2008 Chevrolet Cobalt cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 96,025 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Cobalt | 10 |
| 2006 Cobalt | 9 |
| 2007 Cobalt | 5 |
| 2008 Cobalt (this page) | 13 |
| 2009 Cobalt | 6 |
| 2010 Cobalt | 3 |
Of the 6 model years of Chevrolet Cobalt we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 13.
The failure pattern owners describe
Thirteen complaints center on a cluster of drivability hazards. Most serious are the unintended acceleration events: the pedal sticks or the engine accelerates without input, occurring from 25 to 70 mph. In multiple cases, normal brake pressure was not enough to stop the vehicle—owners had to use the emergency brake or press the pedal nearly to the floor. One incident happened in a driveway at low speed and still caused a collision. Another occurred on a busy freeway, forcing a CHP officer to stage behind the vehicle to block traffic.
Engine stalling at highway speed shows up in one complaint; the vehicle lost all power on the 105 Freeway and the owner paid $500 across three dealer visits without resolution—the Check Engine light stayed on afterward. A separate owner reports violent deceleration at 30 mph, requiring abnormal pedal force to maintain speed.
Secondary failures include hesitation and power loss during traffic merging (with traction control and engine power reduced warnings), and isolated reports of power steering and speedometer failure. One owner received four GM recall notices for Recall 14115 but dealers said parts were unavailable for months.
Across the board, dealers struggled to diagnose or reproduce the failures. When repairs were attempted, parts were replaced without clarity on root cause.
Same Chevrolet Cobalt cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Accelerator Pedal Sticking / Unintended Acceleration
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck or vehicle accelerates without driver input, often to high speed. Occurs across various conditions—level ground, highway, uphills. Pedal may stick to floorboard. In several cases, standard brake pressure was insufficient to stop the vehicle; emergency brake or hard pedal pressure was required.
When: 55,000–100,000 miles; incidents reported in 2012, 2013, 2014. One incident occurred in cold weather (<30°F).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration; Accelerator pedal stuck or unable to release; Vehicle will not slow when lifting off throttle; Brakes fail to stop vehicle at normal pressure; Rapid speed increase without driver action
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer attributed failure to floor mats. Multiple dealers and independent mechanics could not diagnose or duplicate the failure. One owner reported paying $500 in diagnostic fees across three dealer visits with no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Safety Recall 14115 issued (recall for stalling/power loss issues); owners reported GM sent multiple recall notices but parts were unavailable for months at dealer locations. One dealer offered no assistance despite manufacturer notification.
Engine Stalling and Power Loss
Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving at highway speeds. Engine power is lost, vehicle will not accelerate after restart. Check Engine light illuminates. Can occur with heavy traffic, creating hazardous conditions.
When: October 2013; one incident at 60 mph on freeway. Related mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall at highway speed; Loss of acceleration after stall; Check Engine light illuminates and stays on; Inconsistent acceleration/cutting when stepping on gas pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced multiple parts across three service visits; owner paid $500 in fees. Check Engine light remained on despite claimed repairs. Dealer stated owner would 'have to deal with' the illuminated light.
Hesitation and Power Reduction Under Load
Vehicle hesitates, loses acceleration momentarily, and displays engine power reduced notification. Occurs during traffic merging at speed. Service Traction Control and Service Engine lights illuminate. Performance issues persist after incident.
When: Not specified; occurred during highway merging.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle hesitation and power loss; Thump sound preceding hesitation; Service Traction Control light on; Service Engine light on; ENG PWR REDUCED notification displayed
Violent Deceleration
Vehicle decelerates hard without driver input at 30 mph. Pedal requires abnormal force to maintain speed. Low tire pressure warning light illuminates. Failure recurs multiple times.
When: 96,000 miles; multiple occurrences over time.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent deceleration at 30 mph; Abnormal resistance when pressing accelerator; Low tire pressure warning light (unrelated but coincident)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer did not diagnose or repair.
Power Steering and Speedometer Failure
Dashboard message indicates both power steering and speedometer stopped working simultaneously.
When: Not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering inoperative; Speedometer inoperative; Dash warning message
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 55,000 and 132,000 miles, with the median around 96,025. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 132,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.