Two problems related to manual transmission 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.
Purchased Cobalt "revolution" with manual transmission in Feb 2009. Always got some minor grinding when shifting into 4th gear. Waited during break-in period but only got worse. Around 15,000 miles took to dealer, he couldn't duplicate the problem. The grinding got worse and extended to 3rd gear too. At approx 30,000 miles it was almost constant. Dealer replaced the 3rd and 4th syncro gears. Problem recurred almost immediately in 3rd only. Shifter failed and had to be towed at approx. 50,000 miles. Dealer again rebuilt transmission and replaced a shifter linkage pin. Problem recurred almost immediately in 3rd only. Shifter again failed and had to be towed to dealer. Dealer waiting for backordered cable for shifter and then will "try" to fix grinding. Dealer says cable is not part of power train warranty!.
I purchased a brand new 2008 Cobalt sport and from the first few weeks that I got it , to this day, I found that sometimes when going into third or fourth gear w/clutch fully engaged there is a vibration and noticeable grinding while engaging into gear, it is also very difficult to get into 2nd gear in very cold weather.