Page 29 of 33 · complaints 1,401–1,450 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 Jan 27, 200930,250 milesMI

I AM EXPERIENCING A RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY QUITE WORKING. IF I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING WILL FUNCTION AGAIN FOR A TIME, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OUT AGAIN. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 27, 200960,000 milesLA

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILS DURING OPERATION. TO RESET THIS CONDITION YOU HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND RE-START THE ENGINE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER LESS THAN THREE MINUTES OF DRIVING EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE CAR AND IS NOT SAFE FOR SOMEONE THAT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $900.00. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 26, 200980,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH, WHICH SHE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY ALLOWING 70 MPH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN SHE WOULD SLOW DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT IT COULD PERFORM CORRECTLY. ON THREE OCCASIONS, A MECHANIC STATED THAT MULTIPLE CODES WERE PRESENT AFTER DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/27/09*JB

Steering
Filed Jan 25, 200946,000 milesFL

POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 200987,000 milesMO

KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION - UNABLE TO REMOVE. CAR WOULD START BUT WAS IN LIMP MODE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 19, 200953,000 milesVA

POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING, WORKS AGAIN AFTER RESTART. DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. DANGEROUS AS CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 15, 200947,159 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR FAILED AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. CYCLING POWER TO THE MOTOR (KILLING IGNITION AND RESTARTING CAR) BRINGS IT BACK FOR A FEW MOMENTS BEFORE IT FAILS AGAIN. ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 9, 200919,700 milesCA

POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING MOUNTAIN DRIVING. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 6, 200970,000 milesAZ

AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES THE "POWER STEERING" INDICATOR COMES ON AND THEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE IT. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $1000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE FACTORY WARRANTY IS OUT, SO WE ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT AT THIS TIME. IT IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE TO DRIVE A 130 MILE COMMUTE EVERY DAY. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 200966,000 milesPA

BEGINNING JANUARY 3RD, 2009, THE 'POWER STEERING' WARNING HAS INTERMITTENTLY APPEARED AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 3 TIMES, BETWEEN 30 AND ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. I ALSO OWN A 2004 MALIBU. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH HER CAR. AFTER FIGHTING WITH GM AND THE DEALER THEY AGREED, AS A ONE TIME EXCEPTION, TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR THE MALIBU AT NO COST. THIS DUE TO MY "CUSTOMER LOYALTY." KNOWING THE TROUBLE INVOLVED AND THE LIKELY OUTCOME, I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED GM REGARDING THE CURRENT COBALT ISSUES. THE COST OF REPAIR IS SUSPICIOUS, AROUND $2000. THE METHOD OF REPAIR IS ALSO SUSPECT; THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. NOT ONLY DOES THIS SEEM TO BE EXCESSIVE, THERE IS LITTLE ASSURANCE THAT THE NEW STEERING COLUMN IS ANY DIFFERENT. IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT ANYONE TO FOOT THIS BILL AS A CONSUMER. IT IS EXPENSIVE, AND CLEARLY A PRODUCT DEFECT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT USING THE CAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE, THUS RENDERING THIS COSTLY PRODUCT ALL BUT USELESS - AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ELECTRONIC ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I NEED TO OPEN THE BOTTOM OF THE COLUMN TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION (ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FROM GOODWRENCH - $450), AND REPEATED BLOWN FUSES WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, ATTRIBUTED TO PINCHED WIRING. A RECALL SEEMS IN ORDER FOR THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 200971,824 milesOH

WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AND HAS FAILED EVERYTIME I START TO DRIVE IT. THIS STARTED ON 12/20/08. DRIVING IT IS DIFFICULT AND THE ONLY CURE IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN COSTING $700. I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO THE CHEVY COBALT 05-08. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 1, 200956,000 milesNH

IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING AND I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES HOME AND AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING SENSOR CAME ON, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS I HAD NO STEERING. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO ACCURATE WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT, THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE DEATH OR ACCIDENT DEPENDING UPON WHAT'S AROUND THAT I MAY HIT WHEN I CAN'T STEER MY CAR. IT WAS BROUGHT IT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, IT WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS NOT REPAIRED AS IT COST OVER A THOUSAND TO FIX. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jan 1, 200946,000 milesSC

