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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,213 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.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 4 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #139

May 252019

Cobalt

  • 42,200 miles

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

Fuel tank leak after a short driving trip. I saw an NHTSA case or complaint # 12V45900 that others with similar GM vehicles (Cobalt, ion, G5) had same problem. When I called a local dealer they said no open recalls. Also contacted Chevrolet and they sai no open recalls and said it was a customer repair issue.

- Clifton Park, NY, USA

problem #138

May 242019

Cobalt

  • 86,000 miles
Rusted fuel line leaking gas. Driver side by between doors. I smelled gas when I get in it and start it up. Just started took it to garage they showed me the rusted line and said they need replace. Car has 86,000 miles on it.

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #137

Mar 312019

Cobalt

  • 140,000 miles
My Cobalt has a strong gas odor coming from inside and outside the vehicle at all times. There is an obvious leak at the back of the tank where the filler hose attaches to the tank. A fuel puddle is present when the vehicle is parked.

- Ben Wheeler, TX, USA

problem #136

Jan 042019

Cobalt

  • 102,000 miles

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

Strong smell of fuel in cabin of car and leaking fuel

- Otsego, MN, USA

problem #135

Feb 022019

Cobalt

  • 179,834 miles
Can smell gas when you stop the car. You can smell it really bad when you exit the car. The gas leak is right over top of the exhaust system and I do not know why this is not considered a safety issue. It is evidently leaking when the car is on the road but with the car in motion you do not smell the gas until you stop!

- Cascade, VA, USA

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problem #134

Feb 062019

Cobalt

  • 84,000 miles
I have a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt I purchased from a dealership 11 months ago. 3 days ago I get in my car, start it up and all of a sudden I got a strong smell of gasoline. I got out, looked under my car and gas is pouring out from underneath my car. I've read very many complaints just like mine on 2005-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt's. if all these Cobalt's have the same safety issues there needs to be a recall before someone's car goes up in flames and kills one or more people. My car was parked in my driveway, as soon as I turned the key I could smell gas.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #133

Dec 272018

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 45 mph, fuel began to leak out from behind the passenger door. The vehicle was taken to ginn Chevrolet (8153 access rd, covington, ga 30014, 404-492-5076) where it was diagnosed that the fuel wires had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #132

Dec 152018

Cobalt

  • 156,000 miles
Gas tank leak, some states cover as a recall. My state does not. Very dangerous!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #131

Jul 152016

Cobalt

  • 89,123 miles
Fuel lines rusted above rear driver side tire area and leaking fuel severely like many other Cobalts.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #130

Oct 302018

Cobalt

  • 111,000 miles
Strong odor of gas while vehicle is running and parked. No visible leak. GM customer service stated it is not covered under recall or special coverage 12191B: Special coverage adjustment fuel odor or spotting on ground replace fuel pump module (Jul 8, 2015) even though vehicle exhibits symptoms described in the recall/special coverage. GM knows about this problem and will not extend the coverage to other states with known problems. This is a highly unsafe defect. GM must feel the cost of wrongful death lawsuits are more cost effective than doing the right thing and repairing these defects.

- Norwood, NC, USA

problem #129

Nov 012018

Cobalt

  • 77,500 miles

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

Leaking gasoline. Chevrolet will not cover gas lines under the emissions warranty, however the dealerships want $650+ to replace the lines. Chevrolet wants nothing to do with the warnings, and would rather explain how unsafe it is to drive the vehicle. The fuel lines are not covered and leaking profusely.

- Scranton, PA, USA

problem #128

Nov 122018

Cobalt

  • 220 miles
"takata recall", gas tank, fuel pump was under warranty but fuel line between engine and gas tank was not. Several reports on internet and you tube show issues under the vehicle just past drivers door mid section. Over 400 to fix on fixed income, with thus being a gas leak and the lines not having a covering was a hazard in an accident and should be a recall item.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #127

Oct 072018

Cobalt

  • 55,875 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, for twenty minutes gas was leaking out of the tank and the fuel meter decreased to empty. However, there were no visual sign of fuel on the ground. Additionally, there was an abnormal odor of gas emerging in and out of the vehicle. The service tire pressure monitor light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the to contact the local dealer as well as the vehicle was not safe to drive. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,875.

