The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the contact had to manually steer the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle without power steering functionality. The contact stated that additional electrical failures had occurred. The contact also stated that the ABS activated and deactivated independently, and the traction control became inoperable. The instrument panel also became inoperable, and the contact was unable to see the speedometer and fuel gauge functions on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Chevrolet Cobalt fuel gauge problems
43 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 2007 model year.
- owner complaints
- 43
- worst model year
- 2007
- typical mileage
- 100,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 9Fuel smell 8Fuel leak 8Check engine light 7Stalling 4Fuel pump 4Warning lights 3Steering lock-up 3
What owners say
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after driving to a local store and turning off the vehicle, the contact then returned to the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the fuel level sensor circuit and cam shaft position sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
Fuel leaking underneath car. I filled the tank fully and drove to work 5 miles. Afterwork I get in car and as I got closer the odor of raw gasoline fumes were noticed. I drove home parking on dirt no leaks seen next day as I'm going to work, I look at the gas gauge to see nearly a 1/4 of tank is gone. I get to work, let the car sit for 2 hours. When looking underneath the car, I had noticed a puddle of gasoline under the car with again a strong odor of gasoline. Car is not driven in the winter and is kept in garage during winter seasons
I was driving home and noticed a gas smell. I pulled over and noticed a major leak of gas coming from in front of the left rear tire. My fuel gauge went from half to nothing in a matter of minutes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed fuel on the ground underneath the driver's side rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was started and the fuel gauge read empty. The contact added fuel and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel lines were rusted through causing the fuel leak. The mechanic replaced the vehicle fuel lines. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. *bf
Fuel leaking in front of rear driver side tire. Fuel order can be smelled getting in and out of the car as well. Big puddles of fuel once the car is parked. My fuel gauge goes down pretty rapidly because of this issue (obviously).
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The steering wheel was hard to turn. The power steering warning light illuminated while the failure occurred. The contact also stated that when the accelerator pedal was engaged the vehicle failed to respond while the RPM dropped to zero. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge read empty, when the fuel tank was filled. The contact also stated that the tire pressure monitoring system also failed. The TPMS provided inaccurate tire pressure. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an unknown mechanic who performed a diagnostic test but was unable to locate a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing various electrical failures. The check engine, power steering, and traction warning indicators were illuminated and the RPM gauge increased erratically even when the vehicle was parked. In addition, the power steering seized at any given moment. When the vehicle was restarted, the failures went away; however, the transmission shifted harshly when changing gears. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge always displayed as empty even though fuel was present. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 154,000.
I already had a recall on the fuel pump or modular and then on the ignition switch. The check engine light has always been on. They couldn't get it to go off even when they did those repairs, then one day the turn signals stopped turning off after making a turn. The newest problem and the scariest one to me is now a gas leak. I went out and started my car, started to reverse and then smelled a strong odor of gas. I stopped and noticed my gas gauge actually going down. So I shut the car off hurried up and got my kids out and then saw the gas pouring on the road from under my car. I can't believe the problems that I've had with this car. Chevy needs to be held accountable for these problems. It's their cheap mistakes. The only reason I have continued to keep the car is because it belonged to my little brother who died in a tragic car cash with his pregnant fianc and my father. So I haven't wanted to part with it. I have seen that others have had the same problems and apparently there was recalls for some of these problems on others but not for my VIN. How is that right? They need to be responsible for fixing this and they need to fix everything correctly this time. I need help with this problem, I'm not sure where else to turn at this point.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact noticed a strong odor of fuel and noticed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not working. The dealer (sunrise chevrolet buick gmc, 4605 s houston levee rd, collierville, tn 38017) was contacted and a technician informed the contact the dealer would not be responsible for the repair cost since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 263,000.
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
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle performance may be affected.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, saturn at 1‑800‑972‑8876 and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 09V419000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Cobalt fuel gauge
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2007 (11 complaints), 2006 (10 complaints) and 2005 (7 complaints).
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