Problems with 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2008 chevrolet cobalt. consumer writes in regards to sway bar, power steering and ignition switch problems. *smd the consumer stated the day after the vehicle was purchased, the sway bar links failed. *jb updated 07/30/14

Tl * the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical). the contact stated that he had contacted the dealer numerous times and they have no idea when the parts would be available for the repairs. the repair was not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. contact had not experienced a failure. the manufacturer has not been contacted.

Driving down a residential road at less than 30 miles per hour. all of a sudden without any warning, everything went haywire: i got a low fuel warning even though the tank was half-full, myriad warning lights flashed, the tachometer needle moved erratically, i lost power steering, and the automatic transmission started shifting very roughly. i pulled over and stopped the car, removed and reinserted the key, and restarted the car. the problem persisted. all without the car key attached to a key chain - gm's proposed solution until new parts can be installed for the recall. i drove the car a half-mile back to my home and shut it off. i restarted the car several minutes later and the problem was gone - the only lingering symptom was a check engine light. i drove it to the dealership that day. as yet (2 days later), they have been unable to recreate the problem. they say they're still unsure whether it's related to the recall. i registered my car for the recall over 3 weeks ago but the dealership hasn't received the replacement part yet. my latest information is they are looking for a spare replacement part because they think it will take another three weeks before the part for my car arrives (that's a 6-week wait-list for a replacement part known to cause fatal accidents). *tr

My 21 year old sons car is on the recall 14v047 and 14v171. i got a letter several months back that it was on recall and of course it is on the news. i got 2nd letter yesterday. when i called lakeside chevrolet in rockwall i was given a vm for these recalls and they said they would order the part and it could take up to 90 days. my concern is 2 years ago this was a recall. we went to jupiter chevrolet in garland and they said oh no ignition is fine its his key. at that time was a "possible recall". they made him a new key and charged him $39.00. at that time when he went in you had to shake column around to get key to work. i am now thinking with all the deaths shouldn't that car be recalled and shouldn't they be hurrying to get them fixed instead of waiting 90 day. please help with this situation. *tr

2008 chevrolet cobalt. consumer writes in regards to defective ignition and start switch recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle would not start.*jb

I am very disappointed in gm's handling of the february 10 and april 10, 2014 recalls of 2008 chevrolet cobalts. i am a 2008 cobalt owner, and i still have not received a letter nor has my uncle who is the registered owner. i bought the vehicle used but do not feel that is an adequate excuse for not being notified of this recall. i was not able to order the designated parts for repair until 3 days ago, as the dealership i contacted in regards to the problem did not get back to me. i do not feel that this recall is a situation to make light of. people are dying from this deficiency in the vehicle, and i was never even informed of the possibility of my air bags not deploying. i do not feel safe driving my car and i do not feel secure knowing that without my taking the initiative to investigate this problem, i would never have known that my car had been recalled. i also am not satisfied with the listing on the official gm letter on the nhtsa website that all ignition switches will be replaced, when the posted recall on cars.com from gm states a problem with the ignition cylinder as well. i also feel that my air bags, steering and entire electrical system should be tested and replaced if there is even the slightest chance that they have be ineffective. i lose power steering if my ignition switch fails, in addition to my air bags failing, further compromising my safety. i am very concerned about these defects on my vehicle, as i have no other form of transportation back and forth to work etc., and the length of time it is taking for it to be repaired. the dealership that ordered the parts for me told me it would be 6 weeks before the parts arrived, at which point i could make my appointment which may mean additional waiting. i, as a consumer, feel slighted and certainly disregarded. i will not recommend any gm sedan of this nature to anyone. *tr

When driving the power steering goes out, the odometer goes crazy, my search engine and security light comes on, starts saying low fuel (when on a full tank), the mileage goes blank as well as everything else on the dashboard. *tr

Our vehicle was subject to the recall for the ignition system. we called to make an appointment and were told that we needed to wait for the parts to come in first. after waiting 8+ weeks we were told the parts were in and we made an appointment and dropped the vehicle off. when we went to pick up our vehicle we were told that a vehicle, with the same vin # was already repaired in illinois. we live in nj and our vehicle was never in il. the maintenance manager (freehold chevy) agreed that the vehicle was never repaired by looking at the ignition switch. we were told that the vin # issue needed to be corrected before they can work on our car. it's now 6+ weeks later and our follow up phone calls have not brought us any closer to having the repair done. i believe the repair should have been done since they could tell the parts were never replaced on our vehicle and the vin # should have been resolved between the dealerships. *tr

