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.
While running car has a strong gas smell. I saw that there was a recall on 2008 Cobalt for this but I never received any paper work to have my car fixed
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the contact was informed that the vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that the fire was confined to the engine compartment. The contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and then to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Dangerous fuel leak from gas tank, could cause serious injury or death if ignited. Smell of gasoline is present inside the cabin when car is running and turned off.
Fuel line leak- gas odor when driving and park and puddle of gas in drive way coming from left back side in front of the tier. Looks to come from the fuel like leaking. Car has problems starting after sitting for a few minutes without moving.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was stationary, fuel leaked onto the ground. It was diagnosed that the fuel line needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,888.
- New Haven, CT, USA
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I have a very bad gas odor inside and outside of my car. I took the vehicle to a mechanic. He told me that my fuel line had eroded. I have researched this to be a common issue and the 2008 model should have been recalled as well.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle dashboard leaked water and the vehicle had an abnormal fuel odor. The failure occurred when the A/C and heater was activated. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had a crack fuel canister. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had a cracked fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 90,140.
Strong smell of gasoline after driving vehicle and a visible fuel leak coming from underneath the vehicle in the area behind the driver's side door after it has been parked, requested a repair from local GM dealership under GM special service bulletin #12191. Was advised by the service personnel that this vehicle's VIN# was not included under this bulletin.
I just bought 2008 Chevy Cobalt. The seller reported the mileage initially as 112,000. At time of purchase, 150,000 approximately. However there was/is no way to view mileage on dash of car, with the exception of briefly prior to starting the vehicle. It actually shows approximately 159,000 km. Conversion of km into miles says 98,000. In addition to mileage discrepancy, there is a very strong smell of gas inside the car, the steering wheel is upside down, 2 or 3 motor and or transmission mounts are broken or not attached, right front rotor bad, no functioning blinkers or brake lights, dash lights indicate svc tire monitor needs attention, air bags need serviced, brake light stays on, the trunk release isn't working, the wiring is questionable, only one speaker works, no stereo antennae, no horn, no way to view critical engine information, such as temperature or battery life. Service engine light on constantly, seller indicated all recalls had been addressed and he was supposed to be responsible for taxes on vehicle which were included in price, but I wound up paying back registration fees from 2014. All attempts to right this have been ignored. Seller implies that the Chevrolet dealership left the car in the current condition.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician had diagnosed that there was a fuel leak in vehicle, which caused the fuel line and the fuel filter to corrode. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor coming from the vehicle and noticed fuel leaking in front of the rear driver side tire. The contact stated that the moisture from the muffler pipe corroded the fuel line, causing it to fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel line was corroded and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,954. Updated 04/14/16
I smelled fuel fumes real bad one morning so I took it to a mechanic and once they lifted it up, they said it was the fuel tank. So the next morning, which was Monday, I took it to my dealership gillman Chevrolet in san benito, Texas. Before taking it, I decided to call so I can first make sure that there was a recall on the fuel tank. The gentleman I spoke to said "yes MA'am there is a recall and we can repair it". I said great, let me take it in. I left it there all day Monday and he assured me that it would be ready by the next day on Tuesday. Well come Tuesday and I get a call from the the same man telling me that the problem is not the fuel pump, it's the fuel tank. When did I say fuel pump" I said fuel tank. So nowwww it's not under warranty and it's going to cost me at least $700 to fix it. I told him had I known that it wasn't under warranty, I wouldn't have left my car sitting there for 2 days! I could've taken it somewhere else! it makes no sense to me! he said that he over looked it. Well how is that my fault??! now to drive it somewhere else which is dangerous! does something have to happen to me in order for them to want to help me?" this is nonsense!
The contact owns 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an odor of fuel present inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered fuel leaking from the front and rear of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system). The failure mileage was 140,000.
My car has an extremely strong odor of gasoline coming from the vents and around the car. Even when parked it still surrounds the vehicle. I was told that it could be a cracked seal. I can only get it started when I vigorously pump the accelerator while turning the key. I was told that there was a recall for this but never got it in the mail....? I believe this is the recall number 12V459000.I found that online. But still need a physical copy to take to the dealer. Thank you for your help.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after the vehicle was refueled, there would be an odor of fuel and a fuel puddle under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel lines were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,127.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that wires melted near the electrical fuel pump and the fuel tank had a crack. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While parked, the contact noticed a strong smell of fuel and also noticed a small puddle of fuel on the ground. The vehicle hesitated before it would start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While parked, there was a fuel odor coming from the fuel tank. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ligonier, PA, USA