The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: steering
251 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Honda Civic 1082008 Toyota Corolla 382008 Hyundai Elantra 124
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
- Steering rack / power steering105 complaintsmostly at 42,000–91,000 miles (68,000–146,000 km)
- Fuel pump77 complaintsmostly at 63,000–110,000 miles (101,000–177,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion45 complaintsmostly at 87,000–120,000 miles (140,000–193,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 940 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 13,000 and 46,000 miles (21,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 221 complaints, of all 251 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V047000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 957 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Daewoo/saturn/opel/pontiac/chevrolet: instrument panel cluster (ipc) air bag indicator…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 251 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 13K to 46K miles (21K to 75K km) on the car (221 of all 251 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Driving off of express way when power steering went out as going around the turn. Was able to drive the vehicle but had a difficult time steering. Will be calling the dealer jan 2nd.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt owner · NHTSA complaint 10441979
More owner reports
Rear rotors are severely grooved on both the inside and outside. The car has approximately 20k miles.
NHTSA complaint 10278732
The rear brakes on my 2008 chevy Cobalt ss turbocharged make excessive noise in reverse, this problem is common from what I understand, and is no fault of the owner.
NHTSA complaint 10297768
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 13.4M views · 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors832K views
2009 Chevy Cobalt Camshaft Position Sensor Error Code and ReplacementWeekend Automotive · 169K views · 13 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical607K views
How to Replace Starter 2005-2010 Chevy CobaltTRQ · 120K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service458K views
OIL CHANGE (2005-2010 CHEVY COBALT 2.2L)BARRICADE GARAGE · 219K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt | AQ1085Filterheads · 128K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter341K views
2006-08 Chevy Cobalt Transmission Control Module FIX - UPDATED*Zach Tyler · 166K views · 5 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank258K views
Fuel filter replacement 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Install Remove Replace How to changeFixing cars and stuff · 117K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition257K views
2007 cobalt -The solution for lock symbol won't start problemRandom but Lively · 120K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine231K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt 2.2L Timing Chain ReplacementJoseph Vollmar · 98K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy Cobalt Coupe 1st Generation 2005-101A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 275K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt AC ProblemsGearmo Auto · 120K views
2005 Chevy Cobalt Electrical Problems *Fixed* See Descriptionjacobaaron11 · 102K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 957 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Daewoo/saturn/opel/pontiac/chevrolet: instrument panel cluster (ipc) air bag indicator…
- There are multiple warning lights
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicle.
Show all 5 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2012
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Steering · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cobalt recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel line leak2020–2023
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,150–$3,100 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cobalt year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet Cobalt years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/?y=2008" title="Chevrolet Cobalt reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Chevrolet Cobalt reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 134; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Cobalt year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (43%), brakes (29%) and electrical (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt get?
25 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 13,000 and 46,000 miles (21,000–75,000 km) (the middle half of the 221 complaints, of all 251 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt cost in fuel a year?
About $2,150 to $3,100 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Chevrolet Cobalt year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Chevrolet Cobalt years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works