My car has switched off while driving, and i have notified the dealership of this. they told me that it was a part of the recall and that i would be put on a near year long waiting list. unacceptable! *tr

I cant believe it's going to take gm months, years to fix cobalts ignition switches, there are also fuel pump recall4-13 but my area is "not hot enough" for a fuel pump recall that was advised for other areas???? wth ?? my appointment for ignition switch fix is months away, if i get killed my family is to sue gm for knowingly holding up the solution!! come on!!!! get with it !!! gm sure gets their money quick but when its time to fix problems and make it right on gm's part they are slacking bad!!! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated after the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa recall campaign number: 14v171000, electrical system the air bag light illuminated sporadically and the power steering failed to function normally. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for the failures. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown. the current mileage was 79,873. rk

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the key failed to turn in the ignition until after several attempts. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was recently repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v486000 (electrical system, visibility) however, the remedy was insufficient and the failure persisted. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the failure mileage was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle restarted and the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the repairs were unknown. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000. the vin was not available. updated 10/22/14*lj

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system) and nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repairs. the dealer stated that the part was not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact did not experience the failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received a recall notification of nhtsa campaign id number 14v171000 (electrical system) and 14v047000 (air bag, electrical system); however, the contact was not unable to have the vehicle repaired because the part was unavailable. the dealer was unable to provide an expected date for the part to become available. the manufacturer was notified of the delay. there were no failures.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received a recall notification of nhtsa campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) and 14v171000 (electrical system), however the parts needed were currently unavailable. the dealer was unable to provide an expected date for the remedy part to become available. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently and none of the instrument panel gauges were working properly. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. the dealer did not know when the parts would become available. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the front driver and the passenger side seatbelts failed to retract intermittently. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v171000 (electrical system) and stated that the parts were not available. the dealer did not give a specific date when the parts would become available. the manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contacts vehicle would receive the recall repairs. the vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. the failure mileage was unknown.

tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while her son was driving and his cousin in the passenger side seat at 78 mph, the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. the contact stated that while her son was driving the vehicle caught on fire, lost control of the vehicle, hit a fire hydrant and crashed into a tree. the air bags did not deploy. it was unknown the origin of the fire. the driver was injured which resulted with laceration on the anterior right side, there were bilateral wrist fracture, fracture to the right femur and left knee. there was an aortic laceration and multiple bilateral lung lacerations and cardiac contusions, autopsy also reveled first to forth degree firms burns with charring on approximately 70% of the body surface area, there were thermal fractures to the skull and both the hands. the driver was reported dead at the scene and the front passenger sustained a head injury that required medical attention. the vehicle was destroyed. a police report was filed. the fire department extinguished the fire. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact's vehicle was repaired according to nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). afterwards, the air bag, service tire monitor, and service engine sensors illuminated. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 17,000.

My 2008 cobalt ignition locked up while parked. car was towed to chevrolet and they switched it out. had no ability to turn key, wheel or anything. everything locked up completely. i finally got my chevrolet cobalt back (2 months) from the dealership with a brand new key for the ignition. went to get into the car and they didn't switch the door locks. now they cut corners and refuse to pay for or change my door locks so i have to carry around 2 separate keys. i have called chevrolet customer service and they say it is my fault. i have heard of several other owners of cobalts or owners of chevrolets that had the same thing happen. *tr

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. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign id number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). the contact stated that the part was unavailable for the repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the delay. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 14e021000(electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. the contact mentioned that the air bag warning light remained illuminated after the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received the notification for nhtsa campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). the contact stated that the repair was not taken care of in a reasonable amount of time. the dealer indicated parts were not available. the contact had not experienced the failure. the manufacturer was not contacted.

Gm has been unable to provide quality customer service or resolutions on the ignition recall. i submitted my service request in april upon receiving the notification of the recall. i am stationed in europe and have not been able to find an answer to when i will be able to have my vehicle repaired or the safety of driving the vehicle at the speed limits in germany. gm europe tells me to contact gm usa and gm usa informs to contact gm europe. gm europe has now informed that the dealership/authorized service agent here will not longer service gm vehicles. *tr

2008 chevrolet cobalt. consumer writes in regards to steering wheel column recall. *smd the consumer stated in 2010 he steering motor was recalled, and corrected. recently, the consumer had to replace the steering wheel column, which was part of the key ignition that has been in the media. the consumer spent $1200 for repairs and notified chevrolet about the situation and reimbursement. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign numbers: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) and 14v171000 (electrical system) had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to perform the repairs. the dealer stated the part was not available. the manufacturer was made aware of the prolonged delay. the vehicle was not repaired. there were no failures.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received the notification for nhtsa campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). the contact stated that the manufacturer failed to repair the vehicle in a reasonable amount of time. the dealer indicated that parts were not available. the manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. the contact had not experienced a failure. the vin was not available...updated 08/11/14 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired on july 10. updated 08/20/2014 *js

