Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 15 MPH out of a parking lot, the steering wheel seized and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to drive home, but could not steer the vehicle. An independent towing company was contacted and towed the vehicle to the contact's home. Tim lally chevrolet (24999 miles rd, warrensville heights, oh 44128, (440) 359-8781) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 128,000.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: engine failure
31 of the 845 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 96,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 105 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 20 MPH and attempting to switch over to the right lane, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact continued to drive home without power steering and had difficulty turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,087.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 65 MPH, the power steering and steering wheel seized. The contact could not regain control of the steering. As a result, the vehicle veered into the left lane, flipped over, rolled five times, and crashed into the shoulder spacing. The contact was ejected from the vehicle and lost consciousness. The air bags deployed, but the contact had no recollection of the deployment. The contact sustained bruises, headaches, back and neck pain, and muscle spasms. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The contact's insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The cause of the steering failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and seized while turning. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that when attempting to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced and was instructed to take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealer. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle jerked independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the eps failed constantly and the steering wheel seized without warning, which made the vehicle extremely difficult to turn left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While the contact's daughter was driving 10 MPH, the power steering seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,226.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While straightening the steering wheel from turning near a curb, the steering wheel became tight and seized. The contact was able to pull into a store parking lot and, upon reversing, the steering wheel seized again. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on to reset the computer. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked due to the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. There were no recalls. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the instrument panel gauges fluctuated and the vehicle stalled without warning occasionally. While driving various speeds, the steering failed. The failures were intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details could not be provided. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 10v073000 (steering) and 14e021000 (electrical system), but the remedies failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled and the power steering seized after the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
31 of 845 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (4%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
There are 0 recalls and 105 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
Fuel leak 114Power steering loss 99Fuel smell 98Fuel pump 74Steering lock-up 46Airbag light 32Loss of power 31Check engine light 30Stalling 29No deployment 27Won't start 24Ball joint 15Grinding brakes 15Door locks 15Fire or smoke 12Headlights 11Hesitation 10Jerking 10Steering noise 8ABS 6Fuel gauge 6Harsh shifting 6Seat belt 6Pulling 5Warning lights 5
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