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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 4 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #191

Oct 262016

Cobalt

  • 147,000 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 the plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly was cracked. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new fuel module unit. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 147,000.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #190

Nov 152016

Cobalt

  • 117,638 miles
This has happen to me 5 times all at different times. One time I was stationary in a parking lot. The others have been driving down city streets, turning corners and on the highway. I will be driving down the road or just start my car and the gauges just go nuts. My security light will come on my fuel gauge, RPM gauge. And mph gauge will just go to zero. The RPM gauge bounces up to 900-1000 then back to zero. The words on the dash will read low fuel (even if I actually have a full tank) and then it'll cut my power steering and I won't be able to turn at all or barely. I also have a video of it doing it while I was stationary. This is dangerous and has made me almost crash multiple times. And once I actually hit a curb in a parking lot when it decided to happen.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #189

Sep 302016

Cobalt

  • 100,300 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle shook and shut off. The contact smelled fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the ignition fuel coil, spark plug coil, and fuel pump relay. The failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,300.

- Snowflake, AZ, USA

problem #188

Sep 222016

Cobalt

  • 89,000 miles

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

Recently started to notice a fuel odor emanating from under vehicle adjacent to the rear wheels, started to notice appx. Two weeks ago. I am aware of the 2009 recall (GM-09226) regarding the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system (fuel pump and cracked fuel lines). So far, there is not any noticeable liquid gasoline, but the odor is prevalent, especially after vehicle is driven. Originally thought it might be a venting issue, but not so sure now. Gas cap is in good condition. Since this vehicle is registered in pa, the 2009 recall did not apply even though my VIN is in the recall range. Vehicle was purchased in 2010, no recall letter ever received by GM. I had called a local Chevrolet dealer to verify VIN and if it would apply, but was told my vehicle's VIN is not slated for the recall repairs to the fuel system. Very concerned due to the potential for a serious problem regarding fuel leaks. Trying to determine whether to take to Chevrolet dealer for diagnosis or go to a trusted, local mechanic.

- Darby, PA, USA

problem #187

Sep 172016

Cobalt

  • 195,000 miles
Leaking fuel from drivers side in front of rear tire. Apparently related to the issue that results in recalls if your car is from certain states which makes no sense at all. It is an obvious problem related to safety on all cars of this year and model number. Somehow if you live or bought the car in certain states your safety is not important. The cars all use the same parts! the smell of fuel has been for some time. I just found it dripping fuel today. Leaks whether moving or parked.

- Valaraiso, IN, USA

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problem #186

Jun 012012

Cobalt

  • 88,000 miles
Fuel smell while driving and parked, fuel on ground under car

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #185

Aug 182016

Cobalt

  • 128,331 miles

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

Leaking gas spots on ground. Vehicle cabin smells of gas and the issue is getting worse by the day. Fear of vehicle fire. Seems to be same issue as listed in bulletin no.: 09226.

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #184

Aug 272016

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
Hi, like many complains my Chevy Cobalt has been smelling like gas everytime I drive it. I'm really concerned, I went online and found that there has been a recall/special coverage on certain VIN numbers. However, I called the local GM and was told that this defect is not covered by a recall. I then went online and found this article www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/ucm435709/rcmn-12V459-5432.pdf in which says that all VIN numbers should be included, what can I do so that GM fixes this ? can I get a special case number to have this done, GM won't give me one. I'm terribly scared to drive my car, yet I have to commute to college everyday. Please help!

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #183

Aug 012015

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside and outside the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the fuel pump module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Arnold, MO, USA

problem #182

Jun 062016

Cobalt

  • 114,500 miles
There have been many recalls on my model and year of car (2006 Chevy Cobalt). The most current issue I am having is a gas leak near the tank (rear passenger side). For some reason, the dealership is telling me that my particular car, based on where it is registered is not covered in the recall. I live in Kansas, I bought the car in Oklahoma. Oklahoma-registered vehicles are covered, Kansas-registered vehicles are not currently. This needs to change and quick before my car explodes.

- Perry, KS, USA

problem #181

Aug 012016

Cobalt

  • 85,000 miles

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

Fuel leak from gas lines at fuel pump and gas tank

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA

problem #180

Jun 102016

Cobalt

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was strong fuel odor emitted from the vehicle. A puddle of fuel was discovered under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The contact had a rebuilt title and the dealer would not acknowledge the special coverage from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 205,000.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #179

Jun 082016

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
I kept smelling a very strong gas odor and saw gas drops under my car. When driving, car would feel shaky like it wanted to stall and when I stopped at a light or stop sign, the car would shake very hard and then it would actually stall. It started out as a leaky fuel line but turned into both fuel lines snapping off the fuel pump. I had it repaired in June, 2016. There is a "silent recall" on this part, but not for Michigan cars (why not Michigan cars.. this is a very dangerous problem.. the stalling issue and the fire issue). Although this "silent recall" or the "special warranty" GM issued to cover this part does not expire, the time to get reimbursed expired in 2014, which makes no sense. My car didn't break until 2016, how was I supposed to file a claim 2 years prior to it breaking?

- Berkley, MI, USA

problem #178

Jul 012016

Cobalt

  • miles
I was driving and I pulled over to a very strong gas smell.... I walked around my car, tightened my gas cap. Even replaced. And now fuel is pouring out on my drivers side through one of the lines. Not covered under a recall for my vehicle. But is very hazardous to drive with.

- Williamstown, NJ, USA

problem #177

Jan 212016

Cobalt

  • 200,000 miles
Leaking fuel.. extremely strong fuel smell. Happens whether in motion or while driving

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #176

Jun 252016

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel from the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #175

Aug 122015

Cobalt

  • miles
Takata recall. My car has a very bad smell of gas inside and outside. It just be fixed. I have read many things about this. It's called a silent recall. I need it fixed or I will go find me a lawyer.

- Inwood, WV, USA

problem #174

Mar 172016

Cobalt

  • 110 miles
My fuel tank is leaking gas around the top where the supply/return port is located for the fuel pump. Note this is a 2006 Cobalt that was not covered under the referenced recall. Recall number 12V459000 recall date 09/19/2012 component fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump 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. Consequence fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. What owners should do GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, November 12, 2012. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #173

May 032016

Cobalt

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 50 mph, a strong odor of fuel entered the vehicle. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road and noticed fuel leaking from the bottom of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

- Porterville, CA, USA

problem #172

Apr 052016

Cobalt

  • 158,865 miles
Fuel line leak

- Columbus, OH, USA

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