Page 15 of 33 · complaints 701–750 of 1,649

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 201058,765 milesTX

05 CHEVY COBALT (EPS) POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING YOU CAN DIVE THE CAR MAYBE A MILE AND THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING . YOU CAN TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT AND IT WILL DO THE SAME THING IN A MILE OR SO HAS STARTED DOING IT JUST DRIVING STRAIT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 201098,000 milesTX

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE REPAIR PARTS WERE AT A COST OF $300.00. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Mar 15, 201058,275 milesPA

POWER STEERING FAILS OFTEN. WE LOOKED TO SEE IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW AND FOUND OUT NOTHING TO FILL. IT IS ALL ELECTRIC POWERED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. YOUNG DAUGHTER DRIVING CAR TO WORK AND COLLEGE. VERY CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. TOOK IT TO DEALER HAD THE STEERING MOTOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED AT A COST OF 377.00. THE CAR HAS ONLY 59,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 15, 201050,000 milesWA

MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT'S POWER STEERING. THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN THE BEGINNING OF 2009. I WAS DRIVING MY COBALT DOWN A STEEP HILL GOING APPROXIMATELY 15-20MPH AND OUT OF THE BLUE MY DRIVER MESSAGE CENTER FLASHED THE WORDS 'POWER STEERING', A CHIME SOUNDED AND MY VEHICLE LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTROL MY CAR. I WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO USE MY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT AGAIN HAD NO ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE AT ALL. ONCE I STOPPED, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF. I STARTED THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN (IT STRUGGLED) AND IT DID THE SAME THING, FLASHED 'POWER STEERING' ON THE MESSAGE CENTER, A CHIME SOUNDED AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS (MARCH 13, 2010 AND MARCH 14, 2010. THIS TIME I WAS COMING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AT MY APARTMENT COMPLEX AND THE CAR AGAIN FLASHED 'POWER STEERING' IN THE MESSAGE CENTER, A CHIME SOUNDED AND I AGAIN LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF. I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK UP SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY ON THE 4TH OR 5TH TIME, THE POWER STEERING WAS RESTORED BUT THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT HAS REMAINED LIT EVER SINCE. I AM CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH CHEVY COBALTS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 15, 201076,000 milesTX

MY VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES GAS TANK REPLACED SENSORS REPLACED, CD PLAYER IS ALWAYS LOCKING UP, CDS GET STUCK, VEHICLE VIBRATION ISSUES NEVER FIXED AND A ROTATING NOISE ALONG WITH ROAD NOISE NEVER FIXED. CURRENT WOULD BE THE POWER STEERING WHICH WORKS FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS GIVING ME ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT, THEN A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STIFF AND IS REALLY HARD TO TURN. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND A DEALER BOTH HAVE DENIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY HARD TO PARK REVERSING INTO A PARKING IS IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 14, 2010109,000 milesOH

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE NEW. CAR HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD A FEW PROBLEMS SOME THAT DEALER TOOK CARE OF UNDER WARRANTY. I STARTED NOTICING A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PS FRONT OF THE CAR ON 12/09. I FINALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING WAS COMPLETELY WORN OUT CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARD CAUSING THE NOISE. I REPLACED BOTH PS & DS BUSHINGS WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ON A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED CARS WITH WELL OVER 200,000 MILES ON THEM AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 13, 201045,000 milesMD

MY CAR IS A 2005 COBALT CHEVROLET. TWICE IN 3 MONTHS A HEAR A CHIME AND THE STEERING GOES FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL AND PUTS ME IN HARMS WAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SCARED ME TODAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON I95 WHILE RAINING. THE STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO MANUALLY CONTROL MY VEHICLE AND ALMOST CRASHED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE THE WEEK BEFORE AND THEY SAID IT IS A PROBLEM AND A RECALL NOTICE WILL BE SENT TO ME SOON. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CRASH AND CHEVY SAID IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE I GET MY RECALL NOTICE AND THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 12, 2010MN

REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT TOO QUICK AND THEY ARE STARTING TO GET SUPER NOISY. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 12, 201045,800 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND AT THE SAME MOMENT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA RECALL 10V073000 WAS NOT OFFICIAL AND NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 45800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 47800.

