Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into a concrete guardrail three times. The air bags deployed partially. A police report was filed. The contact stated that she could not move and was taken to the emergency room to receive medical attention. The vehicle was not destroyed. The local Chevrolet dealer was made aware of the crash. The manufacturer was made aware of the crash and performed a diagnostic test which found no failure. The failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 07/18/17
While driving at low speeds (30mph) the power steering light came on. The car stalled, the wheel tightened up, the symbol with a locked car turned on. The speedometer started moving up and down crazyly. Check engine light came on as well. I moved to the side because it was really difficult to control and as I did the car just kept stalling worse and worse. Once I pulled over I turned off the car. I wasnt as freaked out as the first time this occurred since this has happened numerous of times and I've taken it to 3 different mechanics who don't know how to fix it at all. It's very scary it also happened while going at 60mph and all I do is pull over and then call the tow or drive it at low speeds home. I'm sure I fall in the category for a recall but have never gotten a recall letter. …
When driving at a constant rate, with constant accelerator pressure, between approximately 25 to 50 MPH, the rpms jump/fluctuate causing the car to lurch and hesitate. This can be a safety hazard, particularly in icy conditions. The only way to avoid the hesitation is to actively accelerate or decelerate. There are numerous owners that have posted an identical issue on message boards and have stated that their vehicles had similar issues that were remedied by similar repair processes and that Chevrolet has altered the process used to make replacement parts as the initial parts were defective. In addition to being a safety hazard, it is also an excessive and costly burden on vehicle owners. My vehicle has only 40,000 miles on it and has been doing this since under 35,000 miles. It cannot be documented without a video. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact was able to apply the brakes and slow down the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was currently destroyed due to a crash, but the contact stated that the crash was not related to unintended acceleration. No one was injured during the crash. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 08/01/12 the consumer stated that it is unknown whether or not the crash was caused by the spontaneous acceleration. The spontaneous acceleration happened 4-6 times. The acceleration would occur on level ground, highway, and uphills at a speed of 25 MPH and 55mph. The airbags deployed on the drivers side of the vehicle. The impact was on the passenger side. The consumer states that the accelerator would stick. …
While driving the car, the service traction control light, the service engine light and the eng pwr reduced notification came on. When this happened, there was a thump sound, the car hesitated and lost acceleration for a couple seconds and the car had obvious performance issues after that. At the time that this occurred, I was merging into moving traffic and was almost hit by the car behind me, since the car hesitated for a moment, reducing my merging speed at a time that I needed to be accelerating. This could have been a very bad situation!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle decelerated violently. In addition, the contact had to apply force to the accelerator pedal in order to increase in speed. In addition, the low tire pressure warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 1/12/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck when depressed. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop. In order to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal and the emergency brake needed to be engaged. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who did not diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,025.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who drove the vehicle and was able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Driving up hill on freeway. Gas petal stuck to floor increasing speed. Could only stop by pressing hard( brake petal almost all the way down). Tried to duplicate scenario again but couldn't. Temperature was cold <30f outside.
My car ran into 3 times (2012 - 2, 2014 -1) lost control when I drive to high way and car lost power and control. Luckily I don't have any injury. But it's huge dangerous when my family also in the car. I don't know exact reason at beginning. I always send car to full maintenance after the incident. They always charged me different fix as well. Recently I continuously received GM safety recall letter to fix the GM safety recall 14115. I tried to make appointment with different dealers. They always told me the parts is not ready and there is no estimated time, maybe take very long time (months) to wait, even GM urge me to fix it at the same time. Until now, I have already received 4 letters from GM Chevrolet and tell me fix as soon as possible, parts available. However, I don't understand why their branches take so long time and it seems put into a such a low and slow priority. …
Acceleration complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2% of the model year's 940 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.