TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,200.
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 →
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE IT BEGAN TO STALL AND SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT GASOLINE WAS POURING INTO THE ENGINE AND THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64000.
POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY. KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 72,000, THIS HAPPENS IN LESS THAN 1 MINUTE OF DRIVING THE CAR, MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FUNCTION FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS BEFORE IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,703.
POWER STEERING PROBLEMS ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. *TR
2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS POWER STEERING. MY CAR LOSES POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND IS HARD TO GET OUT. *TR
BOUGHT A NEW 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE CAR HAD SERIOUS AIR CONDITIONING LEAKING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY THAT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO SOLVE. WE WERE ABOUT TO GO LEMON LAW ON THE CAR WHEN CHEVY CAME OUT WITH A SERVICE NOTICE AND GOT THE LEAK SOLVED. THE CAR THEN HAD A HEADLIGHT THAT WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND SHORT OUT THE HEAD LIGHT. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT CASE AND THE WATER WOULD LEAK OUT. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO DO THIS!!! THE CAR RECENTLY STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ODOMETER JUMPING AROUND WHILE YOUR DRIVING. WHILE THAT'S HAPPENING THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AS THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WITH MY 22 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING THE CAR TO SCHOOL DOING 65 ON I95. SCARED HER AND SHE HAD TO TRY GET THE CAR OVER THREE LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO DO IT AND AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, THIS TIME ON A SIDE ROAD AS SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY ANYMORE. SHE IS A STUDENT AND NEEDS TO GET TO COLLEGE. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND THEY TELL US IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT'S GOING TO COST BETWEEN $600- $1200 DOLLARS. IT COULD EITHER BE THE POWERSTEERING MOTOR OR THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY GET IN TO THE WORK. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 05-06 MODEL. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE ON THE ROAD. THE EXPENSE IS BOTH UNNEC
POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. I COULDN'T STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT SS IN 2007. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT MY CHECK ENGINE LET CAME ON. THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY UP BUT I TOOK TO A SHOP MY FAMILY HAS TAKEN ITS CARS FOR YEARS. THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM - THEY EVEN TOOK A SPECIFIC CLASS ON MY CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS IT. TO DATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF. MOST RECENTLY, IT CAME ON AND SO DID A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING AND IT BEING WINTER THERE WAS ICE EVERYWHERE. I FOUND MYSELF SLIDING ACROSS THE FREE WAY. I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BUT THANKFULLY MADE IT HOME. THANK GOD, NOT CHEVROLET. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $2000 TO FIX IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND I'M JUST NOT WILLING TO DO SO UNTIL I KNOW FOR SURE THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT BE RECALLING IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MANY HAVE ACTUALLY SEND PETITIONS OUT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT RECALL THIS BUT WILL RECALL THEIR HEADLIGHTS?! I COULDN'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT WHEN I READ IT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP HERE LOCALLY OR THE MAIN PHONE NUMBER FOR CHEVROLET. I'M JUST PUT ON HOLD. I'M A RESPONSIBLE, SINGLE WOMAN WITH A MORTGAGE AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR. I GUARANTEE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER C
2005 CHEVY COLBALT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE KEY CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47000.
