2009 Chevrolet Cobalt: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 15, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

Wiring harness is located too close to the human under the driver's seat. Exposes the driver to electrical frequencies that could be avoided if the wire harness was a further distance away from the human. Also, the the fuel line rusted through after 9 years about 9 inches away from the rear axle where the metal tape ends around the fuel line. The metal tape seems to allow more moisture to become trapped around the fuel line; which promotes rust and a leak where the metal tap ends. After the metal tape, the fuel line is in good condition on this specific vehicle. The fuel leak is about 0.5 inches wide and a lot of gasoline drips / leaks after the car is started. The rust particles are located after the fuel filter; which may promote the rust particles to reach the engine via the rusted fuel line. The car has trouble starting (a delay) and needs to have the key turned twice due to the leak. The leak is very close to the muffler, so it seems like it would be at risk of catching on fire if the muffler was hot enough or if it were traveling on a long trip or going up or down a steep hill. The vehicle has been inspected by police. There were no warning lamps or lights.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · NY

The fuel lines have corroded causing a hazardous gas leak by the fuel tank which could have caused a severe fire and or explosion while driving. I noticed a gas smell in the vehicle when parked and upon further investigation recognized a gas drip by the the corroded fuel lines and gas traveling down the lines from the leak. Thankfully I noticed this before a fire would have occurred. Had I had a disability with no sense of smell or covid19 and no sense of smell this issue could have gone unnoticed possibly causing a fatal hazard should the car have caught on fire while driving. My garage could have also caught fire. Stainless steel should not rust and this is clearly a dangerous defect by the manufacturer. This matter should be addressed and a recall addressed.

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Engine · 140,000 miles · NJ · fire

The vehicle overheated and shutdown while traversing rt 287 near boonton at speeds around 65. I coasted off an exit and came to a stop at park ave and wootton st. While I was waiting for my vehicle to cool down so I could either fix/continue driving, it had become apparent that the engine compartment had started to combust. Noticeable by the sound of the fire. That left me rushing to empty out the vehicle of belongings in the middle of the road before the vehicle completely engulfed into flames. Note that prior to the engine overheating absolutely no warning lights nor indicators had turned on. When vehicle overheated the temperature light turned on and that was all until the vehicle was actually on fire and had shut itself off.

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Fuel system · 141,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the driveway smelt fuel but noticed no leak however noticed that the rear of the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The contact then started the vehicle and noticed fuel spraying on the exhaust pipe. The contact stated he jacked the vehicle up to inspect the undercarriage and noticed that the fuel line was severely rusted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2015 · Fuel system · 81,285 miles · VA

Smelt fuel near the car when leaving work about 6:30 pm on 10/3/15. Car did not initially start. Took car to auto zone to have battery, alternator and started checked, which were all in proper working condition. The auto zone worker could smell fuel also and inspected for a leak. He found the leak near the left rear tire. The next day firestone inspected the car and provided the following: "found hard fuel lines rotted out above the lr tire. Recommend taking to dealership to have new line assembly installed." a local auto mechanic informed me that the part leaking on my car is the same part recalled on other gm vins. He told me to stop driving the car immediately. He told me the only reason my car didn't catch on fire is because of all the recent rain we have had.

Filed Jun 10, 2015 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · VA

Recently smelled a gas odor. Started looking under car and found a leak in the fuel line. The leak is right underneath the rear side of the drivers door. The fuel lines run through a plastic clip that attaches the lines to the chassis of the car. The recall that previously came out was for the fuel pump module not the line itself. The leak in the fuel line is right at this plastic clip which is less than an inch away from a pipe that gets extremely hot while driving. There are numerous complaints of this all over the internet. I found numerous complaints of the issue that some had posted a picture of it and it is the exact same spot as on my vehicle. Here is a link to one of the complaints that shows the picture: http://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t33495_ds573685 I just feel like a fuel leak that is about a half inch away from a steaming hot pipe on numerous vehicles of the same model/make/year is a huge safety issue. Last thing I need is my car catching on fire with my daughter and I inside of it.

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Electrical · 48,700 miles · FL

I was driving in a local, when all the sudden, the windshield wiper started pumping water by itself and the wipers went on by itself. When all the water was pumped out, the was a burning odor and smoke started coming out through the AC vents. I turn the AC off; parked on the side, opened the hoop and there was not any smoke coming out any where. I returned inside the car turned on, kept the windows down because of the smell inside, and went back home. I refilled the windshield pump with cleaning fluid, turned the car on, tried the windshield and the are ok. I noticed right after that my AC and or heater is not working at all. I check with a mechanist who told me after several test, that it seems the AC/heater control panel when bad. This incident scared the expletive out of my son who was in the car with me at that time.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Fuel system · MI

2009 chevrolet cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to malfunction of check engine light on instrument cluster and noticeable fuel odor recall notice. *smd the consumer stated he recently received a recall letter, stating his vehicle could catch on fire. In the letter, it listed the symptoms of the conditon. The consumer stated he already experienced the sytmptoms and made an appintment at the local dealer. The letter stated the repair would be free. However, the dealer refused toll at the vehicle, unless, he paid $49.95.

Filed May 18, 2011 · Engine · 45,890 miles · LA

I was on the highway driving from new orleans, la to meridian, ms. When I was about 35 miles outside of meridian, ms, my car shut off and a cloud of white smoke came from the engine. None of the indicator lights came on to let me know that there was a problem. I had the 2009 chevy cobalt towed to the nearest chevy dealer in meridian who told me that the engine was defective and a rod had slipped out of the engine. This took just over two weeks to order the new engine and repair it. The very next day after the engine was repaired, I had the car started but when I went to turn it off, the key was stuck in the ignition. I tried to remove the key but it would not budge. As a result, the engine began to overheat. The tow truck driver had to disconnect the fuses and battery and allow the car to cool before he could tow it.

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Engine · 8,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 30 to 35 MPH on normal road conditions. Suddenly, smoke expelled from the front end of the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the road to inspect underneath the hood and the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The fire and police department were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a collision center. There were no personal injuries. The cause of failure has not been determined at this time. The failure mileage was 8,000. Updated 03/01/10 *bf updated 09/07/10