2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt.

20072009
Complaints
1,102
Crashes
108
Fires
20
Injuries
107
Fatalities
21
Recalls
4

Worst 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1296 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:76,171 mi
Crash-related:35
Fires:4
#2202 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:110,686 mi
Fires:4
#3152 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:72,657 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:4
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt.

Steering Defects
296
complaints
Crashes
35
Fires
4
Avg Miles
76,171
Fuel System
202
complaints
Crashes
Fires
4
Avg Miles
110,686
Electrical Faults
152
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
4
Avg Miles
72,657
Airbags
89
complaints
Crashes
29
Fires
2
Avg Miles
79,626
Engine Problems
36
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
82,009
Gasoline Fuel System
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
92,229
Suspension Failures
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,407
Unintended Acceleration
21
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
88,805
Transmission / Drivetrain
20
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
99,077
Seat Belt Issues
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
58,886
Electronic Stability Control
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
89,527
Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
91,744
Headlight/Taillight Failures
16
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
79,982
Hydraulic Brakes
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
29,784
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
12
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
34,716
Electrical System:Ignition
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
59,270
Wheel Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,749
Air Bags:Frontal
6
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
32,662
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
35,882
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
117,560
Body Structure
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
102,136
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
30,000
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,494
Air Bags:Side/Window
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Traction Control System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~5,482,605 vehicles.

14V171000Electrical System:ignition
~2,191,014 affected

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.

14V047000Airbags · Electrical System:ignition:switch
~2,190,934 affected

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.

12V459000Fuel Pump
~49,768 affected

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.

10V073000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~1,050,889 affected

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.

Other Chevrolet Cobalt Years

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt has 1,102 NHTSA complaints, 108 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 296 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (296 complaints, avg 76,171 mi); Fuel System (202 complaints, avg 110,686 mi); Electrical Faults (152 complaints, avg 72,657 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 82,336 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt include 108 crash-related reports, 20 fire reports, 107 injuries, and 21 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,482,605 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Cobalt reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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