Steering
Filed Mar 12, 201036,000 milesTX

WE HAVE TAKEN OUR DAUGHTERS COBALT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT. IT IS PLACING OUR DAUGHTER IS SERIOUS DANGER. WE HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO $1000.00 ON THIS ISSUE. IT WENT OUT IN DECEMBER AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. IT WENT OUT AGAIN TODAY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 11, 201015,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND AFTER 20 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCE WAS CONSISTENT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND MOTOR. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM); HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Steering
Filed Mar 11, 201057,500 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE WARNING PANEL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE DRIVER SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND UPON RESTARTING, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD RESET ITSELF. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE POWER STEERING AS WELL AS ANOTHER UNKNOWN PART HAD FAILED. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500 AND THE CURRENT WAS 58,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 11, 201040,000 milesNE

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I COULDN'T TURN MY WHEEL AT ALL. I TOOK THE COBALT TO A SHOP, AND IT TURNS OUT IT WAS THE MOTOR. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS TO A TON OF CHEVY COBALTS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS SOOO DANGEROUS! ALSO, OCCASIONALLY MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY RISK IF I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE IN A HURRY. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 11, 201070,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION WITH CAUTION. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED AND DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 11, 201095,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN VEERING TO THE LEFT, WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER IN A STRAIGHT DIRECTION WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO THE MEDIAN AND A SMALL DITCH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, AND ROLLED OVER AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE DRIVER SUFFERED VERY MINOR INJURIES. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SUFFERED SEVERAL MAJOR INJURIES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND THE PASSENGER WAS AIR LIFTED FROM THE SCENE. THE PASSENGER'S PELVIC BONE WAS BROKE IN THREE PLACES, A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE AND TAIL BONE, RIGHT HIP WAS BROKEN, LEFT HIP INJURY, AND ALL FIVE RIBS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 10, 201035,000 milesTX

I BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM INTERVALS, BUT ON AN ALL TO REGULAR BASIS. I DON'T BELIEVE I HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM AS I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT CHOSE TO FIRST FAIL. IT OCCURS NUMEROUS TIMES DAILY AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH SEVERAL TIMES (ESPECIALLY WHEN IT FAILS MID-TURN). NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT SEEING AS THEY TOLD ME TO FIX THE POWER STEERING I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN COSTING ME UP TO 2500 DOLLARS. SOMETHING THAT I JUST CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 10, 201040,000 milesCO

POWER STEERING FAILURE AT RANDOM. I BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW IN 2005. AFTER DRIVING 40,000 MILES I WOULD GET A POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHEN I FIRST TURN THE CAR ON I HAVE POWER STEERING, BUT AFTER A RANDOM MOMENT OF TIME IT CUTS OUT AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON. IT WILL GO OUT IN MID TURN OR WHILE GOING STRAIGHT & BOTH FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. MOST REPORTS I CAN FIND ABOUT THE PROBLEM SAY IT WILL COST ABOUT $2000 TO FIX AND THE PROBLEM RECURS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET A PART TO FIX IT IS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SOME DEALERSHIPS ARE SAYING ITS THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE OTHERS SAY ITS A MOTOR. I THINK ITS A SCAM FROM GM TO MAKE A PART THAT GOES OUT AND CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. THE FAILURE HAPPENS DAILY NOW. ITS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT IS UNSAFE TO TURN INTO BUSY TRAFFIC IN THE CITY AND DRIVING AROUND MOUNTAINS. IT WAS THE CHEAPEST NEW CAR I COULD FIND AT THE TIME BECAUSE I'M POOR, SO FORKING OVER $2000.00 FOR A PART THAT WILL GO OUT AGAIN IN ANOTHER 40,000 MILES IS NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A LIGHT ON THE DASH TO INDICATE A POWER STEERING FAILURE, IT DOES NOT SHOW UP ON DIAGNOSTICS. IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND NOT MECHANICAL, SO ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT YET BEEN IN A CRASH, BUT I HAVE COME CLOSE MANY TIMES. MANY OWNERS I HAVE SPOKE WITH HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND HAVE CRASHED OR COME CLOSE TO CRASHING ON MANY OCCASIONS. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 10, 201078,850 milesNH

