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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
6%of 95 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, 6% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The key is stuck in the ignition and the car will not start. In addition, I can't get the gear to shift to park to move to neutral, I've lost all power to the car from the lights to being unable to open the trunk. I had to put the emergency break on for fear that the car would roll away because I couldn't move the gear shift. The car has been parked in my driveway for the last three months.”

NHTSA complaint #11052151, filed 2017-12, 179,000 miles

“Fuel pump harness caught fire. Contacted GM about 2012 recall that I was not notified about. Explained to GM that the mechanic that worked on the cobalt said fuel harness caught fire do to too much power at start up. And explained to GM that when I put the key in the ignition to start the car the wheel would lock. Gmwas very rude all the said was take other keys off ring and would not fix at the time the ignition. And wouldn't reimburse the cost of the fuel pump. …”

NHTSA complaint #10579304, filed 2014-04, 98,000 miles

“Hello I have a 2008 chevy Cobalt Ss and I have experienced a big defect with my car, the car itself turned off as in all electrical parts went off suddenly while the car was in motion this was reported to my dealership right away since this is a leased brand new car, the dealership did not respond to the complaint in anyway, the car has been fixed but still continues to have electrical problems and the dealership nor the manufacturer want to take any responsibility.”

NHTSA complaint #10313460, filed 2010-02

“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Ss. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the coolant and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 10/30/14 updated 7/9/2015 the consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed. The ignition switch was replaced twice. The airbag pretensioner failed. Updated 7/9/2015”

NHTSA complaint #10616356, filed 2014-07, 40,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that after starting the engine, the dashboard and headlights began to flicker before the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was later driving approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the engine and the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 90,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10568897, filed 2014-03, 90,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2010333%
200974%
200866%

Other parts of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Brakes
73 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology