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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Cobalt continued to carry the torch first lit by the 2005 model year. To be clear, that torch is burning bright with widespread power steering issues, electrical curiosities and a dangerous ignition switch defect which led to a massive recall by GM. This isn’t a great torch to carry.

The 2006 added it’s own special flare with gas leaks due to cracks in the “return portion of the modular reservoir assembly.” A recall of 2006 Cobalts was issued to fix the problem, but only to vehicles sold in or current registered in Arizona and Nevada, leaving other owners to pay for repairs themselves.

Between this car stalling while driving, giving owners fits with power steering failure and having it be a potential tinderbox because of gas leaks, we felt we had no other option than to award it our “Avoid Like the Plague” badge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,094 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 9 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #91

Jan 012013

Cobalt

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a strong fuel smell in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #90

Nov 022012

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated she smelled gasoline inside his vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated there was a fuel leak and the fuel pump needed to replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #89

Aug 302012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Car emits strong gas and fuel odor while driving as well as parked. Has been confirmed to have a gas leak from defective fuel pump that dealerships are refusing to honor in a recall on similar year make and model vehicles. Dealerships are aware of situation on other Cobalts.

- Upper Chichester, PA, USA

problem #88

Dec 272012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 85,563 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A strong gasoline odor prompted me to take the car to my personal mechanic. Leaking fuel module caused odor, entire fuel pump replaced. I investigated why a non-moving part might fail and discovered a recall, limited to southern states. I called GM customer service and was stonewalled by [xxx], ext 42872, who was otherwise courteous. A leaking fuel delivery system is a safety hazard, and I believe GM should: Recall all models and reimburse owners for repairs made for this defect. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lawrence, KS, USA

problem #87

Dec 022012

Cobalt

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the port on the top of the fuel pump cracked and was leaking gasoline. As a result, there was an overpowering odor of gasoline in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and noticed that the port on the fuel pump was leaking fuel. The vehicle was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 77,000.

- Lombard, IL, USA

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problem #86

Nov 102012

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the fuel pump was leaking gasoline onto the fuel tank and the heat shield. The contact stated that he smelled fuel within the interior and the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who inspected the vehicle and informed him that the seal needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the seal and the O-ring for the fuel pump. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

problem #85

Dec 042012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 70,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gas smell coming from inside and outside of the vehicle, took my 2006 Chevy Cobalt to the dealership after GM said to do so, the fuel pump module has a crack in it due to manufactured parts being made of plastic. No help covering the cost although there are recalls in several warm weather states but not in Indiana we had a very hot summer which caused parts to expand and crack. I think GM should cover the cost of repairs, but the only offered me a 10% discount! I really hope my vehicle doesn't catch on fire! I am so disappointed in GM, I am not going to give up on this I will keep complaining until some one helps me cover the cost!

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #84

Aug 012012

Cobalt

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. After diagnosis, they advised him that there was a leak in the fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000. The current mileage was approximately 65,000.

- Boothwin, PA, USA

problem #83

Nov 302012

Cobalt

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while parked fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the gas line was cracked and the gas tank expanded causing fuel to leak. Also, the technician stated the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump). The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 70,000. The VIN number was not available.

- Cumberland , IN, USA

problem #82

Nov 202012

Cobalt

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump was leaking and advised that since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasolone: Delivery: Fuel pump) he would have to pay for the repairs. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileage was 67,000.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #81

Oct 092012

Cobalt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact smelled a strong odor of fuel inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis who advised that the fuel pump was leaking. There was a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The manufacturer was contacted and refused to repair the vehicle under the recall because the vehicle exceeded 120,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #80

Oct 172012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 128,000 miles
Noticed a very strong fuel odor while driving, idling and parked. I took my vehicle to my mechanic to look into the issue. After looking everything over, he notice the pressure hose off the fuel pump was cracked, and that the entire fuel pump would need to be replaced. I then took it to the local dealership and was told they can not fix the issue because of the mileage. I noticed this is a major issue with many 2006 Chevy Cobalts and GM need to start fixing their issues.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #79

Nov 092012

Cobalt

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor of gasoline fuel coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that there was a fracture in the return port. The contact inquired with the manufacturer of a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump) and was told that the vehicle was over the mileage limit and had not been not included in the recall. The contact stated that there was not a mileage limit for the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages was 128,000.

- Lumberton, NC, USA

problem #78

Sep 132012

Cobalt

  • miles
My 2006 Chevy Cobalt smells very strongly of gas. It has been happening for several months.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #77

Sep 302012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 105,990 miles
Return port on modular reservoir assembly failed causing fuel to leak and fumes to enter the trunk and inside the vehicle.

- Independence, OH, USA

problem #76

Oct 232012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Started smelling gas today and I called the dealership were I bought my car in 2006. Blossom Chevrolet. I think there is a crack in the fuel pump. They stated there is no recall for this in Indiana at this time I just hope something bad doesn't happen like a fire before I can save the money to have it repaired. : ( I purchased my car brand new I should not have to pay for this, any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #75

Oct 012012

Cobalt

  • 146,600 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was parked, a strong odor of fuel emitted inside and outside of the vehicle. The failure also occurred when the vehicle was in operation. The contact noticed fuel continuously leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was diagnosed by two auto mechanics who both stated the fuel pump module would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 146,600.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #74

Sep 122012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 160,120 miles
My car started to smell like gasoline. I thought it was the fuel cap, but when I had some repairs done that were unrelated to the fuel system, the mechanic noticed fuel leaking from the top of the fuel pump housing by a small fitting. The plastic fitting had cracked where the hose attached to the top of the fuel pump. I took the broken pump to the Chevy dealer and was told that my VIN was not covered by the recall. However, they did inform me that if I still had less than 160,000 miles, they would have replaced it. I think this is unsafe regardless of the amount of miles a car has. The mechanic stated that there could have been a fire.

- Lihue, HI, USA

problem #73

Sep 202012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 115,095 miles
During a drive to work, approximately 5 miles in travel there was a gas smell indicated in the cabin of the vehicle. The smell prompted me to bring the car to the dealership in greeley Colorado where the technician told me that the fuel pump was leaking and could cause a fatal fire. The technician checked the current recalls and all cars in the 2006 - 2007 year were recalled except this model that was sold in another state. He informed me that I was to contact GM directly, when I contacted GM they stated that this particular car was not under recall. When I mentioned the other recalls on the same Cobalt cars with similar problems they stated that there was nothing they could do to resolve the issue other than direct me to place a complaint with the highway administration. Since this conversation has occurred I was instructed not to drive my car due to the likely hood of possible fire, I have been without a vehicle to go to and from work. Since this is an on going issue and other models that have been recalled, I feel that I have been mistreated and put my families lives at risk due to a known problem with this model. Any help would be a greatly appreciated, thank you for your time and consideration of this complaint.

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #72

Jul 012011

Cobalt

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated he had a fuel leak two years prior and was recently made aware of NHTSA campaign id number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance or reimbursement since the repairs were done at an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.

- Livingston, NJ, USA

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