general problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt - part 1

I have 2 recalls with the ignition and switch. I went to regal Chevrolet in lakeland florida and was told essentially there's nothing they could do and if they did look at it I'd be charged $200 to have it looked at plus $219 a hour based on what needed to be done. I then called stingray Chevrolet in plant city florida and was told that there was no listed recall or it had already been serviced, which on the national website clearly states the opposite, and they refused to even look at it or attempt to fix it, recall or not. My key snapped in the ignition so after being told by 2 Chevrolet dealerships essentially "sorry about my luck" I called out a locksmith who extracted the piece of key in ignition and attempted to code several new cut keys. Everything failed. I'm now out almost $500 based off 2 dealerships refusing to assist with a clear recall. I need this fixed and have been without a vehicle for 3 weeks. If somebody could please assist me I'd greatly appreciate it. I feel like it is wrong and somewhat cruel for Chevrolet dealerships to be as they were based off a clearly stated and documented issue.

The contact's son owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 30 mph, he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact’s son stated that once he had parked the vehicle, he saw fuel leaking from underneath the rear driver’s side wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA action number: pe20011 (fuel system, other). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

I smelled gas. Took it to the shop. The fuel supply line was leaking. Took it to the dealer and not covered under warranty, why not? I'm having the fuel filter replaced, which is covered. Plus, my car is losing power while on the interstate. I see the electric power assist is under recall, but the dealer told me it doesn't apply to my car, why not? in motion, on the interstate. Recall no. 10v073000.

The dealere wouldnt give me my plate.

My 18-year-old daughter had a defective ignition switch in her vehicle causing her to lose control of her vehicle and crash into a ditch on today 11/29/2018 we check the recall list before we purchased her vehicle and it was listed as safe.

Suddenly will not start. Went inside the store and when I came back out it wouldnt start.

Driver door stuck. Will not open. If you are inside and that happens, you can not get out the door. The car had been parked outside overnight. Morning it would not open. It will unlock, but not open.

Battery keeps dying and key is stuck in ignition. Have to keep replacing battery every 8 months which are brand new 5 year battery. Fuel line was replaced but still strong odor of gas and rotting fuel line again. Safety hazard! this has been reported by a large number of people. Why is there not a recall on this?? vehicle was stationary at the time. This happens all the time so I can only put one date in here. Something is also wrong with my electrical system and the check engine light comes on all the time after diagnosing with my mechanic and having it turned off. Why isn't gm doing anything to help us?.

When driving at a constant rate, with constant accelerator pressure, between approximately 25 to 50 mph, the rpms jump/fluctuate causing the car to lurch and hesitate. This can be a safety hazard, particularly in icy conditions. The only way to avoid the hesitation is to actively accelerate or decelerate. There are numerous owners that have posted an identical issue on message boards and have stated that their vehicles had similar issues that were remedied by similar repair processes and that Chevrolet has altered the process used to make replacement parts as the initial parts were defective. In addition to being a safety hazard, it is also an excessive and costly burden on vehicle owners. My vehicle has only 40,000 miles on it and has been doing this since under 35,000 miles. It cannot be documented without a video. The rpms jumping is a constant and unrelenting issue when driving at a constant rate of speed between approximately 25-50 mph.

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 speakers no longer work in front vehicle, cannot hear any warnings such as low fuel, no seat belts, low oil etc. This could be potentially dangerous if warnings cannot be heard. Read that others have experienced this as well. Also, seat belt clip button has broken off, can still use seat belt but the clip slides to floor when not used.

I have made a complaint before about my car stalling when coming to a stop or idling and the issue still hasn't been fixed. Still no one can diagnose my car, even though this seems to be a very common problem. My car has now started dying when I am driving. I'll get up to a speed and suddenly my car is off on the freeway. I still have no code being thrown on my car. I have put money into the car and nothing has made a difference.

For 2 to 3 months I have been smelling a strong gasoline smell and have not been able to find any leaks anywhere. This happens whether I am driving or stationary.

