TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY WOULD ILLUMINATE EXTREMELY DIMLY CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO READ. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS BURNED AND MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …
2008 chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems
critical 123 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
123
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING, WHICH RESULTED IN A DRIVER SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN N…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 chevrolet Cobalt?
It's a serious issue. 123 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.