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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: fuel leak

114 of the 845 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt describe fuel leak.

owner complaints
114
of this car's complaints
13%
typical repair cost reported
$691
typical mileage
105,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Fuel leak by model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

The fuel line is leaking fuel on the drivers side near the passenger door. The leak is to the point where it is pooling under the door on the ground.

Filed Nov 4, 2023 · Fuel system · GA

2008 Chevy Cobalt has become unsafe to drive as it is leaking fuel out the bottom of car

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Fuel system · PA

Gas Line corroded near Driver rear wheel due to design of gas line bracket/shield. A bit of research finds that this is not an uncommon occurence and is solely based on the poor design of the shield. Gas leaks on driveway and smell of raw gasoline promoted the finding of this issue. It required complete replacement of gasl line and a total of over $1,000 in total cost.

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Heavy fuel leak

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Fuel system · MO

Vehicle has a fuel leak from rear of vehicle. Smells of fuel in cabin. Found shields wet with fuel. Seems there should be some recall on this. This is the 2nd cobalt I've owned with the same issue.

Filed Jan 14, 2023 · Fuel system · OH

I have a major fuel leak in a fuel line close to the drivers side rear wheel . It's so bad that it was leaving a line of gas on the road as I drove. It smelled of gas a few days prior but I was unable to tell where it originated from.

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · MN

The contact's son owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact’s son stated that once he had parked the vehicle, he saw fuel leaking from underneath the rear driver’s side wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: PE20011 (Fuel System, Other). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2022 · Fuel system · 170,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel on the passenger’s side in front of the rear tire. The contact stated that the fuel odor was also inside the cabin of the vehicle while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the fuel line had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2022 · Fuel system · NJ

On July 17,2018 I saw my 2008 Chevy Cobalt was leaking fuel in my driveway around the driver's side rear tire. I had it towed to my in-town mechanic, as I have Triple A. Paid $613.37 to replace the fuel line. On August 15th, 2022 same exact problem on my 2010 Cobalt. Another $553 to replace the fuel line. Chevrolet sent out a very confusing POSSIBLE recall letter in March 2013. But never officially told owners they would fix the problem with a recall letter. There have been many complaints on this problem on 2005-2010 Cobalts.

Filed Aug 1, 2022 · Fuel system · OH

The fuel lines on this 2008 cobalt have rusted out and leaving a visible fuel leak puddle after parking. The leak occurs in front of the driver side rear wheel. This area has a heat shield over the fuel line underneath which traps moisture and road salt. This leak has caused me to park my vehicle outside as a safety precaution and not drive it. The leak is near the exhaust which is a large safety risk in my opinion. I am taking to the dealer to have them confirm and quote out repair cost.

Filed Jul 23, 2022 · Fuel system · IL

I have to replace my fuel lines due to them rusting out over the left rear wheel well. I noticed a distinct smell of gas for a couple of rides to or from work. After a couple of rides, the smell was very strong and I happened to notice the gas dripping down under the car upon inspection. It was taken to a auto repair shop where I was told that this was a serious hazard and the gas lines would have to be replaced costing me $650. The mechanic said that the lines has rusted causing the leak. He also mentioned that this was a common problem with the 2008 chevy cobalt.

Filed Dec 18, 2021 · Fuel system · WA

I can smell a gas leak inside and outside of car just bought car for girlfriend don't want it to catch fire and kill her and daughter baby in car

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported September 19, 2012 · 49,768 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1‑800‑521‑7300.

Recall number 12V459000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel leak

Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

114 of 845 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (13%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2006.

How much does it cost to fix fuel leak on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $691 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?

There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

Power steering loss 99Fuel smell 98Fuel pump 74Steering lock-up 46Airbag light 32Engine failure 31Loss 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

All model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt

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