LEFT BLINKER RANDOMLY WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE BULB AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. STARTED WITH JUST THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. WORKED AFTER JIGGLING THE WIRES ONE DAY WHEN I WAS BORED BUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP ONE TIME WHEN RIGHT BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING THE FLASHERS ON TO FIX IT BUT DOES NOT WORK. ALL THE FUSES AND EVERYTHING ARE GOOD. LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR CHEVROLETS AND 05 COBALTS IN GENERAL. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Dec 26, 200860,000 milesVA

THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF THIS COMPONENT. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 26, 200819,698 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES IN ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED BECAUSE THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,698.

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 26, 200860,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. DUE TO SHOCK, ALL THE CONTACT COULD REMEMBER WAS CLIMBING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND FLIPPED OVER WHILE EXITING OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, INTERNAL BRUISING, AND A CRACKED TAILBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO GET A ROD INSPECTED, WHICH WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THAT TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Dec 25, 200845,000 milesMA

KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION MY DAUGHTER GOT STRANDED TOLD WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 CHEVY COBALT DEALER SAID 500.00 TO FIX SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 20, 200845,000 milesKY

I WAS RECENTLY TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO MANEUVER. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE WARNING PANEL AND IT HAD LIGHTED UP "POWER STEERING". MY CAR IS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH 45,000 MILES. I READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OTHER 2005 COBALT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 40,000 MILES. I TOOK IT IN TO A CHEVY DEALER TELLING THEM THAT IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FLAW WITH THE 2005 COBALT BUT THEY SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE EPS MODULE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO HAVE SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE TO GO OUT ON YOUR VEHICLE WHEN IT IS STILL FAIRLY NEW AND HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO OTHERS BUT YET WE ARE LEFT TO PAY FOR AN APPARENTLY WELL KNOW FLAW IN THE CHEVY COBALT THAT GM DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT EXITS. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 20, 200869,214 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A "POWER STEERING" WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE SECOND THE MESSAGE CAME ON IN THE LAST MONTH BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OFF AND THERE WAS NO STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER AS NEEDING A NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR THIS WEEK. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 17, 200887,220 milesNH

POWER STEER CUTS OUT AND DOES NOT COME BACK UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED. HAPPENS RANDOM TIMING EVERY TRIP. CHEVY QUOTED 800.00 TO REPAIR STATING THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 16, 200834,600 milesNJ

THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW WAS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. FIRST NOTICED TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON-THE CAR "BUCKS" AND POWER STEERING IS LOST-SEVERAL TIMES CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND HAVE TO BE RESTART. AFTER RESTART WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO AWAY AND POWER STEERING RETURNS. SEEMS TO COME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER RESTART, RUNS OK UNTIL THE PROCESS STARTS AGAIN. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 08 AND FIRST INCIDENT WAS AUG 15 2008-TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, SECOND AND THIRD TIME THE CAR SEEMED OK UNTIL THE 4TH INCIDENT AND RETURNED TO DEALER AGAIN AND RESET AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER CODES WERE SHOWING U2105 AND U2100 U2107 AND CAR RETURNED. THIS LAST INCIDENT (12-11-08) THE CAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING AND DROVE RIGHT TO DEALER TO SHOW SERVICE WHAT THE CAR WAS DOING. THEY CLAIMED THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AND IT DISENGAGES FROM THE COMPUTER AND THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A COMPUTER MODULE. GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO CORRECT THIS BECAUSE I CAN'T LET MY SON DRIVE A CAR KNOWING AT ANYTIME HE WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. HE HAS BEEN LUCKY HE WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THIS OCCURS. IF HE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER AND LOST POWER HE MIGHT BE KILLED BECAUSE HE WOULD LOSE PS AND STALL. THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COLUMN) WHEN AT ANY TIME WITH NO WARNING YOU CAN LOSE YOUR STEERING, STALL AND/OR BUCK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH INTO

Steering
Filed Dec 15, 200842,222 milesNC

DRIVING THE CAR, AND THEN, NO POWER STEERING. CALLED MECHANIC TOLD "DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH EPS SYSTEM. CALLED DEALER TOLD TO BRING IN TO LOOK AT. *TR

