Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2008)

940 consumer complaints on file.

#11752490July 23, 2026
AIR BAGS
No deployment during head on collision totaling vehicle of faulty air bag
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751466July 20, 2026
AIR BAGS
Head on collision, airbag did not deploy
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669269June 25, 2025
STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665285June 6, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661851May 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653303April 7, 2025
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629405December 7, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628474December 3, 2024
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613382September 9, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602487July 15, 2024
SEAT BELTS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590366May 23, 2024
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553564November 4, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2008 Chevy Cobalt has become unsafe to drive as it is leaking fuel out the bottom of car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549361October 11, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544308September 13, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Heavy fuel leak
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543171September 7, 2023
STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537192August 8, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536384August 3, 2023
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528886June 26, 2023
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527603June 18, 2023
SEAT BELTS
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526569June 12, 2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel lines corroded, very dangerous, had to replace at a high cost to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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