I AM REPORTING THIS COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF MY SISTER[XXX] . SHE OWNED AND OPERATED A 2008 COBALT THAT WAS INVOLVED IN FAULT WRECK, WHERE SHE WAS KILLED. SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR ON 6-35 NORTH IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. THERE WAS A REINACTMENT OF THE WRECK BUT IT WAS INCLUSIVE. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS BACK IN 2009 BUT THERE WERE NONE TO SPEAK OF UNTIL THE RECENT RECALLS OF HER CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2008 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 2008 record →
MY SON AND HIS FRIEND WAS TAKING ME TO WORK. ON THE WAY HOME ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME,THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. WHICH CAUSED THEM TO WRECK. THEY WERE HURT AND THE CAR IS A MESS. 2008 CHEVY COBALT. IT HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
FEAR THIS ISSUE COULD HAVE LEAD TO ELECTRICAL FIRE IF THIS WAS SOME KIND OF SHORT IN THE UNDER HOOD FUSE CENTER. CAR PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2008. MILEAGE: 56,09423 MONTHS OLD. CAR WOULD CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT START. WOULD CONTINUE TO CRANK FOR SHORT TIME AFTER KEY TURNED OFF. TRIED FOR 15 MINUTES, FINALLY STARTED. DROVE TO DEALER AND LEFT FOR SERVICE. DEALER DIAGNOSIS, INTERMITTENT NO FUEL PRESSURE TO FUEL PUMP. FUEL PUMP CHECKED, OK AT THIS TIME. GM ADVISED DEALER TO INSPECT AND CLEAN BODY GROUND. REPAIR COST LABOR, SUPPLIES, TAX: $101 4 DAYS LATER CAR WOULD AGAIN (CRANK BUT NOT START - AT ALL), HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. AGAIN, WOULD CONTINUE TO CRANK FOR SHORT TIME AFTER KEY TURNED OFF. DEALER DIAGNOSIS: UNDER HOOD FUSE CENTER BAD. TOW $75, PARTS $283, LABOR $ 110, SUPPLIES + TAX $26. TOTAL: $494 TOTAL COST TO FIX VEHICLE: $595. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND HEAD INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
MY 2008 CHEVY COBALT CAME WITHOUT ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS WINTER WHEN I TRIED BRAKING (EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS) THE REAR OF THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND ATTEMPTS TO SPIN THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER THREE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, GM WAS CALLED BY THE DEALER. THEY WERE TOLD THAT GM WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT BACK END OF THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO FIX. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR. I NO LONGER DRIVE IT. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR INCIDENTS ON SNOW BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS CHEVY COBALT HOME AND WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP HE HAD TROUBLE. IT FELT LIKE THE BACK TIRE WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. HE ENDED UP HITTING A CAR. UPON INSPECTION, WE FOUND THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD LOST THE NUT AND WASHER. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT OUR EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER APPROXIMATELY TWO TIMES. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
I HAVE A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT THAT I PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2008 WITH ABOUT 64,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I HAD AN INCIDENT THAT KEPT REPEATING ITSELF IN THE SAME DAY WHERE MY WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND I COULD NO LONGER STEER. THIS PROBLEM I HAVE NEVER HAD AND RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF FRIENDS OF MINES WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M JUST MAKING THIS ISSUE KNOWN AND MAKING SOMEONE AWARE OF IT, BECAUSE IT COULD GET SERIOUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000, STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTS SYSTEM) AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSATISFIED WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. HE CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURES SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 5 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF POTENTIALLY BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART. HE HAS YET TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CHIMING SOUND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN; HOWEVER, AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING HAD BEGUN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON 7 OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55000.