I HAD LEFT MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED HEADING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWERSTEERING SHUTDOWN. TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT AGAIN AND I HAVE POWERSTEERING FOR A SHORT TIME. NOW IT DOES IT AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. WAITING FOR GM TO COME UP WITH A FIX BEFORE I SEE A MECHANIC. HARD TO STEER BUT STILL DRIVABLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 9, 201057,155 milesNC

WE HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. ISSUE 1: THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED COMPLETELY FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS BUT, NOW STARTING TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN. WE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS BACK IN MAY 2009 ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SOME DEALERS WERE ARE VERY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERS TOLD ME THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS A ELECTRONIC FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING IS CONTROLLED BY AN ELECTRIC MOTOR INSTEAD OF HYDRAULICS THAT ARE FOUND IN MOST CARS. THE COST TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IS $1,200+. I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE FIXED BECAUSE IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHEN IT INITIALLY STARTED. WE WANT TO SELL THE VEHICLE BUT, WE DO NOT WANT TO PASS THIS LEMON ON TO ANOTHER CONSUMER WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THESE ISSUES. ISSUE 2: THE WHEEL WELL COVERS AND INTERIOR MOLDING ARE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE WITH CHEAP PLASTIC GROMETS THAT FAIL FROM FATIGUE AND POOR ENGINEERING. THE WHEEL WELL COVERS HAVE COME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I REATTACHED A PARTIALLY ATTACHED WHEEL WELL COVER WITH SHEET METAL SCREWS AND REMOVED THE REST. THESE ITEMS ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN GM'S QUALITY AND ENGINEERING PRACTICES. *TR

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 9, 201038,000 milesOK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN RIGHT STEERING ISSUE. AS A RESULT THE CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT, OVER MEDIAN, OVER 2 CURBS BEFORE DRIVER COULD STOP VEHICLE JUST SHY OF GAS METER. FILED COMPLAINT WITH GM > THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE INFORMED ME OF A RECALL ON GM COBALT AND THE PARTS TO FIX PROBLEM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. AND IT APPEARS THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED WHY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN. AND MY VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 8, 201097,279 milesFL

MY WIFE AND I GOT INTO THE CAR, WE STARTED TO PULL OFF FROM HER PARENT'S HOUSE AND BEFORE WE MADE IT OFF THEIR STREET, THE CAR CHIMED AND "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE POWER STEERING IMMEDIATELY BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, AS WE ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT ON THE STREET. IT CHIMES AS SOON AS WE START THE CAR AND BEGIN PULLING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, OR PULLING AWAY FROM ANYWHERE WE ARE. IT TAKES MAYBE 5 SECONDS FROM THE TIME WE START THE CAR BEFORE WE HEAR THE CHIME. IT IS IMMEDIATE. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND THAT GM HAS DONE A RECALL, FINALLY, ON THESE CARS DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE CHIP FOR THE POWER STEERING. WE ARE CONTACTING OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER TODAY TO SEE WHAT STEPS WE NEED TO TAKE NEXT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS NOW. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 7, 201051,300 milesOH

POWER STEERING WENT OUT IN 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I AM SMALL I COULD BARELY STEER. WILL CALL DEALER TODAY

Steering
Filed Mar 7, 201064,963 milesIL

I HAD NO POWER STEERING/POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT FAILED AND THE NEAREST PLACE I COULD GO WAS A LOCAL GOODYEAR REPAIR SHOP. THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 3 DAYS, HAD TO ORDER NEW PARTS AND TAKE OUT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE COST TO ME WAS $956.75. THIS OCCURRED ON AUG. 20, 2009. I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT UNTIL I JUST READ ABOUT IT NOW. 64,000 MILES ARE ON MY AUTO AND I AM ON A FIXED INCOME,CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER AUTO. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 201064,000 milesFL

I PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I HAD THE POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED BEFORE RECALL AND WAS TOLD THAT I CAN GET A REFUND ON THE REPAIR. NOW I HAVE A RATTLE WHEN DRIVING IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND CONCERNS ME. I WONDER IF DRIVING WITH THE POWER STEERING ISSUES I HAD CAUSED MORE DAMAGE TO MY CAR. IT FEELS VERY LOOSE AND I AM CONCERN I MAY LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Mar 6, 201064,000 milesFL

BRAKE PEDAL LOCKS OR GETS HARD TO PRESS. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 201072,500 milesWI

