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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:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,670 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 1 of 9)

problem #161

Mar 262022

Cobalt

  • 69,817 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 while standing outside the vehicle a fuel odor was detected. The contact also stated that while driving, there was a fuel odor detected inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was awaiting an appointment. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue. The manufacturer informed the contact of a fuel pump module replacement coverage under Manufacturer Communication Number: 09275. Future Chevrolet (4811 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841) was contacted and the contact was still awaiting a callback. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 69,817.

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #160

Oct 122020

Cobalt

  • 121,633 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that multiple attempts were needed to start the vehicle without warning. Additionally, there was a strong gasoline odor throughout the vehicle. The contact spoke with bob valenti Chevrolet (72 jerry browne rd #3050, mystic, ct 06355, (860) 536-4931) and inquired about NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 121,633.

- Ledyard, CT, USA

problem #159

Apr 202019

Cobalt

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle should have been repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer declined reimbursement of the repair fees. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #158

Aug 232018

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 118,000 miles

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

Vehicle keeps stalling and shutting down when turning or a speed bump. Was informed it was the fuel pump.

- North Port, FL, USA

problem #157

Apr 012015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
Cpsc: I1540015A. 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer stated the rusted fuel line leaked and caused an explosion hazard.

- Lexington, KY, USA

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problem #156

Apr 012015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to gas module had to be replaced, shortly after purchasing the vehicle. The consumer stated the gas module failed again.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #155

Nov 252014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles

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

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Customer got car fixed because of gas leak but consumer paid for parts and labor and wants money back. After having the lower control arm replaced, it was noted on the invoice, the vehicle had a gas leak. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where the gas line had to be ordered, because it had rusted. The consumer stated after waiting weeks, the parts still had not arrived.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #154

Feb 072015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
The fuel line is leaking as specified in the recall of certain VIN specific Cobalts. Yet, I have noticed a number of other people having the same problem that, like my Cobalt, were not included in the VIN specific recall...updated 02/24/15 updated 4/5/16/2016

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #153

Dec 092014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 76,189 miles
Fuel leak. There is a recall in other states but not pennyslvania. I feel I should be able to have this fixed at no charge.

- Wilkes Barre, PA, USA

problem #152

Aug 222014

Cobalt

  • 140,234 miles
Car leaks gas, no hole in tank. Saw report about recall for this but my dealership in Arizona has stated my vehicle does not qualify. I am confused if there is a recall for this problem how does my vehicle not qualify. This is a hazard that could effect the life of me and my family.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #151

Aug 072014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 144,200 miles

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

At approximately 7:47am cst on August 7th 2014, I was making a right hand turn when the engine and all electrical components died. I was able to restart the car and safely drive, with no check engine lights/other dash warnings, approximately half a mile back home. There was no warning on the dash (ie check engine light) before the massive failure occurred; it was instantly dead. This fits the characterization of the ignition switch failure in the affected GM models. I was one turn from merging on the freeway. Had this incident occurred a minute later, the potential for severe injury/loss of life was great. I have been waiting on a list since April to get the defected ignition switch repaired. I have called several times for updates, and have been told up to 800 people were ahead of me for repairs. When I reported this incident to GM via the ignition switch recall hotline, they suddenly found the parts needed to repair my car. This is suspect to me. They are also claiming that this incident was not ignition switch related, but the fact remains that this was a near-miss incident with potential catastrophic implications that fits all descriptions of ignition switch failures. I have followed the instructions by GM to drive with only the key in the ignition and to avoid bumpy roads, but this incidents has made me feel extremely unsafe to drive this car. GM is not treating this defect in the ignition switch as seriously as it needs to, as the possibility for severe injury/loss of light is great. There is no warning that power will be lost. I do not feel safe driving this car knowing that GM knew about this defect for over a decade and is insisting that cars with the defect are safe to drive.