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF TO RESET THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE IT DOES NOT OCCUR OFTEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 02/13/10 *BF UPDATED 02/16/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB
2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING IS FINE AND WORKING UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY AT THE DASH AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. POWER STEERING RETURNS UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT WILL USUALLY FAIL SHORTLY AFTER. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP NOW AWAITING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SUDDENLY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER CONTINUED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE STEERING COLUMN AND MOTOR KIT WERE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. JS
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ON ME A COUPLE DAYS AGO. IT JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED STEERING AND HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD AND CALL WRECKER TO TOW IT HOME. I WENT TO A AUTOPARTS STORE SO THEY COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME $1800.00 TO FIX. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR COBALTS AS WELL. *TR
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THIS VEHICLE IS MY FAMILIES' ONLY MEANS OF FAMILY TRANSPORTATION. ALSO, I HAVE VERY SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING A VERY HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. THE VEHICLE IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRAVELING TO MY DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS. AT RANDOM TIMES MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND LOCKED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT HAS TROUBLE STAYING IN DRIVE, AND STARTS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL PERIODICALLY. THE PROBLEMS USUALLY OCCUR WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. THEY HAVE CHANGED ITEMS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. YET, JUST TODAY, THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN. I CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT I HAVE A RELIABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MY DOCTORS. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT FACT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. IF I AM UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DOCTOR OF HOSPITAL, MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN TAKE MY LIFE, OR MY UNBORN CHILD'S. I NEED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BEFORE I GO BANKRUPT PAYING FOR THEM TO FIX WHAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND. *TR
2005 CHEVY COBALT 32 587 MILES. DRIVING ON ICY ROADS AFTER SHOPPING FOR A NEW COUCH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING FLASHED AND THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION. I TRIED TO CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR HAS NO POWER STEERING FLUID, IT HAS ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT RESET ITSELF. LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE ROAD IT REPEATED THE WARNING AND AGAIN NO POWER STEERING ON ICY ROADS. I CAME HOME AND LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM OR A RECALL. I THEN FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE ON THE CHEVY COBALT. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD TAKE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER, THERE IS NO RECALL AND THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO ANY COSTS WOULD BE ON ME TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY A RECALL, AND I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THIS MATTER BE LOOKED INTO. ALL I HAD TO TYPE IN WAS "CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING" AND FOUND NUMEROUS PAGES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT RANDOMLY SHUT OFF. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND GIVE AN INDICATION OF "POWER STEERING". ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON THE WHEEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON IT WORKS AGAIN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES THEN SHUTS OFF AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. AS I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE, AND I CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. I AM RELATIVELY FINE FROM THE CRASH EXCEPT FOR SOME BACK AND NECK PAIN, BUT MY CAR IS CRACKED IN THE FRONT. *TR
05 COBALT STEERING PROBLEM STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING. *TR
(12/31/09) I HAVE NOT HAD POWERSTEERING SINCE APRIL ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON IT. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS, WITHIN A MONTH THE POWERSTEERING WOULD ONLY LAST A FEW SECONDS SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED IF THIS ISN'T TAKEN CARE OF SOON PLEASE HELP! *TR
1. DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45-55 MPH. 2. 2005 CHEVY COBALT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM. MY CAR OUT OF NO WHERE WILL CONSTANTLY FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO DIE, JERKS LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER HUGE POTHOLES AND RUMBLES. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES BUT I HAVEN'T DRIVING THE CAR MUCH SINCE I JUST DELIVERED MY FIRST CHILD IN NOVEMBER. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY NEWBORN IN MY CAR! 3. I HAVE NOT FIXED MY CAR SINCE I DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH UNTIL I GO BACK TO WORK. THIS CHEVY COBALT PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS THE MOST POPULAR PROBLEM OVER THE INTERNET. YOUTUBE, AUTOMOTIVE PROBLEM AND FORUM SITES HAVE MULTIPLE OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PART IS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH COSTS OVER A $1000! AS A CONCERNED NEW MOTHER WHO DOESN'T HAVE $1000 LAYING AROUND TO SPEND ON MY CAR, PLEASE FORCE GM TO MAKE A RECALL. THANK YOU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $900. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN UPDATED 02/22/10