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Dec 11, 200835,300 milesCO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES QUICKLY TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE STEERING LOCKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT HE SPUN OUT TWICE AND EVENTUALLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR TWO SECONDS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS COMPONENT. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,300. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/09.*JB

Steering
Filed Dec 8, 200846,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS FAILING AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. SHE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING COULD LOCK AT ANY MOMENT WHILE DRIVING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,834 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 200890,000 milesNC

'05 COBALT: FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. CONDITION WILL CLEAR BY TURNING CAR OFF THEN RESTARTING, BUT FAILS AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH COBALTS, BUT GM WON'T ISSUE A RECALL. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR THIS TO BECOME AN ACCIDENT! *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 2, 200830,000 milesCA

WITH LITTLE WARNING, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY; I BARELY COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL; WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; MY STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON!!!! I THOUGHT CHEVY COBALT HAD GOOD CONSUMER REPORTS. WHAT HAPPENED CHEVROLET??? DID YOU ALL DECIDE THAT QUALITY JUST ISN'T WORTH A [XXX]! HOW ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY!!! I AM AN RN AND AM OUTRAGED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND YET NO PUBLIC RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 2, 2008KY

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED OVER TIME. THIS CAUSES EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN TURNING, ESPECIALLY SCARY IN URGENT SITUATIONS WITH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 24, 200842,500 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE ACCESSORY STAGE OF THE IGNITION MODULE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED HER FROM TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,500.

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2008OH

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME WHEN (WITH LITTLE WARNING), THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. THANK GOD HE WAS DRIVING SLOW (IN CITY LIMITS) AND NOT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY! A LOCAL DEALERSHIP DID THE REPAIR WORK WHICH MEANT THE STEERING COLUMN IN QUESTION WAS FIXED WITH THE SAME KIND OF STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. I HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT NOT ONLY THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT, BUT ALSO ANOTHER CHEVY MAKE AND MODEL AS WELL. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS "SHOULD" BE A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION. WE FEEL IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TO US OR ANYONE ELSE. GOD FORBID THERE BE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT AND/OR FATALITY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE! *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 20, 200855,000 milesPA

I ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLIGHT BEND CAUSING ME TO ALMOST SIDE-SWIPE ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS YOU HEAR A CLICKING SOUND & THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING. I THINK THERE'S A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JANUARY BUT IT WAS ONLY A 30 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER & THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACED BUT I WOULD COST ME $800 PLUS TAX. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN TOUCH WITH GM IN ORDER TO GET THIS FIXED UNDER A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT HAVE BEEN GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT MEANWHILE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED GM & GM HAS TOLD THEM THE SAME THING. "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM." I HAVE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT IS UNSAFE, SO MY HUSBAND HAS TO BE UNCONVINCED BY TAKING ME WHERE I NEED TO GO BECAUSE I CANNOT STEER IT. IT'S NOT SAFE FOR US OR OTHER PEOPLE, WHILE THIS CAR IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 11, 2008MD

I'VE HAD MY COBALT FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER 3 YEARS AND MY 'POWER STEERING' WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON. IF I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT WOULD GO AWAY FOR A BIT BUT THE WARNING WOULD COME BACK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND OF COURSE MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MY DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR IT ON OTHER COBALTS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 10, 200897,000 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DIC WILL COME ON AND POWER STEERING WILL BE LOST. YOU CAN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR 5 MINUTES, 5 HOURS OR A DAY BEFORE OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER HAS SAID THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 7, 200848,000 milesPA