- Elk Grove Village, IL, USA

problem #150

Jul 222014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
Was driving and began to smell gas and after looking noticed that there was gas leaking from the car.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #149

Jan 212011

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch and other vehicle problems and unsatisfactory customer service at dealership. The consumer stated the vehicle would not shut off for about 10 minutes after she switched the ignition to the off position and removed the key. The consumer stated while driving, the vehicle suddenly ran out of gas. There was no warning. The very same day, she received a recall notice in the mail regarding an issue with the fuel pump. Also, the consumer discovered the batter exploded, when an odor began to come inside the vehicle. Also, the engine light illuminated, the ac and heat did not work, the dash lights worked occasionally, the transmission was slipping and the interior was falling apart. The vehicle overheated, the ac compressor failed. While driving on the highway, the vehicle stalled. Then something went wrong with the battery and toxic fumes from the battery in the trunk were being sucked into the vehicle. The consumer exited the vehicle, opened the trunk and hot battery acid was all over the place. Updated 09/08/14

- Kerrville, TX, USA

problem #148

Jun 292014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 0 miles
I noticed a smell of gas when entering and exiting the vehicle. When I drive with the windows down I can still smell gas. Any time the vehicle is parked when looking under the car you can see and smell the gas dripping on the ground. Upon further inspection found the fuel pump seal to be leaking thus causing the fuel to leak on the ground. As I researched recalls I found out that there was a recall on the fuel pump in 2006 Chevy Cobalts but it was only for certain states. The GM recall number for this is 090226. Every thing that was said in this recall is exactly what is wrong with my vehicle. I do not feel that it is fair for me to have to pay for a mistake that was made.

- Middle River, MD, USA

problem #147

Jul 032014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a fuel leaking from the vehicle. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The consumer stated on I April of 2014, he took the vehicle to have two recalls performed; the ignition and power steering, and he signed an estimated ticket stating only those two things would be done and he was quoted of a price of $218. However, when he returned to pay for the repairs, the consumer noticed the invoice had brake work and a fuel system clean out, among other items that were not requested or authorized. When the consumer drove off the lot, there was an odor an gas. A mechanic informed the consumer it was probably a bad fuel module. The mechanic informed the consumer, there was no way the dealer didn't know there was a fuel leak. Updated 07/30/14

- Palmbay, FL, USA

problem #146

Apr 072014

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 13V252000 (fuel system, gasoline, structure). The contact stated that she had contacted the dealer and the manufacturer numerous times and were uncertain of when the parts would be available for the repairs. The contact felt that the repair had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. Contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue.

- Athans, AL, USA

problem #145

Aug 142007

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
Smelled gas and saw gas leaking from under car. Small fire started and put it out. Took car in. Steering wheel locked up fixed but never right. Now the ignition switch is being fixed but all the lights in the dash are lighted up due to this. No turn signals. Car is not right. Car has never been right!

- Lantana, FL, USA

problem #144

Jan 252014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
In January I have been having the fuel smell from my car. I've been doing research to try and figure out what it is when today, I stumbled across a recall that was issued first in Oct 2009 about the fuel system in certain Cobalts. I never received a notice about such a recall and my VIN # is one that is for the recall. But because of this "special coverage" I won't qualify for this recall because my car has over 120,000 miles on my car! so aggravating.

- Saint Jo, TX, USA

problem #143

May 122014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
This complaint is that the fuel pump recall for this car, with NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000, did not show up in the database visible to either my mechanic or a GM dealer. This is a life-threatening part failure, with significant amounts of gasoline leaking from the car, either while it is moving or stopped, and I was never notified of this issue. My car currently has this problem, leaking gasoline at quite a rapid rate. The fuel smell while driving is unbearable. Wherever I park a puddle of gasoline forms under the car. If I parked in a closed garage, this would be a terrible safety issue. It is for good reason that this recall was put in place. However, apparently this issue shows up in the GM system as a "special coverage" and not a recall. I found out about this issue online. I was searching because I was preparing to pay $833 for my mechanic to replace the fuel pump assembly. When I phoned the dealer, he said he had to get to "another screen" to see the special coverage items, and he only did that because I prompted him. Apparently they don't have a system in place to warn car owners of this issue even when the owner has their vehicle in for a recall (which mine was in the last two years). I have also never received a notice of this recall, and I've owned the car since January of 2007. After the recent press coverage of the recall of the ignition switch for this vehicle, I am shocked that this kind of a safety concern is essentially being hidden from public view.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #142

Mar 222014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 153,330 miles
I began to smell gas when driving. I parked in a store parking lot while the vehicle was running and continued to smell gas. I turned the car off, went into the store and when I came back out there was gas on the ground. There is a gas leak near the driver's side rear tire.

- Chicago, IL, USA

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