POWER STEERING FAILURE IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 6, 201069,500 milesMD

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I COULD BARELY CONTROL THE CAR. I AM A 22 YEAR OLD FEMALE AND THIS SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH SINCE I ALMOST CRASHED AND COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 5, 201055,000 milesVA

DRIVING 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. TRYING TO GET OUT OF OR IN A PARKING SPACE AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 5, 201060,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS, SHE LOST THE POWER STEERING AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE IN JULY 2009. SHE HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE RESTARTING, THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF. SHE HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Steering
Filed Mar 5, 201065,000 milesIA

THE POWER STEERING ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WENT OUT ON DECEMBER 21, 2009. WE CALLED CHEVROLET AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR LASTING ONLY 65,000 MILES. THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SO WE SPENT $250 TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED. NOW WE FIND OUT IN MARCH THEY ARE RECALLING THIS VEHICLE FOR FAULTY POWER STEERING MOTORS ON 2005 TO 2010 MODELS. THEY HAD TO KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN DECEMBER. SMELLS VERY FISHY. MY CONCERNS ARE: IS THIS A NEW AND IMPROVED MOTOR THAT WAS PUT IN OR AN OLD DEFECTIVE MODEL AND WE WILL BE REIMBURSED THE MONEY WE SPENT FOR SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOW RECALLED THE VEHICLE FOR? ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 4, 201067,000 milesWI

THE RECENT RECALL REGARDING COBALT POWER STEERING PROMPTED ME TO ACTUALLY REPORT THIS. WE HAVE A 2005 COBALT LS WE PURCHASED USED, AND THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, ONLY IN OUR DRIVEWAY UPON PUTTING IT INTO GEAR. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY."POWER STEERING"MESSAGE POPS UP ON INFO PANEL, AND A COMBINATION OF THINGS SEEM TO OCCUR TOGETHER. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO "CLUNK" UPON SHIFTING INTO GEAR, AND USUALLY THE TRACTION CONTROL DUMMY LIGHT COMES ON AS WELL AT THAT TIME. THE PROBLEMS HAVE ALWAYS CORRECTED THEMSELVES, SO NO INCIDENTS TO REPORT, BUT RATHER CONCERNED NOW UPON HEARING MORE. THE CAR NOW HAS 98000 MILES, BUT FOUND PAPERWORK FROM PREVIOUS OWNER THAT COMPLAINT WAS MADE TO DEALER AT 31000, AND THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED @ 67000. SO IT APPEARS THIS CAR IS ALREADY ON IT'S SECOND MOTOR. I HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT IN, AS THE PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT COST OVER $1000, AND COULDN'T AFFORD THAT. THIS RECALL COULDN'T COME SOON ENOUGH, AS MY KIDS RECENTLY STARTED DRIVING IT TO SCHOOL. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 4, 201091,000 milesTN

I CAN BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON & CHIME, BY THE TIME THE CHIME STOPS THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. I CAN STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND IT FIXES THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2-5 MINUTES THEN THE SITUATION REPEATS ITSELF. IT HAPPENS CONSTANTLY TO THE POINT THE CAR IS ALMOST NOT DRIVABLE. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 3, 2010IA

I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER HE IS IN THE MILITARY SNF I HAVE HIS CAR WHILE HE IS GONE. I GUESS I DIDN'T THINK TO REPORT THIS WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME ON A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, UNTIL I READ A ARTICLE ONLINE ABOUT THE STEERING ASSIST MOTORS GOING BAD. BUT 2 YEARS THE MOTOR WENT OUT , TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC GOT A NEW ONE PUT IN AND JUST 2 WEEKS AGO IT WENT BAD AGAIN AND IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN. I KNOW I DIDN'T INCLUDE EVERYTHING BUT WHEN IT WENT OUT THE FIRST TIME MY BROTHER WAS COMING HOME FROM IOWA CITY WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT AND WENT INTO THE MEDIAN NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR WAS DONE BUT THE CAR WAS PARKED CAUSE 2 DAYS LATER HE LEFT FOR IRAQ. THE CAR SAT FOR ALMOST 8 MONTHS BEFORE I PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I STARTED DRIVING IT AND THEN 2 WEEKS AGO IT WENT BAD AGAIN. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 3, 20102,500 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED IN A LEFT AND RIGHT MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,500.

