Start of the problem the gauges will go eratic, my car chimes a few dings then theft light comes on. I don't have a theft system. Ls model. Also effects the transmission(automatic) cause it will shift hard and jerk the car. The AC also shuts off during this issue, it will blow air but it won't be cold. Seems like the issue always comes back when it's extremely hot outside. This is an on going issue for about 5 years and it comes and goes. Every mechanic I went to their car reader can't read my car. Also it has happened while I was driving and again when I'm parked and just started the car. And I have had all the recalls fixed that were reported.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 45, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be determined. The contact also mentioned that the oxygen sensor may have been defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I started my car in my driveway, it started and then stalled immediately and would not start at all. I diagnosed it along with my friend who is a certified mechanic. The cam chain guides broke at less than 79000 miles, causing slack in the cam chain which caused it to jump teeth on the intake cam, throwing it out of synchronization. This caused the intake valves to be open when the piston reached the top of its travel, which bent the valves. This is a very common issue on the 2.2 engines, but very unusual for such a low mileage vehicle. The engine has a 100,000 mile warranty but only for 5 years. I only drive on average 10,000 miles a year. The engine is well below 100,000 miles and gm will not admit that they have a design flaw on these engines and will not make this repair for me under warranty.
My fuel pump was leaking, so we had the fuel pump replaced and now the air conditioning/heater/defrost systems no longer work. We've had to replace the steering column, the fuel injection, and a leaking front windshield twice.also the fuel switch. Now the car somewhat stalls when trying to start.
Was driving to san diego, first stop of several on a vacation. Stopped at a stop light. Went to proceed as light turned green, heard a scraping and grinding sound; there was little to no power for the car. It couldn't go above 30 MPH, and made a "loud noise" (as stated on paperwork from dealership). Got to city (by the bay) chevrolet. I ended up spending $1334.21 for a new catalytic converter and two gaskets. I was also out $111.26 for a rental as I was going to disneyland and knott's berry farm after a stop to san diego. I had to have the rental from thursday to saturday or I would have missed time at disneyland. I picked the day for knott's berry farm. According to chevrolet, the 2005-2007 cobalts in nevada (where I bought the car and live) are affected by a catalytic converter issue; however after contacting chevrolet and advising them of my issue -- they tell me (despite the identical issue) -- my model is not affected. I am looking for $1445.47 in compensation for actual losses. I would like compensatory damages since chevrolet is refusing to do the right thing and investigate or reimburse me and it affected my vacation. Also, I want the recall extended to the 2008 models. Updated 09/15/15*lj updated 11/03/2017
While driving on the route 20 at about 50mph it started to rain and all of a sudden my car "reduced engine power" light went on. My car started slowing down and I had to turn to the closest street so that I wasn't hit by the car behind me. This has happened before, last year while on the highway driving to cleveland, my car began rapidly slowing down and I couldn't pick up speed while pressing the gas. I took the nearest exit and had to wait two hours before the engine light would turn off. Also, while the check engine light is on, it also says "traction off" and my car shakes. Both times it was raining, and I was driving at 50mpr speeds.
The service traction light comes on and then the engine light..... Shifts really hard and runs very rough and feels like it will stall. Very afraid.... Being told it is a cylinder misfire... I have read a lot about this on line and find numerous complaints related to this same issue in this same model.... Please help... I feel this is a safety matter.... Could stop in traffic or on expressway which I travel each day. Many thanks!
Clutch is losing pressure, can not shift gears to drive the 2008 chevy cobalt ls (manual). Must pump clutch over 200 times to get pressure back. The clutch pressure goes out while driving on street and the highways, making it no way to downshift/ slow down. Could cause injury to all passengers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine indicator illuminated and the thermostat became inoperable. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle started exhibiting this problem after being repaired under recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 209,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a ditch. There were no injuries. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed, but an independent mechanic repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 139,812. Updated 09/30/14*lj the recall repair was was completed by 7/20/14. The vehicle had experienced any further failures. Updated 2/24/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the repairs were unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 10/22/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator was illuminated and the coolant levels malfunctioned for over a week. The dealer stated that the passenger side seat belt pretensioner needed to be replaced. The coolant failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 55 MPH and drove over a pot hole when the vehicle suddenly stalled, causing the driver to crash into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to explode, causing fatal injuries to a passenger. The driver was removed from the vehicle within seconds of the explosion however, the passenger could not be rescued. A police report was filed. The driver was transported to the hospital for treatment of severe bruising, lacerations and fractures to both legs. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 ( air bags , electrical system) and stated that the recall notification was not received until after the incident. The VIN and failure mileage was not available.
While traveling, the vehicle started to jerk as if the brakes were being applied. Contacted the dealer and was informed that this is common in the cobalts until the car knows your driving habits. Same occurrence in the 2007 cobalt. The dealer had to adjust the transmission. Dealer will not take action as to date for this issue stating that it hasn't had a chance to adjust to the driving habits. We had the car for more than a few months and put over 3000 miles on it. Car doesn't feel safe to drive on major highways. Dealer is made aware of this. Informed by dealer, not a safety issue.
