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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Cobalt continued to carry the torch first lit by the 2005 model year. To be clear, that torch is burning bright with widespread power steering issues, electrical curiosities and a dangerous ignition switch defect which led to a massive recall by GM. This isn’t a great torch to carry.

The 2006 added it’s own special flare with gas leaks due to cracks in the “return portion of the modular reservoir assembly.” A recall of 2006 Cobalts was issued to fix the problem, but only to vehicles sold in or current registered in Arizona and Nevada, leaving other owners to pay for repairs themselves.

Between this car stalling while driving, giving owners fits with power steering failure and having it be a potential tinderbox because of gas leaks, we felt we had no other option than to award it our “Avoid Like the Plague” badge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,125 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #214

May 292018

Cobalt

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had noticed a smell of fuel coming from my vehicle shortly after parking the vehicle, or if it was idling in one space for quite some time. This smell of fuel developed into a fuel drip on to the ground. Researched the concern online, and found there is a recall out for this concern, but not for the state I am currently in. There is a "special coverage" issued (bulletin 12191B) instead for my state which states I can have this concern fixed free of charge. I took it to a dealer, they confirmed I am covered by this special coverage. The dealer has now denied to do the work and forced me to pay for a tow to a different dealer to have the concern fixed, as they refused to carry out the repair.

- Genoa City, WI, USA

problem #213

Nov 152017

Cobalt

  • 125,000 miles
Fuel line rusted out on drivers side because of heat wrap

- Brighton, IL, USA

problem #212

May 042018

Cobalt

  • 60,000 miles
Gasoline leaking from the fuel tank ports where inlet and or outlet hoses are connected. The leak originates from the tank connection, not from any specific hose. It amounts to a gravity leak of fuel from the tank when it is full or nearly so. Chevrolet has issued special coverage #12191B to manage the safety defect presumably to avoid a NHTSA recall. My VIN number, even though it falls within the range affected and production time and geography, is said to be not included. So we have fuel leaking onto hot exhaust pipes inside an enclosed garage from a poorly designed fuel tank and fittings. Seems to be a pr and monetary exposure Chevrolet would not like to risk. But stockholders run the company now. This problem likely originated in 2016 based on reports from owners of the entire run of Cobalts. This will kill owners at some point if it hasn't already.

- Urbandale, IA, USA

problem #211

Jan 012015

Cobalt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a gas leak under the car wherevtha gas tank is. I have had this leak for awhile. Wanted to know when the recall will hit Georgia so I can have it fixed. It smells like gas at all times. Almost to the point of making you sick. They have a recall for this in other states. Want to know when it will hit Georgia.

- Alto, GA, USA

problem #210

Dec 182017

Cobalt

  • 134,000 miles
Gas leak

- Shawnee, KS, USA

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problem #209

Dec 142017

Cobalt

  • miles
Takata recall: I recently purchased a vehicle from someone (private owner) and as the tags will soon expire so I decide to get what needs maintenance done to turn that check engine light off. I got a free estimate from O' reilly's and told me to go to Chevy and get the maintenance done to my safety recalls. Next morning I drive over to Chevy's dealership where I was denied any recall being done by an employee named sean popplewell. I told him to print me out a paper of what had been done, needing to be done and also took it up with the manager. The service manager confirms I cannot be denied for a maintenance but sees that the only maintenance open online is a service update and that there is nothing they can do salvaged or not. As I recently purchased the vehicle I am being denied my right to a safety recall, not only being denied while driving my 1 and a half year old son, in a vehicle who's check engine light is on due to the safety recalls that I am being denied to. I am within my right to 10 years after the recall is distributed to get the recall done within that time, they are not allowing me too. The car is 100% driveable but I need to get this taken care of so I am not denied in my smog test. I was also not the original owner and the law states that I am not held accountable for a previous owners lack of responsibility, I was not aware, I've never had received proper notification I should not be denied service. It's sad to know they have denied me these rights in front of myself and my 1 and a half year old who is in the car 24.7.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #208

Nov 102017

Cobalt

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle can mess up from either driving down the highway or trying to accelerate the vehicle on city street or highway that the engine stalls and says "engine power reduced" the check engine light along with the T/C light comes on. It happens multiple times in just 30 minutes of driving, more for longer trips. It will even do it in 10 minutes of driving. You have to pull over and turn vehicle off for a few minutes and then it drives fine for maybe a mile down the road before it does it again, or, you can continue driving it with the pedal all the way to the floor board trying to get speed which if you do the car shifts gear very badly and rides rough but when you're trying to get to work on time you do what you have too. I have taken the vehicle to a mechanic 3 times over this. Throttle body was changed (twice), they replaced the computer and cleaned the wires. One mechanic was the Chevrolet dealership and they told me they needed it there when it happened to better diagnose the situation. I do not have the ability to let them just keep my vehicle. I have had this vehicle for a little over a year. I bought it used. I have a loan on the vehicle and I am scared to drive this any further than I have to because I know the vehicle will mess up. I have two children that I have to put in this vehicle to take places. This vehicle is extremely unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want help with this situation!! this first happened in November of 2016. I do not know the day specifically. I do remember it did not fall under the dealerships warranty that I got it from.

