Page 5 of 33 · complaints 201–250 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 May 16, 201594,000 milesNY

WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, DECELERATING ON A RIGHT-CURVING RAMP, IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS REPEATED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER SITUATIONS SINCE, TURNING BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, AND FROM A FULL STOP, ESPECIALLY ON TURNS OF 90 DEGREES OR MORE, BUT ALSO IN HIGHWAY SITUATIONS SUCH AS LANE CHANGES. OPERATOR HAS NOT NOTICED ANY TROUBLE LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER OCCURRENCES, OR HEARD ANY PARTICULAR SOUNDS OR EXPERIENCED ANY SMELLS.

Steering
Filed May 14, 201517,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

Steering
Filed May 13, 2015212,037 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING AND WAS GETTING CLOSE TO PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE DASH LIT UP AND THE STEERING WENT OUT I HAD TO TRY AND BACK UP TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY IT WAS VERY HARD TO DO . IM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THIS HAPPENED AT SOMEONE ELSE HOUSE NOT MINE

Steering
Filed May 13, 2015LA

3800 CHADWOOD DR

Structure
Filed May 5, 2015139,000 milesME

DOORS ARE STICKING AND NOT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL, HANDLES BREAKING AND GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR FOR 2 HOURS. *TR

Power TrainCrash
Filed Apr 29, 2015133,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, A SECOND VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR BUMPER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2015139,975 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET MY CAR SIGNALED REDUCED POWER, THEN ENGINE DISABLED. CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR, COULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WAITED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT THREE TIMES DAILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET AND GM THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET COBALTS BETWEEN THE YEARS 2005 AND 2009 BUT THIS IS NOT ON RECALL. TODAY MY CAR STALLED FIVE TIMES AND MY BUMPER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I'VE BEEN CALLING CHEVROLET FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT MY CAR AS IT IS THE ONLY ISSUE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 24, 2015129,000 milesNV

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF EVERY DAY AND THEN THE KEY STARTED GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION ABOUT A WEEK AGO BEFORE IT FINALLY WOULDN'T COME OUT ALL TOGETHER. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 13, 2015180,280 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR WORK LAST WEEK WHEN THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THEN STARTED FINISH DRIVING HOME. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11, I HAD WENT TO THE STORE, ON MY WAY BACK FROM THE STORE THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ANOTHER LIGHT THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. I WAITED FOR ANOTHER FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR UP AND WENT HOME. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY SAID AS LONG AS THE LIGHT COMES ON, I AM STILL OK TO DRIVE THE CAR. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE ON SUNDAY, SO MONDAY MORNING APRIL 13, 2015, I LEFT THE HOUSE EARLY TO HEAD INTO WORK. NOT EVEN 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND PICK ME UP AND TAKE MYSELF AND MY CAR TO A MECHANIC. I AM STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST ME THIS TIME. LAST YEAR, I HAD A PROBLEM WHERE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN ONLY TO FIND THAT THE PISTON THROTTLE WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND SHUT DOWN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 8, 2015130,000 milesIN

IT BEEPS AND READS POWER STEERING EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT, NO POWER STEERING. *TR

Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2015103,000 milesCA

I WAS STOPPED IN LINE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY TO GET OUT OF A FIRETRUCK'S WAY (NOT IN A JERKING AND FORCEFUL MOVEMENT, BUT NORMAL TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL). WHEN I TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND I HEARD ELECTRICAL MOTOR NOISES COMING FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE NOISES CONTINUED FOR 10-20 SECONDS AND THEN THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD ON THE GM HOTLINE THAT MY VIN DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL FROM 2010 PERTAINING TO THE POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ALSO CALLED GM AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN INQUIRING ABOUT PARTS. HE DID NOT FIX OR REMOVE ANY PARTS, BUT WROTE A NOTE ON PAPER INDICATING I WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THAT RECALL. I AGAIN CALLED THE GM HOTLINE, WHO AGAIN TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT GM WOULD NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, WHO I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ON SATURDAY, 4/11, MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 201589,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE GEAR FAILED TO SWITCH AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

SteeringCrash
Filed Mar 30, 2015NC

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *SMD THE CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEELS AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE, CAUSING HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMERS SON WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 21, 2014. *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 19, 2015SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN BODY INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 16, 2015MO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Mar 15, 2015150,000 milesPA

MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT AS IT GETS TO LOWER SPEEDS AND SHIFTING VERY HARD. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE AND THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING. IT HESITATES AND TRIES TO SHUT OFF AT EVERY STOP. LOOSING POWER AND SPEED EVEN DOWN HILL. THE POWER STEERING READING HAS BEEN COMING ON. AND THE DISPLAY FOR GAS MILEAGE WILL NOW GO TO ALL LINES NO NUMBERS. I AM STARTING TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THAT ITS GOING TO GET ME REAR ENDED WHEN I AM TURNING AND IT SHUTS OFF. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. I WENT SO FAR AS TO THIS MORNING RECORDING THE DASH AS IT WAS ACTING UP SO I CAN SHOW MY HUSBAND. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Mar 15, 201520,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CHEVROLET COBALT (WHICH WE'VE ONLY HAD FOR TWO WEEKS) ENGINE SHUT OFF, LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOING SLOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND PRESSED ON THE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, NOW ONLY THE REVERSE WORKS. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 11, 2015100,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 10, 2015PA

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTER RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND SHE HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO RELEASE IT. *JB

Steering
Filed Mar 4, 201524,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 10V073000 (STEERING), THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 4, 2015179,797 milesVA

THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF MY TRIP HOME THE CAR DASH KEPT FLASHING A POWER STEERING ERROR MESSAGE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD KEPT GETTING DIM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING REALLY TIGHT, THE CAR ALMOST STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DIALS FLUCTUATED. THE CAR ALSO BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I BECAME AFRAID THAT I WOULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR WITHOUT CHARGING ME. THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED TWICE AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE HAD BOTH RECALL REPAIRS DONE I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR I FEAR FOR THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2015119,250 milesVA

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT THE TC LIGHT AND POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING LOCKS ALSO WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF TWO OR THREE TIMES THE CAR WILL BE OK FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THE TACK GAUGES GOES CRAZY WHILE IN PARK PUTTING IT IN GEAR THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE GEAR SHIFTER I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER I BROUGHT THE CAR AT AND THE TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY I HAVE HAD IT THREE TIMES IM SCARED TO DRIVE IT ITS SAD YOU PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR A CAR AND THEY ACT LIKE THERE DON'T CARE. THIS HAS BEEN SINCE THE RECALL ON THE IGNITION WITCH RECALL I FEEL THAT GM NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Feb 23, 2015199,230 milesGA

CAR WAS RECALLED IN 2010 FOR POWER STEERING. PREVIOUS OWNER HAD IT FIXED. I INITIALLY REPORTED BACK IN JANUARY 2014 OF RECURRING PROBLEM OF LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS ALREADY FIXED SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO FIX SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. HERE IT IS A YEAR LATER AND I'M STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED FLICKERING BACK AND FORTH GOING HAYWIRE AND THERE WAS A WEIRD TICKING NOISE IN THE AREA NEAR THE GEARSHIFT. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON ME AND I HAD MY 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW COIL PACK, IT WAS REPLACED AND IT'S STILL DOING THE SAME THING. IT SHAKES AT RED LIGHTS AND OCCASIONALLY CUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO GET IT TO ACCELERATE WHICH IT DOES BUT VERY SLOWLY, AND THEN IT JUST TAKES OFF LIKE A ROCKET AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!! ALSO MY CAR CAN SWITCH GEARS WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BRAKE OR THE BUTTON IN THE GEARSHIFT. I CAN JUST SIMPLY PUSH THE GEARSHIFT BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT BEING IN THE CAR. WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY MY KNEECAP BUMPED MY KEYS AND MY CAR TURNED OFF. THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER RECALL OF THE POWER STEERING BECAUSE APPARENTLY THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE FAULTY AS WELL. OR IT COULD BE THE FAULTY WIRING ALTOGETHER IN THE SYSTEM. THESE CHEVY COBALTS NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF OF THE STREETS AND OWNERS RE

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Feb 23, 2015SC

[XXX]. WAS FRONT PASSENGER IN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT DRIVEN BY HIS COUSIN [XXX]. ON APRIL 19TH, 2009. [XXX] LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SEVERELY WRECKED THE VEHICLE. [XXX] WAS STUCK UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS AND HAD TO BE AIR LIFTED TO RICHLAND MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WHEN EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ARRIVED. [XXX] WAS SEVERELY INJURED AND SUFFERED LIFE TIME INJURIES. [XXX] AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH CAUSED HIM TO SUFFER MORE EXTENSIVE INJURIES THAN HE WOULD HAVE IF THE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. [XXX]. LATER FOUND OUT THAT GM HAD KNOWN OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN THE 2005-2006 CHEVROLET COBALT VEHICLES BUT NOT REPORT THIS UNTIL AFTER [XXX] WAS SEVERELY INJURED ON APRIL 19TH, 2009. [XXX] SUFFERED A BROKEN NECK, BROKEN BONE IN HIS RIGHT FOOT, HIS RIGHT HIP WAS KNOCKED OUT OF JOINT, ALSO SEVERE BACK AND SPINE PAIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 3, 201580,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 1, 201525,000 milesNJ

