTONE... THEY TOLD ME THE 2ND CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING PER THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE.. SHOULD BE 130 PSI AND ONLY REGISTERING 90 PSI....THEN WHILE STOPPED LONGER THAN 30 SECONDS "SERVICE TRACTION" LIGHT COMES ON.....ASKING $2300 TO REPAIR.... WHY WOULD ONE OF THE FOUR CYLINDERS GO BAD.....COMPLAINED TO GM AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A CERTIFIED GM DEALER TO LOOK AT IT SO I TOOK IT TO GM ALSO FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY ARE SAYING MISFIRE IN 2ND CYLINDER WHICH IS WHAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE SAYS- PER THE PAPERWORK GIVEN ME THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE REPAIR IS GOING TO ENTAIL OR HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM..... PER INTERNET COMPLAINTS THIS S A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES IN COBALTS.... IS IT BECAUSE NO ONE GOT HURT OR DIED THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO CONSIDER THIS A RECALL? THE CAR IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS 68800 MILES ON IT.....AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 1000 MILES AGO... VERY FRUSTRATING AND UNBELIEVABLE! PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692791

Incident

Feb 4, 2015

Mileage

68,800 mi

CAR BEGAN HAVING A GASOLINE SMELL. AS OF TODAY, THE SMELL IS MUCH MORE EXTREME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10618900

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE COOLANT AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 10/30/14*CN UPDATED 7/9/2015*JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE AIRBAG PRETENSIONER FAILED. UPDATED 7/9/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10616356

Incident

Jun 2, 2014

Mileage

40,000 mi

I AM SENDING THIS E-MAIL ON BEHALF OF A 92 YEAR OLD FRIEND,[XXX], WHO I BELIEVE IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND BY GOLD RUSH CHEVY IN AUBURN, CA. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, SHE CALLED GOLD RUSH AND ASKED IF HER CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SHE WAS TOLD NO. ON THE FIRST OF MAY, 2014, I CALLED GOLD RUSH AND WAS TOLD THAT VIRGINIA SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO VERIFY THE VIN #. I DO SO AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT THE PART WOULD BE ORDERED AND WOULD ARRIVE IN TWO TO FIVE WEEKS. ON 6/11, VIRGINIA CALLED GOLD RUSH AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS ORDERED ON 6/1. SHE CALL AGAIN ON 6/17 AND GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. I CALLED 7/3 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS ORDERED 5/1 NOT 6/1. CAN YOU SEE THE REASON THAT I FEEL SHE IS BEING PUT OFF JUST BECAUSE SHE IS AN OLD LADY!!! I CALL YOUR 800-222-1020 LINE AND WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH ANYTHING THE PERSON TOLD ME. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL BY 7/8/14 5 PM PST OR CALL ME AT [XXX] OR I WILL CONTACT L THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR RECALLS WITH A COPY OF THIS E-MAIL. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10610338

Incident

Jan 1, 2014

Mileage

13,000 mi

2008 COBALT LIGHTING LEVER FOR CONTUNOUS HIGH BEAMS FLICKERED LIGHTS FROM ON TO COMPLETLY OFF WHILE DRIVING THE ISSUE CAME BACK AGAIN A YEAR LATER BUT STAYED PERMANENTLY. I HAVE LOW BEAMS AND HIGH BEAMS BUT ONLY IF I HOLD LEVER BACK CAN I USE HIGH BEAMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10592930

