Ignition Switch problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Ignition switch.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition switch. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the remedy failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Once my ignition switch was repaired per the recall, I began smelling gas inside and outside of the vehicle. No check engine light has come on but the smell has been getting worse and worse. When the car sits for a long or short period of time it has difficulty starting; also since the ignition switch was replaced an electrical issue began.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph, a clicking sound emitted from the dashboard and the key became lodged in the ignition switch. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the battery post needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. In addition, the contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). However, the parts needed were unavailable to perform the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Electrical/electronics problem. Symptoms: dash warning lights (engine, traction, theft) came on. Digital display warning: low fuel (over 1/2 tank of gas) power steering (which stopped operating) and transmission service (transmission stopped shifting smoothly). Gauges (speed, fuel and tach) operated erratically, not at all or combination of the two conditions. This condition started with a few of the listed symptoms which initially cleared them selves. Later as more showed at same time, I was able to clear them or sometime they cleared themselves . This happened over a years time. When all symptoms showed and would not clear, I took the vehicle to trusted mechanic. He could not locate problem but due to outstanding ignition switch recall, suggest that repair may fix the problem. Vehicle was taken to dealership and recall service preformed and no other outstanding recalls were found. Vehicle operated without a problem for almost a month before the listed symptoms reappeared. Was able to clear the fault codes but symptoms returned within the day and won't clear. A check of recalls found that a recall for power steering loss as described was issued and done at approx. 49,000 miles. Several electrical system checks were found in maintenance history (done after power steering recall) and preformed before I purchased the vehicle. The issue describe has become worse over time and has effected the safety of not only those operating the vehicle but any one else on the road when this problem manifest itself. Given that the ignition was replaced and the problems persist, I can't believe it was the ignition causing these problems. I will contact gm to see what my options are. Given that gm is paying 900 million to the government in fines, maybe uncle sam could held those of us with gm engineered lemons replace them with something that is safe to drive on the road.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer requests reimbursement for defective ignition switch recall repairs.

I have had my car shut off while driving 3 times in the past few months. When I originally contacted someone at dealer, was told my year not affected. I never received notification that I was affected but contacted gm after hearing on the news otherwise. I was told they contacted dealer on my behalf and didn't get expected "fix" date. I contacted again a few days later and told them of my situation- I need to move out of state to colorado on August 11th and this is my only car. I have been going back and forth with them because I need a vehicle I feel safe to drive and do not feel safe in this car, because it has shut off due to ignition switch 3 times, luckily on residential streets. Finally, someone said that I could have a rental because there was no way the car could be deemed safe to drive 20 hours on highway with this history, but they still want me to pay the cost to ship fixed car and all rental expenses until shipped car arrives, which I do not feel is fair, as these are costs incurred to me that would not otherwise incurred if I didn't have this defective switch. I do not know if I have enough money to cover this shipping cost, which is why I am driving to denver in first place to start a new job, and may have to pass offer for rental and chance driving. Can someone please help me?.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to sway bar, power steering and ignition switch problems. The consumer stated the day after the vehicle was purchased, the sway bar links failed. Updated 07/30/14.

Letter from senator graham on behalf of constituent re gm vehicle recall. The consumer stated the ignition switch was replaced on July 1, 2014. The consumer stated he is now having problems with the replacement ignition switch. Gm and the dealer, informed the consumer, he would have to pay $ 125 to diagnose the problem.

Our vehicle was subject to the recall for the ignition system. We called to make an appointment and were told that we needed to wait for the parts to come in first. After waiting 8+ weeks we were told the parts were in and we made an appointment and dropped the vehicle off. When we went to pick up our vehicle we were told that a vehicle, with the same VIN # was already repaired in illinois. We live in NJ and our vehicle was never in IL. The maintenance manager (freehold chevy) agreed that the vehicle was never repaired by looking at the ignition switch. We were told that the VIN # issue needed to be corrected before they can work on our car. It's now 6+ weeks later and our follow up phone calls have not brought us any closer to having the repair done. I believe the repair should have been done since they could tell the parts were never replaced on our vehicle and the VIN # should have been resolved between the dealerships.

