Page 31 of 33 · complaints 1,501–1,550 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 › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Mar 12, 200838,000 milesTX

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SENSOR FAILS WHILE DRIVING AND SHUTS OFF THE POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING, OR A CHANCE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. IF I MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT, I CAN RESTART MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK ON. BY DEFAULT THE COMPUTER SHUTS OFF THE POWER STEERING TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE CAR. GM HAS MADE THE DECISION THAT A $900 POWER STEERING SENSOR IS WORTH MORE THAN MY LIFE. *TR

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Mar 6, 200841,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT BEGAN HEARING A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE INTENSIFIED AS THE SPEED INCREASED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE FAULTY AND THE RIMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE BENT. THE FACTORY PAID FOR ONE OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE SECOND ONE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

Steering › Column
Filed Mar 5, 200856,322 milesOK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE POWER STEERING WILL NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AT A 50% OFF DISCOUNT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,950 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,322.

Seat Belts › FrontCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 26, 200821,000 milesMO

ON THE DATE LISTED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APP. 40MPH. AT WHICH POINT SHE RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO KEEP HER IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THERE WAS ALSO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. UPON IMPACT SHE FLEW UPWARDS AND FORWARD, HITTING HER FACE ON THE VISOR. SHE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY DID SCANS AND FOUND NO BLEEDING ON THE BRAIN, HOWEVER SHE WAS INJURED IN THE FACE TO WHICH SHE STILL HAS A BUMP ON THE BRIDGE OF HER NOSE AND STILL GETS HEADACHES. ALSO, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD TWO BLACK EYES AND A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS DONE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR THE SEAT BELT, BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP. WE CONTACTED GM A DAY OR TWO AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY SENT AN ENGINEER OUT TO GATHER READINGS FROM THE CAR A FEW WEEKS LATER. IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS WEEK THAT WE HEARD SOMETHING BACK FROM GM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO AND THEY LEFT IT AT THAT. WE ARE STILL DRIVING THE SAME CAR AND ARE VERY WEARY OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF WE ARE INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE AND THE MANUFACTURE HELD LIABLE FOR THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. *TR

SteeringCrashFire2 injured1 killed
Filed Feb 20, 200835,200 milesGA

EVENTS LEADING UP TO COMPLAINT OF '05 CHEVROLET COBALT STEERING PROBLEMS: THE COBALT WAS UNDER WARRANTY & GM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALL FOR EACH FAILURES. 3 TIMES THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AFTER THE FIRST 2 FAILURES THERE WAS NOT ANY CHANGE IN THE SENSITIVITY OF THE STEERING. 12/2/07 FAILURE #1 @ I-75 NEAR ADEL DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE NEXT EXIT (EXIT 39). GM SENT THE CAR TO PRINCE AUTOMOTIVE IN VALDOSTA, GA FOR REPAIR. PRINCE AUTO. REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN. 12/14 THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FROM S. GA TO ATL. 12/24 FAILURE #2 @ GAHWY 141 IN DULUTH. GM SENT THE CAR TO BILL HEARD CHEVROLET IN KENNESAW, GA (WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASE NEW) FOR REPAIR. 12/26 BILL HEARD DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE COMPUTER & STEERING COLUMN. 12/31 FAILURE #3 @ CAMP CREEK PKWY & FULTON IND. GM SENT THE CAR BACK TO BILL HEARD FOR REPAIR. BILL HEARD REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN WITH A DIFFERENT STEERING COLUMN. SERVICE TECH @ BILL HEARD SAID THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, GM HAS A NEW VENDOR. PRINCE AUTO. HAD REPLACED THE COLUMN WITH ONE FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE. BILL HEARD REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN WITH ONE FROM THE NEW MANUFACTURE. 1/8-9/08 DURING DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK NOTICED MORE SENSITIVITY OF THE STEERING. THE CAR WAS MORE SENSITIVE WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A CURVE IN THE ROAD OR OVER BUMPS AND/OR POTHOLES. 1/19 CAR RETURNED TO DRIVER IN S. GA., SHE NOTICED A MORE SENSITIVE STEERING RESPONSE DURING HER ARO