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2010OH

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IN THE SUMMER OF 2008 THE POWER STEERING BEGAN FAILING. I WOULD DRIVE AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE POWER STEERING WOULD CUT OUT AND STEERING WOULD BECOME INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT, MAKING A TURN WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I TOOK THE COBALT TO SERPENTINI CHEVROLET (IN STRONGSVILLE, OH) AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED REPLACED. MY CAR WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY SO I PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET ($1100). I HAVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE INVOICE TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION I AM REPORTING. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 201069,669 milesLA

IN APRIL OF 2009, THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT STARTED GOING OUT WHENEVER I WOULD GET SLOWER THAN 50 MPH. ON APRIL 22, 2009, I HAD TO HAVE MY STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE MODEL DUE TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE AMOUNT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR JOB. THANK YOU. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 201070,604 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A HEALTH HAZARD TO HIM. THE DRIVER HAS NO OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND HE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK WHILE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,604.

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Mar 3, 201033,000 milesTX

2005 CHEVY COBALT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE IGNITION KEY TRIED TO START THE ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS PARKED DURING THE WORK DAY AT THE HOSPITAL COVERED PARKING LOT. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2010FL

POWER STEERING FAILED IN NOVEMBER 2009. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO WORK AND THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" APPEARED ON THE CONSOLE DISPLAY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE VERY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE NEGOTIATING CURVES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION I WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE CURVE AS I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT WAS TOO HARD TO TURN. WHILE NEGOTIATING THIS CURVE I ALMOST STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONTACTED LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND ADVISED THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND THAT THIS WAS NOT A "PROBLEM" BEING ADDRESSED BY CHEVROLET. I WAS ADVISED BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT IF I RESEARCHED THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET I WOULD FIND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT THAT AGAIN CHEVROLET WAS NOT ADDRESSING THIS AS A DEALER PROBLEM AND THAT THE CONSUMERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON THEIR OWN. I ADVISED THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE THAT THE STEERING WAS TOO STIFF / HARD FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, AND WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. I QUESTIONED THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE AS TO HOW CHEVROLET WAS NOT HANDLING THIS AS A RECALL AS IT WAS APPARENT THAT IT WAS NOT ISOLATED TO ONLY ONE TYPE OF VEHICLE AND INCLUDED HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS AND WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 3, 201040,000 milesFL

I COULD HAVE DIED. I WAS DRIVING AROUND A TURN THREE DUMP TRUCKS WERE COMING TOWARD ME AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I LUCKILY SWERVED OFF THE ROAD CAUSING FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I PAID OUT OF POCKET SOME WHERE CLOSE TO $800.00 FOR REPAIRS FOR THE CRASH. THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING FINE FOR AWHILE TILL A LITTLE AFTER SEPTEMBER 26 WHEN IT WENT TOTALLY OUT AGAIN MAKING IT WHERE I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND IT NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT THEY ARE OFFERING ME $5,000.00 FOR MY 05 CHEVY COBALT. THE POWER STEERING WENT TOTALLY OUT A FEW DAYS AFTER SEPTEMBER 26 AND HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT EARLIER ON IN THE YEAR. THEY ARE NOW HOLDING MY CAR AT A PALM CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN OCALA FL. WHEN GOING TO RETRIEVE MY CAR THEY SAID GM WOULDN'T BE ABLE RELEASE MY CAR DO TO THE POWER STEERING RENDERING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I FIRST TALKED TO GM THEY SOUNDED AS THOUGH IT WOULD BE NO PROBLEM THEY WOULD FIX THE CAR AND ALL THE REPAIRS NEEDED FROM THE ACCIDENT. NOW THEY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH AND OUT OF SERVICE SINCE SEPTEMBER. I DON'T THINK I WAS BORN YESTERDAY. THE REPAIRS FOR POWER STEERING IS $1,400. LESS THAN THE $5,000 THAT THEY WANT TO PAY ME SO THEY CAN FIX THE CAR AND RESELL IT LEAVING ME TO DRIVE A PIECE OF JUNK THAT RUNS IF I COULD FIND IT THAT CHEAP. I PAID A LITTLE OVER $18,000 FOR A STOCK MODEL CAR. I PUT $800.00 IN TO IT FROM THE ACCIDENT LEAVING ONLY BODY WORK TO BE DONE. I'M TRYING TO RAISE MY TEN

