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Engine & cooling

Chevrolet Cobalt Engine problems by year

149 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Cobalt's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
201043110
200955520
200851420

Latest Cobalt engine complaints

2009 Chevrolet CobaltSteeringEngine & cooling

My car turned off while I was driving and almost caused me to crash into an 18 wheeler. Thank God I turned on my emergency signal and the truck swerved!. I would of died. I was stuck in the middle of the road and luckily some passersby helped me push it into a commercial parking area. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't start. But, when I turn my key into the off position, my car tried starting by itself. It was scary. It was checked by a mechanic, prior to this happening, because the car was hard to start....

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The mechanic told me to find out if there is a recall. However, I did some research and there was a recall on the ignition switch and fuel pump. The ignition switch was faulty causing the car to turn off while moving and two people died as a result. I entered the VIN # and it didn't show any recalls.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11555972
2009 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFuel system

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after driving to a local store and turning off the vehicle, the contact then returned to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel level sensor circuit and cam shaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11548298
2010 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFuel system

My car had a fuel pump go, then within MONTHS, another. We then dealt with the SAME problem symptomatically, and was told it was the fuel pump sensor. Within the last few weeks, I am having all the same issues-including the car intermittently not starting, gasoline leaking from the vehicle, both noticably missing from the gauge (i.e 1/8 tank less than night prior), odor of gas in the car, stalling out while driving and trying to start it, but also now dripping gas from the car. A new issue popped up, which is the...

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dash light coming up saying "check gas cap". This past Thursday, my car wouldn't start again, and has not started since. It's concerning that the Chevy Cobalt has had recalls for the same exact problems, literally thousands of complaints that mirror mine- for every model year EXCEPT the 2010. It's also interesting that they also stopped producing the Cobalt entirely in 2010 too, but considering the amount of faults and issues I've seen documented in every year model it's not a shock. I'm concerned that despite the amount of complaints that include 2010 models, they were excluded from the recall and seeing that my situation is another one that won't be covered, fixed, or made right by GM is something that doesn't make sense. I have also seen, that in 2021 an investigation was launched specifically into this exact issue with the 2010, as well. I'm carless right now, with no answers from Chevy other than that it's not part of the recall, yet it's part of the problem. Something is VERY wrong here. It's shocking they wouldn't recall a vehicle knowing it's dripping gas, pooling gas, it's such a hazard for not only anyone driving them, but anyone driving near us or even PARKED near us. Please help do something! Also I have videos of my car dripping, 2 days prior to it not starting, if there is somewhere I could send those as well.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11522342
2009 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFuel system

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated and the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the fuel had leaked from near the rear passenger-side wheel area. The contact discovered that the leak was due to a corroded and damaged fuel line. In addition, it was discovered that the fuel line connecting to the fuel filter was corroded and damaged. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 97,600.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11488820
2009 Chevrolet CobaltFuel systemEngine & cooling

The contact's mother owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while his mother was starting the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag made clicking sounds. Additionally, the engine would rev, and the vehicle would shake while idle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the fuel filter, spark plugs, and ignition coils; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,864.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11447314
2010 Chevrolet CobaltFuel systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel lines near the rear wheel well. There was an abnormal odor of fuel detected. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The contact mentioned NHTSA Action Number: PE20011 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11441557
2010 Chevrolet CobaltFuel systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that his son called and stated he detected an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The driver looked around the vehicle and noticed liquid emerging near the driver's side rear tire. The driver stated that the vehicle was hard to start. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the fuel lines were rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where two sections of rusted fuel lines were...

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replaced. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,933.

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11440645
2008 Chevrolet CobaltSteeringEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The failure occurred a total of 4 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11429244
2009 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFuel system

Fuel leak from fuel line in the rear on vehicle. Corrosion to fuel line. Leaks badly when running! Long engine crank after sitting a short time. Leaves puddle of fuel under vehicle. Fuel smell all the time.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11373688
2010 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that after refueling, the vehicle failed to start-up on several occasions. After several attempts the vehicle started but failed to engage when shifted to drive with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a fuel odor present after the vehicle was refueled. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11361598
2008 Chevrolet CobaltSteeringTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

I had recalls fixed in 2015. And then suddenly power steering turns on and off. Never before they touched it was there an issue. It happens here and there and stops. This year is happening every day and won't go away. My power steering turns off in middle of driving. Dash board lights go off and car starts cranking. Goes super slow . I'm scared ita going to explode. I can't drive on freeway . And now besides the lock on screen coming on my engine light stays on now . Not sure what to do with it. Car shops can't help. When I 1st had the issue I called the dealer because they fixed the recall and they said nothing could be done because they had already fixed the recall

Filed Incident Steering · Power train · EngineNHTSA 11360824
2008 Chevrolet CobaltFuel systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. On several occasions the vehicle stalled. The cause of the failure was not determined. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,731. *Bf *as

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 11340691
2009 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFuel system

Keep smelling fuel vapors on the rear left side of the vehicle. Checked the fuel filter and it seems to be working despite my gas mileage getting worse and worse. I've been burning a full tank of gas going less than 250 miles when I should get near 400 miles a tank.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11338017
2009 Chevrolet CobaltEngine & coolingFire

The vehicle overheated and shutdown while traversing rt 287 near boonton at speeds around 65. I coasted off an exit and came to a stop at park ave and wootton st. While I was waiting for my vehicle to cool down so I could either fix/continue driving, it had become apparent that the engine compartment had started to combust. Noticeable by the sound of the fire. That left me rushing to empty out the vehicle of belongings in the middle of the road before the vehicle completely engulfed into flames. Note that...

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prior to the engine overheating absolutely no warning lights nor indicators had turned on. When vehicle overheated the temperature light turned on and that was all until the vehicle was actually on fire and had shut itself off. *Tr

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11327186

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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