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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

84 messages,  Last post on Jan 25, 2013 at 9:55 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Cobalt Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cobalt, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 9

#57 of 84 Re: Smelly Cobalt air conditioning [uplanderguy] by malodorous

Feb 25, 2012 (3:22 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (May 02, 2010 3:27 am)
I donn't think GM has a solution, I think they have is a design problem?
 
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt LT Sedan – Purchased new August 2010
 
End of June 2011 we started to have a fowl interior smell. For the next 2 weeks we tried Frebreeze, car deodorizers and boxes baking soda under the front seat. Did not help.
 
Complained to the dealer and made an appointment to take the car in for inspection.
July 12, 2011 we dropped the car off for the dealer to take a look first thing the next morning.
In the morning the dealer took trunk and back seat apart to check for smell then Ozone procedure was done on the car.
Picked car up before service closed on July 13, 2011.
 
The smell was worse, not only was there the smell that had been stirred up but also the smell of the Ozone? This did tone down a little after about a week, the smell was still there.
 
I reported this to the dealer smell was still present; August 10, 2011 they told me they would check with GM. Turns out they had to order a special deodorizer kit from GM.
 
Returned the car to the dealer August 19, 2011 for first kit cleaning. # 10953503 -*80c Picked car up same day.
 
The smell was worse, not only was there the smell that had been stirred up but also the smell of the cleaning kit. This did tone down a little after about a week, the smell was still there.
 
Shortly after this I received an online survey from GM asking about my last visit. All the questions as usual were staff and facility related. In the comment box I asked why they never ask questions about the vehicle. I mentioned that I was very unhappy with my stinking fowl smelling Cobalt. Shortly after I received a call from GM customer service.
Discussed the problem, made arrangements to take the car back for another cleaning.
 
Returned the car to the dealer September 16, 2011 for second kit cleaning. # 10953503 -*80c
 
I received a message from the GM Rep a few days after a cleaning asking how the car was and each time I would wait about 2 weeks to call back. I wanted to give ample time to see if they had fixed the problem. They haven’t.
 
Between Sept. 16 and Oct 4, 2011 I was told by both the dealer’s service advisor and GM’s customer service rep that the next step would be REMOVE THE DASH.
I told both; I did not like the idea because it wouldn’t go back together the same way. I was assured it would and I agreed.
 
On October 4, 2011 the dealer removed the dash and replaced the core, also cleaned with third cleaning kit # 10953503 - *80c. Found nothing.
Also replaced cabin hepa filter. I paid.
 
I received a message from the GM Rep a few days after a cleaning asking how the car was and each time I would wait about 2 weeks to call back. I wanted to give ample time to see if they had fixed the problem. They haven’t.
 
Guess what, I was right. They didn’t put the dash back together properly.
I picked the car up before service closed, same day. I couldn’t leave the dealers lot, I had to return to the service area, wipers and heater did not work. A few days later I was vacuuming the vehicle and found a trim washer meant to stop a screw from going through plastic trim and a short bolt with its own washer!!! along with noticing the steering wheel had not been put back level.
When I mentioned the steering wheel to the service advisor he told me I was wrong because the steering wheel could only be put on one way due to the design of the shaft and steering wheel. I do understand the concept and told him I would re-check. It’s off, 22-23 degrees low on the right side
 
Arrangements were made to have a dealer’s tech. drive the car for 4 days Oct. 20 – 24, 2011 to check the smell. The dealer ended up cleaning the car with 2 different kits # 88861437 and 992878 - *80c
 
GM rep called, I only waited a week to call back. I called on November 1, 2011 a left a message, I want something done. On November 2, 2011 GM Rep called me back, I said no more cleanings, and they hadn’t fixed a thing. I want out of the vehicle. The GM Rep said they would check with management.
 
November 4, 2011, GM Rep calls back and offered us $750.00; I was told they might be able to get us $1000.00. I had already figured out it would cost us 10,000 to 15,000 to get out of the car (depending on trade-in value). My parting remarks to the GM Rep, I don’t think all the chemicals, ozone and the moldy mildew smell was good for our health.
 
Things changed after mentioning the chemicals and ozone.
 
Had to keep calling to get a return call GM Rep.
 
At the dealership, everyone was really nice, almost too nice, and as you can see from below, told to say and do nothing.
In mid October when I realized GM wasn’t going to be able to fix the car I mentioned to the lady in the cashiers office that I thought I was missing an invoice, she offered to print them all off going back to July 12-13, being a nice guy I said I would let her know which one I was missing, stating it was a waste of her time and paper to print them all. In mid November when I asked to get a copy of the July 13, 2011 invoice I was told no paper work had been created so there was nothing to print.
Funny how I have the invoice #
 
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I WENT ON-LINE, TYPED IN “SMELLY COBALT” AND WAS I SHOCKED.
GM has had this problem with the Cobalt since the first model year. 2005. Yet both GM and the Dealer led me to believe they hadn’t heard of the problem.
 