I was driving my chevy cobalt when I arrived at the gas station I could not turn off the car. The key was stuck in the driving position and would not release. I then proceeded to go to my father's house to try and have him help me remove the key and shut off the car. He was not able to as well. I then called a chevrolet dealer located on sw 152 st in miami, fl where I was told that this was a recall problem and that I should;d bring in the vehicle but that it would take about a week to fix. On the way there, my car began to overheat. I then pulled over and tried again to attempt to shut off the car and remove the key. The car reached 300 degrees fahrenheit and soon after shut off, leaving me stranded with my two small children. I had the car towed to a mechanic in hialeah, fl where I was told that the engine was blown due to the car overheating. I then called gm and explained this to them, I then was advised to call the service manager at miami lakes chevrolet. The car has since been towed there as I was told the car would need to be diagnosed. However, miami lakes chevrolet is now hassling me that they can not touch my vehicle because it is a rebuilt title vehicle, although I have repeatedly explained that had my car been able to be cut off then it would not have overheated to it's maximum and I would still have a vehicle. I am very upset as I was unaware of the key ignition recall and I am now left carless which is my livihood for my kids and family as well as I am still making payments on a vehicle which is not functioning due to a recall I had not clue about!
My keys can be taken out while car is still running. Also the switch sticks and you have to play with it to get it to turn . I call gm and was told that 2008 cobalts are not on recall.the key has came out while driving. Gm call center told me to take to dealer have it checked I am afraid that they will charge me to replace it and just ignore the problem on the 2008 cobalt.
Ignition switch jams; air bag light stays on; cruise control stopped working; airconditioner stopped working; tire light stays on; engine light stays on; and now heater is barely working.
The engine lost power momentarily going up hill on a county highway. Then the engine started it's self and kept moving. On a humid 80 degree day.
On my way home from work in heavy traffic in indianapolis, someone in front of me hit their brakes hard. As a result, I also had to slam on my brakes. When I did so, my rear end spun out. I lost power steering. I crashed head first into the concrete median. However, the airbag did not deploy. Luckily, I escaped severe injury; although the wreck, the resulting loss of power steering, and the fact that the airbag did not deploy were directly due to the negligence of general motors.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. The contact shut off the vehicle and once restarted, the vehicle resumed normally. The contact indicated that the failure was recurring. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but the defect could not be duplicated and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.
2008 chevy cobalt died on the highway going 70 MPH. No warning just stopped dead. No power steering. Car was able to get to side of road. A few minutes later car started up normally. If there had been anyone behind the car the individual would have been seriously injured or worse. I know there is a recall for this same problem but it does not include the 2008 cobalt. We have had the car fixed twice with no guarantee that it is correct. Have spent a lot of money. Please look into this issue and advise. My daughter drives this car and is terrified to go on the highway with it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering sensor light illuminated as the power steering assist failed. The contact indicated that after shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the defect was corrected. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
2008 cobalt, gave us no indication of problems. Now dealer is saying this 5 year old car may have slipped it's timing belt and destroyed it's head and valves requiring a new motor. This should be recalled because chevy does not recommend timing chain maintenance at a set mileage. It's supposed to last. The fact that such a big engine failure can happen to so many of these cars just 5 month after warranty end at 90 thousand miles makes this a design flaw in my opinion.
My most important issue with my 2008 cobalt lt is that my engine is gone which I think is horrible and I purchased this car brand new I have been the only owner and have taking very good care of my vehicle, I will never buy a gm product again, through reading all the complaints I cant believe this vehicle hasn't been recalled my car started shaking really bad, and making a loud ticking noise, it was very hard to stop and also steer my vehicle I could have been in a very fatal crash or anything! My car also has the same issue about the speakers they go in and out and work when they want to. But my main issue is my engine in which my car I is longer under warranty and the dealership said it is nothing they can do for me, which I believe is totally absurd considering im still making payments on a vehicle that doesn't work, and is only 5 years old, so basically that means to me they will cover your car for 5 years or 100,000 miles then your just on your own which is horrible, to invest and buy a vehicle brand new and it just breaks down in this magnitude! I am very upset and disappointed that they aren't willing to help, so I will be suing them!
2008 chevrolet cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to replacement of sway bars, links, wheel bearing and engine. Vehicle currently has steering wheel mechanical issues.
The vehicle's rpms and engine will surge making it difficult to control the speed of the vehicle.
My vehicle started have a slight gas odor when stopped or parked. Within a couple of days the gas smell from fumes are very strong. I have to drive with the windows down to even use the vehicle (living in texas is it hot and makes it hotter with the window down) the car seems to now make a clicking noise when starting, and seems to not have the gas mileage that it use to. I am afraid of something igniting the gas with such strong fumes. I called parkway chevrolet in tomball texas as was told that a recall was coming, but it was not out yet. I was told that I have to pay out of pocket or fear ignition of the fumes from the vehicle. We are in the middle of international adoption and money is tight. Can you give any indication of when this would be an actual recall? And when it might be mailed out? It saddens me to see that they know a recall is coming and wont fix a vehicle with apparent dangers. Also now my passenger airbag light is coming on saying that it needs attention.
Late 2011 my car starting having issues with the rpms going up and down while I was driving at a steady pace. By dec 2011 my car smelled like it had a small fuel leak; one that I could only smell while my car was idling. Since february 2012 the smell of gasoline has gone from a faint smell while idling to an almost unbearable smell that I can smell even doing 70+ MPH on the freeway. With the fuel lines not allowing enough fuel to be pumped into my engine it also does not like to start if it has been sitting for more than a few hours. I have to turn the key let the engine turn over a few times, let it sit, then attempt to start it up again. Chevy has had this problem with their cobalt's since they have started making them it seems. They have not fixed the problem with the 2008's they have just chosen to ignore that our cars have this issue as well. When I call the dealership they tell me that the 2008 models do not have the issue that the earlier models had, but they are more than happy to diagnose the problem for me at a cost of $150 and they can fix it at double the price anywhere else because they are a dealership. No thank you! I will not pay chevy to fix a problem that they have caused and refuse to fix. I do know that I will not be buying another chevy once I am able to get rid of this car.
My aircondition quits blowing cool air off and on the buttons are wrong. Engine light comes on and off. The airbag light comes on and off.
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