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Jan 27, 200853,000 milesFL

POWER STEERING IS FAILING CONSTANTLY WHEN DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING WORDS COME UP ON THE DASH AND THEN IT QUITS--VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS SUDDENLY DURING A TURN. SO FAR, I'M FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. WHEN I TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART IT'S O.K. FOR 5 OR 10 MINUTES. I HAVE 53,000 MILES ON CAR. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE, THEY WILL TELL ME IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200 AND $2,000 TO REPAIR! VERY UNHAPPY, VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY AND NOW, OUT OF WARRANTY, WILL HAVE TO PAY THAT MUCH FOR SOMETHING THAT SURE SOUNDS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT? *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 22, 2008OH

I BOUGHT MY 2005 COBALT IN JUNE OF '05. HAD NUMBEROUS PROBLEMS WITH IT BUT THE ONE I'D LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHINGS. I REPLACED 'BAD' ONES IN JUNE OF 2007 AND HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL AS THOUGH THIS SHOULD BE NECESSARY. ANY INFORMATION ON THESE? *TR

Steering2 injured
Filed Jan 21, 200832,000 milesFL

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING WHILE DRIVING. SHARP TURNS, BACKING UP, OR SHALLOW TURNS THE POWER STEERING KEEPS ON GOING OUT MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IT ALSO WILL DO THIS RARELY ON WHILE KEEPING STRAIGHT. I HAVE TRIED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS NONE OF THE TESTS COME BACK AS FAILED. TRIED FINDING INFO ON INTERNET TO FIND OUT WHAT OTHER PROBLEMS COULD BE, BUT TO FIND OUT I AM 1 OUT OF 30 OR MORE THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVROLET COBALT. *TR

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Jan 21, 200849,862 milesTX

I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE JULY 2005. AT 800 MILES I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND A FIX. NEXT WAS THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THEN THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW SO IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THAT FIXED. THEN THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. NOW, TWO DAYS AGO, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I COULDN'T TURN FAST ENOUGH. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WORKS AGAIN TEMPORARILY. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN, BUT AT THIS POINT IT HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR!! *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Jan 18, 20086,000 milesMS

WENT OUT TO WARM UP MY CAR, AS I DO EVERY MORNING. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN WE GOT IT STARTED , IT SOUNDED LIKE A GO KART OR 4 WHEELER PUTTING. DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER AND HAD MY HUSBAND FOLLOW. IT MADE IT ABOUT 5 MILES AND STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START BACK. WE HAD TO CALL IN A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER JUST INFORMED ME THAT IT IS AN IGNITION MODULE. WE WILL SEE IF THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAD PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT. WHEN I GOT HOME WITH IT IN AUGUST 2005, THE TRUNK AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN THOUGH THE TRUNK WAS NOT OPEN. TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP AND THEY REPLACED A COMPUTER, WHICH IMMEDIATELY BURNT OUT WHILE THERE. I HAD TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL WEEK FOR THEM TO GET ANOTHER ONE IN. ABOUT MAY OF 2006 THE CAR WAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD. TOOK IT IN AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED FOR A WHILE. MAY OF 2007 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED FOR ONLY 2 DAYS. IT STILL LEAKS TO THIS DAY AND I GET CONDENSATION ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN IT S HOT ENOUGH. MY RADIO HAS SHORTED OUT TWICE FROM THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUNK CONSTANTLY MAKES WEIRD TAPPING NOISES AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN MY CAR, THEY THINK SOMEONE IS IN THE TRUNK. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE THIRD LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON ABOUT ITS 6 + VISIT. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS MYSELF, AND WONDER WHY WE ARE ALL PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THINGS THAT SHOULD

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 8, 200822,000 milesVA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Arm
Filed Jan 6, 200835,200 milesNY

(2( BOLTS THAT HOLD THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OR CAME LOOSE AND FELL OUT CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Jan 1, 200851,000 milesTN