While driving the ignition switch turned off and i had no power to steer the car.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the driver was traveling 55 mph and drove over a pot hole when the vehicle suddenly stalled, causing the driver to crash into a tree. the air bags failed to deploy. the force of the impact caused the vehicle to explode, causing fatal injuries to a passenger. the driver was removed from the vehicle within seconds of the explosion however, the passenger could not be rescued. a police report was filed. the driver was transported to the hospital for treatment of severe bruising, lacerations and fractures to both legs. the vehicle was destroyed. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 14v047000 ( air bags , electrical system) and stated that the recall notification was not received until after the incident. the vin and failure mileage was not available.

Was driving over to a friends house got pulled over for a front headlight being out. found out its the same headlight i replaced 3 months ago and this is the same issue that i have with this cars lights every 3 to 4 months. its either the front headlight bulbs need to be replace or rear light bulbs need to be replace and i can not plug in a car charge for my phone cause of a burning smell that comes from somewhere within the car. i had this investigated by three people who service cars and they can not find the problem they tell me to bring it to the dealer. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the ignition seized and the key failed to turn. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the ignition needed to be replaced. the vehicle was replaced but the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was not available.

My car is part of the gm recall. i have 2 parts on my car which are to be replaced by gm. my car has been shutting off and is unsafe to drive. i have been speaking with gm and chevy dealers to get a loaner vehicle. to no avail. i have been dealing with this since april 11. i understand that gm says it will provide courtesy cars to customers, however, this is not the case. they just give the run around. *tr

My grandmother was driving and all of a sudden all her gauges went nuts and it started shifting hard. took to dealership and codes read were u2105, u0073, they say they replaced terminals. one day later same thing happened so i took my code reader and it read u0073. we took it back told them about code and i told them to check terminals again and fuses. they call later and stated that the other computer went out, so grandmother paid another 400. two days later its doing it again. i have a 04 impala that had the same issues mine was no start and chevy couldn't find problem it started fine for them, but after 2 days everything started breaking, and as a single mom w no money i had to research every code read and learned to fix it. i know every wire and which computer reads first, so chevy is going to have a rude awaking on monday. i believe chevy cant fix these computers and they just clear the codes and off u go until your car reprograms its self and same problems take effect, but i'm sure its due to another computer going out, at least that's what chevy would and will say!!! *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact attempted to have the vehicle repaired for nhtsa recall campaign number:14v171000 (electrical system). the contact stated that she was notified that the parts were not available; as a result, the repairs were unable to be performed. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. there were no failures at this time. rk

Tl* the contact owns 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact received the recall notice related to nhtsa campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system); however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. there are no failures at this time. the manufacturer was notified and stated there was no rental vehicle available. updated 05/28/14 ma updated 06/02/2014 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the failure recurred several times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the ignition switch however, the failure recurred. the contact placed the gear in neutral and was able to shift into drive, but the vehicle continued to stall several times. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number 14v171000 (electrical system), but the contact was notified of the recall after the failure had occurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle jerked forward and stalled on various occasions. also, the contact mentioned that all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. the contact received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). however, the parts needed were not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. the dealer stated the parts were unavailable for repair. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 84,000.

The very first incident i experienced with my power steering was nothing major. i was trying park my car and it suddenly became very hard to steer. i powered the car off for a minute and then restarted it. once the car was restarted the problem went away. shortly after that the doors would not unlock. i was unable to get into my car for hours. after much prying, we were able to get into the car but now the driver's door lock has to be locked manually or unlocked with the key in door. months down the line the power steering issue came back but only worse. it happened while i was driving. a dinging noise went off, "power steering" flashed across the dashboard, and all the gauges went wiggling. it startled me. again, i pulled over and cut the engine for a spell and waited. after a few moments i turned the car back on and it was like nothing ever happened. the third time was the worst time thus far. i was exiting the highway and suddenly the noise came back and flashed power steering. it was much worse this time. the car was hard to steer, the car roughly jerked, and i could not exelerate. thankfully i made it home 5 minutes later, but by then the engine light had come on. i found out that my car was recalled for this very reason. when i called chevrolet they said that the previous owners had to have brought my car in during the recall because my car didn't have any open recalls. if my car was truly brought in for the recall then why is my car not fixed? and more importantly why do they expect me to pay for it? they are endagering my life as well as others'. passing cars off as though they are fixed when really they are not is criminal and something needs to be done. if need be i will pay for my own car but what about all the other cars that they've "fixed"? a young lady died from her power steering failing and you would think that would be enough to fix their mistake. *tr

Tl* the contact was owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the button located on the gear shifter housing became completely detached. in addition, the turn signal and windshield wiper mechanism fractured upon engaging. the dealer informed the contact that they would be responsible for fifty percent of the repair expense. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that while parked, the indicators in the instrument panel began to flicker and the steering wheel required force in order to maneuver the vehicle. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be determined. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown.

