27 of the 1,104 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt are about the suspension — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 49,793 miles.
27
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE MAKES RATTLE NOISE IN FRONT GOING ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #11165257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND SHOOK INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HEARD A SOUND OF PLASTIC BREAKING COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE AXLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS, FRONT MOUNTS, REAR SHOCKS, AND REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT SHOCKS HIMSELF. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE CONTACT REFUSED THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE STUB AXLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,507.
NHTSA complaint #10983546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
AIRBAG : WARNING INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON.. THEN RESETS ON THE NEXT IGNITION START. THEN WILL REAPPEAR AGAIN. SUSPENSION: SEVERE CLUNKING IN FRONT END ONLY WHEN TURNING OR MANEUVERING . THIS VEHICLE HAS DONE 46K MILES TOTAL.
NHTSA complaint #10810886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TOOK CAR IN TO REPLACE STRUTS DUE TO CLUNKING SOUND WHILE GOING OVER ANY SURFACE THAT WAS NOT PERFECTLY SMOOTH. TURNS OUT THE SWAY BAR AND BEARINGS WERE FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY I WAS VERY CLOSE TO A POSSIBLE BAD ACCIDENT. IT WAS QUITE COSTLY TO REPAINT AND I AM FINDING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM GM IS AWARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #10745472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 4/30/15
NHTSA complaint #10693809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #10608349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH, THE SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. MA 09/03/15 UPDATED 8/30/2017
NHTSA complaint #10597111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED. VERY DANGEROUS !!!
NHTSA complaint #10575629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN INDIANAPOLIS, SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME HIT THEIR BRAKES HARD. AS A RESULT, I ALSO HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES. WHEN I DID SO, MY REAR END SPUN OUT. I LOST POWER STEERING. I CRASHED HEAD FIRST INTO THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY, I ESCAPED SEVERE INJURY; ALTHOUGH THE WRECK, THE RESULTING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WERE DIRECTLY DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF GENERAL MOTORS.
NHTSA complaint #10569182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TOOK CAR INTO HAVE IT INSPECTED FOR NOISE COMING FROM THE FROM END TOLD IT WAS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING AND THAT COBALTS WHERE GOOD FOR THAT PART TO FAIL SO WHY DOES CHEVY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #10551622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT OF SWAY BARS, LINKS, WHEEL BEARING AND ENGINE. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS STEERING WHEEL MECHANICAL ISSUES. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10550206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CONTINUED NOISE FROM FRONT END WHEN DRIVING- RIGHT AND LEFT STRUTS,BEARING PLATES MOUNTS,SHIELDS AND BUMPER BOOTS WERE REPLACED - THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING FLUID FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS ALSO DONE I AM NOW HAVING THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM ( OIL IS LEAKING AND COVERING THE STRUT ) AT THIS TIME DATE 10/2013. THIS IS NOT NORMAL - MY CURRENT MILEAGE IS 37,802.
NHTSA complaint #10548610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING FAILS . THERE IS SO MUCH PLAY WHEN BRAKING CAR PULLS TO ONE SIDE IT DIDN'T START TILL CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10493380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY WENT SO BAD THE CAR SWERVED AND CLANKED AND CHATTERED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THE CAR??? THIS IS A JOKE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. WHY NO RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10490281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I NOTICED A SLIGHT TAPPING/RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. THE NOISE ONLY OCCURS BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 50-60 MPH AND ONLY WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS COMPLETELY. THEN I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL AN IGNITION CYLINDER RECALL. MY CAR HAD PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING UP AND DIFFICULTIES TURNING THE KEY. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NOISE I WAS HEARING THEN WAITED A WEEK WITH NO CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP SO I CALLED THEM. THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WOULD BE FINISHED BY NOON, I ARRIVED AT 4 PM. THEY THEN TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT YET FINISHED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD NOT EVEN PUT IN THE NEW IGNITION CYLINDER EVEN AFTER A WEEK. I WAS TOLD THE NOISE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. I WAITED FOR THE IGNITION TO BE PUT IN (ABOUT 30 MINS) THEN TOOK ONE OF THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS ON A TEST DRIVE TO HEAR THE NOISE. NOISE WAS HEARD AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP. CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND NOTHING WRONG COULD BE FOUND. THE LEAD MECHANIC TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE BUT DUE TO THE HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN NOTHING WAS HEARD. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR BACK ON MONDAY DUE TO POSSIBLE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION. DROPPED THE CAR BACK OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY. A TEST DRIVE AND A LOOK UNDER THE CAR AND THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM, NOISE COMING FROM RACK AND PINION WHILE HITTING BUMPS RACK WORN AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUMN MAKING NOISE AS WELL RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT WITH OUT REPLACEMENT THE CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE NO STEERING ABILITY AT ALL: COST $1524 NO WARRANTY. THIS CAR HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING RECALL REPLACEMENT (THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN A PARKING LOT DUE TO BROKEN PINION) IN 2010 AND A TRANSMISSION ISSUE (RPM REV WHEN THE CAR HIT 40 WHEN THE GAS WAS NOT BEING APPLIED) THAT WAS A WORN SEAL IT WAS FIXED AND COVERED BY WARRANTY IN 2011. THIS WOULD BE THE TWICE NOW WITH NO STEERING ABILITY ONLY ITS A DIFFERENT CAUSE? I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING CHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #10478539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
PURCHASED 2008 CAR USED IN 2010 WITH APPROX. 10K MILES. HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH STEREO SPEAKERS GOING OUT. CAR NOW HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES. RECENTLY DEVELOPED KNOCK IN FRONT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALLED STEERING BOX FIXED. CHEVROLET SAYS LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, FRONT STRUTS ARE LEAKING, AND SWAY BAR END LINKS NEED REPLACED SOON. ALMOST $1500 DOLLARS. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THOUGH ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS RAMPANT ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10455507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THIS CAR HAS SWAYBARS WHICH I AM TOLD STABALIZE THE CAR IN TURNS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEM TWICE IN A YEAR AND A HALF AND NOW THEY ARE BROKEN AGAIN AND MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THIS COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS EVERY TIME THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND I FEAR REPLACING THEM WONT REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM AS IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT EITHER PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR OR GET RID OF IT WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD TO DO .
