YearToAvoid

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 122 Fuel System complaints for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 21% of all 574 complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 105,999. Four fires were reported and there is no related recall listed for this model year.

Fuel System complaints
122
21% of 574
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
105,999 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle suddenly failing to start, later traced by dealers or mechanics to a melted valve kit or melted connection at the fuel pump.
  • Several owners describe strong gasoline odor inside or under the car, sometimes with visible fuel puddling on the ground while driving or parked.
  • Some complaints describe a corroded or leaking fuel line near the rear wheel area, with owners noting a similar issue was recalled on 2007-2009 Cobalt models but not on 2010 models.
  • One owner reported a fuel line fire at a gas station after a leak developed behind the driver-side door.
  • Owners describe intermittent dashboard warnings, including the fuel warning light illuminating with a full tank, alongside fuel system trouble.

When 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 2, 2014, latest Oct 31, 2025.

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt fuel system complaints: complaints filed per quarter252014 Q22017 Q22018 Q32019 Q42021 Q12022 Q22023 Q3
122 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q2 to 2025 Q4; peak 2020 Q3 (25).

Fuel System recalls for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Cobalt model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010122 (21%)
  2. 20110 (0%)
  3. 20120 (0%)
  4. 20161 (100%)
  5. 20170 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system complaints on the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA lists 122 Fuel System complaints for the 2010 Cobalt, which is 21% of the 574 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a fuel system recall for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this model year's fuel system, even though owners note a similar fuel line corrosion issue was recalled on 2007-2009 Cobalt models.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2010 Cobalt is 105,999 miles, according to NHTSA data.
Are fuel system problems on the 2010 Cobalt dangerous?
NHTSA data shows 4 fires and 1 crash linked to fuel system complaints for this model year, with 0 injuries reported.
Do other Cobalt model years have this many fuel system complaints?
No. NHTSA data shows the 2010 model year at 122 complaints (21% share), while 2011, 2012, and 2017 show 0 complaints in this area, and 2016 shows only 1.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.