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.I CALLED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR AT AND WAS ADVISED THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1200.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.I THEN CALLED GENERAL MOTORS TO REPORT THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ASKED FOR A FIELD REP AND WAS REFUSED INFORMATION TO CONTACT A FIELD REP. *CN

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 24, 200724,420 milesCO

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A HISTORY CODE AND NOT A BIG DEAL, SO THEY RESET IT. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT CAME BACK ON SO I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS COMING BACK ON. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 19, 200715,429 milesAZ

2005 CHEVY COBALT ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION MODULE AND STALLING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE IGNITION MODULE IS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WOULD BIND, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Nov 15, 200719,253 milesVA

CAR PURCHASED ON 3/14/05 FROM RK CHEVROLET. STARTING SEPT. 12, 2006 THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. VARIOUS DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON, TICK NOISE FROM THE SHIFTER, POWER STEERING LIGHT AND FAILS, AND THE GAUGES BEGAN TO GO CRAZY! THE CAR ALSO WANTED TO SHUT OFF, AND HAS BOOSTS OF ENERGY. THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED NOVEMBER 2, 2006, JUNE 8, 2007, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007(COLONIAL CHEVROLET), AND OCTOBER 16, 2007 (COLONIAL CHEVROLET). AFTER WE GOT IT BACK FROM COLONIAL, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2 DAYS LATER. COLONIAL CHEVROLET INDICATED THAT THAT COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE WAITING TO TALK TO GM ABOUT IT! THEY EVEN SUGGESTED INITIATING A BUY BACK. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH GMAC IN DETROIT ABOUT THE ISSUE AND NO ANSWERS HAVE GIVEN NOR A RESOLUTION. CURRENTLY WE HAVE TO DRIVE A VERY UNSAFE CAR THAT JOLTS, CAN'T TURN, AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES. WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTING AT LEAST A RENTAL (SAFE CAR) UNTIL THIS PROBLEM CAN BE ADDRESSED AND NO ONE HAS OFFERED THIS IN LUE OF A RESOLUTION. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE: PCM REPLACED: (9/15/07)BODY, THROTTLE (8/7/07, 11/2/06), REPLACED: BODY CONTROL (11/2/06); SHIFTER BIND & NDASH; REPLACE SLIDE, AUTOMATIC CONTROL LEVER REPLACE, FLOOR SHIFT REPLACE, WIRING /CONNECTOR STEERING SUSPENSION RIDE CONTROL??< CONTROL ASSEMBLY. FLOOR SHIFT REPLACE (9/12/06). *TR

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Nov 9, 200728,510 milesMD

I HAVE HAD MY CHEVROLET COBALT SINCE APRIL 2005 AND IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP .. UP TIL THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR IT HAS WORKED FINE .. BUT IN 2007 I HAVE TO GET A NEW GEAR SHIFT , KEYS MADE, THEN TO TOP IT OFF I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COME ON THE INFORMATION BOARD AND IT GO OUT 8 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS .. SO FAR KNOCK ON WOOD IT HAS WORKED FINE .. THE DAY I MADE THE APPOINTMENT IT WENT OUT 3X WITHIN A 30 MINUTE SPAN .. *TR

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Rack
Filed Nov 6, 200737,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE RATTLING SOUND GREW LOUDER AND MORE SEVERE WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RATTLING WAS COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $70 TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE FEE BECAUSE IT HAD ALREADY BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE REPAIR HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Oct 19, 200714,160 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AT ALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN THAT MANNER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14,160. UPDATED 1/15/09 *CN ON RAINY OR FOGGY OR OVERCAST DAYS, THE INSTUMENT PANEL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BLACK FACED GAUGES WHICH CAN NOT BE READ UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. UPDATED 01/21/09. *JB

StructureCrash1 killed
Filed Oct 18, 2007PA

2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH INADEQUATE PROTECTION IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER WRITING WOULD LIKE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RECALL DUE TO HIS CLIENT BEING KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS SAME MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. *KB (LAWYER REPRESENTING THE ESTATE OF HIS DECEASED CLIENT) )*TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 17, 200719,860 milesNC