I am very disappointed in gm's handling of the February 10 and April 10, 2014 recalls of 2008 Chevrolet Cobalts. I am a 2008 Cobalt owner, and I still have not received a letter nor has my uncle who is the registered owner. I bought the vehicle used but do not feel that is an adequate excuse for not being notified of this recall. I was not able to order the designated parts for repair until 3 days ago, as the dealership I contacted in regards to the problem did not get back to me. I do not feel that this recall is a situation to make light of. People are dying from this deficiency in the vehicle, and I was never even informed of the possibility of my air bags not deploying. I do not feel safe driving my car and I do not feel secure knowing that without my taking the initiative to investigate this problem, I would never have known that my car had been recalled. I also am not satisfied with the listing on the official gm letter on the NHTSA website that all ignition switches will be replaced, when the posted recall on cars. Com from gm states a problem with the ignition cylinder as well. I also feel that my air bags, steering and entire electrical system should be tested and replaced if there is even the slightest chance that they have be ineffective. I lose power steering if my ignition switch fails, in addition to my air bags failing, further compromising my safety. I am very concerned about these defects on my vehicle, as I have no other form of transportation back and forth to work etc. , and the length of time it is taking for it to be repaired. The dealership that ordered the parts for me told me it would be 6 weeks before the parts arrived, at which point I could make my appointment which may mean additional waiting. I, as a consumer, feel slighted and certainly disregarded. I will not recommend any gm sedan of this nature to anyone.

While driving the ignition switch turned off and I had no power to steer the car.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the ignition switch and the failure recurred. The contact put the gear in neutral and was able to shift gears into drive but continued to experience the vehicle stalling intermittently multiple times. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14v171000 (electrical system) but was notified of the recall after experiencing the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. Dyd.

One morning when I started my 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt with the 2lt trim package, the airbag readiness light came on and stayed on the whole time I was driving, and at the same time the passenger airbag status indicator off symbol was lit. The car had never been involved in an accident and the approximate millage on my car at this time was 50,577. There was a person setting in the passenger seat that weighed approximately 140 pounds, so the airbag should have been on. Ever since that day, every time I start my car the airbag readiness light and the passenger airbag off lite come on and stays on. I checked the connectors under the passenger seat and all were connected. I took my car, paid out of pocket to have diagnostic testing to get the error codes for this but no codes were shown. Recently I took it to the dealership for the ignition switch safety recall repaired. After reading Chevrolet Cobalt technical service bulletins about airbags, numerous complaints from other Cobalt owners about this exact problem, recalls that had the term airbags mentioned, I decided to tell my concern to the service employees and was told this wasn't covered, that I could pay for them to do testing on it. Seeing as I had already paid for the exact same testing before with no results as to what was wrong, I declined to have it done again. I contacted Chevrolet by email concerning this. They emailed me back asking for additional information. I replyed with that information and have never heard anything back from them. What do those of us who have safety concerns associated with the airbags need to do to get Chevrolet to acknoweledge that this is a problem that needs their attention seeing as this is a common problem with the Cobalts? seeing as Chevrolet has put out technical service bulletins concerning this exact problem proves they are aware of it but have yet to do anything about it.

I do not remember the exact dates and mileage, but I have seen recently the recalls on Cobalt. I purchased a 2008 Cobalt in 2008. Had 5 miles on it when I bought it. By, 2010 the ignition switch had been replaced 3 times, due to failure. 2 times the ignition would not start. Once, the car would not turn off. I had to drive immediately to the dealership that time. I contacted the dealership, gm, and interstate commerce dept. No one would help me. The only thing gm said they would do is give me $2500 towards the purchase of a brand new vehicle. I had just had my daughter and stuck on the side of the road with her the last time. After no help, I just had let them repo the vehicle. I know the recall only goes to 2007 models, but you may want to investigate the 2008 models as well.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the contact was attempting to exit the vehicle with the key in the ignition she was unable turn the vehicle off. The dealer replaced the ignition switch; however, the failure continued to occur. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 25724.