PAINT HAS BEEN FADING FOR THE LAST 5 YEAR FROM DEFECTS IN PANT JOB. PART OF THE FRAME ABOVE THE REAR PASSENGER SAID DOOR IS BARE METAL AND CHIPPING AWAY. ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $5,500.00. I HAVE SEEN OTHER 2005 CHEST COBALT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 27, 201524,275 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED AFTER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,275.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 26, 201581,000 milesLA

THE DOOR DOESN'T OPEN FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS UNLOCKED. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 23, 201595,500 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED BUT WAS STILL ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,500.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 18, 2015IN

THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR BEGINS JERKING. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 12, 201580 milesNJ

I PURCHASED A CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW IN 2005. FROM THE MOMENT IT LEFT DEALERSHIP I HAVE HAD ONE RECALL ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER. THE MAIN ISSUE IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AT SCHUMACER CHEVROLET SEVERAL TIMES. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL AND I AM TERRIFIED OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS RECALL WHICH GM REFUSES TO FIX. I FEEL I WAS SOLD A LEMON AND ALL I GET FROM GM AND THE LOCAL DEALERS IS NOTHING. MY VEHICLE IS WORSE WITH THE STALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T WANT MONETARY COMPENSATION FROM GM IF I OR ANY PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A MALFUNCTION DUE TO GM. *TR

Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2015171,654 milesMI

THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY JERK/HICCUP AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. ON JANUARY 8, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY SPUTTER/JERK/HICCUP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER, OR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION FROM DASH BOARD ICONS OF ANY MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY VISIBLE WARNINGS SIGNS TO ALERT A FAULTY SYSTEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AT SPEEDS OF 25-45 MPH. DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, TRAVELING SPEEDS VARIED FROM 50-70 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING A 60 MILE TRIP AND THIS JERKING OCCURRED 7-10 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS PROBABLY 1.5 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE, WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DETECTED OR A DIAGNOSIS. THE ISSUE IS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY. LAST WEEK, OF THE 4 DAYS OF TRAVEL ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE JERKING OCCURRED 3 OF THOSE DAYS. INITIALLY, I FELT, THIS WAS ASSOCIATED TO THE COLD AND WEATHER/TEMPERATURE, BUT THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN WARMER MONTHS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT RELATES TO MYSELF, AND OTHERS TRAVELING IN MY VICINITY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 5, 201545,000 milesNJ

I BROUGHT MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT TO MULTI CHEVROLET IN UNION TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL COMPLETED. THEY CALLED ME AND ASKED "WAS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON"? I ASSURED THEM IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. EVERY SINCE THEN I HAVE OCCASIONALLY HAD THE POWER STEERING & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT STOPPED. I HAVE NOW HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND 4 NEW TIRES AND YESTERDAY JANUARY 4, 2015 THE CAR RINGS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SOLD THESE CARS KNOWING FULL WELL THEY WERE LEMONS AND DANGEROUS AND THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY MONETARY DAMAGE TO EVERYONE THEY STUCK WITH THIS DEATH TRAP. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 5, 20155,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, DOOR LOCKS, FUSES, ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jan 5, 2015CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Steering
Filed Jan 3, 2015152,860 milesWI

MY POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT STILL ASSIST RANDOMLY BUT HAS DEAD SPOTS AS YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND IS VERY INCONSISTENT EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR IT ACTS DIFFERENTLY THIS MAKES THE CAR EVEN MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEEL DOESN'T RETURN TO CENTER AND ALSO HAS EASY AND HARD SPOTS AS YOU TURN THE WHEELS TO STEER THEY RECALLED 1 MILLION CARS OF THE SAME MAKE FOR POWER STEERING LOSS WHY IS MINE NOT RECALLED IF IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE GM HAS BEEN CAUGHT HIDING PROBLEMS WHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME ENDANGERING THEIR OWN LIVES BECAUSE GM CANT BE HONEST AND OPEN ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS I FEEL LIKE IM IN A DEATH TRAP I AM STILL WAITING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PART TO COME IN ITS BEEN WELL OVER A MONTH SINCE THE DEALER SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE A FEW WEEKS IM JUST HOPING I DON'T HAVE A TAKATA AIRBAG. *TR

EngineCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 30, 2014202,668 milesMI

ON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. *JS

EngineCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 30, 2014212,668 milesMI

ON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR . *JS

Steering
Filed Dec 28, 201433,000 milesNY

THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN "PARK." *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 27, 2014TX