NHTSA complaint #10446894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STRUTS, CONTROL ARM, BUSHINGS AXLE, CV JOINTS, SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, BRAKE PADS, AND THE ROTORS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED, THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,700. ...UPDATED 01/31/12 *BF THE AXLE SEAL WAS REPLACED, DUE TO THE VEHICLE LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING SHAFT. UPDATED 02/03/12
NHTSA complaint #10443599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN OCT 2011 AT APPRX 16,000 MILES TO CHECK LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION AREA. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR ACCORDING TO RECALL AND REPLACED PART OF STEERING COLUMN. HOWEVER, THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS MY ELDERLY MOTHER'S CAR AND SHE DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE NOISE WAS NOT USUAL OR THAT THE REPAIR DID NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW HAS 20,000 MILES (NOV 2011) AND MECHANIC DIAGNOSED LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE SHOT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL & YEAR. DEALER DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I THINK IT IS--POSSIBILITY OF SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FAILING.
NHTSA complaint #10436770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM UNDER THE WARRANTY. FOUR MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND A NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,368. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12
NHTSA complaint #10430001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CUT HIS HAND ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHROME WAS PEELING OFF FROM BOTH DOOR HANDLES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR END WAS LOOSE BECAUSE IT WAS WORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 11/17/11 *BF UPDATED 11/30/11
NHTSA complaint #10428306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE IS PAST THE WARRANTY MILEAGE LIMITS. I NOTICED SEVERAL DAYS AGO A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AND ASKED TO HAVE THE FRONT END CHECKED. THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS ARE WORN OUT AND I HAVE TO PAY $300+ FOR THE REPAIR. GRANTED, I AM OUTSIDE THE MILEAGE LIMITS OF THE WARRANTY, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS BARELY THREE YEARS OLD. IT APPEARS I'M NOT THE FIRST TO COMPLAIN EITHER. I HAVE BEEN A CHEVROLET AND GM FAN FOR YEARS, BUT WITH THIS ISSUE PLUS THE PROBLEMS I HAD WITH MY LAST PICKUP, A 2004 GMC SIERRA, I'M BEGINNING TO QUESTION MY CHOICES.
NHTSA complaint #10392243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2008 CHEVY COBALT 60,000 MILES, LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS FAILED ENABLING FRONT WHEELS TO MOVE A FEW INCHES RELATIVE TO THE FRAME. R & R CONTROL ARMS. MECHANIC SAID WHEEL WAS READY TO DETACH FROM CAR, REPLACED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10345011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
RECENTLY HEARD CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END. HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET, BUT WILL SHORTLY. SUSPECT IT IS BUSHINGS MENTIONED IN REPORT # 10335840. THE MILEAGE IS 26100.
NHTSA complaint #10343046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE ENTIRE FRONT END WOULD RATTLE AS IF WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE AND THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE BUSHINGS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS YET CONTACTED REGARDING THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10335840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CHEVY COBALT HOME AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP HE HAD TROUBLE. IT FELT LIKE THE BACK TIRE WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. HE ENDED UP HITTING A CAR. UPON INSPECTION, WE FOUND THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD LOST THE NUT AND WASHER. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10326496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY COBALT THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW AND WITH 51,000 MILES ON IT I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE RIGHT SIDE, SWAY BAR BUSHING, SWAY BAR, AND TIRES. AND NOW I HAVE TO FIX THE LEFT SIDE I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD THE SAME CAR, SAME YEAR AND ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE HE ALSO HAD TO DO THE SAME REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10298359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.