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).
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. …
Battery keeps dying and key is stuck in ignition. Have to keep replacing battery every 8 months which are brand new 5 year battery. Fuel line was replaced but still strong odor of gas and rotting fuel line again. Safety hazard! This has been reported by a large number of people. Why is there not a recall on this?? Vehicle was stationary at the time. This happens all the time so I can only put one date in here. Something is also wrong with my electrical system and the check engine light comes on all the time after diagnosing with my mechanic and having it turned off. Why isn't GM doing anything to help us?
While driving all the light on instrument panel will all light up then the transmission will shift hard. The car will not crank at times and when this happens its a guarantee the transmission will shift hard. The EVAP sensor is faulting because when I put fuel in the vehicle seems like it does not want to crank. The EVAP problem does not seem to be related to a possible computer malfunction. We have had the fuel pump replaced by a local licensed mechanic.
We left the yard and got a quarter mile sown the road when the instrument panel went whacky and then immediately lost the power steering. I had this problem fixed back in 2012 and there was a recall on it. I can not believe this is happening again. I am so worried I'm going to get hurt or hurt someone else because I am unable to steer. Thank god my fianc was with me so he could drive us back to the house.
We own a 2008 Chevy Cobalt. Upon turning the ignition key, in the ignition of the vehicle, it fails to start. There are no warning indicators. The vehicle will not start. This happens intermittently and vehicle is in park. The vehicle has been looked at porter's Chevrolet, 414 e cleveland ave. Newark, de 19711. [phone] several times. The dealership has not been able to find a resolution.
Purchased this vehicle off a used car lot feb/2015 within a month of use the transmission fluid lines broke. Got back on the road, several months later the check engine light comes on and the power steering sensor as well. The car immediately started to become harder to handle. I'm scared that it will cut out on my wife and infant.
I was driving on the freeway when I changed lanes and lost control of my vehicle. My anti-lock braking system did not work as it was supposed to; my traction control did not work as it was suppose to, which resulted in me losing control of my vehicle and hitting another vehicle. A month earlier, I took my vehicle to rancho motor company to have a recall part on my vehicle fixed. They noticed that my ABS and traction control lights were on. They ran a diagnostics test on the vehicle. When I picked up my vehicle, they informed me there was nothing physically wrong with my vehicles ABS and traction control systems but the software was outdated and needed to be updated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that all four windows failed to function and the radio flickered. On another occasion, while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check tire sensor warning message was illuminated. The steering wheel became difficult to turn, but the contact managed to drive home. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the warning indicator turned off. The vehicle was towed to superior Chevrolet (located at 4770 covington hwy, decatur, ga 30035, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was on my way to work this morning on and noticed my car 'stuttering' as few moments at a time. After I proceeded from a stop position and continued off the highway, the car dashboard began to light up, almost as if it was shortening out. The speedometer, fuel gauge, and my RPM kept moving back and forth quickly. There were multiple messages flashing such as powersteering, low traction, no traction. My check engine light, antitheft light, and the traction light kept flashing. Then I lost power steering and my car ultimately 'died' on the side of the road.
The key locked causing car to roll forward. I attempted to remove key but electrical system was disabled. I was not able to restart auto until jump starting it. Then the check engine light appeared and the traction control off warning appeared. Additionally, the power steering light indicated it was off. No injuries occurred as I was coming to a stop when incident happened. When driving my auto to the dealer, I noticed the RPM reached 4500 at about 50 MPH. Steering took some effort without power steering.
Traction Control complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2% of the model year's 940 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.