DECEMBER 21,2008 CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER. DRIVER WAS KILLED IN A ONE CAR CRASH, WHERE HER AND HER CAR WERE THRU TO THE STREET BELOW ON 6-35 AND HIGH DR. THE CAR WENT AIRBORNE SHE WAS THROWN OUT THE CAR BUT WAS SAVED ENOUGH TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE LATER DIED. THE CAR WAS NOT SO LUCKY IT LANDED AND ROLLED TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BRIDGE, IN WHICH THE CAR WAS SCATTER IN MANY PIECES. THERE WAS PHYSICAL NOT MUCH LEFT OF THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN GOING THE SPEED LIMIT IT WOULD HAVE BY PASSED THE OPENING AND LANDED ON THE OTHER SIDE BUT BECAUSE IT WAS SLOW GOING IT RESULTED IN HER DEATH. THERE WAS A REENACTMENT DONE BUT THE FINDING WERE IN CONCLUSIVE ON HOW SHE DIED. SHE LOST CONTROL AFTER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY. I CHECKED FOR RECALL ON HER 2008 COBALT AND THERE WERE NONE AT THE TIME OF HER DEATH. HER OLDER SISTER WANT TO KNOW IF THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I STARTED LOOKING FOR RECALL RIGHT AFTER HER DEATH AND DID NOT FIND ANY AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BUT NOW THIS NATIONAL RECALLS FOR THE TOYOTA THEN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL DONE WITH GM RECENTLY OPENED OUR EYES THAT THIS YOUNG WOMAN DEATH COULD BE THE RESULT OF FAULTY CAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IS NEED TO BE DONE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. WE HAVE SUFFERED A GREAT LOSS. SHE WAS A GOOD DRIVE AND THE CONCLUSION THAT HAS BEEN MADE HAS BEEN NONE. WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. *TR
I AM JUST DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ON MY 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT, AND IT HAS DONE IT AT LEAST 20 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 4-5 DAYS. SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AGO. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE REPAIRED UNLESS THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT CHEVROLET DOES NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR PRIOR TO THE RELATED RECALL, 10V073000, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 5/17/2010 * CN UPDATED 06/11/10*JB
ON APPROXIMATELY 2/1/10, MY "POWER STEERING" LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SLOWING TO TURN A CORNER. SINCE I WAS ABOUT 1 BLOCK FROM HOME, I DROVE HOME WITHOUT POWER STEERING, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED MY OWNER'S MANUAL WHERE IT SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT MY DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN. AS I TURNED ON THE ENGINE, THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS GONE AND THE POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. I WENT AHEAD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK IN IF THE MESSAGE RETURNED AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST AGAIN. I DROVE TO WORK AND AS I TURNED INTO THE PARKING LOT, THE MESSAGE APPEARED AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE MESSAGE WAS GONE AND POWER STEERING RETURNED. I DROVE UNTIL 2/2/10 AT WHICH TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER WHILE THE MESSAGE WAS ON. THE CAR WAS CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS GOING OUT AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ON 2/3/10, I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND PAID $398.58 FOR REPAIRS. (I.E. "MOTOR KIT"). *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVY COBALT IN MAY 09. ON MARCH 3, 2009 SHE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER IN JULY 2009,SAID NO PROBLEM. ON NONDAY COLONIAL CHEVROLET IN VA BEACH 23502 WAS ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT, AND TO CHECK THE SYSTEM. THEY FIRST STATED NO RECALL ON COBALT STEERING, AND NOW ARE STONEWALLING THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE RECALL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD WE MA BE WITHOUT VEHICLE 90 DAYS. NOT SATISFACTORY, NO OWNERSHIP OF PROBLEM. [XXX]
ON MARCH 7 2009, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 2008 CHEVY COBALT LT, THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL FROM ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING BEHAVED VERY ERRATICALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS CATEGORIZED AS A DUI (.089 BAC) BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE STEERING, I DID MENTION THIS IN THE INITIAL POLICE REPORT BUT, BUT MY DUI TOOK PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING ELSE. I WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH SIGNIFICANT INJURIES AND COSTS. KINDLY ADVICE AS TO HOW I CAN SEEK SOME RELIEF FROM THE CONSEQUENCES BOTH FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND LEGAL. I WILL CONSULT AN ATTORNEY IN THIS MATTER AS WELL, BUT WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ABOUT THE INCIDENT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 COBALT,GOING WEST ON 480 9CLEVELAND),GOING THE SPEED LIMIT. I CHANGE LINES TO GET OFF AT RIDGE ROAD,WHEN WE HIT BLACK ICE,THE STEERING ON THE CAR WOULD NOT LET ME TURN LEFT/RIGHT IT SEEMED LOCK IN PLACE. WE (MYSELF/WIFE) HIT A SUV THEN ANOTHER SUV,RESULT WAS TOTAL LOSS OF THE COBALT. MY WIFE WAS PINNED UNDER THE DASH AND I FRACTURED/DISLOCATED MY HIP 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, WE BOTH HAD SEAT BELTS ON. *TR