A few days later it dawned on me, the car has 35,000 km’s of bumper to bumper warranty remaining, this is their problem and they should fix it.
Called the GM Rep. and left a message, we want the car fixed if GM doesn’t want to help us out of the car. 1 week went by no answer, called again and left message, it took over 2 weeks to get an answer, the excuse they used, voice mail was down for over 2 weeks!!!
At that time I was told I would have to make the car available so a GM person could look at it. On December 13, 2011 car was left over night so they could look at in the next day, Dec 14th. I thought it would be an engineer, turned out it was the dealers Rep.
 
On December 20, 2011 I was told by GM the file was closed and throughout this 5 month ordeal not one person from the dealership or the Rep himself smelled anything.
 
Well, my wife has 2 friends; one refuses to ride in the car because of the smell, and the other starts to gag and would throw up if she stayed in the car.
Plus my neighbor is a license mechanic and new the first time he smelled it what it was. Of course there can be a number of reasons causing it.
Since the arrival of the cold weather the smell has definitely eased, since December 20th we’ve had 3 warm spells a day or so long and each time the smell starts to return, this leads me to believe when the warm weather returns so will the smell.
 
And that’s where it stands.
 
I do have a number of questions for anyone who may be able help.
 
1. What is the pro

#58 of 84 2008 chevy Cobalt Special Edition by pjm16

Nov 11, 2012 (2:40 pm)

#59 of 84 2008 chevy Cobalt Special Edition by pjm16

Jan 20, 2008 (12:33 am)

I've owned my 2008 cobalt coupe special edition since(Dec 20 '07) I haven't noticed any problems,yet. If you know of any please inform me.

#60 of 84 Potential problems with the 08 cobalt special edition by pjm16

Jan 20, 2008 (12:39 am)

I have a concern about getting new wheels for my 08 cobalt. It's got a 4 bolt pattern and my tire size is P205/60R16, I haven't been able to find any acceptable wheels. Does anyone have any suggestions?

#61 of 84 Re: Potential problems with the 08 cobalt special edition [pjm16] by poncho167

Jan 20, 2008 (7:14 am)

Replying to: pjm16 (Jan 20, 2008 12:39 am)
Though they are expensive like most any dealer available accessory, Chevrolet has a lot of custom parts available for their cars. The parts department can show you different wheels and based on that information you should be able to shop elsewhere for the best price, style. Their is a special accessory catalog from GM available for this car that has every part you can think whether stock or high performance including stock or modified engine blocks for racing, aluminum pistons, heads, etc. It cost something like $20 just for the catalog. For wheels make sure you buy the correct wheel with the correct offset because you don't want a Mexican looking car, no offense, with the wheels sticking past the wheel wells of the car. Not only does this look stupid but is very bad of the suspension components and can be very dangerous, and is illegal in most states to have tires hanging out the wheel wells.

#62 of 84 Re: 2008 chevy Cobalt Special Edition [pjm16] by jtk152

Jan 20, 2008 (9:11 am)

Replying to: pjm16 (Jan 20, 2008 12:33 am)
Which engine and transmission on your 2008? You don't hear of any real chronic issues aside from maybe some interior and suspension noises here and there and your occasional power assist steering issue on 2005's. The only issue I've heard of on 2007 2.2L, autos is a crazy surging you get when the torque converter tries to lock. Mine does it and I've heard of about 3 others who have the same concern.
 
Joel

#63 of 84 Re: 2008 chevy Cobalt Special Edition [jtk152] by pjm16

Jan 28, 2008 (11:56 am)

Replying to: jtk152 (Jan 20, 2008 9:11 am)
I haven't had any suspension problems or problems of any other kind..SO FAR. As far as i know my torque converter doesn't do that.When i get up & go everything does what it's supposed to do,believe me when i say it get's up & goes, wheww hold on to your seat!!! When i steer it's just perfect.I have a 2.2L Automatic.

#64 of 84 Special Edition by moparbad

Feb 02, 2008 (2:29 pm)

What are the special features not found on regular Cobalt's?

#65 of 84 Re: Special Edition [moparbad] by gerald41

Feb 03, 2008 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: moparbad (Feb 02, 2008 2:29 pm)
There are no features on the Special Edition that can't be had on other cobalt lines. The difference really is anti-lock brakes and special design 16 inch wheels. The wheels are unique to the special edition although they are only 4 bolt pattern unlike the 5 bolt pattern on the LT-2 with sports appearance package. The other difference would be the shark tooth stripes , but most dealers order the car without them. My dealer has 3 special ediation cobalts and says there very hard to sell, because of the higher price tag and limited options. There basically LT-1's with 16 inch wheels and anti-lock brakes.

#66 of 84 Re: Special Edition [gerald41] by minikiller

Feb 05, 2008 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: gerald41 (Feb 03, 2008 2:24 pm)
hey man i recently got in an accident and my 03 cavalier sport was totaled.
 
in any case it looks like ill be getting a cobalt, 07 or 08 is not decided just yet, prob an 08.
 
do all cobalts have the 4 bolt pattern? i have a set of tires/rims that i bought for my cavvy but the bolt pattern is 5.
 
also the car i might get is navy blue with the white/silver racing stripes. it has a wing and a diff grill setup etc. i understand it it below the ss model but is it just below? what is the lt-2? all lt's ive seen dont have a wing or grill or anything this one has in the showroom but ur post suggests its still below an lt2?
 
thank you kindly

Messages Page 7 of 9

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