2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · 259,000 miles · OR

Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · NN

Increasingly the vehicle is not operating properly. The lighting is not consistent and the smallest addition of extra features requiring power (ex: using one or more window controls, heater and or defogger, lighting in dash at full capacity, musical performance, radio and bass, etc) will cause the power of existing devices to flutter or surge for example the headlights will dim out when turning the windows down or the vehicle will begin to vibrate and shake even more almost as though it is overpowering and wanting to shut down or quit. Also the rpms will feel like they are hiccuping or bouncing down and up more than usual and at random times and speeds at times seems like its going to red line even if you take your foot off the gas. This is also a bit of the same type of issue but it is the opposite when you push the gas it hesitates or something like that glitches or jolts and gains power very slowly and has a hard time accelerating and gaining speed (seems gutless?) . And at stop lights and whenever parked its rumbles and shakes all together let alone if you are using the radio or heat etc it's loud enough to have to get the people in vehicle to almost yell when talking over it or if you are in a drive through the person can't hear you and either have to stut off the engine or speak to them in person at the next window. Also when you are slowing down to stop it almost seems the engine will be faster than the body or something like that (I know sounds crazy but I don't know how to explain it any other way) . I've come to the conclusion that it will be fuel and or electricity related or both. Its also randomly showing a few different codes and then suddenly they go away all to do with fuel pressure or syster or evap type thing. Without clearing them they resolve themselves without any work or anything witch also seems very oddto me. Thankyou in advance for reading.

Filed Oct 30, 2017 · Lights · 115,000 miles · WI

Drivers side low beam randomly goes on and off. Drivers headlight replace 2 times and problem remains, high beams and all other outside lights work ok. Checked the internet and many others with chevy cars have this problem. Happens randomly, when starting, stopping or driving fast or slow, turning right or left or going straight

Filed Jan 9, 2017 · Lights · 100,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the headlights would suddenly shut off or sometimes would not operate at all. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 03/16/17*lj

Filed May 26, 2016 · Body, Wheels · OH

At 3:30am, the front passenger side douglas performance gt-h tire 195/60r15 88h tire spontaneously exploded while sitting in my garage. It bent the metal frame around the wheel well, blew the headlight out completely, and caused damage to the interior of the wheel well.

Filed Sep 10, 2015 · Lights · 158,783 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 10 MPH, there was a burning odor coming from the headlights. The contact discovered that the vehicle caught fire. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,783.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · MT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the instrument panel display would illuminate extremely dimly causing the instrument gauges to become difficult to read. The contact discovered that the headlight wiring harness burned and melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 95,487 miles · MA

Was driving over to a friends house got pulled over for a front headlight being out. Found out its the same headlight I replaced 3 months ago and this is the same issue that I have with this cars lights every 3 to 4 months. Its either the front headlight bulbs need to be replace or rear light bulbs need to be replace and I can not plug in a car charge for my phone cause of a burning smell that comes from somewhere within the car. I had this investigated by three people who service cars and they can not find the problem they tell me to bring it to the dealer.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Lights · 45,000 miles · TX

Seals surrounding the front right headlight front plate have deteriorated and are allowing water to enter the headlight assembly while driving in the rain or using a car wash. This has caused shorts in the wiring and corrosion of the electrical contacts.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Electrical · 18,000 miles · WA

Car alarm went off while parked and locked. No apparent reason why it was going off. It did this several times that day. At times, I will lock the vehicle only to come out and see that it is unlocked. I have been having problems with the remote key fob. I replaced the battery and not much changed. Also, on this vehicle, I noticed that when I put the car into park,the headlights went off. When the engine was shut off the lights went out immediately instead of staying on for a couple of minutes like they are supposed too.

Filed Sep 12, 2009 · Electrical · WA

To whom it may concern; my problem happens to be a serious one involving the head lamps of our 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The incidents have occurred without warning and on multiple occasions. What I speak of is the lights, upon engaging only the right turn signal shut off,flicker....with no control for a period of only a few seconds. Now, the concern I have is with the potential for myself or other motorists to have serious complications. During that small period of time in which the headlamps failed, my family's life was jeopardized,which is something I should not have to,and will not tolerate. I have made attempts to correct malfunction by using chevy dealer technicians. Problem was allegedly fixed,then occurred again. Please help me with any information you might be able to provide to further aid my progress in correcting this problem before someone gets hurt.