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING FAILING IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THERE WERE REALLY NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE THAT I SEE AS POSSIBLY HAVING AN EFFECT ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS QUITE RANDOMLY. SOME DAYS IT WILL FAIL UP TO 4 TIMES, AND THEN IT MAY GO A WEEK OR TWO WITHOUT FAILING. IT DOES SEEM TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARMER WEATHER. I AM OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS COULD CERTAINLY BE FATAL FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT ANY OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS INVOLVED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET BY THE FACT THAT CHEVY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS ELECTRONIC PART AT NO COST TO ME SINCE I DO NOT CONSIDER IT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. I FIND THIS TO BE MORE AN ISSUE OF CHEVROLET USING A LESS THAN SATISFACTORY PART FOR THE CAR. THEY HAVE RESPONDED THAT MY WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. I'VE RESEARCHED NUMEROUS FORUMS AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM IN MY 2005 COBALT BUT ONE FACED BY AT LEAST 100-200 OTHERS. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CHEVY DEALER, BUT FOR THE $1000 REPAIR COST THEY QUOTED ME I HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR UNTIL I CAN FIND A MORE REASONABLE PRICE OR CHEVY ISSUES A RECALL. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 200853,741 milesNY

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2005. TONIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME A 'POWER STEERING' MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY DASH AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON THINKING MAYBE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH IN MY COMPUTER AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES THEN THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AGAIN AND AGAIN I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION TO ATTEMPT TO SEE IF I WAS LOW OF FLUID BUT FOUND OUT ITS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. SINCE I WAS ONLY A FEW MORE MILES FROM HOME I WAS ABLE TO, WITH HAZARDS FLASHING, DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME HAVING TO STOP ONCE MORE TO TURN OFF AND ON MY CAR TO REMOVE THE WARNING AND TO RE-ENGAGE MY POWER STEERING. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT MULTIPLE OTHER COBALT OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND I THINK IT IS DEPLORABLE OF CHEVROLET TO NOT HAVE RECALLED THIS BY NOW. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 200830,000 milesAL

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT GOES AND ON OFF. SOMETIMES LOSE POWER STEERING DURING DRIVING. WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED PROBLEM GOES AWAY. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 30, 200828,000 milesFL

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE I WAS ON A CURVE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED! IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 28, 200867,000 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE POWER STEERING WHEN OUT, LUCKILY I WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THE CAR IS BEING LOOKED AT NOW BY THE DEALERSHIP. I RESEARCHED THIS TOPIC ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Oct 28, 2008WI

HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISES IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I HEAR RATTLING FROM EVERY DIRECTION. IT IS A VERY BUMPY AND NOISY RIDE. NOT WORTH THE MONEY I PAID. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 27, 2008WI

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT 4 DOOR. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE - FROM IMPROPERLY FITTING AND NOISY HUB CABS TO BROKEN CONTROL ARMS... HOWEVER I AM WRITING ABOUT THE SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. ON 3-17-06 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THEY REPLACED THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. NOW, SINCE 10-20-08, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM - AGAIN. AND OF COURSE, THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I FIND IT HARD TO FATHOM THAT THIS PART SHOULD "FAIL" AGAIN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME, IF EVER AGAIN. IT WOULD SEEM THAT INFERIOR PARTS ARE JUST BEING REPLACED WITH MORE INFERIOR PARTS. AFTER READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE - I SEE GENERAL MOTORS IS CONTENT TO CREATE CHRONIC AND EXPENSIVE HEADACHES FOR CHEVY OWNERS. NEVER AGAIN GM. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 24, 200858,000 milesAZ

MASSIVE FUEL PUMP LEAK IN 2 AREAS. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2008AZ

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING IS OUT. UNFORTUNATELY THE WARRANTY IS OUT AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT A COST OF OVER $1000.00 WILL NEED TO BE PAID TOTALLY REPLACE THE STEERING PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HOPING THIS WILL BE RECALLED. I THINK IF THEY COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY TO FIX THIS MISTAKE BY THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 20, 200821,610 milesNE

1. THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE, JUST NORMAL DRIVING. 2. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN COMPLETELY OFF. IN DIAGNOSING PROBLEM, REALIZED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL WOULD MOVE THROUGH GEARS WITHOUT THE VEHICLE TURNED ON. 3. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. IN TALKING TO THE DEALER, THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS BECOMING COMMON, SO MUCH SO, THAT THEY HAVE REPAIRED NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND ARE STOCKING THE GEAR SHIFT ASSEMBLY FOR QUICK REPAIR. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 2008TX

