CarBrief

NHTSA has 940 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, and steering is the biggest group[1][2]. The model year also has four recalls that you should check before you buy or keep one[3].

940owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
25–29MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 940 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of these, 76 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 79 injuries and 13 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the largest component groups by number of complaints.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Steering[2] 311 68,000
Fuel/propulsion system[5] 207 100,675
Electrical system[6] 172 72,500
Air bags[7] 102 60,000
Brakes[8] 102 16,750
Engine[9] 51 66,894
Fuel system, gasoline[10] 42 92,071
Power train[11] 29 75,000

Steering. This group has 311 complaints, with 37 crashes[2]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 11 describe the power steering failing or the wheel locking up and becoming hard to turn while driving[2]. In 3 of them, steering came back after the owner shut the car off and restarted it[2]. Recall 10V073 covers electric power steering, described below[12].

Fuel and propulsion. There are 207 complaints and 5 fires, with no crashes or injuries[5]. In a sample of 11 different complaints we read, 10 describe a gasoline smell or a leak, and 5 point to the fuel pump or the pump module[5]. A separate gasoline fuel system group has 42 complaints[10].

Electrical. This group has 172 complaints, with 7 crashes and 5 fires[6]. In a sample of 12 complaints, 4 describe ignition or key trouble, such as a key that would not come out or an engine that would not shut off[6]. Another 4 describe the alarm, lights or gauges acting up[6].

Air bags. There are 102 complaints, with 36 crashes and 60 injuries[7]. In a sample of 9 different complaints we read, 7 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[7]. Three describe air bags deploying or coming out of their housing with no crash[7].

Brakes. There are 102 complaints, and the median mileage at failure is 16,750[8]. Remove the sentence, or say the engine group has 51 complaints[9] and the power train group has 29[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Remove the sentence.

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions for this model year. Combined ratings run from 25 to 29 MPG[16][17][4].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
XFE, 2.2L, manual 5-speed[4] 25 / 36 / 29 $2,300
2.2L, manual 5-speed[18] 24 / 33 / 27 $2,500
2.2L, automatic 4-speed[19] 22 / 31 / 26 $2,600
2.4L, manual 5-speed[20] 22 / 32 / 26 $3,150
2.4L, automatic 4-speed[16] 22 / 31 / 25 $3,300
2.0L turbo, manual 5-speed[17] 22 / 30 / 25 $3,300

The 2.4L and turbo versions list premium fuel. The 2.2L versions list regular[20][19][18][16][17][4]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-Star ratings are listed as not rated for the 2-door and 4-door versions, NHTSA 5-Star ratings are listed as not rated for the 2-door and 4-door versions, including the W/SAB versions[21][22][23][24].[21][22][23][24].

Engine and size

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[25].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LS/LT coupe[25] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,732 lb
LS/LT sedan[26] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in 2,780 lb
Sport coupe[27] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,815 lb
Sport sedan[28] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in 2,870 lb
SS coupe, turbocharged[29] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,974 lb
SS sedan, turbocharged[30] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in not listed

The EPA lists 2.0L turbo, 2.2L and 2.4L four-cylinder engines for this model year[20][19][17].

How 2008 compares with other years

2005: 1,649 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 2,330 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 1,564 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 940 complaints, 4 recalls94020082009: 900 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 583 complaints, 5 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cobalt model year. The 2008 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051,6495
20062,3305
20071,5645
20089404
20099005
20105835

Here are NHTSA complaints and recalls for each Cobalt model year[3].

Year Complaints Recalls
2005[3] 1,649 5
2006[3] 2,330 5
2007[3] 1,564 5
2008[3] 940 4
2009[3] 900 5
2010[3] 583 5

The 2008 model year has fewer complaints than 2005, 2006 and 2007, and more than 2009 and 2010. Its four recalls are one fewer than every other year[3]. These are raw counts, not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2008 Cobalt?

The complaint record is large, with 940 reports[1]. Steering, fuel smell and leaks, and ignition trouble show up in the samples we read[2][5][6]. Make sure the power steering recall, the ignition recalls and, for an Arizona car, the fuel pump recall were all done[13][14][15][12]. Ask for the repair records. Because the air bag and ignition problems are linked in recall 14V047, have a dealer confirm that work was finished[14]. Merge or drop one sentence, for example join "Ask for the repair records." into the previous sentence.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 311, followed by fuel/propulsion at 207 and electrical at 172[2][5][6].
How many recalls does the 2008 Cobalt have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls: power steering, ignition switch, ignition key removal and a fuel pump recall limited to Arizona cars[3][13][14][15][12].
What gas mileage does a 2008 Cobalt get?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 to 29 MPG depending on version[16][17][4]. The XFE manual is rated 25 city and 36 highway[4]. The XFE manual is rated 25 city and 36 highway[4][20][19][18][16][17].
Is the 2008 Cobalt a better year than 2007?
It has fewer complaints, 940 against 1,564[3], and one fewer recall, 4 against 5[3]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 940 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (76 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 79 injuries, 13 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 311 complaints name the steering component group (37 crashes, 4 fires, 24 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cobalt model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Cobalt XFE, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 207 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,675). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 172 complaints name the electrical system component group (7 crashes, 5 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 102 complaints name the air bags component group (36 crashes, 3 fires, 60 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 102 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 51 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,894). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 42 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,071). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 29 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 10V073, filed March 3, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 12V459, filed September 19, 2012: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  16. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,732 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,780 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SPORT 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,815 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SPORT 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,870 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS 2DR COUPE FWD TURBOCHARGED: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,974 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS 4DR SEDAN FWD TURBOCHARGED: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.