FOR THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOSES IT'S POWER STEERING GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD (AN UNEVEN SURFACE). IF THE CAR IS RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK UNTIL THE NEXT BUMP IN THE ROAD. I'VE TAKEN MY COMPLAINT TO CHEVROLET AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS TOLD ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THEIR MECHANIC. I'VE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL CHEVY COBALT OWNERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE WHOLE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE PROBLEM TO GO AWAY. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY MECHANIC FRIENDS OF MINE THAT, GIVEN TIME, THE WHOLE POWER STEERING COULD SEIZE ON ME AND I WOULD HAVE NO WAY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY LOCAL PD BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS DRUNK BECAUSE I COULDN'T STAY IN MY LANE ON A TURN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE DRUNK BECAUSE I'M A BUS DRIVER AND I WOULD GET FIRED IF I EVER WAS DRUNK. *TR
2005 CHEVY COBALT SUDDEN POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY IN DALLAS, TX. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR PROBLEMS PRIOR TO POWER STEERING GOING OUT, AND WE WERE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN AN AREA WITH SEVERAL CURVES IN THE ROAD. THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTENING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, PS WORKED FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN WENT OUT AGAIN AND CONTINUED LIKE THIS FOR REMAINDER OF TRIP. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE FROM OTHER COBALT OWNERS ON THE INTERNET FORUMS. SEE HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-COBALT/T8FMSUQB7V2DTH5JH THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW IN THE COBALT. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD MOST LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS QUOTED REPAIR COST RANGING FROM $1000-$2000. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND I CANNOT AFFORD THIS AT THIS TIME. CHEVY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS BEFORE THERE ARE INJURIES/DEATHS. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WORKS FINE, BUT WILL GO OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY COBALT, MALIBU AND OTHER MODELS. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING,ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH. THE VEHICLE BEEPS AND DISPLAYS "POWER STEERING" ON THE SCREEN IN THE DASH WHEN IT FAILS.TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON RESTORES POWER STEERING,BUT AFTER APPROX. A QUARTER MILE OF DRIVING IT FAILS AGAIN. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A DINGS CHIME I LOOKED AT MY CONSOLE AND IT READ POWER STEERING AND THAT MOMENT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO A SHARP TURN AHEAD. NEEDLESS TO SAY IF WOULD OF BEEN CLOSER TO THE TURN I MAY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN THE CONSOLE FLASHES THE WORDS POWER STEERING ON AND OFF AND I CAN'T TURN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS MY FIRST CHILD WAS BORN ON DEC 10,2009 AND I'M AFRAID TO TAKE HIM TO THE DOCTOR OR MY WIFE TO THE GROCERIES STORE THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR BOTHTHE OWNERS AND OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD A RECALL MUST BE MADE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED SHAME ON CHEVY FOR SELLING SUCH A LOW QUALITY VEHICLE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT FAILED TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS FAILS UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON AS TO WHY, OR WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE ARE RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SHARP CURVE WHICH ALMOST LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I'M NOT SURE HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS AS IT IS RANDOM. HOWEVER, I CAN SAY THAT I HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR WITHOUT IT GIVING OUT. ALSO, WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON. BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AS TO HOW LONG IT WILL REMAIN ON. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT WOULD WORK FOR AN HOUR AFTER RESTARTING IT, TO LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER RESTARTING IT. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A HAZARD AND COULD TAKE LIVES. I BELIEVE THAT THE PRICE FOR FIXING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS OVER 1000 DOLLARS WITHOUT WARRANTY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM NOT OK WITH. *TR
POWER STEERING LOCKS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHILE SNOWING WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ALOT OD CHEVY COBALT CONSUMERS??? THIS NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. HE COULD NOT PROPERLY TURN THE STEERING COLUMN, BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76, 500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. SHE HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE ERROR CODE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 50,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK. WHEN THE CAR DING AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ACROSS THE DASH. THEN WHEN SHE TRIED TO MAKE THE TURN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WORKED FOR A MINUTE THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN WHEN ANOTHER TURN WAS MADE. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T IN REALLY BAD TRAFFIC BUT SOMETHING. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-26 MY POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON, AND I NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. I GOT THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY,THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. THIS MADE THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT HOME I SHUT OFF THE CAR ,AND CAME BACK LATER AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS BAD. I HAD THE PART REPLACED AT A COST OF $450.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING A SPAN OF 45 MILES, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AT LEAST 15 TIMES. HE HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME FORCE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT WAS 93,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2008 BY EARLY SPRING OF 2009 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A BEEPING NOISE AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID POWER STEERING I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING I AM A VERY SMALL 100 POUND GIRL AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER WHO THEN TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME OVER 800 TO FIX AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY . I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY AFTER JUST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND BEING A STUDENT IN SCHOOL . I THEN FOUND A MECHANIC THAT PUT THE PART IN FOR A CHEAPER PRICE BUT STILL ENDED UP COSTING ME 450.00. I WAS RELIEVED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TODAY NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD THE SAME BEEPING NOISE AND ON MY SCREEN IT CAME UP POWER STEERING!