Problems · by component

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system, gasoline problems

215 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt cite fuel system, gasoline, 9% of all 2,330 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
215
9% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel system, gasoline

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2025Fuel system, gasoline, EngineODI 11676098
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact became aware that fuel had been puddling underneath the vehicle. The contact had previously noticed an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 59,410.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2023Fuel system, gasolineODI 11519846
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while standing outside the vehicle a fuel odor was detected. The contact also stated that while driving, there was a fuel odor detected inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was awaiting an appointment. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue. The manufacturer informed the contact of a fuel pump module replacement coverage under Manufacturer Communication Number: 09275. Future Chevrolet (4811 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841) was contacted and the contact was still awaiting a callback. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 69,817.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11459710
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion on the rear driver’s side undercarriage of the vehicle. Due to the rust, the fuel lines started leaking. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2021Fuel system, gasoline, StructureODI 11420860
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, HE STARTED TO SMELL A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2021Fuel system, gasolineODI 11405035
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE FUEL ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED EVIDENCE OF THE FUEL LEAK ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELKINS CHEVROLET (401 Route 73 SOUTH, MARLTON, NJ 08053, (856) 983-9200) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND LEAKING NEAR THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68369. *BF”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2020Fuel system, gasolineODI 11373829

Showing 6 of 215 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 29, 2009NHTSA 09V419000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.