I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVROLET COBALT LS (4 DOOR) IN 2005 FROM MY LOCAL DEALER. I DRIVE IT VERY LITTLE - IT NOW HAS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN 13,200 MILES. LAST WEEK WHEN DRIVING NEAR HOME I REC'D A SUDDEN FLASHING MESSAGE ON THE DASH "POWER STEERING." IMMEDIATELY, THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE AND I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MILES PER HOUR - HAD IT BEEN DIFFERENT - AND AS I'VE SINCE FOUND IT THIS HAS OCCURRED THOUSANDS OF TIMES TO OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS CAR - IT COLD HAVE KILLED ME. MY LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM HAD TO BE REPLACED - RATHER ODD FOR A CAR, PERFECTLY MAINTAINED, WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT! THE HEAD TECHNICIAN AT MY DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2005 AND 2006 COBALT'S STEERING MECHANISM. BOTH RELIED ENTIRELY ON AN ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CAN FAIL INSTANTLY AND LEAVE THE CAR WITH NO STEERING CONTROL - WHILE IT'S BEING DRIVEN! THE REPAIRS WERE LARGELY COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY - I'VE HAD IT FOR 38 MONTHS. (REPAIR COPY: "INTERNAL MOTOR FAILURE." AND "REPLACE STEERING COLUMN" = $804.00) BUT, AS THE REPAIR SERVICE ITSELF NOTED, THIS JUST RESTORES THE SAME, READY TO FAIL SYSTEM! THE PROBLEM CAN'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT'S A BASIC DESIGN FLAW! ACCORDING TO THE HEAD TECHNICIAN, BEGINNING IN ABOUT 2007, THE COBALT WAS ALTERED TO INCLUDE A BACK-UP HYDRAULIC STEERING MECHANISM TO MAKE UP FOR THIS RECOGNIZED PROBLEM. THERE ARE OVER 12,600 LISTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET TODAY, SOME NOTING T

Steering
Filed Oct 11, 200848,000 milesPA

POWER STEERING PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THREE ATTEMPTS BY GM DEALER TO FIX A PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THIS SHOULD LEAD TO SAFETY RECALL. DURING THE DRIVING POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I FILLED COMPLAINT WITH BBB, CHEVY, BUT THEY SAID THAT THE SAFETY RECALL MUST COME FROM NHTSA. LOOKS LIKE THOUSANDS OF POWER STEERING COLUMNS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON TWO OR THREE YR OLD CARD, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR-AN-TEAR PART, AND SOMEONE SHOULD RUN STATISTICS ON THIS PART WITH GM, AND CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF CUSTOMERS/DRIVERS. THIS IS A TYPICAL HIGHSCHOOL/COLLEGE STUDENTS CAR, INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS IN TOTALLY UNSAFE CARS... DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED TO HAVE RECALL ON CHEVY COBALTS POWER STEERING ISSUES. THANK YOU! *TR

Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 200821,833 milesAK

CAR HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES AND HAVE FAILURE OF THE BUSHING THE RIGHT SIDE IS A TOTAL FAILURE BAD ENOUGH THEY SAID NOT TO DRIVE IT AND THE LEFT IS ABOUT READY TO FAIL ALSO WE'RE HAVING THEM REPLACED AND THE FRONT END REALIGNED BUT WE'RE ON A LIMITED ROAD ISLAND AND THERE ARE 7 OTHER COBALTS HERE THAT ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS IS THIS SOMETHING LOCALLY HERE OR HAPPENING NATIONWIDE. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 10, 200857,000 milesAR

AT 57,000 MILES, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN TURNING IT BACK ON THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO GO AWAY, BUT IT CAME BACK ON SHORTLY WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET. I ALMOST HIT A TRUCK. I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT WILL COST $1000 TO FIX AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO SIGN THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. *TR

Steering
Filed Oct 9, 2008IN

05 CHEVY COBALT SS POWER STEERING WAS LOST DURING MERGING ON TO HIGHWAY, HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AND CONSTRUCTION CONES NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE FAST ENOUGH. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ACTUAL POWER STEERING. BUT IF THEY WERE TO ORDER A NEW PART IT IS ON BACK ORDER, SO THERE MUST BE SOMETHING PRETTY MESSED UP WITH THE POWER STEERING IN CHEVY COBALT TO NEED THE PARTS SO MUCH. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 8, 2008MI

WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY. COBALT. THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR A STANDARD FRONT BRAKE REPAIR, NORMALLY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TURN THE ROTORS ONCE , HOWEVER WE WE'RE TOLD THAT THEY WE'RE RUSTED OUT AND COULD NOT BE TURNED UNDER NORMAL INSPECTIONS AND WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES. THE VEHICLE HAS NORMAL WEAR WITH ODOMETER READING 43,923 MILES ON IT, SO IT WAS NOT DUE TO NOT DRIVING IT. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD BEEN SEEING A LOT OF THIS LATELY AND DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SHOULD BE RUSTED OUT, I DECIDED TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND TOOK THE VEHICLE ELSEWHERE. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THE SAME THING AND THINK IT IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT, AS THEY ALSO SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST BEEN TURNED ONCE IN THE ROTORS, (CARS) LIFE TIME. THEY ALSO SAID THEY HAD BEEN SEEING ALOT OF THIS ON GM PRODUCTS AND HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AS DID THE DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY, I NEEDED THE BRAKES REPAIRED AND HAD TO BY NEW ROTORS FOR THE CAR. THE SERVICE CENTER CHARGED ME $84.48 PLUS LABOR FOR THE NEW ROTORS INSTALLED. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AS I AM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULD ALSO SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS DEFECT. I HAVE RETAINED THE ROTORS OF INSPECTION. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY RESULTS YOU MAY FIND REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY, CONSTANCE E WALLACE *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 26, 200868,000 milesFL

MY NAME IS FREDDIE BROWN I AM A FIREFIGHTER/EMT I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN REGARDS TO A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING (ELECTRONIC ON THIS CAR) GOES OUT 2-3 TIMES A DAY WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS WITH THIS MODEL YEAR COBALT. THANK GOD IT HAS NOT DONE IT WHILE I AM TURNING OR IT WILL RESULT IN A CRASH. CHEVROLET WANTS $2000 TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND IS A FACTORY DEFAULT. IN ORDER TO RESET IT YOU HAVE TO THROW THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN IT OFF WHILE ROLLING AND TURN IT BACK ON AND IT RESETS ITSELF. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT. I TYPED IN COBALT STEERING RECALL IN GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS. THANK YOU, FREDDIE BROWN FIREFIGHTER/EMT MARION COUNTY FIRE-RESCUER *TR

Steering
Filed Sep 26, 200844,000 milesIL

2005 CHEVY COBALT - 09/20/2008 - WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROX. 10 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, CAR CHIMED, DIC DISPLAYED "POWER STEERING" AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WITH DIFFICULTY, PULLED CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET, PUT CAR IN PARK, TURNED CAR OFF, AND RE-STARTED CAR. ON RE-START, DASH DISPLAY WAS NORMAL, POWER STEERING WAS NORMAL. ON 09/23/2008, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT APPROX. 30 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD (2 LANES EACH DIRECTION), SAME THING HAPPENED (CHIME, "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULTY STEERING THE CAR); SLOWED TO A STOP ON APPROACH TO A RED LIGHT, PUT CAR IN PARK, TURNED CAR OFF, RE-STARTED CAR, BACK TO NORMAL. ON 09/26/2008 (TODAY), WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT APPROX. 20 MPH, SAME THING HAPPENED (CHIME, "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, DIFFICULTY STEERING THE CAR), NO PLACE TO PULL OVER, HAD TO TURN LEFT ON A SIDE STREET TO PARK, VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR WHILE MAKING THE TURN, PARKED, TURNED CAR OFF, RE-STARTED CAR, BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE AN UPCOMING SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT MY CHEVY DEALERSHIP, BUT SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADVISES ME THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO FIND/FIX PROBLEM IF IT OCCURS WHILE IT IS IN THEIR POSSESSION, AND I AM OUT OF WARRANTY (44,000 MILES ON ODOMETER). I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, BUT HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO WORK AND BACK. I WILL NOT DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH ON 09/23/2008, AND SEE COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAIN

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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 →