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #126

Oct 092018

Cobalt

  • 126,570 miles
The car has a smell of gasoline. Looked under the car and it appears that there is a leak. The smell is stronger while running the car with air on but circulation button off. Noticed this smell while auto in motion.

- Guin, AL, USA

problem #125

Sep 302018

Cobalt

  • 111,000 miles
A strong odor of gasoline appeared within the last week of a 08 Chevrolet Cobalt ls. Also check engine light comes on and goes off. Engine has to be cranked twice to start. Checked gas cap, seemed not to be seating/ sealing properly. Odbe tester showed no error codes. Replaced fuel cap on 10?03/2018 with oem cap. 10/04/2018 while parked in driveway noticed puddle (gas) underneath car in front of left rear tire.(wife drove car from work, noticed stronger odor of gas on way home). Checked online forums seeing complaints of leaking gas lines in this area of same model year, it is leaking under a silver shield/insulation.this is near the exhaust pipes running from engine to rear of car. Several complaints state that the leak is being caused by cracks and/or corrosion to the fuel lines. Check of VIN # shows no open safety recalls (car was bought used 3-4 years ago).

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #124

Oct 012018

Cobalt

  • 100,675 miles
Often over cranks for close to 5 seconds with very strong raw gasoline fumes while parked on flat parking lot, inside car and outside car smell strongly. Once started I cant recall smelling it because I run the recirculation A/C. the check gas cap notification appears followed by check engine light. I already changed the gas cap with no effect. I have seen recalls on this same problem for the same year and model but I have been told I am not covered by the recall even though it seems to be the same issue. This is a very dangerous situation as this is my only vehicle and I have a toddler riding in this car with me.

- Wartrace, TN, USA

problem #123

Sep 272018

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
Fuel leak on the driver's side rear door area. Can see fuel leaking at plastic line. In checking recalls, it seems General Motors did issue a recall (number is 12190) for this exact problem, but only in certain states. Obviously it is happening in more of the states not included in the original recall. Owners online are all posting the same problems.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #122

Sep 122018

Cobalt

  • 83,652 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that a strong fuel odor was noticed when the driver parked the vehicle. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and found that the fuel pump module fractured. The fuel pump module was not replaced. The vehicle was not taken a dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,652.

- Gloucester City, NJ, USA

problem #121

Sep 082018

Cobalt

  • 70,000 miles
Smelled gas emitting from vehicle while parked, next day strong smell in vehicle, uncomfortable while driving. Took to garage and was told it was under recall for fuel pump and lines from the fuel pump. Took to GM dealership and was told that the fuel lines were cracked and disintergrated, (cited "northern car"). having no recall effect. Pay $850 plus out of pocket.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #120

Aug 012017

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Issue #1) fuel leak from top of fuel tank. This creates a strong fuel smell in cabin during any operation, and fuel leaking on driveway after operation. Fumes are strong enough that any open flame in cabin would detonate creating death and/or critical injury. The fuel pump has been replaced once in Aug 2017 costing over $600 dollars. Issue #2) both interior front door handles have broken resulting in doors being unable to open doors normally. To open doors, windows must be cranked down opening doors using the outside handle. The failure area is where door latch cable connects to rear of door handles. Both door handles have been replaced, but replaced service handles have sharp edges from plastic flash. Both issues are critical to safe vehicle operation. This could result in death and/or critical injury if either issue fails during any vehicle operation. As a disabled veteran, husband and father, both vehicle issues are dangerous and lack the resources to keep repairing these failures. An investigation, recall and/or replacement is needed asap.

- Fair Haven, MI, USA

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