2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS problems
Owners have filed 117 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 54.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of service brakes at 6%.
Complaints117
Crashes0
Fires3
Injuries0
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 54.7% · 64
Service brakes 6.0% · 7
Electrical system 5.1% · 6
Engine 5.1% · 6
Parking brake 4.3% · 5
Fuel/propulsion system 4.3% · 5
Unknown or other 4.3% · 5
Air bags 3.4% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 3 describe a fire.
Reading the numbers
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 28 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 18,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Bought my Cobalt SS new from dealer, with less then 5,000 miles rear brakes were squealing and very obnoxious. Upon inspecting and bringing the car to the dealership was told that my brakes had gouges in them and needed to be refinished and cleaned as well as new pads installed. This was not covered under the warranty as they said it was wear and tear and the noise was normal. Service brakes, hydraulic
The rear brakes on my 2008 Cobalt SS/tc were completely shot at around 14000 miles. The gouges in the rotors were too deep to get turned and I had to do a full brake job on the rear brakes because gm said that they only cover the brakes until 12,000 miles. The new brakes still make strange noises and when the car is in reverse sometimes a very loud screech comes from them. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 14,000 miles
Rear brakes on 2008 chevy Cobalt SS, wear rapidly causing destruction of the rotors and excessive stress on the front brakes. Replaced under warranty the first time at ~12,000 miles. Rear pads completely shot again at ~22,000 miles. This time, the dealership wouldn't cover it. The extended abuse to the rear brake system cause abnormal noise from the rear during low speeds. Service brakes, hydraulic · reported at 10,450 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…