MY 16YR DAUGHTER HAS A 2008 CHEVY COBALT THAT SHE SAID THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP ON THIS WEEKEND 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND KILL THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT WITHOUT PROBLEMS EACH TIME . HER CAR ONLY HAS 19,900 MILES ON IT, SO IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. MY BIG CONCERN IS THAT IF GM HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND SHE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY NEXT TIME. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT LETTING HER CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25MPH THE POWER STEERING FAIL AS HE WAS MAKING A TURN. WITHIN 30 SECONDS THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURE AS YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,550.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, WITHOUT A WARNING THE POWER STEERING LOCKED. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,338. UPDATED 04/09/10. *LJ THE POWER STEERING ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN HIS POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE DRIVER ALSO HAD TO PULL THE WHEEL TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY AND THAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITH AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,862. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,360. UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING WHENEVER HE MADE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD THE CONTACT HA\D TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON SO THAT IT WOULD RESET AND FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
2008 CHEVROLET COBALT LS RENTED VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES SAFETY DEFECT WHEN LIFTING OFF THE THROTTLE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN.*TGW
MY SON'S 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH LESS THAN 26K MILES RECENTLY LOST ALL STEERING. THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST MOTOR LOCKED UP. MY SON WAS FORTUNATE HE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. A YOUNG COWORKER WITH A 2007 COBALT HAD A PROBLEM WITH HIS STEERING. HIS CAR WOULD WANDER IN TO THE NEXT LANE UNTIL CORRECTED. THE COBALT STEERING PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. IN BOTH OF THE ABOVE CASES, PARTS WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE BY A LOCAL CHEVY DEALER. MY SON'S CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 02/22/10 AND THE CO WORKER'S ON 02/16/10. *TR
TROUBLE STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS. LOOSE POWER STEERING WHEN PARKING OR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT NOW OCCURS OFTEN. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ; PROCEEDING INTO A CURVE. THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CURVE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD- ON TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. HOWEVER, BOTH VEHICLES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2008 CHEVROLET COBALT - POWER STEERING PROBLEM. POWER STEERING LIGHT GOES ON, CAR LOSES POWER STEERING. COMES AND GOES. NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH SHE HEARD A POPPING SOUND FOLLOWED BY WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE EXPLODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6000.
HAD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. LASTED ABOUT TWO MONTHS. TOOK VEHICLE IN BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY SAID I HAD A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN. THEY TRIED TO SAY IT WAS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY MY WORN TIRES BUT THEY STILL HAVE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS LEFT BEFORE I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. BECAUSE PART WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN (PT#19209155) AND I PAID THE $100 DEDUCTIBLE. I HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ON THE FREEWAY BUT FIGURED IT WAS THE ROAD CONDITIONS. NON LEAD TO A ACCIDENT BUT AT LEAST ONE TIME I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE THIS COULD LEAD TO A VERY FATAL ACCIDENT. I WILL NEVER USE THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT ANY OF MY CHILDREN. *TR
PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HAD NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS REALLY STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. I HAD ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS JUST THE DESIGN OF THE CAR. THIS IS A RENTAL CAR SO I ONLY HAD IT TEMPORARILY. ON FEBRUARY 17, 2010, I PULLED UP TO GAS STATION DRIVING THIS CAR: 2008 CHEVY COBALT LS. THE STEERING FROZE UP AND THE CAR WOULDN'T RE-START. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE MANAGER AT HERTZ WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME AND HAS NOT RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS. I AM REPORTING HERTZ TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND TO MY LEGISLATURES. AGAIN, THIS CAR IS A 2008 CHEVY COBALT LS AND I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AUTOMOBILE. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WANT IT RECALLED. AT THIS TIME, I BELIEVE THEY ARE STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50MPH. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE STEERING LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE STEERING RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. BUT THEN IT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 45,000.
