VehicleVerdict

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,102 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 551.0 times the median Cobalt year — the 2008 model ranks #4 of 13 Cobalt years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 21 deaths and 107 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 311 reports (28% of the total).

1,102

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

108

Crash-involved

20

Fires reported

107

Injuries

21

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Cobalt years?

Cobalt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted3,056 complaints1996: 1 complaints2000: 1 complaints2002: 2 complaints2005: 2,231 complaints2006: 3,056 complaints2007: 2,001 complaints2008: 1,102 complaints2009: 916 complaints2010: 794 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 1 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints
Cobalt NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cobalt years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering31128%
Fuel System24722%
Electrical System19318%
Airbags999%
Engine454%
Brakes323%
Transmission293%
Suspension272%
Other222%
Speed Control222%
Seat Belts182%
Lighting182%
Tires & Wheels141%
Body & Structure111%
Visibility & Wipers71%
Latches & Locks50%
Seats10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14E021000Electrical SystemApril 30, 2014 · 14,529 units

Defect

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Remedy

UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

14V171000Electrical SystemApril 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Consequence

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

14V047000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2014 · 2,190,934 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

12V459000Fuel SystemSeptember 19, 2012 · 49,768 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Consequence

Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

10V073000SteeringMarch 3, 2010 · 1,050,889 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

Consequence

IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY TREE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED DURING THE CRASH AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 16, 2012 · crash

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT CUT OFF. I HEARD A POP. VEHICLE WOULD NOT CRANK BACK UP. I PARKED, LOCKED VEHICLE AND HAD TO WALK TO GET HELP. BY THE TIME I RETURNED, THE VEHICLE WAS GONE. THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AFTER I LEFT TO GET HELP AND THE POLICE CALLED THE FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 24, 2010 · fire

2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 19, 2011. HER DAUGHTER CLAIMED, SHE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLEW ACROSS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 19, 2011 · crash

2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON MARCH 19, 2011. HER DAUGHTER CLAIMED, SHE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLEW ACROSS THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 19, 2011 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 9, 2010 · fire

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — common questions

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,102 complaints put the 2008 model at #4 of 13 Cobalt years. It is one of the Cobalt years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Cobalt problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (311 complaints), fuel system (247 complaints), electrical system (193 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cobalt years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Cobalt years belongs to 2017.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.