Incident

Aug 20, 2013

Mileage

68,000 mi

AFTER CLIMBING A STEEP DRIVEWAY, BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN PULLING OUT ONTO MAIN ROAD. BRAKES WOULD STOP BUT CONTINUED TO GO TO FLOOR IF 1) BRAKES WERE PUT ON PART OF THE WAY; RELEASE AND THEN PUT ON TO STOP AGAIN OR 2) FOOT STAYED ON BRAKE PEDAL UPON STOPPING. IT WAS NOT A SUDDEN DROP BUT A CONTINUOUS MOVEMENT OF THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. TOOK TO SOUTHTOWNE CHEVROLET IN NEWNAN, GA AND AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE BRAKES (REPLACING FRONT BRAKES, ETC) A FORMAN RODE WITH ME AND THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO FLUSH THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO GET THE BRAKES TO STOP. UPON HEARING OF THE RECALL ON THE MALIBUS THIS MORNING, I FELT LIKE MY COBALT MIGHT HAVE ALSO SUFFERED A POTENTIAL HAZARD IN ITS HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588479

Incident

Sep 13, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

FUEL PUMP HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. CONTACTED GM ABOUT 2012 RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT. EXPLAINED TO GM THAT THE MECHANIC THAT WORKED ON THE COBALT SAID FUEL HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE DO TO TOO MUCH POWER AT START UP. AND EXPLAINED TO GM THAT WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK. GMWAS VERY RUDE ALL THE SAID WAS TAKE OTHER KEYS OFF RING AND WOULD NOT FIX AT THE TIME THE IGNITION. AND WOULDN'T REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE FUEL PUMP. THIS WAS THREE MONTHS AGO BEFORE RECALLS I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET THE IGNITION FIXED BUT DEALER WOULD NOT LOOK INTO WHY AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF AND ON WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT. *JS

NHTSA ID

10579304

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

Mileage

98,000 mi

ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS THE KEY IN THE IGNITION HAS MOVED TO THE OFF POSITION WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10576116

Incident

Mar 8, 2014

Mileage

72,000 mi

2 YEARS AFTER I HAD THE CHEVROLET DEALER FIX THE FIRST AIR BAG LIGHT ISSUE IT HAS COME ON AGAIN. I DID REPORT IT TO GM AND THE DEALER HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DIC STATED SERVICE AIR BAG COMES ON THEN GOES AWAY THAT THE SYSTEM DID A "SELF CHECK" AND TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO INFORMED "SHOULD" IT COME ON AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK IN. WITH THE RECALLS GOING ON NOW AND MY YEAR OF CAR IS NOT IS THIS RECALL REALLY??? $22,000 ON A SPORTS CAR WHICH BY THE WAY IS TURBO CHARGED AND I HAVE AN AIR BAG ISSUE STILL..GOOD THING I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR THE WAY IT WAS MADE TO BE DRIVEN. I HAVE OWNED 6 OTHER GM CARS NEVER EVER HAD AN AIR BAG ISSUE SUCH AS THIS AND NEW CARS ARE SUPPOSE TO BE MUCH SAFER.. BEG TO DIFFER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573016

Incident

Feb 14, 2013

Mileage

51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE DASHBOARD AND HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER BEFORE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10568897

Incident

Feb 4, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

ON 10/2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE 105 FWY GOING EASTBOUND AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND I NO LONGER COULD ACCELERATE. EAST BOUND TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND CHP OFFICER HAD TO PARK BEHIND ME WITH HIS LIGHTS TO AVOID ME GETTING HIT BY OTHER VEHICLES, SINCE THERE WAS NO SAFETY LANE TO PULL OVER FOR BROKEN DOWN CARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ONE OTHER PLACE BEFORE BEING TOWED TO PENSKE CHEVROLET, 18605 S STUDEBAKER RD., CERRITOS, CA 90703 THE FOLLOWING DAY. IN SHORT, I TOOK MY CAR BACK 3 DIFFERENT TIMES FROM THE FIRST TIME IT WAS TOWED THERE. THEY WOULD FIX ONE PART AND I WOULD LEAVE AND SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON AND I WOULD RETURN. THEN THEY STATED IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE AND THEY WOULD "FIX IT". THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON ONCE AGAIN. THE LAST AND FINAL TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN THEY REPLACED YET ANOTHER CAR PART AND IN TOTAL I PAID $500.00 DOLLARS IN FEES, NOT TO MENTION TIME LOSS AT WORK AND GAS THEY USE TO DO "LONG TEST DRIVES". TO THIS DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON FROM THE DAY I LEFT PENSKE CHEVROLET. THE MANAGER THERE "[XXX]" IN SHORT STATED THAT THE CAR IS FIXED AND THAT I WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEING ON. HE ASSURED ME THE SECOND TO LAST VISIT THAT THIS WOULD BE FIXED AND IT NEVER WAS. THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT WORKING AS IT DID PRIOR 10/2013. IT CUTS AND DOES NOT ACCELERATES WHEN YOU INITIALLY STEP ON THE GAS. IN ADDITION, THE DOOR LOCKS ARE ELECTRIC AND WHEN I DRIVE THEY POP UP AND DOWN ON THERE OWN. I ALSO WILL LEAVE MY CAR LOCKED AND WHEN I GET BACK THE CAR WILL BE UNLOCKED. THIS ALL BEGAN AFTER I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK FROM PENSKE CHEVROLET OF CERRITOS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10566895

