2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 50,000 miles · PA

The vehicle began having electrical problem a few years after purchase in 2008. The power windows became non operable, radio speakers stopped working, door locks don't unlock via power switch, AC/ heat issues (doesn't function properly), and wire harnesses near seat belt column (where belt meets floor) became severed from seat belt column movement.... This caused air bags to stop functioning.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Body, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · MI

Issue #1) fuel leak from top of fuel tank. This creates a strong fuel smell in cabin during any operation, and fuel leaking on driveway after operation. Fumes are strong enough that any open flame in cabin would detonate creating death and/or critical injury. The fuel pump has been replaced once in aug 2017 costing over $600 dollars. Issue #2) both interior front door handles have broken resulting in doors being unable to open doors normally. To open doors, windows must be cranked down opening doors using the outside handle. The failure area is where door latch cable connects to rear of door handles. Both door handles have been replaced, but replaced service handles have sharp edges from plastic flash. Both issues are critical to safe vehicle operation. This could result in death and/or critical injury if either issue fails during any vehicle operation. As a disabled veteran, husband and father, both vehicle issues are dangerous and lack the resources to keep repairing these failures. An investigation, recall and/or replacement is needed asap.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · PA

I was driving to work like normal on a street that goes 30 miles per hour and my door locks started locking and unlocking rapidly by themselves and the electricity was going on and off in the vehicle when I regained control of my vehicle the power steering showed up on my information dashbroad also the speedometer was dead it was no longer working it also became more difficult to handle the vehicle I took it to my mechanic and he said there has to be a recall as the car only has about 50,000 miles it I checked the website nhsta using my VIN number and it says there is no recall so checked the recalls for all chevy cobalt 2008 and all of the had the recall for the electrical and power steering so I called my local chevy dealer and explained everything and then they asked for my VIN so I give it to them and they say there is no recall on this particular chevy cobalt and the they can't help me.

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Electrical · 116,500 miles · GA

Multiple times (not only today) my vehicle did not let me open the doors, the passenger door handle had too much give and did not allow my passenger to open their (passenger) door. I had to walk around the car and try to open it from the outside, which did not work, either. After a few minutes of trying I banged my fist next to the lock, which allowed the car to open. This has also happened to me on the driver's side door. Luckily, there was not an emergency, but if there were, if we were in an accident or the car was on fire, we might have been trapped in the vehicle. Another issue the car is having is stereo problems and speaker malfunction. My front speakers do not work at all and the front left (driver speaker) is the one warning chimes come out of, including the blinker. I have researched this problem and it is a very common malfunction. It is not dangerous per se, but a blinker left on unknowingly could easily result in an accident. I have researched both of the issues online, especially the latter is very common for cobalt owners. I have contacted gm, and was told I need to get the vehicle diagnosed for my own money, even though it clearly is a malfunction by the parts/flaw in design to get gm customers to pay premiums for fixing parts that should not go wrong.

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Body · 80,390 miles · TN

I am using my partner's grandparent's 2008 chevrolet cobalt ls to get back and for to work. This morning I got up as usual, and went out to my car to let it warm up. I started my car, mind you I keep the driver's side door open because my car automatically locks, and started the car. Doors locked as per usual. However, upon hitting the unlock button on my key fob, the driver's side door would not unlock, passenger side did. I rolled down the window and closed the door, I didn't have a choice, I have to work. Anyway, I had to climb in through either the open window or the passenger side. I called reeder chevrolet in knoxville and they stated that it would be several hundred dollars to fix potentially one of two parts in the vehicle. I wouldn't have minded if I hadn't done my research and found out that there have been several hundred different people who have had the same problem, and no one has done a recall on this or done anything about it. The dealers half the time say they don't know what is causing it or they have never heard of it before. I would greatly appreciate it if someone actually did a recall because this is ridiculous.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · VA

Took car to dealer on gm ignition switch recall; there was nothing wrong with the car mechanically when they took possession. They had the car for about 6 weeks , they moved it around on their lot by their own admission, did a req oil change and when we went to pick up they had lost the keys. When they agreed to make new keys, they could not get the automatic door lock to work and after now 6 months of discussions they still wont take responsibility although a second dealership has looked at it and says "they must have shorted out the system changing the ignition or programming the keys" .. I need help getting them to fix the locks.

