2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1649 |
| 2006 | 2330 |
| 2007 | 1564 |
| 2008 | 843 |
| 2009 | 710 |
| 2010 | 573 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
35% of complaints: steering — 296 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
MY 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER HAD A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IN HER VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH ON TODAY 11/29/2018 WE CHECK THE RECALL LIST BEFORE WE PURCHASED HER VEHICLE AND IT WAS LISTED AS SAFE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20181129
AT APPROXIMATELY 7:55 A.M. ON MONDAY, APRIL 16TH, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON STATE ROUTE 605 TO WORK (CENTER VILLAGE/NEW ALBANY OHIO AREA).
NHTSA ODI report, 20120418
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120418
24% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 202 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
Heavy fuel leak
NHTSA ODI report, 20230913
18% of complaints: electrical system — 152 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH11% of complaints: air bags — 89 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY COBALT LT AT ABOUT 30MPH ON A SUNNY AND BEAUTIFUL DAY WHEN FOR NO REASON AT ALL THE DRIVERS SIDE, PASSENGERS FRONT, PASSENGERS SIDE, AND BOTH REAR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SECURE STOP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080925
4% of complaints: engine — 36 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
Heavy fuel leak
NHTSA ODI report, 20230913
SAFETY TIMELINE
Electric Power Steering Failure
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS O
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED
Campaign 10V073000 — check if this car was fixed
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 20
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 r
Campaign 12V459000 — check if this car was fixed
UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for...
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge.
Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if...
Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect.
Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Line Leak
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (296 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (202 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (152 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 10V073000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V459000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.