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201052,000 milesOK

THE POWER STEERING IS FAILING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. I WILL BE DRIVING, A CHIME SOUNDS, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON TO RESET IT. I WILL THEN HAVE POWER STEERING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Mar 2, 201079,200 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CONTACT TOOK THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON UNTIL THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ENGAGED AFTER PUTTING THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION. SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INSTEAD IT STALLED. THE CONTACT DID INFORM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE SHE HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80129.

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 2010FL

2005 CHEVY COBALT AS SOON AS YOU START VEHICLE IT HAS POWER STEERING BUT AS SOON AS YOU START DRIVING A DINGER ALARMS AND DISPLAYS THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE. AND THEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, HOWEVER IT IS DRIVABLE BUT IN MY OWN OPINION NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE ALOT OF FORCE TO STEER ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEED!!!! *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201061,882 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 15-20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE; FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF FIVE SECONDS. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR CAUSED AN EXTREMELY INTENSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WHENEVER ACCESSING THE DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,882.

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201056,500 milesCA

I DRIVE A CHEVY COBALT (2005) WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW. CURRENT IT'S GOT ~55000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEK I EXPERIENCED THREE TIMES SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING - TWICE ON LOCAL DRIVEWAYS AND ONCE ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM REMAINED ON AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS NOT SHUT OFF. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY AS NO ONE KNOWS WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN A DEFENSIVE DRIVE SO I WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE SITUATIONS CALMLY WITHOUT CAUSING ANY TROUBLE; BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE GM SERVICE CENTER FOR A CHECKUP AND HOPEFULLY A FIX. APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN OVER ONE THOUSAND CASES LIKE THIS. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201099,689 milesWI

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALTS POWER STEERING FAILS FREQUENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND TERRAINS MAKING YOU RAPIDLY ADJUST TO THE CHANGE IN STEERING CAPABILITY. THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY TERRIFYING WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Mar 2, 20103,000 milesMS

I AM A HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA TEACHER. I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND BACK TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS A 175000 MILES ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TIME I DID TAKE IT BACK THEY REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES (APPROX IN AUGUST 2005) I HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THIS IS WHEN MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT HAS BEEN COMING ON EVERY SINCE. WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON: *THE CAR JERKS SLIGHTLY AT CRUISING HIGHWAY SPEED AND* WHEN I AM AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 20 MPH IT JERKS VIOLENTLY AND * IT GOES DEAD WHEN IT STOPS AND *THE GAUGES ON THE DASH (ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND GAS) FLUCTUATE WILDLY, AND VERY FREQUENTLY AND FOR SUSTAINED PERIODS OF TIME (DAYS) I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ABRUPTLY, SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I AM TURNING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF ABOUT (1 OUT OF 5 TIMES) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF AND THE LIGHT WITH A LOCK ON IT TURNS ON AND OFF. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED AT SELLERS CHEVROLET IN PURVIS NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE CHECKS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED TWICE. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. IT KEEPS RECURRING. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISS

Electrical System
Filed Mar 2, 201020,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MOMENTS LATER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY HER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME. SHE ALSO STATED THAT MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED; UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE HORN WOULD BLOW. THE POWER LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE, THE ELECTRICAL TRUNK RELEASE WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO FAILED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL POWER STEERING FAILURES AFTER THE THIRD REPAIR, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL HARD AT TIMES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Mar 2, 201048,418 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SHAKE OR MAKE A NOISE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF SO THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RESET AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE STEERING FAILED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE MOTOR WAS ELECTRICAL AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $391. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,418. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,847. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $391.00. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO MAKING NOISE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 2, 20103,000 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT COOP. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE DROVE IT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. EIGHT WEEKS LATER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRIED TO SWITCH LANES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO RESPOND NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS IRATE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE MONTHS AFTER HE PURCHASED IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN 2005 AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE VEHICLE HAS A LOW TORQUE IGNITION CYLINDER. UPDATED 09/21/10

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt → · Every Cobalt year → · How the figures are calculated →