2008 BMW M3 vs 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2008 BMW M3 | 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 82 | 845 |
| Recall campaigns | 5 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 127 | 945 |
| Investigations | 1 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 4 | 76 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 14 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16 | 25–27 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 30,000 mi | 76,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW M3 | Chevrolet Cobalt |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2 | 309 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 202 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 166 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 98 |
| Power Train | 37 | 29 |
| Engine | 20 | 36 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 40 |
| Suspension | 0 | 27 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Hesitation / surging | 15 | 13 |
| Loss of power | 11 | 24 |
| Stalling | 10 | 33 |
| Steering problems | 0 | 77 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 45 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 26 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 22 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 14 |
2008 BMW M3
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
Compare all BMW M3 vs Chevrolet Cobalt years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.