- Oskaloosa, KS, USA

problem #207

Jan 012016

Cobalt

  • miles
Some time ago I received a recall notice for the fuel lines. I contacted dealership and they refused to repair. Currently I have an active fuel leak around fuel tank when driving. Somebody told me about this website, so I am writing here to see if somebody can enforce recall for my car. I don't remember now when I was rejected, so I will put /1/1/2016 for the date. Thanks.

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #206

Aug 102017

Cobalt

  • 150,000 miles
My 2006 Chevy Cobalt ss smells of gas both inside and outside of the car. I researched this issue with my make/model/year of car and found that other states (not mine), had a recall involving the fuel pump on this car. I don't understand why other states didn't recall this issue when many other states have complaints about this issue? I live in Michigan and many others have posted the same problem with their car yet none of us are in the 2 states with the recall. All states should be included as this can cause a fire! I shouldn't have to pay for this to be fixed when it is obvioulsy a serious problem!

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #205

Oct 022017

Cobalt

  • miles
Car is leaking gas badly from top of gas tank.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #204

Oct 022017

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2006 Cobalt keeps smelling like gasoline fuel. I checked the botom and it is leaking fuel not sure if its from fuel lines on gas tank.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #203

Sep 242017

Cobalt

  • miles
There was a regional recall done on the fuel pump module on many different GM vehicles. Due to a crack in the plastic around the modular caused by extreme heat exposure. When the issue occurs, it leaks gas and fumes, also there is a very prominent gas smell surrounding the entire vehicle hours after being parked. I live in Kentucky, my VIN is between the VIN breakpoints on the recall but due to my region, I'm not included in the recall. GM to save money has made a special policy concerning this issue to fix the problem and pay fully but because it is not a "safety concern" which was said to me by Chevrolet customer representative paul, it wasn't a dire issue. This is a safety concern directly stated by NHTSA, and the part in general should be recalled completely not just regionally. I am now, due to it being my only transportation, until I can afford a rental, driving a vehicle that is leaking gas and fumes due to a faulty factory part put on my vehicle by GM. This issue should be addressed. Consumers are in danger and due to not being in a certain "region" we are risky our safety and the safety of others because we can not get a fair recall done.

- Franklin, KY, USA

problem #202

Sep 122017

Cobalt

  • 81,744 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving unknown speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak. The contact called the local dealer (munday Chevrolet, 17800 North fwy houston, tx 77090) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 81,744.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #201

Jul 272017

Cobalt

  • 169,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact smelled a strong odor of fuel throughout the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the vehicle could catch fire. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic (red carpet automotive) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module was cracked. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000.

- Canfield, OH, USA

problem #200

May 082017

Cobalt

  • miles
My car started smelling like gasoline really strongly the past 2 weeks. Im very concerned.

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #199

Feb 252017

Cobalt

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor present. In addition, fuel was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #198

Mar 012017

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
Back gas smell.

- Fishers, IN, USA

problem #197

Mar 022017

Cobalt

  • 141,000 miles
A few days ago, we were in the garage and a strong odor of gasoline was coming from our car, a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. We checked online to get this problem fixed and noticed that only Cobalts manufactured in Arizona and Nevada were covered. Really GM. Since we live in Ohio, our safety is not high on the list as those who live in Arizona and Nevada. I really hope that NHTSA can enforce a recall so this issue can be fixed. There are many complaints surrounding this issue on the internet.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #196

Feb 272017

Cobalt

  • 97,000 miles
Smelled gas outside and inside car while driving and parked. Looked under car and gas was leaking from fuel line in front of driver rear tire. Fuel line in close quarters with exhaust and was spraying onto exhaust pipe. Contacted dealer to check on price of repair or recall and dealer stated they have had many Cobalts similar year with leaking fuel line in same location. Stated GM used an absorbent heat wrap on that section of fuel line and that is corroding the line. Cost for replacing lines was over $800. I am deciding on repair route due to excessive cost of repair. This is an extremely dangerous failure in GM's end and needs the fuel line recalled. Appears both lines are leaking right by each other. This is a fire/explosion hazard and is very common. GM recalled the fuel pumps for possible leaks but not these failing lines? my garage kept low mileage (97000) car should not need it's fuel lines replaced already, especially at $800 plus.

- Napoleon, OH, USA

problem #195

Dec 212016

Cobalt

  • miles
There is a fuel pump leak. Also there is a recall on other Cobalts for this problem, but according to the website my car is not covered.

- St Louis, MO, USA

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