I already had a recall on the fuel pump or modular and then on the ignition switch. The check engine light has always been on. They couldn't get it to go off even when they did those repairs, then one day the turn signals stopped turning off after making a turn. The newest problem and the scariest one to me is now a gas leak. I went out and started my car, started to reverse and then smelled a strong odor of gas. I stopped and noticed my gas gauge actually going down. So I shut the car off hurried up and got my kids out and then saw the gas pouring on the road from under my car. I can't believe the problems that I've had with this car. Chevy needs to be held accountable for these problems. It's their cheap mistakes. The only reason I have continued to keep the car is because it belonged to my little brother who died in a tragic car cash with his pregnant fianc and my father. So I haven't wanted to part with it. I have seen that others have had the same problems and apparently there was recalls for some of these problems on others but not for my VIN. How is that right? They need to be responsible for fixing this and they need to fix everything correctly this time. I need help with this problem, I'm not sure where else to turn at this point.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: wrong fuel gauge reading
10 of the 2,330 complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt describe wrong fuel gauge reading.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- typical mileage
- 117,638
- recalls
- 1
Wrong fuel gauge reading by model year
What owners say
This has happen to me 5 times all at different times. One time I was stationary in a parking lot. The others have been driving down city streets, turning corners and on the highway. I will be driving down the road or just start my car and the gauges just go nuts. My security light will come on my fuel gauge, RPM gauge. And MPH gauge will just go to zero. The RPM gauge bounces up to 900-1000 then back to zero. The words on the dash will read low fuel (even if I actually have a full tank) and then it'll cut my power steering and I won't be able to turn at all or barely. I also have a video of it doing it while I was stationary. This is dangerous and has made me almost crash multiple times. And once I actually hit a curb in a parking lot when it decided to happen.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 55 MPH, an alarm sound was heard, the check engine indicator illuminated, and the fuel gauge lever moved to empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Driving down the highway at approximately 65 MPH my fuel gauge crashed. Dropping to empty from half full and stopping my vehicle in rush hour traffic. I immediately pulled to the side of the road to check the engine for fuel. Nothing found. Got on my hands and knees and checked under the car to find fuel showering out of the bottom of my fuel tank. I called my local chevrolet and gave them my VIN number only to find out that yes there is a recall in effect for this problem but its only available to be fixed for free in 2 states. Arizona and nevada.
Tl* the contact owns 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he determined that the fuel sending unit was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 75,000. Updated 01/05/13*lj the consumer stated the defective fuel pump sending unit was replaced. The plastic lines were defective and started to leak.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated the fuel gauge was defective and a providing erroneous readings. The failure occurred and the fuel gauge had been replaced four times before. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 126,000 and the current mileage was 128,000.
Vehicle has various problems which started with the fuel gauge going to empty not matter how much fuel there was, this issue was never fixed properly. Front suspension rattles and lower control arm bushings are cracked, diagnosed, but not repaired by chevrolet. Interior dome light has a short as does the radio ,intermittent. Also paint is peeling off of the door handles, radio and dashboard control buttons. And just recently there is an odor of gasoline coming from somewhere on the vehicle. The vehicle has a little over 21,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH, when the traction control, ABS and emissions warning lights illuminated. Suddenly, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the speedometer began fluctuating between 50 and 70 mp. In addition, the fuel level gauge began to fluctuate between one quarter tank to three quarters. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the failure was caused by the body control module. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Tl*the contact owns 2006 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 70 MPH the fuel gauge rapidly started moving down and fuel was leaking out of the vehicle. She had to drive onto the emergency lane and call a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to her residence where a mechanic inspected it and found a leak on the fuel pump hose. The manufacturer was contacted who stated there are no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for a routine oil change when the contact was informed that there was an abnormally strong gasoline fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The mechanic discovered a fuel leak and performed a diagnostic. The mechanic advised the contact that the fuel sending unit was fractured at the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 60,000. Updated 01/04/11*lj the consumer stated the same problem he experienced a recall was issued. However, his VIN was not included. Updated 01/10/11
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- 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
Questions about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel gauge
Is wrong fuel gauge reading a common problem on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
10 of 2,330 owner complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt (0%) mention wrong fuel gauge reading. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
There is 1 recall and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
Power steering loss 453Fuel pump 254Fuel leak 202Fuel smell 185Loss of power 168Stalling 122Steering lock-up 96Check engine light 89Jerking 59Door locks 54No deployment 50Engine failure 49Airbag light 34Won't start 34Ball joint 25Fire or smoke 22Steering noise 19Harsh shifting 18Headlights 18Adaptive cruise 15Won't shift 13Hesitation 12Pulling 12Warning lights 12ABS 11Grinding brakes 11Knocking 11Misfire 11Slipping 11Overheating 9Battery drain 6Sudden acceleration 6Brake failure 5Seat belt 5Transmission failure 5Wipers 5
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