I bought this car used, and the previous owner must have never heard of the recall on the fuel pump. I filed a complaint and it was fixed free of charge.
The smell of fuel got progressively worse and worse. Took it to my mechanic and he determined that the fuel pump was cracked at the neck and leaking when it was running. I since have heard of a recall for this make for 2007 and 2008 for the same issue. Called GM and was told so sorry, but its VIN specific! Will be calling the NHSTA on Monday am! Had to have the fuel pump and fuel lines replaced.
A few months after I could faintly smell the fuel while at a stop, I can now smell it at speeds up to 45 mph. I can still only smell it while the car is running.
Update from May 23, 2012: It is now April 2012 and I can smell the gas while driving my car at 70+ mph on the freeway. I can also smell it for hours after my car has been sitting.
It has gotten to the point where I can't stand being in my car.
When you call Chevy about it they just say that the problem with the fuel system in Cobalt's was fixed by 2008; but in the earlier models they put out recalls for this problem. They would be more than happy to look into and fix it for me (of course, for what the dealership would normally charge to replace your fuel system) Mine is not the first Cobalt with this problem and it won't be last.
I do know that I will NOT be paying Chevy to fix a problem that they caused and refused to fix.
Update from Jun 4, 2012: I have taken my car to the shop today and the problem is that my fuel module is cracked. takes about a full day to get it replaced. Don't know price yet.
I bought an extended warranty through Chevy when I bought my car brand new; this is NOT covered under any warranty or by Chevy. I will be keeping my old Module so when Chevy finally puts a recall out on the 2008 models I can try to get my expenses covered by them.
Update from Jun 11, 2012: The repair for my fuel model only took the day. Chevy refuses to reimburse the cost ($500 at part cost), since I did not take it to a Chevy dealership, and my mechanic "may have installed it incorrectly."
When I had asked Chevy about this part being under warranty they told me that it was not covered under warranty or the recall that they had put out for Cobalt's up to year 2007. So I was not about to take my car to the crappiest mechanics in town to pay twice as much just so I can bring it back to be fixed correctly a few more times.
In short Chevy/GM SUCKS! I will be getting rid of my car as soon as I can and NEVER buying another GM model again!
I really hate that this is what American made cars and their makers have come to!
- kellitx,
Houston, TX, US
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I bought this car used, and the previous owner must have never heard of the recall on the fuel pump. I filed a complaint and it was fixed free of charge.
- roxannear, Maumelle, AR, US