Multiple times (not only today) my vehicle did not let me open the doors, the passenger door handle had too much give and did not allow my passenger to open their (passenger) door. I had to walk around the car and try to open it from the outside, which did not work, either. After a few minutes of trying I banged my fist next to the lock, which allowed the car to open. This has also happened to me on the driver's side door. Luckily, there was not an emergency, but if there were, if we were in an accident or the car was on fire, we might have been trapped in the vehicle. Another issue the car is having is stereo problems and speaker malfunction. My front speakers do not work at all and the front left (driver speaker) is the one warning chimes come out of, including the blinker. I have researched this problem and it is a very common malfunction. It is not dangerous per se, but a blinker left on unknowingly could easily result in an accident. I have researched both of the issues online, especially the latter is very common for Cobalt owners. I have contacted gm, and was told I need to get the vehicle diagnosed for my own money, even though it clearly is a malfunction by the parts/flaw in design to get gm customers to pay premiums for fixing parts that should not go wrong.

The air bag switched turned on and does not cut off and now the car hesitates to start up. All my recalls have been due to either electrical, steering and ignition problems. Now their is an issue witj the air bag and ignition. It chokes them starts after turning the key all the way to the right but it hesitates to start. This dudnt not happen unitl the air bags light started to stay on.

I am using my partner's grandparent's 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt LS to get back and for to work. This morning I got up as usual, and went out to my car to let it warm up. I started my car, mind you I keep the driver's side door open because my car automatically locks, and started the car. Doors locked as per usual. However, upon hitting the unlock button on my key fob, the driver's side door would not unlock, passenger side did. I rolled down the window and closed the door, I didn't have a choice, I have to work. Anyway, I had to climb in through either the open window or the passenger side. I called reeder Chevrolet in knoxville and they stated that it would be several hundred dollars to fix potentially one of two parts in the vehicle. I wouldn't have minded if I hadn't done my research and found out that there have been several hundred different people who have had the same problem, and no one has done a recall on this or done anything about it. The dealers half the time say they don't know what is causing it or they have never heard of it before. I would greatly appreciate it if someone actually did a recall because this is ridiculous.

Car rolled down slight hill after turning off and exiting vehicle, transmission shifter appeared to be in park but obviously not as car rolled after leaving alone on slight slope. After accident, I placed key in ignition, started car but will not back up or change position of gear from neutral or drive. Will not go back into park. Key will not come out of ignition now. Bumper and radiator are damaged after crash.

My car has switched off while driving, and I have notified the dealership of this. They told me that it was a part of the recall and that I would be put on a near year long waiting list. Unacceptable!.

Gm has been unable to provide quality customer service or resolutions on the ignition recall. I submitted my service request in April upon receiving the notification of the recall. I am stationed in europe and have not been able to find an answer to when I will be able to have my vehicle repaired or the safety of driving the vehicle at the speed limits in germany. Gm europe tells me to contact gm USA and gm USA informs to contact gm europe. Gm europe has now informed that the dealership/authorized service agent here will not longer service gm vehicles.

I was driving my chevy Cobalt when I arrived at the gas station I could not turn off the car. The key was stuck in the driving position and would not release. I then proceeded to go to my father's house to try and have him help me remove the key and shut off the car. He was not able to as well. I then called a Chevrolet dealer located on sw 152 st in miami, FL where I was told that this was a recall problem and that I shoul;d bring in the vehicle but that it would take about a week to fix. On the way there, my car began to overheat. I then pulled over and tried again to attempt to shut off the car and remove the key. The car reached 300 degrees farenheit and soon after shut off, leaving me stranded with my two small children. I had the car towed to a mechanic in hialeah, FL where I was told that the engine was blown due to the car overheating. I then called gm and explained this to them, I then was advised to call the service manager at miami lakes Chevrolet. The car has since been towed there as I was told the car would need to be diagnosed. However, miami lakes Chevrolet is now hassling me that they can not touch my vehicle because it is a rebuilt title vehicle, although I have repeatedly explained that had my car been able to be cut off then it would not have overheated to it's maximum and I would still have a vehicle. I am very upset as I was unaware of the key ignition recall and I am now left carless which is my livihood for my kids and family as well as I am still making payments on a vehicle which is not functioning due to a recall I had not clue about!.