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · Lights, Locks · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the turn signal flasher and the front passenger door latches became inoperable intermittently. Also, the contact mentioned that the tire gauges were misreading the opposite tires and when attempting to turn the steering wheel a warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 30, 2014 · Electrical · VA

Chevrolet dealership took possession of car beginning of june with nothing wrong to appearance or mechanically ; july 18 they call saying the car is ready to be picked up from the work on the recall issue for ignition switches. First they only wanted to give us one single key when we gave them two with the elec remotes; hour later they produce 2 key/ 2 remotes and apologize that they apparently lost the keys as they had moved the car around multiple time over last 2 months....then when key will only start the car and the remotes don't work and door locks cannot be locked or unlocked; they told us to schedule to bring it back to pay to have it repaired! The recall was on the ignition which we were told required they replace it / make new keys and program them to the car and the doors.....they did not: dealership was very rude saying car is old andmust have been something else wrong with it..there was not ! And that someone had "screwed with and taken off a panel on the column"..we never work on our own cars. This car was previously worked on by another chevrolet dealership several years ago and they switched out the ignition switch because our service rep there had heard of a lot of problems and suggested it; this latest repair, we were told to have it done again as they didn't know if the right parts were used when it was worked on before. I exp all that to the dealership and service manager adv them they could call or go on their sites etc and see what work was done on this car. This car is not safe if they leave it where the doors cannot be locked. My daughter is one who drives this and is 4 hours away from home at college in washington dc. I've contacted chevy customer service over a week ago and still no response. Am I supposed to get an attorney at my expense, call my congressman, or what ?

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 100,000 miles · IL

My 2008 cobalt ignition locked up while parked. Car was towed to chevrolet and they switched it out. Had no ability to turn key, wheel or anything. Everything locked up completely. I finally got my chevrolet cobalt back (2 months) from the dealership with a brand new key for the ignition. Went to get into the car and they didn't switch the door locks. Now they cut corners and refuse to pay for or change my door locks so I have to carry around 2 separate keys. I have called chevrolet customer service and they say it is my fault. I have heard of several other owners of cobalts or owners of chevrolets that had the same thing happen.

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 39,000 miles · MO

The very first incident I experienced with my power steering was nothing major. I was trying park my car and it suddenly became very hard to steer. I powered the car off for a minute and then restarted it. Once the car was restarted the problem went away. Shortly after that the doors would not unlock. I was unable to get into my car for hours. After much prying, we were able to get into the car but now the driver's door lock has to be locked manually or unlocked with the key in door. Months down the line the power steering issue came back but only worse. It happened while I was driving. A dinging noise went off, "power steering" flashed across the dashboard, and all the gauges went wiggling. It startled me. Again, I pulled over and cut the engine for a spell and waited. After a few moments I turned the car back on and it was like nothing ever happened. The third time was the worst time thus far. I was exiting the highway and suddenly the noise came back and flashed power steering. It was much worse this time. The car was hard to steer, the car roughly jerked, and I could not exelerate. Thankfully I made it home 5 minutes later, but by then the engine light had come on. I found out that my car was recalled for this very reason. When I called chevrolet they said that the previous owners had to have brought my car in during the recall because my car didn't have any open recalls. If my car was truly brought in for the recall then why is my car not fixed? And more importantly why do they expect me to pay for it? They are endagering my life as well as others'. Passing cars off as though they are fixed when really they are not is criminal and something needs to be done. If need be I will pay for my own car but what about all the other cars that they've "fixed"? A young lady died from her power steering failing and you would think that would be enough to fix their mistake.

Filed Oct 7, 2013 · Body, Locks · 102,000 miles · ND

Door doesn't latch when shut. Also, on occasion, neither the inside nor outside door handle will open the latch. If there is a fire, the driver has little chance of escaping the vehicle without injury. Also the door can open while driving and cause life threatening injuries.

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Locks · 79,300 miles · NM · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the door locks failed and while entering a residential driveway, a small child passenger was able to open the door while the vehicle was still moving and fall. The child sustained lacerations to the face as a result. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 79,300 and the current mileage was 79,900.