Check a VIN

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems

466 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
466
of this car's complaints
20%
typical mileage
85,000
crashes
5
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Delivery: fuel pump
    52
  • Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    5
  • Fuel injection system
    3
  • Storage: tank assembly
    2
  • Storage
    1
  • Fuel injection system: injectors
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems in other years

20002005200620072008200920102016

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fuel pump 254Fuel leak 202Fuel smell 185Fuel gauge 10

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported October 29, 2009 · 69,139 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle performance may be affected.
Risk
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V419000 · Recall details

What 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 13, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · CO

The fuel tank has an evap leak that somehow breaks on top the tank so it leaks the gas vapors and could potentially start a fire but the part that breaks is a non serviceable part so it can’t be fixed without purchasing a whole new gas tank that isn’t cheap. My other concern is the infamous grounding issue with the wires on the ground g105 I believe right next to oil filter that grounds the transmission and engine control modules well it shorts at times when driving and suddenly your car dies while driving how scary it could cause a wreak and kill somebody it’s a very scary issue that constantly comes back even after trying to re ground it needs to be recalled and fixed it’s going to kill somebody and it’s a well known issue for this make and model that should have already gotten attention to be resolved.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Fuel system, Steering · MT

strong smell of fuel affraid to drive the igntion get stuck and locks so you cant turn the car on

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Fuel system · FL

The vehicle is leaking from the fuel tank

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Fuel system · VA

Fuel line rusted, leaking under car. Smell gas in cabin.

Filed May 1, 2023 · Fuel system · 59,410 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact became aware that fuel had been puddling underneath the vehicle. The contact had previously noticed an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 59,410.

Filed Feb 7, 2023 · Fuel system · OH

Fuel leaking due to corrosion of fuel lines located near driver side rear wheel.

Filed Aug 4, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · LA

Before I get into all of it there has never been an accident not yet at least. I do everything I can to try an stop that from happening, (but accidents do happen) only because I know my car could kill on me so I’m extra careful. 1) After I get gas I’m my car the car won’t start right away. I have to restart it a couple times an step in the gas an rev up wasting the gas I just put in to get it to start. 2) When I stop an start to pull out of somewhere on to a main road the car will just die on me so I’m stuck pulling out in traffic trying to get my car to start again. It’s when I come to a stop an pull out it just kills on me. So I have to make sure no one else is coming an I have enough time to be able to restart it otherwise I’m worried when I pull out of anywhere or stop an go that another car will smack into me because my car just died on me in the middle of the road/ pulling out an crossing lanes. SUPER SCARY! 3) Let get into the next issue so anytime I run my ac my car starts to do this jumping thing like it wants to kill on me not to mention it has killed on me with the ac on (I live in Louisiana an it’s too hot not to have ac plus I have 3 kids) what’s sad is the ac works fine but if you want the car to maybe not die then turn it off an you have a better chance of it not killing off on you but not always a guarantee. So ill run it for second to try an cool down so I’m not drenched in sweat but I have no other choice to turn it off so the car doesn’t just die on me. This refers back to the 2nd problem I make sure it’s off anytime I pull out of anywhere thinking that would help it from killing on me while trying to get out of anywhere but it doesn’t but I can tell you If the ac is on when I pull out when I start to go it dies right as I’m in the middle of the road every time never fails. Mechanics have replaced parts trying to fix the issue, but it still happens I can’t keep buying/fixing things for nada, ongoing problems since buying.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Fuel system · VA

Fuel line leaking similar to the recall on 2008-10 Cobalts -- gas puddles or drips from leaking fuel lines near the left rear wheel well, near the exhaust pipe and muffler. The leak is caused by corrosion of the metal fuel lines that are secured to the body of the car by plastic blocks.

Filed Apr 5, 2022 · Fuel system · 69,817 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while standing outside the vehicle a fuel odor was detected. The contact also stated that while driving, there was a fuel odor detected inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was awaiting an appointment. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue. The manufacturer informed the contact of a fuel pump module replacement coverage under Manufacturer Communication Number: 09275. Future Chevrolet (4811 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841) was contacted and the contact was still awaiting a callback. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 69,817.

Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system

Does the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 466 complaints about the fuel system of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 20% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 09V419000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Cobalt have the most fuel system problems?

The Chevrolet Cobalt model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2006 (466 complaints), 2007 (431 complaints) and 2009 (261 complaints).

Other 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt problems

Steering 1,299Electrical 412Airbags 146Transmission 137Engine 136Body 51Brakes 51Suspension 51Acceleration 48Driver assistance 44Locks 38Lights 21Visibility 16Seat belts 8Wheels 7Tires 5Seats 3

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history