Incident

Oct 30, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10466717

Incident

Jun 30, 2012

Mileage

69,000 mi

THE REAR BRAKE PADS ARE WORN SEVERELY UNEVENLY. THE INSIDE PADS ARE DOWN TO METAL WHILE THE OUTSIDE PADS ARE STILL AT LEAST 50%. THE ROTORS ARE DEEPLY SCORED BECAUSE OF THE WEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10461404

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

21,000 mi

EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES, CAUSING UNTIMELY REPLACEMENT. REAR BRAKES WEAR MORE QUICKLY THAN FRONTS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459533

Incident

May 15, 2012

Mileage

48,066 mi

I STARTED SMELLING FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE. PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE FUEL ODOR WHEN THEY WALK BY. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT IT IS FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. I HAVE FOUND THE RECALL ISSUES FOR THE 2006 AND 2007 COBALTS AND I BELIEVE THE 2008 SHOULD BE INCLUDED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN TX, BUT IT IS A CA VEHICLE. OVERWHELMING ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. EXTREME FIRE DANGER!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10457685

Incident

Dec 15, 2011

Mileage

56,000 mi

PURCHASED MY CHEVY COBALT ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO WITH ABOUT 45000 MILES. JUST ROLLED OVER 50000 MILES WHEN STRONG GAS FUMES IN & OUT OF CAR. HAD AUTHORIZED MECHANIC.CHECK IT, HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS MAKE & MODEL. SAID IT IS THE FUEL SENDING/RETURN LINES CRACKED ON TOP OF FUEL PUMP. RESEARCHED & FOUND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MANUFACTURER BACK TO 2005. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT CHEVROLET CO. WILL NOT RECALL. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR RECALL TO BE ISSUED, A CAR TO BLOW UP OR PERSON TO BE BURNED TO DEATH? I'M SURE LAW SUITS WILL FOLLOW. *TT

NHTSA ID

10445766

Incident

Jan 5, 2012

Mileage

49,500 mi

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES 4 TIMES AND STILL HAVEN'T REPLACED THE FRONT I GET STOCK PADS AND ROTORS FROM CHEVY DEALER! AND WITHIN 500 MILES THE ROTORS ARE ALL SCORED UP AND LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE 20K ON THEM. I SEE THIS BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT REALIZE IT BECAUSE THEY JUST REPLACED THEM! FIX THIS ISSUE PLEASE! I NOTICED THIS FOR THE 4TH TIME ON DECEMBER 1ST. I WAS BACKING UP AND IT MADE A HORRIBLE SOUND I GOT OUT TO CHECK AND THE REAR PADS ARE ALMOST GONE! I HAVE PUT MAYBE 8K ON THEM AND THE ROTORS LOOK LIKE A TIGER ATTACKED THEM, I DON'T BELIEVE I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS AGAIN SO SOON! *TR

NHTSA ID

10440300

Incident

Dec 1, 2011

Mileage

46,000 mi