2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Complaints

No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag

NHTSA ID

11752490

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

Head on collision, airbag did not deploy

NHTSA ID

11751466

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was turned off for a while and restarted for the power steering functionality to return. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the power steering warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that it was a known failure with the power steering. The mechanic confirmed the power steering failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11669269

Incident

Apr 25, 2025

The fuel line is leaking fuel on the drivers side near the passenger door. The leak is to the point where it is pooling under the door on the ground.

NHTSA ID

11665285

Incident

May 30, 2025

The ignition doest work right n want release the key the car dies n stalls while driving we was almost hit by a trooper n he called we spoke to 2 people n they had a gm call us n they said that this has been a big concern of these cars n we tried n tried to get it fixed n they say sorry can't can they when something they built wrong kills me or my family my vin [XXX] 2008 CHEVY COBALT [XXX] IS MY NUMBER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11661851

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID

11653303

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Mileage

259,000 mi

I have 2 recalls with the ignition and switch. I went to Regal chevrolet in Lakeland Florida and was told essentially there's nothing they could do and if they did look at it I'd be charged $200 to have it looked at plus $219 a hour based on what needed to be done. I then called Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City Florida and was told that there was no listed recall or it had already been serviced, which on the national website clearly states the opposite, and they refused to even look at it or attempt to fix it, recall or not. My key snapped in the ignition so after being told by 2 chevrolet dealerships essentially "sorry about my luck" I called out a locksmith who extracted the piece of key in ignition and attempted to code several new cut keys. Everything failed. I'm now out almost $500 based off 2 dealerships refusing to assist with a clear recall. I need this fixed and have been without a vehicle for 3 weeks. If somebody could please assist me I'd greatly appreciate it. I feel like it is wrong and somewhat cruel for Chevrolet dealerships to be as they were based off a clearly stated and documented issue.

NHTSA ID

11629405

Incident

Nov 16, 2024

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

11628474

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

The gas lines rusted out and the fuel pump is pooring gas out of it. I just bought the car 2 weeks ago smelled gas hit u set the car it was pouring out. I was going to fix it my self then while looking up the parts I ran across the fact they recalled both parts but not for my vin . What can I do. I'm gonna catch on fire

NHTSA ID

11613382

Incident

Aug 21, 2024

My back seat belts don’t work properly. It takes 10-20 mins to try to get it to come out to buckle up. It locks up no matter how many times to let it roll up and try again. It’s happened since I’ve owned my car since 2019-2020. It’s the back seat belts only

NHTSA ID

11602487

Incident

Feb 20, 2020

When the driver's side window on my 2008 Chevy Cobalt is fully open/down, the "Service air bag" warning light comes on. This seems to be the exact same issue that resulted in a recall on the 2010 model (NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V500000). When I called Chevrolet corporate customer service regarding this, they explained the model years were manufactured the same, and the reason my year did not have a recall could be that there were not enough reported complaints on it. It is very concerning, since as my dealer indicated, the airbag system seems to be disabled when in this condition. I put today's date as the when the incident occurred, but it's been a condition for the last few years.

NHTSA ID

11590366

Incident

May 23, 2024

2008 Chevy Cobalt has become unsafe to drive as it is leaking fuel out the bottom of car

NHTSA ID

11553564

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

Gas Line corroded near Driver rear wheel due to design of gas line bracket/shield. A bit of research finds that this is not an uncommon occurence and is solely based on the poor design of the shield. Gas leaks on driveway and smell of raw gasoline promoted the finding of this issue. It required complete replacement of gasl line and a total of over $1,000 in total cost.

NHTSA ID

11549361

Incident

Oct 2, 2023

Heavy fuel leak

NHTSA ID

11544308

Incident

Jun 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Locked" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn; however, he drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be taken apart to install an unknown switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,117.

NHTSA ID

11543171

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

Mileage

171,117 mi

Fuel lines have developed a leak near exhaust in rear of car. The line has rusted at the part that attaches line to the under body of the car

NHTSA ID

11537192

Incident

Aug 8, 2023

My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.

NHTSA ID

11536384

Incident

Jul 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the air bag pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11528886

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

Mileage

68,000 mi

The back right seat belt and the back left seat belt lock up so much while trying to buckle in that we can hardly use them. I have tried everything from moving to up towards the roof to pulling down , getting in the trunk to release the seats. I have had this car for almost 3 years and it always does this. Please help! My email is. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11527603

Incident

Jun 2, 2023

Fuel lines corroded, very dangerous, had to replace at a high cost to me.

NHTSA ID

11526569

Incident

Jun 7, 2023

Vehicle has a fuel leak from rear of vehicle. Smells of fuel in cabin. Found shields wet with fuel. Seems there should be some recall on this. This is the 2nd cobalt I've owned with the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11510818

Incident

Mar 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving out of a parking space, the steering wheel became firm, and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11505155

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

I have a major fuel leak in a fuel line close to the drivers side rear wheel . It's so bad that it was leaving a line of gas on the road as I drove. It smelled of gas a few days prior but I was unable to tell where it originated from.

NHTSA ID

11501738

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

The contact's son owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact’s son stated that once he had parked the vehicle, he saw fuel leaking from underneath the rear driver’s side wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE20011 (Fuel System, Other). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11497109

Incident

Nov 25, 2022

Mileage

70,000 mi

My Power Steering failed. I was trying to turn into my drive way and I couldn’t turn my steering wheel. Mine and my children's safety were at risk because It could have caused an accident. There are other Chevy cobalts that are recalled for the same problem as mine but for some reason my VIN is showing that my cobalt isn’t recalled for it. There were no warnings other than the dash saying “POWER STEERING” as my steering wheel stopped turning.

NHTSA ID

11493511

Incident

Oct 30, 2022