On at least three occasions the key in the ignition has moved to the off position while driving.

My car is part of the gm recall. I have 2 parts on my car which are to be replaced by gm. My car has been shutting off and is unsafe to drive. I have been speaking with gm and chevy dealers to get a loaner vehicle. To no avail. I have been dealing with this since April 11. I understand that gm says it will provide courtesy cars to customers, however, this is not the case. They just give the run around.

In November 2013 my vehicle steering wheel got stuck at work. It took a couple of times on turning the key to turn on the vehicle. It happened 4 more times and I decided to make an appointment at the vara Chevrolet dealership service center. I told the lady that was helping me what happened to to the vehicle in December 2013 and she told me to leave it overnight in order for them to check the vehicle. When I picked it up they said they didn't see anything in the computer system. I told her that it happened a couple of times and I knew it was a problem. She told me then I guess when the cars steering wheel gets stuck again you'll have to bring it in how it is. I asked her if there was any recalls and she said no. I thought then maybe then there isn't nothing wrong. In February 2014 my husband took the vehicle to have it serviced and then when he parked it at the service center they were going to move it inside the shop and it got stuck like it had done to us before. The service members then were unable to turn it on or move it. They put rolls under the wheels and said they were going to check it there. When we picked it up after three days they said they fixed it. My husband and me never asked what was wrong with it as long as they fixed. I started then hearing on the news about the recalls on general motors with ignition problems on Cobalts up to the year 2007 and the complaints. It was exactly what was happening to us but the only difference was it was a 2008. I am concerned that there might be other problems with the same vehicles with other years. If the service center knew there was an issue with this vehicles and recalls why didn't they voice concerns to their management or to us. I am very upset about the treatment we received and my biggest concern is that it is happening with earlier models not just up to 2007 Cobalts. This needs to be addressed.

2008 chevy Cobalt died on the highway going 70 mph. No warning just stopped dead. No power steering. Car was able to get to side of road. A few minutes later car started up normally. If there had been anyone behind the car the individual would have been seriously injured or worse. I know there is a recall for this same problem but it does not include the 2008 Cobalt. We have had the car fixed twice with no guarantee that it is correct. Have spent a lot of money. Please look into this issue and advise. My daughter drives this car and is terrified to go on the highway with it.

On 10/2013, I was driving on the 105 fwy going eastbound at approximately 60 miles per hour when all of a sudden the vehicle stalled and I no longer could excelarate. East bound traffic was heavy and chp officer had to park behind me with his lights to avoid me getting hit by other vehicles, since there was no safety lane to pull over for broken down cars. The vehicle was towed to one other place before being towed to penske Chevrolet, 18605 s studebaker rd. , cerritos, CA 90703 the following day. In short, I took my car back 3 different times from the first time it was towed there. They would fix one part and I would leave and shortly after the engine light would come back on and I would return. Then they stated it was something else and they would "fix it". The check engine light would come back on once again. The last and final time I took my car in they replaced yet another car part and in total I paid $500. 00 dollars in fees, not to mention time loss at work and gas they use to do "long test drives". To this day the check engine light is still on from the day I left penske Chevrolet. The manager there "michael" in short stated that the car is fixed and that I would just have to deal with the check engine light being on. He assured me the second to last visit that this would be fixed and it never was. The vehicle is still not working as it did prior 10/2013. It cuts and does not accelarates when you initially step on the gas. In addition, the door locks are electric and when I drive they pop up and down on there own. I also will leave my car locked and when I get back the car will be unlocked. This all began after I got my vehicle back from penske Chevrolet of cerritos.

The engine lost power momentarily going up hill on a county highway. Then the engine started it's self and kept moving. On a humid 80 degree day.

My leg accidentally bumped the keychain 3 3/8 inches long (only one key on it , the ignition key) while I was driving, and the car shut off. I was in a 35 mph area, I shifted it into neutral and was able to steer into a left turn lane, shifted it into park and started it.

