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.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: gas smell in the cabin
98 of the 845 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 98
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical repair cost reported
- $700
- typical mileage
- 100,300
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 4 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
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.
The contact's sister owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked or being driven, there was a fuel odor detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with Code: P2270. Additionally, there was a leak in the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
The fuel line rusted through and were leaking gas right next to the exhaust pipe! This should not happen!!! I’ve never had to replace fuel lines due to rust on any vehicle I’ve ever owned!!! Inferior metal and or poor design had to contribute to this! Thank God the car didn’t start on fire or blow up. My friend has a 2009 Cobalt and had the same problem!!! It cost me $1478.79 to repair this defect!! No warning other than the terrible gasoline odor!!! Please do something about this before someone is killed!!!
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, she smelled a fuel odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the origin of the odor. The contact stated the odor was coming from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure had been reoccurring and the fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle while the vehicle was running. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Fuel line near rear left (driver side) is leaking where held to vehicle. Noticed smell of fuel 8/16/21 then saw fresh fuel puddle 8/17. This can be inspected if need be It is a fuel leak which is very dangerous to anyone in or near the car. No one has inspected the vehicle No warning lights indicating there a problem
Puddles of fuel leaking from car. Pungent fuel smell on back seats and coming through vents. Clothes are smelling like gasoline when I step out of the car. Doesn't crank right away. 100s maybe even thousands of people have had the same problem with this car
Last october 2020, when entering the car, I smelled a very strong gasoline odor inside, and then noticed underneath, badly leaky fuel lines toward the left rear wheel well. A large pool of gasoline was also noticed on the pavement. I am including a photo of the corroded fuel line as file attachment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor inside of the vehicle while driving. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware of a fuel leak. The contact stated that gasoline was leaking onto the protective shield underneath the vehicle. The contact called tom gill chevrolet (7830 commerce dr, florence, ky 41042, (859) 371-7566) and was informed that there was a special coverage on the vehicle for the fuel pump. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was not covered due to the vehicle being listed as a flood damaged vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the status of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 131,000.
I have been noticing a gas smell for a few weeks and with further investigation I noticed that gas was leaking near the clip that holds the lines up by the driver's side rear tire. My mechanic noticed that when he cut back the heat shield that was a rusted out hole causing the leak. Both the fuel and the return line have rusted and are leaking.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- 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 smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
98 of 845 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (12%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 8 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
Fuel leak 114Power steering loss 99Fuel 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
VIN decoder
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