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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering311
- Fuel/propulsion system207
- Electrical system172
- Air bags102
- Service brakes, hydraulic76
- Engine42
- Fuel system, gasoline42
- Power train29
- Suspension27
- Service brakes24
- Vehicle speed control23
- Exterior lighting20
- Seat belts19
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
8
63
119
61
83
42
156
83
62
59
53
42
39
34
13
12
5
4
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 63 |
| 2010 | 119 |
| 2011 | 61 |
| 2012 | 83 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 156 |
| 2015 | 83 |
| 2016 | 62 |
| 2017 | 59 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 42 |
| 2020 | 39 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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”
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.”
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.”
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”
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.”
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.