Ignition problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. After the ignition switch had been repaired, the contact experienced difficulty starting the vehicle after it had been parked for short periods of time. The contact smelled fuel vapors inside and outside the vehicle. An independent mechanic discovered that the fuel pump assembly was leaking on top of the tank. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 12v459000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition until after several attempts. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 12v486000 (electrical system, visibility) however, the remedy was insufficient and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.

I noticed a slight tapping/rattling noise coming from the front driver side. The noise only occurs between the speeds of 50-60 mph and only when letting off the gas completely. Then I received in the mail an ignition cylinder recall. My car had problems with locking up and difficulties turning the key. So I took the car to the dealership told them about the noise I was hearing then waited a week with no call from the dealership so I called them. They told me my car would be finished by noon, I arrived at 4 pm. They then told me my car was not yet finished. The dealership had not even put in the new ignition cylinder even after a week. I was told the noise could not be replicated. I waited for the ignition to be put in (about 30 mins) then took one of the dealership mechanics on a test drive to hear the noise. Noise was heard and took it back to the shop. Checked under the car and nothing wrong could be found. The lead mechanic took it for a test drive but due to the heavy downpour of rain nothing was heard. I was asked to bring the car back on Monday due to possible severity of the situation. Dropped the car back off at the dealership Monday. A test drive and a look under the car and they found the problem, noise coming from rack and pinion while hitting bumps rack worn and needs replacement steering column making noise as well recommend replacement with out replacement the car would eventually have no steering ability at all: cost $1524 no warranty. This car has had the power steering recall replacement (the steering wheel suddenly stopped working while in a parking lot due to broken pinion) in 2010 and a transmission issue (rpm rev when the car hit 40 when the gas was not being applied) that was a worn seal it was fixed and covered by warranty in 2011. This would be the twice now with no steering ability only its a different cause? I feel like I'm being cheated.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the key was stuck in the ignition of the vehicle and the vehicle could not be turned off. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the tumbler and the ignition lock cylinder needed to replaced. The failure and current mileage was 42,000.

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.

Mileage, about 21,000 miles, out of warranty. Ignition lock seized while driving. Could not turn off. Went to dealer, who performed a "courtesy" repair. If this had happened at night or over the weeked, would have had a major problem.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key would not remove from the ignition. As a result, it was difficult to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that on the last attempt to start the vehicle, the key fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and was repaired. The failure mileage was 31,695 and the current mileage was 43,396. Updated 05/10/lj.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition while the steering column froze. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the failure as the ignition lock cylinder needing to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 52,948.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received recall notice 10v073000 steering electric power assists system in August of 2010. The dealership advised him that they could not schedule an appointment, because the part wasn't available. On November 1, 2010 while the contact attempted to start the vehicle the steering wheel locked. She was unable to unlock the steering and was not able to turn the key in the ignition. The vehicle was towed to the dealership for diagnostic testing which determined that the power steering column caused the failure to occur. The manufacturer will be contacted. The vehicle wasn't repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 54,000. Updated 01/31/11 the ignition lock cylinder was replaced. Updated 04/18/11.

I bought my 2008 Cobalt as a program car in November 2008. I received a recall for the power steering motor in September 2010. The motor was replaced. I thought that maybe that was the problem of the intermittent ease of turning the key. When I picked up the car for that repair I was told that the ignition cylinder had to be replaced because it was intermittently locking up. I picked up the car and then the emergency switch broke, that was replaced and during this time I was told that the front speakers blew out. Those were replaced, and now the radio/clock has to be replaced which is not under warranty. I do not believe that my two-year car is reliable. I told the service manager that I believe the car is faulty because it is "too young" to have this much repair work in a very short time.

2008 chevy Cobalt. Won't turn off and key won't turn or come out.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact made several attempts to start the vehicle and was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to the ignition cylinder. The vehicle was repaired per the service warranty. On three separate occasions the dealer replaced the ignition cylinder. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 28,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. When the contact parked the vehicle, the engine would not turn off. The keys would not remove from the ignition. The contact had to remove the fuse from the fuel pump in order to shut off the engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they repaired the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key would not turn in the ignition. The contact was able to turn the key and start the vehicle after several attempts. Sporadically, the contact could not turn the key to shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they advised the contact that the ignition lock cylinder and the housing needed to be replaced, as well as a new set of keys. The vehicle was repaired but the keys were not replaced. The manufacturer was notified and provided the same information to the contact as the dealer. The failure mileage was 56,000.