Well I got my car back in 2009 and now I own it, well I have had powersterring which I had fixed,but now ive been really having a bad gas smell and one of my friends dad is a mechanic and he looked at it and hes thinking something wrong with either the line or the filter or tank, I cant stand driving my own car cause how bad the smell is ive started having nose bleeds,and thats not my only problem all my lights are going off(tire,airbag,)etc. Yes my car is not in the best shape right now but I just started working again and my car is falling apart and idk how to get it fixed as of now.

My car ran into 3 times (2012 - 2, 2014 -1) lost control when I drive to high way and car lost power and control. Luckily I don't have any injury. But it's huge dangerous when my family also in the car. I don't know exact reason at beginning. I always send car to full maintenance after the incident. They always charged me different fix as well. Recently I continuously received gm safety recall letter to fix the gm safety recall 14115. I tried to make appointment with different dealers. They always told me the parts is not ready and there is no estimated time, maybe take very long time (months) to wait, even gm urge me to fix it at the same time. Until now, I have already received 4 letters from gm Chevrolet and tell me fix as soon as possible, parts available. However, I don't understand why their branches take so long time and it seems put into a such a low and slow priority. A manufacturer may have flaw in their products. However, if they could not fix it for customer as soon as possible, they should not deserve customer satisfaction and respect. They regard customer safety as nothing. I won't buy any cars of this vender, nor my friend. I and my friends discussed this and they are all surprised and suggested me sell cars. And also share the comments and feelings in this channel. Thanks.

On several occasions the battery in the vehicle died for no reason. When trying to start the car when unaware that the battery was dead the key gets stuck in the ignition and are unable to get the key out unless the battery is recharged. However, since there is no power to the vehicle you cannot open the trunk to get to the battery? before recall in 2010 my key would get stuck in the ignition several times when the battery was fine and I would have to forcefully try to get the key into the start position or off position and pull the key out. Problems still remain with this ignition problem? dealership states this is how gm designed the car?.

When driving the traction control and abs warning come on together and it makes the car shake during braking.

This is a 3 year old 2008 gm Cobalt with less than 35,000 mile. I was out running errands 7/18/11. I drove in to parking spot and attempted to turn my car off. The key did not turn to turn the car off nor could I remove the key from the ignition. I drove my car to gm dealer and was told the ignition cylinder needed replacement. I was surprised because the car is only 3 years old and I had no other problem. I have owned two other cars, one for 10 yrs and one for 11 yrs never at any time did I have any problem with getting the key from the ignition or problems turning my car off. I believe that the ignition cylinder was defective and so I should not be responsible for paying for a defective part to be replaced. Thank you for the opportunity to enter my complaint.

Ignition key would not turn off. Had to have ignition switch replaced.

Since I purchased this car I have had a problem with intermittent stalling. Backing out of a parking stall. Stopping at a red light. Slowing down. Making a turn. Turning into traffic. I have cleaned parts of the car, replaced parts of the car, looked online for the issue (I find a lot of complaints about this with no resolutions), taken it to chevy (they find nothing wrong). Sometimes throwing the car into neutral will save it, but not always. The car is an automatic. As time has gone on it has gotten worse, but after all the recalls I have had no one can tell me what is wrong with the car. I will be making a left hand turn with traffic coming at me and the car dies. It just seems like gm needs a certain amount of people to die for an issue before they will address it.

After parking my vehicle on my way to work on a Friday afternoon, I could not get my key out of the cylinder and I couldn't turn my car off ! I was instructed to take my car to the nearest dealership ( santa fe Chevrolet and Cadillac, 4450 cerrillos rd , santa fe, n. M. ) which I did. I wasnt offered a replacement vehicle by the dealership, but they told me they had reserved a rental from hertz for the week-end, which I had to pay for. The repair was done the next day so I only needed the rental for that night but had paid for the whole week-end (sf Chevrolet and Cadillac) it took quite some time for me to be reimbursed by hertz for the time I had paid to have the rental, but did not need. No help with that problem from the dealership.