THE STEERING WHEEL IS AUTOMATICALLY TURNING ON IT'S OWN, AND IT IS VERY HARD TO MOVE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY LIFE. WHAT IF ONE DAY I START DRIVING AND THE WHEEL STARTS TURNING AND I CRASH? I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY COBALT NOW, AND HOPING IT CAN BE FIXED SO I WON'T HAVE ANY CRASHES IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 26, 2014CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V153000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 12, 2014200,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 10, 2014123,040 milesWI

COBALT LOST ALL POWER. WHILE REACHING FOR KEYS TO TRY AND RESTART COBALT, KEYS WERE NOT IN IGNITION SWITCH AND MUST HAVE FALLEN OUT. WITH NO POWER TO STEERING I KEPT MY LEFT HAND ON STEERING WHEEL AND REACHED TO THE FLOOR WITH RIGHT HAND TO TRY AND FIND KEYS. AT THIS POINT IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE THE CAR STEERING WAS UN RESPONSIVE AND COBALT VEERED OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT DOWN THROUGH A HALF PIPE SHAPED DRAINAGE DITCH AND DID A ROLLER COASTER DOWN THEN UP IN THE AIR AND THEN SLAMMED BACK DOWN TO GROUND COMING TO A STOP. IN THIS ROLLER COASTER EVENT I WAS TOSSED INTO THE INSIDE ROOF OF THE COBALT THEN WITH SEAT BELT ON PULLED/SLAMMED BACK DOWN INTO SEAT ON MY LOWER SPINE THEN THE SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM ITS POSITION AND SLID FORWARD SLAMMING MY LEFT KNEE INTO THE LOWER DASHBOARD AND BROKE THE DOOR WHERE THE TRUNK RELEASE IS LOCATED. POLICE WERE CALLED, REPORT TAKEN I WAS DISPATCHED TO HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. *TR

Steering
Filed Dec 5, 2014100,962 milesTX

AFTER HAVING GM REPLACE MY POWER STEERING MOTOR IN MARCH 2013, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY I MANAGED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO SAFETY. DEALERSHIP THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS BEING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, COSTING ME $607 TO FIX. A YEAR AND 6 MONTHS LATER, MY POWER STEERING IS FAILING YET AGAIN. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY I CAN DRIVE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT SEEMS THE CHEVROLET DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS KILLED PEOPLE. AFTER EXPRESSING MY CONCERN FOR MY PERSONAL SAFETY (AS WELL AS OTHERS ON THE ROAD) THE DEALERSHIP SAID I COULD GET IT TOWED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I'M SORRY, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME GENERAL MOTORS WILL "ATTEMPT" TO FIX MY CARS PROBLEM AND IT IS AT MY EXPENSE? I BEG THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION TO HAVE GM TAKE THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD AND COMPENSATE OWNERS. I AM TRULY AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR. HAD I BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD A NEW ONE, I WOULD HAVE - BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THAT PRIVILEGE. PLEASE, TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY LOST THEIR LIVES. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 4, 2014131,939 milesAZ

WHILE DRIVING MY COBALT FROM ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10MPH TO 50MPH MULTIPLE "DING" NOISES OCCUR. THEN ANY NUMBER OF ALERT LIGHTS COME ON INCLUDING; TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, ETC... THERE IS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE THAT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. ALSO, ALONG WITH THESE SYMPTOMS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTO TRANS) BEGINS TO SHIFT VERY HARD BOTH UP AND DOWN, CAR SHUDDERS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL WHEN IT COMES TO A NEAR STOP. THE SCARIEST AND MOST DANGEROUS PART IS THAT THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED AND LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL. SOMETIMES I HAVE SPENT 5 MINUTES TRYING TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AS WELL, AND MUST FORCEFULLY MOVE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT KNOB BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE KEY TURNS FREE. THIS CAR IS A DANGER, AND DESPITE HAVING MULTIPLE RECALLS IT IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Nov 25, 2014109,000 milesNY

HE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "POWER STEERING" STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 201495,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Steering
Filed Nov 17, 201465,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 2014130,000 milesNY

HAD NO ISSUES ALL DAY UNTIL ALL OF SUDDEN WE WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I'M AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE GAS TO GO, I HEAR A CHIME - NO INDICATION LIGHTS COME ON- CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL (IT DOESN'T), STEERING IS VERY HARD AND A CLICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ALL, ALTHOUGH IT'S MOVABLE BUT VERY ROUGH/BOGGING OUT. RECENTLY HAD THE IGNITION RECALL RECENTLY, HAD A FEW ISSUES POP UP SINCE THEN BUT NOTHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, HE REPLACED A FEW SENSORS, BUT CLICKING NOISE STILL REMAINS AND IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 14, 2014180,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

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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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