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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 845 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, most often about the steering (37% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is 4th of 12 Cobalt model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Steering
309 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, column, rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. When the vehicle is in motion, the power steering fails and the warning indicator illuminates. The dealer stated that the power steering component was burned. Through online research, the contact discovered several complaints on the steering. The vehicle was out of warranty and…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving approximately between 45-50 MPH on normal road conditions ; proceeding into a curve. There was an unexpected loss of power steering. The driver was unable to turn the steering wheel in the direction of the curve. The vehicle crashed head- on to another…
Fuel system
243 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that he could smell gasoline fuel inside of the vehicle when parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle and informed the contact that the pump housing was cracked. The vehicle was…
Car had starting issues, once took to the mechanic, they found out that the fuel pump connectors were burned and had possibility of igniting during driving. Chevy recalled many cars(cobalts) with the same issues from 2007 to 2009, when we called chevy about our vehicle, they said our car wasn't included in the recall…
Electrical
166 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring.
At random the vehicle will suddenly exhibit ESC failure, traction control failure, and several other trouble codes while simultaneously losing all gauge function and power steering. The error will continue to escalate causing a malfunction in the electronic stability control mechanism causing grinding while turning.…
Well I got my car back in 2009 and now I own it, well I have had power steering which I had fixed,but now I've been really having a bad gas smell and one of my friends dad is a mechanic and he looked at it and he's thinking something wrong with either the line or the filter or tank, I cant stand driving my own car…
Air bags
98 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
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…
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed of repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
Engine
45 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the contact was driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the engine stalled and restarted. The failure occurred numerous times, and on two occasions while coming to a complete stop. The failure had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.…
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…
Brakes
30 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
When using brakes on ice roads the back brakes come on first,,and you spin in a circle..not good!!!!!! The radio goes off and on when it wants..this happens all the time!!!
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. Even though my vehicle has ABS (anti-lock…
Transmission
29 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
My leg accidentally bumped the keychain 3 3/8 inches long (only one key on it , the ignition key) while I was driving, and the car shut off. I was in a 35 MPH area, I shifted it into neutral and was able to steer into a left turn lane, shifted it into park and started it.
I had recalls fixed in 2015. And then suddenly power steering turns on and off. Never before they touched it was there an issue. It happens here and there and stops. This year is happening every day and won't go away. My power steering turns off in middle of driving. Dash board lights go off and car starts cranking.…
Suspension
27 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Purchased 2008 car used in 2010 with approx. 10k miles. Have had several issues with stereo speakers going out. Car now has less than 60k miles. Recently developed knock in front when going over bumps. Took car to dealer to have recalled steering box fixed. Chevrolet says lower control arm bushings, front struts are…
The vehicle is past the warranty mileage limits. I noticed several days ago a loud clunking noise while going over the slightest bump coming from the front end. I had the vehicle in for a oil change and tire rotation and asked to have the front end checked. The control arm bushings are worn out and I have to pay $300+…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix: General motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact general
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt, 2006-2011 chevrolet hhr, 2007-2010 pontiac g5, 2006-2010 pontiac solstice, 2003-2007 saturn ion, and 2007-2010 saturn sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position.
Air bags
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on march 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on april 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or saturn at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. Gmâs recall nu
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on february 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 chevrolet cobalt, and 2007 pontiac g5 vehicles. On february 25, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 chevrolet hhr and pontiac solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 saturn ion vehicles and 2007 saturn sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On march 27, 2014, gm notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have be
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on november 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until january 2013. Owners may contact general motors at 1-800-521-7300.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2007 chevrolet equinox and pontiac torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in arizona, california, nevada, and texas; model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5, and saturn ion vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arizona, california, florida, nevada, or texas; model year 2008 chevrolet cobalt and pontiac g5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arizona; and model year 2009 chevrolet cobalt and pontiac g5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, arkansas, arizona, california, nevada, oklahoma, or texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel line leak
Summary
On july 5, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (my) 2008 through 2010 chevrolet cobalt and 2008 through 2009 chevrolet hhr passenger cars manufactured by general motors (gm). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.the subject metal fuel lines have a protective age coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat
Electric power steering failure
Summary
In a march 1, 2010 letter, general motors corporation (gm) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (my) 2005 through 2010 chevrolet cobalt and my 2007 through 2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (eps).the letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the driver information center (dic) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.the letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.i
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (309 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); fuel system (243 complaints, typically around 101,000 miles); electrical (166 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cobalt?
- It is 4th of 12 Cobalt model years by number of complaints, with 845 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.