TL* THE CONTACT'S SISTER RENTED A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAW REPORTS OF FAILED POWER STEERING IN NEWS REPORTS AND THOUGHT THAT THE EXPLANATION COULD HAVE BEEN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT NEVER SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING BEEPED AND FLASHED AND I COULDN'T EASILY STEER THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON. THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER. *TR
2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. ELECTRONIC STEERING WILL DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND CAUSING THE DRIVER TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WILL ARISE IF THE AUTOMOBILE IS ON THE ROAD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED OR MOVING SLOWLY. DEALERSHIPS PROJECT THE COST AT $900 TO $1500 TO REPAIR. WE FEEL THIS IS THE MANUFACTURES FAULT DUE TO AN INEFFECTIVE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. IT IS ALSO A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN SOMEONE CAUSING A FATALITY OR GETTING HURT THEMSELVES. *TR
CAR ALARM WENT OFF WHILE PARKED AND LOCKED. NO APPARENT REASON WHY IT WAS GOING OFF. IT DID THIS SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY. AT TIMES, I WILL LOCK THE VEHICLE ONLY TO COME OUT AND SEE THAT IT IS UNLOCKED. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REMOTE KEY FOB. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND NOT MUCH CHANGED. ALSO, ON THIS VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK,THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IMMEDIATELY INSTEAD OF STAYING ON FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES LIKE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TOO. *TR
I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP(MK SMITH, CHINO, CA) THEY TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT AND THEN THE STEERING WAS FINE. I LEFT THE CAR THERE FOR THEM TO CHECK OUT BECAUSE IF THAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A TURN I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN OVER A THOUSAND COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND EVEN SOME ACCIDENTS SO I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF DRIVING THE CAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. UNTIL THERE IS I HAVE TO ENDURE THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. I HAVE A 2008 CHEVY COBALT. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2008 CHEVY COBALT LT IN APRIL OF 2009. AT THE TIME, IT HAD 28,000 MILES ON IT. AS THE CAR NEARED 40,000 MILES IT WOULD OCCASIONALLY LOSE ITS POWER STEERING CAPABILITY, BUT RESTARTING THE CAR WOULD BRING BACK THE POWER STEERING. AS TIME WENT ON, THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE AND MORE FREQUENT UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I CALLED MY DEALER (1/26/10) TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND THEY CLAIMED TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT AND OFFERED NO ADVICE. I THEN TOOK MY CAR TO MY PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT GM HAD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED 2 SERVICE BULLETINS RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC CALLED A DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REPAIR (PARTS ONLY) WOULD RUN ABOUT $1200. I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK OF HITTING ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF THE INABILITY TO MAKE PROPER TURNS, ESPECIALLY IN PARKING SITUATIONS. I AM ALSO QUITE SURE THAT IF I HAD TO QUICKLY SWERVE TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE, THAT WOULD BE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. AS WELL, I AM EXPERIENCING INCREASED SHOULDER PAIN FROM DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. PART OF MY JOB INVOLVES TRANSPORTING YOUNG ADULTS, WHICH I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DOING BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY LIABILITY. AT THIS POINT, I AM LOSING INCOME, AND ENDANGERING MY HEALTH AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET GO TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT. I MISSED MY TURN SO I PUT MY COBALT IN REVERSE AND BACKED UP A FEW FEET. I TURNED RIGHT INTO THE PARKING LOT AND MY CAR STARTED DINGING AND DISPLAYING "POWER STEERING". IT WAS HARD AS '!@#$% TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CHEVY COBALT. IT HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT!!! *TR
POTENTIAL POWER STEERING ISSUES WITH 2008 CHEVY COBALT
OUR COBALT HAS ALWAYS HAD VERY SENSITIVE STEERING FROM DAY ONE. BUT WE THOUGHT IS WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALLER CAR. ON THURSDAY MORNING WHILE GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL I HIT A SMALL PATCH OF BLACK ICE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. BUT EVEN WHEN I HIT DRY PAYMENT THERE STILL WAS NO CONTROL. TRYING TO STEER OUT OF THE SKID JUST TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE, I STILL WAS NOT ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL ,IT WOULD OVER CORRECT , UNTIL THE CAR LANDED IN THE DITCH. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. BUT CAR IS DAMAGED. WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL THE SHOP CALLS US. THIS CAR DEFINITELY HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. *TW
POWER STEERING FAILUER WHILE DRIVING. *CN