BRAKE FAILURE/BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN WHEN APPLIED AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED,TRAVELED 20-25 FEET STRUCK TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING OVER $4,000 IN DAMAGE TO MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE THE JUNE 13TH 2007 ACCIDENT THE BRAKES FAILED 2 MORE TIMES THE LAST TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL COLLAPSED TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKES(BUSHING &CLIP MISSING FROM BRAKES, I THINK THIS WAS DONE AT THE FACTORY). I HAD TO STOP IT USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I REFUSED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD IT DO THIS TO HER, WITH THE BRAKES FAILING AND ACCELERATING AT A FAST PACE, LUCKILY NO CARS WERE NEAR HER AT THE TIME,BECAUSE I TRADED THE COBALT GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM REFERENCE NUMBER 71-562139648 TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE ONE WAS JAKE EXT 22795. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 3, 20073,000 milesVA

ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT 3,000 MILES NOW THE CAR HAS 45K AND ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN;T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT BANK ONE LEAN CODE. THE DEALERS STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR RUNS ROUGH AND IT MAY RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR OTHER PROBLEMS OR SAFETY PROBLEMS IF SITUATION PERSISTS. TO MUCH AIR NOT ENOUGH FUEL. *JB

SteeringCrash
Filed Sep 26, 200723,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING OUR COBALT 2005 AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON A SUBURBAN STREET. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOOSE AND DID NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THE VEHICLE SLID INTO A CURB, JUMPED IT AND ENDED UP ON SOMEONE'S LAWN. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO CAR'S UNDERSIDE. WHEELS AND TIRES (OVER $ 5,700). I WAS TOLD THAT THE "STEERING KNUCKLE" BROKE (WHY???). CAR WAS DECLARED "REPAIRABLE" BUT EVERYTHING IS IN LIMBO BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. I REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION BY CHEVROLET IN DETROIT . NO REPAIRS WILL BE DONE UNTIL CHEVROLET HAS FINISHED THE INVESTIGATION, WHICH IS TO BEGIN 2-6 DAYS AFTER THE REQUEST. *TR

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Sep 26, 200741,500 milesAZ

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITH OUT WARNING. IT'S A GOOD THING THAT I WASN'T MAKING A TURN AT THIS IMPARTIAL MOMENT BECAUSE IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN I WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO SOMETHING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN IT STARTS TO WORK BUT ONLY FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. IT SEEMS THAT THE COOLER IT IS OUTSIDE THE LONGER THAT THE POWER STEERING WORKS, HOWEVER IT DOES CONTINUE TO TURN OFF. I BELIEVE THAT THE SYSTEM THINKS THAT ITS OVER HEATING AND IS LOCKING UP THE POWER STEERING. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, AND I MEAN EXACT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 25, 200717,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System
Filed Sep 18, 200772,000 miles00

POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILURE, NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH BECAUSE I COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 7, 2007PA

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH LESS THAT 30K MILES I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF NO HAZARD LIGHTS TURN SIGNALS BRAKES STEERING NO POWER AT ALL I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ALL TRAFFIC BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY OF SIGNALING. IT TOOK THREE TRIES TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN THERE WAS NO WARNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME I HAD THIS PROBLEM LAST YEAR ALSO GM NEVER HAD A RECALL THEY JUST PUT A PLASTIC PIECE AROUND THE IGNITION AND SAID IT WAS FIXED I TOLD MY DEALER THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN OUT ABOUT THIS AND I ASKED THEM WHY THERE WAS NO RECALL TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AFTER THIS SECOND INCIDENT GM WANTED TO PUT A MAGNETIC DEVICE IN TO KEEP THE KEY FROM MOVING IN THE IGNITION ANY THEY PLACED A PIECE OF PLASTIC IN MY ACTUAL KEY I CALLED GM AND PLACED A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE HURT OR KILLED IF THEY GET INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION OR HAVE NO WAY OF PULLING OFF ROADWAY SPOKE TO MY SERVICE MANAGER AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL ON THIS I DO NOT TRUST THAT IT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR THE FAN BLOWER THE SHIFT ON THE FLOOR THE SUNROOF SWITCH KEEPS FALLING OUT OF THE ROOF THE WINDOW MOTORS HAVE BURNED OUT MY INTERIOR PAINT AND DOOR HANDLES WERE PEELING AFTER THE FIRST YEAR I DON'T BLA

