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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.

9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
131,300 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. repair fuel line (1 reports)
  3. replace fuel pump (1 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #5

Jan 012019

Cobalt LS Sedan 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,375 miles

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

I first noticed a slight leak about a year ago. I searched online for solutions and saw dozens of these posts about others with the Chevy Cobalt having the same problem. I called GM about the recall but my VIN wasn't one of the cars covered under the recall warranty. Over the winter the problem wasn't as noticeable. Now it's starting to warm up, it's leaking much more. I've had my Cobalt for over ten years and there's always something going wrong with it. That has never happened with any other car I've ever owned!

- kewats45, Racine, US

problem #4

Mar 122016

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

The metal fuel line near the rear drivers side wheel rusted through and was spraying fuel in the direction of the fuel tank. The problem looked worse than it was because the fuel pooled up on top of the tank then flowed down like a waterfall. We finally traced it to a pin sized hole in the line (under a large amount of heat shield because this part of the fuel line comes close to the exhaust pipe. Any competent mechanic will be able to replace a section of metal fuel line. This was a cheap fix (but most likely we earned the price because I bring my cars to the same small business for everything, so the small stuff you usually get a deal on)

As of now: September 2018 the repair has held up wonderfully. I only checked because I am having a different issue with the fuel pump now so we had it up on the lift. Basic problems that a decade plus old car will have in a region that gets 4 seasons, and uses salt on the roads

- Steven L., Joliet, US

problem #3

Jul 042018

Cobalt Coupe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

There has been so many things go wrong with this car that I can't believe it's able to be sold. I've already went through recalls with the ignition and fuel pump, and all the countless things that have went wrong with it. Such as never being able to get the check engine light to go off. It's been on since I've owned it. The turn signals quit turning off after making turns, I had to turn them back off.

I still loved this car because of the sentimental value I have for it. This car belonged to my little brother who was killed along with his fiance pregnant with my nephew and my father in a tragic car crash. So this car is actually special to me or trust me when I say I would not still own it. I used to be a Chevy fan but I will not say that ever again. It seems they do not care for their customers at all. They make things as cheap as they possibly can. I will never trust a Chevy again. Yet I can't bring myself to get rid of this car.

Now to the newest problem, I went out and started my car and all of sudden smelled a strong gas odor, continued to set there for a minute smelling and wondering where it was coming from, then I realize my gas gauge is actually going down. So I shut the car off, jumped out and saw the gas pouring from under the car. WHAT??? How can so many things go wrong with 1 vehicle? I've never experienced anything like this from any other vehicles I've owned, so this car just continues to shock me.

Anyway I don't know what to do. Apparently there is no recall on my VIN but there is on others. What's the difference? Chevy needs to properly fix all of their cheap mistakes and quit putting peoples lives in danger. I had my children in the car, what if it would have caught fire? I'd also like to know, if I already had a recall on the fuel pump or modular, does that have anything to do with this and shouldn't that have prevented this problem?

Chevy needs to be held accountable for these problems and all the mistakes they have made. These are all the manufacturers mistakes not any wrong doing on my part... We're just the customers who trusted in this company and they have clearly let me down. I will never purchase another Chevy but like I mentioned, I'm not ready to part with this car. So I need them to fix their mistakes

- Kristel W., Marion, US

problem #2

Oct 032016

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

Hi I have a 2006 cobalt LS 2.2 I have had it since new. the problem is

I was driving home and the car was acting sluggish. when I stopped to get out of the car the smell of gas overtook me. I looked down and seen gas leaking on my driver side in front of the rear tire. I was freaking out I have my son with me and the gas was leaking a 1 inch away from the hot exhaust pipe. I was hoping the car didn't blow up. I call my husband and ran and got my dad to look at. He determined that the gas was coming from rusted out fuel lines by the fuel tank where there is a 90% angle. we can not use the car at all due to the gas is spilling out as soon as you hit your ignition. So we went to look for replacement parts on line.. they where made in canada so its going to take 7-10 business days to get here. 160 for parts and $100 to ship. That's crazy but that's all we could come up with so now the car is unusable. for at least 10 days. The fuel lines rusted out due to winter weather and poor design of the fuel lines and the placement of the fuel lines. Brake lines look good there is no rust. Why didn't they treat the fuel lines with something to prevent rust since the car is driving in michigan. Don't know if I will ever buy a chevy car again.. I went thru the recall of the ignition problem and was without my car for 3 plus months. That was a pain in the ass. Thanks again Chevy for making my day a sh*tty one and trying to come up with the money to fix my lemon cobalt....

- jess13, Canton, MI, US

problem #1

Aug 072015

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,000 miles

Fuel is leaking from where the fuel line connects to the fuel. It is causing the top of the tank to become saturated with fuel and it is running down the rear of the tank and onto the underside of the car.

- eric.morash, Independence, MO, US

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