I previously contacted gm befcause of a power steering issue weeks before my accident.i was crossing the railroad track when i lost all power to my car and it caught on fire. *tr

Originally, the key got stuck in the ignition of my 2008 cobalt and the car wouldn't shut off. mechanic disconnected battery and attempted to bypass tumbler mechanism. with a paper clip. he triggered the key release. car started after that. however, on about the fifth or sixth try after that, the car failed to start and the key wouldn't turn the ignition switch. car is stuck at work 50 miles from home and i will have to pay a small fortune to tow it to the shop near me...one that won't rob me blind, that is. furthermore, i have great need of my wheels as i transport musical equipment to and from my concerts with this car, so i'm losing revenue here. as this has been a recurrent problem and gm already knows it is an issue, i request a recall and reimbursement for this problem, including the towing fee. thanks in advance, gm. regards, an avid, but currently downhearted, non-running chevy owner. *tr

I have a 2008 chevy cobalt, i have many problems with it. it shut off itself 3 times at 60 miller per hour, the lights start blink and the power lock it's locking and unlocking by itself many times. i call the chevy recall center and they told me that i have to pay for the diagnostic ,but i am doing payments on this car still and i can't pay for the diagnostic . the recall # is.. 14v047 and 14v171. *tr

My leg accidentally bumped the keychain 3 3/8 inches long (only one key on it , the ignition key) while i was driving, and the car shut off. i was in a 35 mph area, i shifted it into neutral and was able to steer into a left turn lane, shifted it into park and started it. *tr

Basically vehicle was parked in parking lot for an hour, when i got back to vehicle the car the vehicle had no power and would not start. nothing was left on, no lights where on and no radio or other electrical device left on where all turned off. i had to jump start vehicle in order to get power back to vehicle and to have vehicle running again. this has happened twice before and have taken to dealership and nothing was found to be wrong. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that once the vehicle was started, the fuel and odometer gauges would display an accurate reading. in addition, the power steering assist failed and the vehicle would resume in normal operation after turning the engine off and restarting. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis however, they were unable to determine the problem. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 76,000. updated 5/19/114*cn updated 05/28/2014 *js

The audio indicator for the turn signals, chime for safety belts, door ajar (all warning chimes) stopped working. the left front speaker stopped working for the radio as well. (i've looked this up on the internet, and supposedly all audio indicators come through the speaker.) this appears to be a problem with many cobalts, over a long time (i've seen it mentioned for many model years). it is always the same, the left front speaker stops working (none of the others) and the audio warning equipment stops functioning. *tr

One morning when i started my 2008 chevrolet cobalt with the 2lt trim package, the airbag readiness light came on and stayed on the whole time i was driving, and at the same time the passenger airbag status indicator off symbol was lit. the car had never been involved in an accident and the approximate millage on my car at this time was 50,577. there was a person setting in the passenger seat that weighed approximately 140 pounds, so the airbag should have been on. ever since that day, every time i start my car the airbag readiness light and the passenger airbag off lite come on and stays on. i checked the connectors under the passenger seat and all were connected. i took my car, paid out of pocket to have diagnostic testing to get the error codes for this but no codes were shown. recently i took it to the dealership for the ignition switch safety recall repaired. after reading chevrolet cobalt technical service bulletins about airbags, numerous complaints from other cobalt owners about this exact problem, recalls that had the term airbags mentioned, i decided to tell my concern to the service employees and was told this wasn't covered, that i could pay for them to do testing on it. seeing as i had already paid for the exact same testing before with no results as to what was wrong, i declined to have it done again. i contacted chevrolet by email concerning this. they emailed me back asking for additional information. i replyed with that information and have never heard anything back from them. what do those of us who have safety concerns associated with the airbags need to do to get chevrolet to acknoweledge that this is a problem that needs their attention seeing as this is a common problem with the cobalts? seeing as chevrolet has put out technical service bulletins concerning this exact problem proves they are aware of it but have yet to do anything about it.