Electrical System
Filed Sep 3, 200726,996 milesNC

I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT COUPE YESTERDAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF WHEN IT JUST SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WAS GOING ABOUT 80MPH AND I HAVE ABOUT 27,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO WARNLING LIGHTS CAME ON BEFORE HAND. AFTER I PULLED THE CAR OVER, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT WITH NO PROBLEMS AND IT DROVE FINE ALL THE WAY HOME FOR ANOTHER HOUR OR SO. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE SIMILAR TO THIS ONE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND AND THE ROAD WASN'T VERY BUSY BUT ITS DISTURBING TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THAT HAD NOT BEEN THE CASE. THE CAR IS GOING TO BE WORKED ON TOMORROW SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE DEALER THINKS IS WRONG WITH IT YET. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 27, 200720,536 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,536. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,636.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 22, 200715,700 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE ENGINE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE MPH WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, HOWEVER; THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,804. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,700.

Steering › Column
Filed Aug 20, 2007GA

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR LIT UP. WHEN CONTINUE DRIVING, NOTICE RESISTANCE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AS I PROCEEDED FURTHER, WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EVEN HARDER TO TURN. CALL ROADSIDE ASSIST. TO TOW CAR TO NEAREST DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 16, 2007OH

THE CAR HAS STOPPED WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THIS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 55 MPH AND IT CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP AS I SAID NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BULL! IT HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 24, 200725,000 milesKS

I HAD JUST OVER 25,000 MILES AND MY FIRST MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CAR JUST STARTED STALLING AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, ALSO WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR COMPETELY STALLED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER. MY CAR AGAIN WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY A MONTH TO TWO MONTHS THEN MY WARNIGN CHIMES WERE COMING ON BUT INDICATING NOTHING. AFTER A TOTAL OF A TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO A MIM. SPEED ON NON-HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING, STEERING LOCKED UP AND CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IT WAS FINE FOR THE TIME AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I SENT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATES IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULAR. I AM AFRAID THAT MY LIFE MY BE IN DANGER IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED NOT TO MENTION THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL OTHER CHEVY COBALT OWNERS. *TR

Steering
Filed Jul 21, 2007VA

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING TODAY. I CAME HERE TO RESEARCH IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS. I KEEP FINDING ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND AM NOW WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT SEE WHERE SOMEONE LOST LIFE SO I GUESS YOU DON'T CARE. YOU HAVE ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME SYSTEM BUT NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. W H Y ?????? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 18, 2007MD

SEVERE STEERING AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. MECHANICS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. A LOT OF TIMES, ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH THE STEERING STARTS TO SHUDDER AND MAKE A MACHINE GUN NOISE WITH EACH RATTLE. THE RATTLING SLOWS DOWN AS THE SPEED SLOWS DOWN. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE A FLAT TIRE, ONLY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND INSPECT THE CAR AND SEE THAT THE TIRES WERE FINE. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT. WHEN BRAKING WHILE GOING AT SPEEDS 40 MPH OR HIGHER THE BRAKE GETS SOFT AND MUSHY FEELING, AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH, AND THE SHUDDER STARTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN WITH THE RAT-A-TAT SOUND FOR EVERY SHUDDER. I BROUGHT THIS CAR TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE MECHANICS COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DO THE SAME FOR THEM. THE LAST TIME, ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS MENTIONED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM ,AND THAT GM WAS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. RECENTLY, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A BRAKE CHECK AT ANOTHER SHOP - THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE, NOTHING' WAS WRONG WITH THEM, BUT THE CAR STILL DID ITS SHUDDERING. I' HAD TWO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS, AND ROTATION OF WHEELS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THE SHUDDERING IS GOING TO CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM, WHEN THE BRAKES, STEERING OR SUSPENSION GO OUT. I ALSO NOTICED ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON JUST FOR A SECOND. IT'S NEVER STAYED ON

