Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Car rolled down slight hill after turning off and exiting vehicle, transmission shifter appeared to be in park but obviously not as car rolled after leaving alone on slight slope. After accident, I placed key in ignition, started car but will not back up or change position of gear from neutral or drive. Will not go back into park. Key will not come out of ignition now. Bumper and radiator are damaged after crash.
I've given this car regularly by the book maintenance and now I'm being told the transmission is bad and needs replacing. There are no repair mechanics that want to replace it either. They all state it is too complicated to get too. They tell me its cheaper to buy a new car. With the amount of car I've given this car, there should be no reason the transmission should go bad. Anything small with it should be easy to repair. It is as if the engineers set the consumer up to fail. I have a great car that is only an 08 with a nice body, starts instantly, and no one will touch the transmission! When I start off with this vehicle and I slowly start to take off from 0-20 it takes it a strange amount of time to get to 20mph than its fine. It also happens at stop signs and some lights. Occasionally, if I turn off the car and restart it its fine. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel became hard to turn while parallel parking. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that first the transmission control module, the traction control, ignition and power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the gear shifter was not shifting to first gear and that the speedometer was not functioning as designed. The contact stated that after the TCM was grounded to the chassis, the gear shifter shifted as designed. The contact also stated that shortly after the failure, the power steering became hard to turn. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) and stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure. …
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. …
I had recalls fixed in 2015. And then suddenly power steering turns on and off. Never before they touched it was there an issue. It happens here and there and stops. This year is happening every day and won't go away. My power steering turns off in middle of driving. Dash board lights go off and car starts cranking. Goes super slow . I'm scared ita going to explode. I can't drive on freeway . And now besides the lock on screen coming on my engine light stays on now . Not sure what to do with it. Car shops can't help. When I 1st had the issue I called the dealer because they fixed the recall and they said nothing could be done because they had already fixed the recall
Start of the problem the gauges will go eratic, my car chimes a few dings then theft light comes on. I don't have a theft system. Ls model. Also effects the transmission(automatic) cause it will shift hard and jerk the car. The ac also shuts off during this issue, it will blow air but it won't be cold. Seems like the issue always comes back when it's extremely hot outside. This is an on going issue for about 5 years and it comes and goes. Every mechanic I went to their car reader can't read my car. Also it has happened while I was driving and again when I'm parked and just started the car. And I have had all the recalls fixed that were reported.
Instrument cluster malfunctioning, speedometer and warning indicators flashing, going out, resuming normal operation, then repeating the failure symptoms repeatedly. During failure symptoms the transmission and engine bog down, stall and the power steering assist fails (with engine still running) . Random electrical issues such as the check engine light, car alarm sensor, etc flash on and off then start working again totally normally. Can not get the failure to occur at the dealership or mechanics. Fails several times a week. Fails when driving on street, highway at low speeds, medium speeds or high speeds.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the instrument panel gauges fluctuated, the power steering failed, and the transmission shifted abnormally. The security system warning indicator illuminated. The failures occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000. Updated 06/15/16 the consumer stated all codes read, a loss of communication. Updated 06/28/16.
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.
The powerstearing message appeared on my dashboard last night while, thankfully I was parked and stationery before I turnedmy car on. I had no mobility with the steering wheel and appeared to be locked up. I turned off the engine and after starting the car a short bit later the car was operational. The car runs fine for now but I fear it will happen again. To add before this happened I just finished driving 500 miles when I parked the car.
Transmission complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt, 3% of the model year's 940 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.