10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 80,196 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Vehicle is leaking fuel from rusted fuel line near drivers side rear tire. Apparently a common issue with this model with no recall.
- Grand Forks, ND, USA
2009 Chevy Cobalt, Driving to work Friday January 13 2023, noticed heavy smell of gasoline. parked car and noticed a puddle just in front of the drivers side rear tire. Got it home and did an inspection of the area and discovered a fuel line leak when car is running and line is under pressure. It is a big leak seemingly caused by rust developing on the line because of a heat shield trapping water and debris. This leak is very close to the hot exhaust system. Fire is an obvious possibility. I'm afraid to even drive it to a shop. I plan on having it towed.
- Wolcott, CT, USA
Fuel leaking from near top of tank/pump. Sounds similar to other recalls though my VIN is not currently included. Noticed fuel smell in garage and could see fuel from top of tank. No indicators showing a malfunction.
- Berthoud, CO, USA
Fuel pump leak: fuel pump line started spewing fuel over ground during engine start. Engine wouldn-€™t not start due to high pressure fuel leak.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
Strong smell of gas inside vehicle. Gas is leaking from vehicle. Known problem of fuel leakage and vehicle recalls.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
The vehicle had an instance of hard starting, then I became aware of the odour of fuel in my car which quickly made me exit the vehicle as the fumes were strong. Liquid fuel was leaking out of the left rear in from of the wheel area, in proximity to the exhaust system
- Hatboro, PA, USA
Leak in fuel line
- Davin, WV, USA
Noticed gas smell inside and outside of car.
- Pensacola, FL, USA
Wiring harness is located too close to the human under the driver's seat. Exposes the driver to electrical frequencies that could be avoided if the wire harness was a further distance away from the human. Also, the the fuel line rusted through after 9 years about 9 inches away from the rear axle where the metal tape ends around the fuel line. The metal tape seems to allow more moisture to become trapped around the fuel line; which promotes rust and a leak where the metal tap ends. After the metal tape, the fuel line is in good condition on this specific vehicle. The fuel leak is about 0.5 inches wide and a lot of gasoline drips / leaks after the car is started. The rust particles are located after the fuel filter; which may promote the rust particles to reach the engine via the rusted fuel line. The car has trouble starting (a delay) and needs to have the key turned twice due to the leak. The leak is very close to the muffler, so it seems like it would be at risk of catching on fire if the muffler was hot enough or if it were traveling on a long trip or going up or down a steep hill. The vehicle has been inspected by police. There were no warning lamps or lights.
- Vienna, OH, USA
I have noticed when car is parked in garage that there is a gas odor present in the garage. It appears the gas odor is the strongest around the driver side, rear wheel. I do not yet see any severe drips anywhere but it is enough to cause concern about parking the car in a closed up garage. especially in winter with a heater running... I have not yet brought it into a dealer to have it checked. This car is located in a midwest climate where salt is used on roads which would cause possible issues with corrosion.
- Chaska, MN, USA
Fuel line leak occurred at approximately approx. 76,700 miles requiring immediate repair as gasoline was leaking out at a continuous rate. Dealership indicated this is a common issue with the Cobalt. No warning lights other than difficulty starting vehicle and then smell of gas.
- Saint Augusta, MN, USA
There is gas puddling around the driver rear tire. I saw an article, which can be found here: https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1128764_more-than-600-000-chevy-cobalt-and-hhr-models-investigated-for-fuel-leaks Gas leaking is an obvious safety problem due to the risk of fire or worse. The symptoms began yesterday - February 11, 2022. I did bring the vehicle to Bob McCosh Chevrolet in Columbia, Missouri. They reported there are no recalls on that system. But as the article link above confirms, I am certainly not alone in this problem. I believe this problem is being investigated but no recall has been issued. I will also follow up with the service manager at Bob McCosh Chevrolet in Columbia, Missouri. I will escalate to the regional service manager for Chevrolet. In the meantime, it would be very helpful if the weight of the FHTSA could get behind this problem. I can be reached at [XXX] if you have additional questions. My email is [XXX]. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Columbia, MO, USA
I noticed the smell of fuel originating from the near the left rear well a few days ago (~1/1/2022). I took my car to a mechanic who confirmed fuel leaking out from a line located near the left rear well. The mechanic claims the leaks are caused by corroding metal fuel lines and was due to poor engineering/ design of the car. The gas line is rusted and leaking, there is a strong odor of gasoline at the rear drivers side tire of my car and I can feel/ see the fuel leaking. I have been driving my 4 month old son around in that car for months and had no idea fuel was leaking and I was putting both of our safety at risk! I called my local chevy dealership about fixing it and they said it will be at least $1300 to repair the leak and more if the gas tank needs to be replaced. I am taking the car to the dealership on 1/18/2022. There were no signs of anything wrong besides the strong smell of gas.
- Lansdale, PA, USA
Fuel line rusted to the point of major leakage. Inside the heat wrap near the exhaust pipe, just forward of rear drivers side tire.
- Massapequa, NY, USA
My car has a fuel leak. I looked up to see if there was a recall and there was but not for my VIN. This is a serious and dangerous issue and one I think Chevrolet needs to fix. Why are some cars covered and others not with the same issue.
- Charlotte Hall, MD, USA
fuel line has corroded badly by the rear left wheel, possibly due to the material used for the line and by road salt being captured by a heat shield. The car now leaks fuel badly whenever we try and move it. The poor design (heat shield) and poor choice of materials (appears to be steel) have caused this leak. A fuel line shouldn't be made of steel.
- East Aurora, NY, USA
Fuel line leaking - 2ft diameter puddle of gas in garage started July 23, 2021. Located just in front of left side rear tire. Currently car is parked outside awaiting repair. Could have burned house down. No warning lamps no symptoms, started smelling gas in house after dinner. Vehicle has not been inspected since leak began.
- Lebanon, OH, USA
I have a very strong smell of gasoline both inside and outside of the car. There are no signs of leakage underneath that I found
- Massillon, OH, USA
NHTSA action number: PE20011 components fuel system, other opened from: July 5, 2020'present fuel leak exactly as described. I own 2 Cobalts (2007 lt and 2009 ss) and both have this issue. Dealership wants $700 to fix an issue caused by oem design.
- State College, PA, USA
- Hodgenville, KY, USA