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jul 14, 200745,000 milesAZ

MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE POWER STEERING WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING ONLY WORKS FOR THE FIRST 20-40 SECONDS OF DRIVING AND THEN SHUTS OFF. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, HOWEVER A CAR WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 15, 2007FL

SAME THING BRAND NEW 2005 AND IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW AND STRANDED ME AT NIGHT EVEN FOR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY FIXED IT AND LAST TIME THEY SAY THEY REPROGRAMMED IT EVEN BUT IT JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN LATE LAST NIGHT ... POWER STEERING BECOMES HARD AND SERVICE LIGHT POPS ON AS THE ENGINE STALLS OUT ON THE FREEWAY THEN IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR A BIT THEN IT SEEMS OK BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING AGAIN TO ME ANOTHER TIME. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Jun 15, 200745,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Steering
Filed May 27, 200737,000 milesVA

I HAVE A 2005 COBALT I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS, A.C., SIGNAL LIGHTS ETC. BUT THE NEWEST PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING IT GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT DOES THIS EVERY DAY AT NO CERTAIN TIME. AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN THIS HAPPENS.WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT IT SAYS POWER STEERING ON DASH, MOST OF THE TIME I CAN PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT STEERS FINE FOR AWHILE. THE CAR HAS 37,500 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR A COLLISION. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.....THANKS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed May 15, 2007AZ

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

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed May 3, 200710,000 milesCA

WHEN TRAVELING IN ANY GEAR IN MY BONE STOCK 2005 CHEVY COBALT 2.2 COUPE, IF I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY THE CLUTCH SLIPS AND THE CAR WONT ACCELERATE AT ALL. IT FEELS LIKE THE PRESSURE PLATE DOESN'T APPLY ENOUGH PRESSURE TO HOLD THE DISC. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED A COUPLE OF TIMES NOW. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 20,000 MILES ON IT SO IT'S STILL FAIRLY NEW AND I AM NOT A FIRST TIMER DRIVING A MANUAL. ALL OF MY VEHICLES HAVE HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. I DRIVE THE CAR IN A NORMAL FASHION, I DON'T ABUSE IT. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT BE FAILING ON SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 25, 200727,000 milesCT

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SEDAN RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 30MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN CROSSING A VERY BUSY LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE RADIO WAS STILL ON BUT IF I PRESSED ON THE GAS, NOTHING. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN RESTART IT. IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED BACK UP. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AWAY AND WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TRACE THE PROBLEM AND HOPEFULLY IT WAS A ONE TIME THING. WELL THEN ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO WAIT ABOUT A WEEK AND CALL BACK, WELL WITHIN A WEEK IT HAPPENED AGAIN SO I CALLED AND TOLD THEM I WAS BRINGING IT TO THEM. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN THEY INSTALLED A FLIGHT RECORDER AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN SO I PRESSED THE BUTTON ON THE FLIGHT RECORDER AND BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT THE FLIGHT RECORDER DID NOT WORK BECAUSE THEY FORGOT TO PUT SOMETHING ELSE ON MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INSTALLATION IN ORDER TO MAKE THE RECORDER WORK AND WANTED ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO HAVE THE RECORDER RE-INSTALLED. I REFUSED AND TOLD THEM I WOULD BRING THE CAR BACK BUT THEY NEEDED TO KEEP IT UNTIL THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. ON MY WAY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN WHILE GOING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR FOR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 24, 200724,000 milesMI

