23 problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt based on all problems reported for the 2008 Cobalt.
Heavy fuel leak.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The failure occurred a total of 4 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
I had recalls fixed in 2015. And then suddenly power steering turns on and off. Never before they touched it was there an issue. It happens here and there and stops. This year is happening every day and won't go away. My power steering turns off in middle of driving. Dash board lights go off and car starts cranking. Goes super slow . I'm scared ita going to explode. I can't drive on freeway . And now besides the lock on screen coming on my engine light stays on now . Not sure what to do with it. Car shops can't help. When I 1st had the issue I called the dealer because they fixed the recall and they said nothing could be done because they had already fixed the recall.
Tl-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 where informed to contact the local dealer and 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. Ap.
My 2008 chevy Cobalt began secreting a very strong fuel odor; it didn't matter if it was parked, or driving, the odor has been prominent 24/7. I checked for leaks and found nothing. I recently moved, so I have yet to find a new, trustworthy mechanic, so I've been driving my husbands car due to the fact that I do not feel safe driving the chevy at this point. I had however, been regularly starting the engine once a week, while trying to locate a mechanic, however now. My chevy is completely dead; it wont turn on, nor will the lock system even function VIN number: 1g1al58f787297278.
The key is stuck in the ignition and the car will not start. In addition, I can't get the gear to shift to park to move to neutral, I've lost all power to the car from the lights to being unable to open the trunk. I had to put the emergency break on for fear that the car would roll away because I couldn't move the gear shift. The car has been parked in my driveway for the last three months.
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.
Start of the problem the gauges will go eratic, my car chimes a few dings then theft light comes on. I don't have a theft system. Ls model. Also effects the transmission(automatic) cause it will shift hard and jerk the car. The ac also shuts off during this issue, it will blow air but it won't be cold. Seems like the issue always comes back when it's extremely hot outside. This is an on going issue for about 5 years and it comes and goes. Every mechanic I went to their car reader can't read my car. Also it has happened while I was driving and again when I'm parked and just started the car. And I have had all the recalls fixed that were reported.
As I was driving on a city street, the engine began to run rough and I noticed the odor of gasoline. I pulled over to check for the source of the odor and found fuel leaking from the bottom of the car and onto the road. This was an extremely dangerous condition, as I could not stop the fuel from continuing to leak. I found that the fuel supply line between the fuel tank and engine rusted completely through near the driver side rear fender well, causing the leak. The evaporative emission vapor line was rusted and leaking as well, resulting in flammable fuel vapors escaping.
Engine light came on. . . . Had it checked by firestone. . . They told me the 2nd cylinder was misfiring per the diagnostic code. . Should be 130 psi and only registering 90 psi. . . . Then while stopped longer than 30 seconds "service traction" light comes on. . . . . Asking $2300 to repair. . . . Why would one of the four cylinders go bad. . . . . Complained to gm and they told me I needed a certified gm dealer to look at it so I took it to gm also for diagnostic and they are saying misfire in 2nd cylinder which is what the diagnostic code says- per the paperwork given me they are not sure what the repair is going to entail or how to fix the problem. . . . . Per internet complaints this s a problem that has occurred many times in Cobalts. . . . Is it because no one got hurt or died that they don't want to consider this a recall? the car is only 9 years old and has 68800 miles on it. . . . . And believe it or not the warranty expired 1000 miles ago. . . Very frustrating and unbelievable! please help me understand.
Clutch is losing pressure, can not shift gears to drive the 2008 chevy Cobalt LS (manual). Must pump clutch over 200 times to get pressure back. The clutch pressure goes out while driving on street and the highways, making it no way to downshift/ slow down. Could cause injury to all passengers.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt ss. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the coolant and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.
My keys can be taken out while car is still running. Also the switch sticks and you have to play with it to get it to turn . I call gm and was told that 2008 Cobalts are not on recall. The key has came out while driving. Gm call center told me to take to dealer have it checked I am afraid that they will charge me to replace it and just ignore the problem on the 2008 cabalt.
On at least three occasions the key in the ignition has moved to the off position while driving.
Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that she attempted to have the vehicle repaired for under NHTSA campaign number:14v171000 (electrical system). The contact stated that she was made aware that parts were not available as a result repairs were unable to be performed for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced the failure. Ml.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. The contact shut off the vehicle and once restarted, the vehicle resumed normally. The contact indicated that the failure was recurring. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but the defect could not be duplicated and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.
While traveling, the vehicle started to jerk as if the brakes were being applied. Contacted the dealer and was informed that this is common in the Cobalts until the car knows your driving habits. Same occurance in the 2007 Cobalt. The dealer had to adjust the transmission. Dealer will not take action as to date for this issue stating that it hasn't had a chance to adjust to the driving habits. We had the car for more than a few months and put over 3000 miles on it. Car doesnt feel safe to drive on major highways. Dealer is made aware of this. Informed by dealer, not a safety issue.
The vehicle's rpms and engine will surge making it difficult to control the speed of the vehicle.
Ignition switch jams; air bag light stays on; cruise control stopped working; airconditioner stopped working; tire light stays on; engine light stays on; and now heater is barely working.
On my way home from work in heavy traffic in indianapolis, someone in front of me hit their brakes hard. As a result, I also had to slam on my brakes. When I did so, my rear end spun out. I lost power steering. I crashed head first into the concrete median. However, the airbag did not deploy. Luckily, I escaped severe injury; although the wreck, the resulting loss of power steering, and the fact that the airbag did not deploy were directly due to the negligence of general motors.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to replacement of sway bars, links, wheel bearing and engine. Vehicle currently has steering wheel mechanical issues.
Late 2011 my car starting having issues with the rpms going up and down while I was driving at a steady pace. By Dec 2011 my car smelled like it had a small fuel leak; one that I could only smell while my car was idling. Since February 2012 the smell of gasoline has gone from a faint smell while idling to an almost unbearable smell that I can smell even doing 70+ mph on the freeway. With the fuel lines not allowing enough fuel to be pumped into my engine it also does not like to start if it has been sitting for more than a few hours. I have to turn the key let the engine turn over a few times, let it sit, then attempt to start it up again. Chevy has had this problem with their Cobalt's since they have started making them it seems. They have not fixed the problem with the 2008's they have just chosen to ignore that our cars have this issue as well. When I call the dealership they tell me that the 2008 models do not have the issue that the earlier models had, but they are more than happy to diagnose the problem for me at a cost of $150 and they can fix it at double the price anywhere else because they are a dealership. No thank you! I will not pay chevy to fix a problem that they have caused and refuse to fix. I do know that I will not be buying another chevy once I am able to get rid of this car.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving less than 19-25 mph, the contact crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle, which caused a three vehicle crash. Upon impact, a fire erupted underneath the hood and the front driver's side air bag deployed. The police and fire departments were called to the scene to extinguish the fire. A report was filed. The origin of the fire was unknown. Within minutes, the fire quickly engulfed the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The failure and current mileages were less than 500. Updated 06/17/09.