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Chevrolet Cobalt fuel leak problems

723 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
723
worst model year
2006
typical repair cost reported
$700
typical mileage
94,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · AZ

Fuel Leak it smells and leaks it seems to be coming from the gas tank and sometimes I get random electric failure when I'm driving I lose power steering and My brakes get stiff and hard to push down and my dash will go Off and then go crazy and show that i have no gas

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Fuel system · NV

I observed my mother’s 2007 Chevy Cobalt was leaking fuel near the rear tire by the fuel tank. I inspected the tank with engine off and it does not leak. Only with engine running. I lowered the tank and observed a small crack on the plastic return line on the fuel pump module. I started looking online and could not find a replacement part that was plastic. I then conducted more research and found the recall. I asked my mother and she stated she never received a recall. The recall was issued on 09-19-12. NHSTA ID#12v459000

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Fuel system · 17,311 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair; however, the mechanic found a fuel leak and an abnormal gasoline odor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 17,311.

Filed Jul 15, 2025 · MO

Our daughter observed a significant puddle forming under her vehicle and noticed a strong smell of gasoline. She sent us a video, which clearly showed gasoline leaking from the driver-side rear area of the car. Due to the proximity of the fuel leak to the exhaust pipe, we had the car towed to a mechanic, as it was too dangerous to drive. The mechanic diagnosed the issue as a severely rusted-out fuel line that required immediate repair. At no point did the vehicle display any warning lights or alerts related to this issue. Alarmingly, our daughter had unknowingly driven the car while the leak was occurring, unaware of the serious fire risk this posed. We believe this is a serious safety hazard that could lead to a fire or explosion and strongly urge an investigation. This failure occurred without warning and could have resulted in a catastrophic outcome. We are fortunate this was caught in time, but others may not be as lucky.

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Fuel system · PA

The fuel line is leaking fuel on the drivers side near the passenger door. The leak is to the point where it is pooling under the door on the ground.

Filed Jan 11, 2024 · Fuel system · AZ

Started smelling gas when driving vehicle. Found fuel leak on top of fuel tank. Took vehicle to Mesa Auto Works (480‑969‑1954) on [XXX] and they diagnosed a Fuel Pump Module broken and leaking fuel. Replaced unit at a cost of $730.22 with the fuel pump module costing $382.80. This defect could have resulted in a car fire and or worse. Definitely a safety issue. I have searched online and found many other complaints about this same defect. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 4, 2023 · Fuel system · GA

2008 Chevy Cobalt has become unsafe to drive as it is leaking fuel out the bottom of car

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Fuel system · PA

Gas Line corroded near Driver rear wheel due to design of gas line bracket/shield. A bit of research finds that this is not an uncommon occurence and is solely based on the poor design of the shield. Gas leaks on driveway and smell of raw gasoline promoted the finding of this issue. It required complete replacement of gasl line and a total of over $1,000 in total cost.

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Heavy fuel leak

Filed Sep 6, 2023 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor near the fuel tank. There was fuel leaking from the fuel cap. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported September 19, 2012 · 49,768 vehicles affected
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 pumpReported October 29, 2009 · 69,139 vehicles affected
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 leak

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have fuel leak problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (202 complaints), 2007 (186 complaints) and 2009 (132 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix fuel leak on the Chevrolet Cobalt?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 72 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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