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS SHUT OFF 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE CAR ACTS JUST LIKE YOU TURN OFF THE IGNITION WHILE YOU ARE IN THE DRIVEWAY, EXCEPT YOU ARE DRIVING 70 MPH AND THERE IS TRAFFIC ALL AROUND YOU. WHEN WE PULL OVER AND PARK THE CAR, THE CAR STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AND DRIVES FINE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO OBVIOUS WARNING SIGNS INDICATING THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES. SHE TOLD ME THAT THE COBALT TURNED OFF WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT BACK ON. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 75 MPH AND DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING THE COBALT WITH HER AS A PASSENGER. WE WERE DRIVING AT 75 MPH FOR ABOUT 40 MINUTES WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF. WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFROSTER SWITCH AND UPDATED THE COMPUTER. THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE. WE WERE DRIVING AT 75 MPH WITH CRUISE ON A REALLY STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING AND WAS TALKING TO MY WIFE WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF. I PULLED OVER AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DROVE THE CAR FOR 40-45 MILES AND CHECKED THE COMPUTER. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY SAW NO CODES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY GAVE US THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND I THEM REGARDING THIS SAFETY CONCERN. GM TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT TO SEE IF THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE PROB

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump
Filed Apr 18, 200750,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BELL RING AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING FAILED. HE HAD TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION SO THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD DIM. AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AND THE LIGHT DIMMED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

Structure
Filed Mar 27, 20078,000 milesCO

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET 2005 COBALT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 07V014000 FOR THE STRUCTURE. THE DEALER STATED IT WOULD TAKE TWO WEEKS FOR THE PART TO COME IN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

Structure
Filed Mar 26, 2007NM

TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO RECALLS 04560000 CONCERNING EXTERIR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS AND 07V014000 CONCERNING STRUCTURE ON THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2006. HE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT GIVE HIM A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND/OR WILL NOT GIVE HIM A RIDE TO WORK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURES TO DATE.*AK

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Mar 26, 2007DC

2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH BRAKE FAILURE CUSTOMER STATES THAT HER BRAKES DIDN'T WORK WHEN APPLIED AFTER TRAVELING 30+ MINUTES A SPEED OF 55+ MILES WHICH RESULTED IN TOTALING HER CAR AND THE CAR SHE HIT**CC *JB

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 18, 200717,728 milesVA

2005 CHEVY COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, HEADING INTO A RIGHT HAND CURVE, MOTOR SHUT OFF AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED CAUSING CRASH. CAR SENT TO DEALER TO INVESTIGATE ISSUE AND REPAIR COLISON DAMAGE. THEY STATE THAT NO ERROR CODES SO ACCIDENT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. I CONTACT MANUFACTURER AND AM TOLD, DEALER FOUND NO ISSUE, AND THEY DONT KNOW OF ANY OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES WITH COBALTS. I REQUEST A SAFETY REVIEW DUE TO MULTIPLE INSTANCES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND ONLINE, AND AM DENIED. EXPLAIN TO DEALER THAT INSTANCES EXCEDE VIRGINIA STATE LEMON LAW, AND THEY ARE NOT COOPERATIVE. SEEKING LEGAL COUCIL.

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 200782,106 milesTX

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. SOME AREN'T LIFE THREATENING (LIKE THE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING), BUT I'VE HAD A MAF SENSOR SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP RUNNING WHILE I WAS DOING 60-65 MPH AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. I'VE RECENTLY DEALT WITH ANOTHER STEERING ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN UNEVEN/BUMPY ROAD AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE INFORMATION PANEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. THE STEERING BECAME VERY MUSHY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I'VE ALSO DEALT WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING AND THE CAB FILLING WITH GAS FUMES. THERE HAS BEEN HESITATION/LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE A/C IS ON, WHICH MAKES IT UNSAFE TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC OR BLIND CURVES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY PROFESSIONAL AND HAVE CORRECTED WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE ARISED, BUT I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE DRIVING THE CAR AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 15, 200749,900 milesFL

AFTER DRIVING FOR 30 MINUTES AT A SPEED OF 55-60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, I WAS ON THE OFF RAMP MERGING FROM ONE INTERSTATE TO ANOTHER, WHEN THE CARS AHEAD OF ME STARTING SLOWING DOWN. I APPLIED A SUDDEN PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ALSO; HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND THEN IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKES LOCKED, BUT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CAR MADE A SUDDEN JOLT TO THE RIGHT BRINGING ME INTO THE ON COMING TRAFFIC IN THE NEXT LANE. THIS RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS TO THE COBALT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVENTHOUGH THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. *NM

Reading these

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 →