I LOST CONTROL OF MY CHEVY COBALT, AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE STEERING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH IT PULLING TO THE RIGHT, OR LEFT. IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED ONCE, BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE EVALUATED AGAIN. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE ROAD WAS SNOW COVERED. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2008 CHEVY COBALT ON RTE. 219 BETWEEN RIDGEWAYAND BRADFORD, PA ON SEPT. 11, 2009, WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. IT WAS AROUND NOON AND LIGHTLY SPRINKLING. SHE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WAS A TRUCK IN FRONT OF HER WHICH SHE CONSIDERED PASSING. SHE TURNED TO THE LEFT TO SEE IF SHE COULD PASS. SHE DECIDED NOT TO PASS AND TURNED RIGHT. THAT IS WHEN SHE LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE STEERING TOOK HER TOO FAR RIGHT AND INTO THE GUARDRAIL, THEN SHE BOUNCE OFF THE RAIL AND OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE SHE HIT THE OPPOSITE GUARDRAIL. THE ROAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT, NOT THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. THE CAR THEN TOOK HER BACK TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE SHE STOPPED. THE CAR SUFFERED ABOUT $6000 DAMAGE. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK HEAD ON. WE ASSUMED BECAUSE THE ROAD WAS SOMEWHAT WET, SHE MUST HAVE HYDROPLANED. WE WERE JUST RELIEVED SHE WASN'T KILLED OR INJURED. WHEN I READ THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT THE STEERING, I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO DESCRIBE WHERE HAPPENED IN THE ACCIDENT. SHE SPOKE OF LOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING, SO NOW I FEAR THE STEERING MAY BE FAULTY AND HER LIFE MY BE IN DANGER. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT HARD TO STEER. THE STEERING HOWEVER, WOULD WORK AGAIN WHEN THE CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER STOPPING. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE POWER ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVY DEALER AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER KEPT THE PART. *TR
I HAVE AN 08 CHEVY COBALT LT AND THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO RANDOMLY GO OUT AT THE END OF JANUARY. I LOOKED UNDER THE GOOD TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING! WOW THAT'S NEW!! SO WHEN THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND IT WOULD SHUT OFF EVERY HALF BLOCK AFTER BEING RESET MANY TIMES. I DECIDED TO LOOK UP THE PROBLEM ON GOOGLE, TO FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING IN COBALTS FOR A LONG TIME NOW! RECALL!! MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY THANK GOODNESS BUT THROUGH THE USED DEALER SHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM! I'M PAYING 100 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIX WHICH IS ONLY A FRACTION OF THE COST. I'M REPLACING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND POWER STEERING MODULE. I WILL BE OUT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK THANK GOODNESS! BUT I HAVE READ THAT IT WILL JUST CONTINUE TO RANDOMLY GO OUT UNTIL THE PARTS ARE REPLACED! *TR
I PURCHASED A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT FOR MY SON TO DRIVE. HE WAS PRACTICING PARKING MANEUVERS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN HE COMPLAINED THE STEERING WAS GETTING HARDER TO TURN. I CHECK THE STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING HAD FAILED. I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BECOME HOT BUT IT SHOULD NOT FAIL UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. I SEEN IN THE NEWS OF THE COMPLAINTS OF POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AND THAT IS THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. THE DEALER I SPOKE WITH SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS THE POWER STEERING FAILS AGAIN. I TOLD THEM AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL WHEN MY KIDS ARE NEW DRIVERS? THEY SAID YES. *TR
WHILE TEACHING MY 16 YEAR OLD HOW TO ANGLE PARK JAN 30, THE STEERING LOCKED. WE WERE DOING A LOT OF HARD TURNS AND HAD TO STOP PRACTICING. BECAUSE WE WERE IN A LARGE PARKING LOT, WE SWITCHED DRIVERS AND I TESTED THE STEERING. IT SEEMED TO BE OK BUT DID TUG SEVERAL TIMES. WE WENT TO JIFFY LUBE ONE BLOCK AWAY AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO OUR DEALER. MY HUSBAND THEN TEST DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK AND IT SEEMED FINE. SINCE THE PARKING LESSON I'VE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING "TUGS AND THEN SEEMS FINE" WHEN MAKING HARD TURNS, WHILE PARKING, AND WHILE LEAVING A PARKING SPACE. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR DEALER TOMORROW, DROPPING THE CAR OFF TONIGHT. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SHARING THE VAN IN THE MEANTIME. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH 14,000 MILES ON IT AND MY POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ONCE I RE-STARTED THE CAR I HAD POWER STEERING BACK ONLY FOR A FEW BLOCKS BEFORE IT FAILED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE SAME EVENING. I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/2/10 AND AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. *TR
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.
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