Problems · NHTSA complaints

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems

Owners filed 940 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt with NHTSA between Feb 2008 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is steering (311).

Complaints
940
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
76
Reported by owners
Fires
15
Reported by owners
Injuries
79
People reported injured
Deaths
13
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering311
  2. Fuel/propulsion system207
  3. Electrical system172
  4. Air bags102
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic76
  6. Engine42
  7. Fuel system, gasoline42
  8. Power train29
  9. Suspension27
  10. Service brakes24
  11. Vehicle speed control23
  12. Exterior lighting20
  13. Seat belts19
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)18

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20088
200963
2010119
201161
201283
201342
2014156
201583
201662
201759
201853
201942
202039
202134
202213
202312
20245
20254
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

311 reports37 crashes4 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was turned off for a while and restarted for the power steering functionality to return. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the power steering warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that it was a known failure with the power steering. The mechanic confirmed the power steering failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025SteeringODI 11669269

Fuel/propulsion system

207 reports5 fires
“The ignition doest work right n want release the key the car dies n stalls while driving we was almost hit by a trooper n he called we spoke to 2 people n they had a gm call us n they said that this has been a big concern of these cars n we tried n tried to get it fixed n they say sorry can't can they when something they built wrong kills me or my family my vin [XXX] 2008 CHEVY COBALT [XXX] IS MY NUMBER”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 19, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11661851

Electrical system

172 reports7 crashes5 fires2 related recalls
“Our vehicle has had zero accidents the airbag light showed up on dashboard stating check airbags. Then as far as electrical the headlights seem to turn on there own at times. We feel this perhaps is a recall not known yet.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11653303

Air bags

102 reports36 crashes3 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V047000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11628474

Service brakes, hydraulic

76 reports1 crash
“2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORROSION OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND IMPAIRMENT OF FULL SYSTEM BRAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AN INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2016Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10836173

Engine

42 reports3 crashes2 fires
“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The failure occurred a total of 4 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2021Steering, EngineODI 11429244
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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