Chevrolet Cobalt Fuel System Problems

Fuel System complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Delivery › Fuel pump
  102
• Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  25
• Storage › Tank assembly
  14
• Fuel injection system
  4
• Storage
  2
• Delivery
  2
• Storage › Auxillary tank
  2
• Storage › Fuel gauge system
  1

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  504%
• 25k–50k
  1068%
• 50k–75k
  25921%
• 75k–100k
  30024%
• 100k–150k
  40232%
• 150k+
  13911%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH the fuel indicator began to drop rapidly. The contact stated that he did not notice any warning lights. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence and smelled the odor of fuel and noticed a long streak of fuel, and a puddle of fuel underneath the driver's side door by the rear driver's side tire. The contact observed that the fuel line located under the driver's side of the vehicle had ruptured. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that his son called and stated he detected an abnormal odor of fuel inside the vehicle. The driver looked around the vehicle and noticed liquid emerging near the driver's side rear tire. The driver stated that the vehicle was hard to start. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the fuel lines were rusted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where two sections of rusted fuel lines were replaced. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,933.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and was jumpstarted; however, the auto theft warning light illuminated, and the key could not be removed from the ignition. The contact was able to drive the vehicle however, the locks failed to lock the doors, and there was a clicking sound when the windows failed to roll up or down. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of fuel. The contact stated that the tank was full however, the next day the fuel tank was empty. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,595.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that a fuel odor was detected while the vehicle was parked and while driving. The contact noticed there was fuel leaking on the ground where the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and while the vehicle was on the lift, the contact observed there was corrosion on the fuel tank and fuel lines and a fuel leak next to the driver's side exhaust pipe. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, she smelled a fuel odor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle to determine the origin of the odor. The contact stated the odor was coming from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated the failure had been reoccurring and the fuel was leaking underneath the vehicle while the vehicle was running. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V459000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

The contact's son owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact's son stated that once he had parked the vehicle, he saw fuel leaking from underneath the rear driver's side wheel well. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel line was corroded and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE20011 (Fuel System, Other). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside and outside the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank leaving puddles of fuel on the ground. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor near the fuel tank. There was fuel leaking from the fuel cap. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Related recalls (2)

NHTSA investigations