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS TIME I COULD NOT SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND MYSELF AND MY GIRLFRIEND USED ALL OF OUR STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY EXIT...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY COSTLY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN HOPES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A FAIR DISTANCE BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS. IM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE T HAPPEN EVERY 6 MONTHS AND ONE OF THESE TIMES IM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. IF I HADN'T HAD MY F
TL*THE CONTACT A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED WARRANTIES AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
I STARTED TO NOTICE, IN MY COBALT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ACROSS THE SCREEN EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS. I DID NOT MIND IT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A CONSTANT THING. I ASKED A TECHNICIAN TO CHECK IT OUT AND THE CAR WAS FINE. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER I NOTICE, WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK, THAT MY RADIO WAS SHORT CIRCUITING. I FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET THAT FIXED, THINKING THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE RADIO WAS NOT RELATED, EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING IN THE CAR IS ELECTRICAL. AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, ON THE INTERSTATE, AND AS I EXITED THE INTERSTATE TO COMMUTE TO MY HOME, "POWER STEERING" FLASH ON MY DASHBOARD AND MY WHEEL JERKED. NOW, I WAS TURNING THE WHEEL AND EXITING THE INTERSTATE MERGING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WHILE EXITING AND MERGING, I WAS GOING ACROSS AN OVERPASS OVER THE INTERSTATE AND CAME LIFE-FLASHING CLOSE TO HITTING THE BRIDGE. THANK GOODNESS I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO DRIVE FIVE MILES TO MY HOME WITH A, BASICALLY, STUCK STEERING WHEEL. AFTER I APPROACHED MY HOME AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, I WENT GOING INTO MY HOME. I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS, LET ALONE POWER STEERING. SO, I DECIDED TO GO TO MEINEKE TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. I THOUGHT I WAS JUST PANICKING AND IT WAS JUST A GLITCH. I ASKED THE MEINKE TECHNICIAN ABOUT IT AND HE CONFIRMED THAT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH AND TO BRING THE CAR IN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HOPING IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, I WENT HOME RELIEVED, O
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. AFTER INSPECTION A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45200.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,150.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HE HAS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65119. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. EARLY MARCH 2009 POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, POWERSTEERING WOULD ONLY STAY ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TO REGAIN IT I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. THIS LASTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS. IT WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS, SEARS AND A CAR DEALERSHIP AND BOTH RAN DIAGNOSTICS WHICH FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS FOR SURE EXCEPT TO SAY PERHAPS PUTTING IN A WHOLE NEW POWER STEERING SYSTEM WOULD HELP. THOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE. WHEN I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEMSELVES THEY STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWERSTEERING IN THAT YEAR AND MODEL AND WANTED TO RUN THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTICS, THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR. I REFUSED SINCE THE SECOND DEALER I TOOK THE CAR TO WAS A CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE COMPANY I HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED IN JULY OF 09 ONLY TO COME BACK NOW DEC 09. THE CARS POWERSTEERING IS OFF WITHIN A MINUTE OF ENGINE START. WITH THE SNOWY WEATHER THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME AND ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES; AND I HAVE CHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE PULLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL JUST TO TURN THE CAR HAS HAD ME IN BEDREST TWICE NOW. *TR
POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 COBALT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, IT HAD NOT DONE IT FOR TWO MONTHS. BUT RECENTLY, WHILE I WAS TAKING A TURN, IT WENT OUT, AND I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKFULLY NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRESENT IN INTERSECTION, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FRONT END COLLISION. NOW IT WORKS ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON , BUT GOES OUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES CONSTANTLY WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. I CAN NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED BECAUSE IT UNLOCKS ITSELF. I STARTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT IN 2007, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, ITS 63,000 MILES, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IN A CAR LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, AND THE ROADS ARE OFTEN ICY, I AM FEARFUL IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, I HAD THE SHOCKS/STRUTS? REPLACED 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT, AT AROUND 40, 000 MILES, AND THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE DEALER FIXED IT, I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED THEN, BUT I WAS AFRAID TO SHELL OUT MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE THEY WOULD CLAIM WAS WRONG WITH IT. *TR
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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.
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