CarComplaints.com Notes: The Cobalt was introduced to replace two of Chevy’s smaller cars, the Cavalier and Prizm. But the compact’s fresh start that Chevy was hoping for was riddled with issues, most notably widespread power steering failure.
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business
Ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won-??t turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. Steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph.
When I got the car in June 2020 I got the key I was told to turn key to acc wait until lock icon go off my car alarms will sound anti theft system took to Chevrolet dealership, and they charged $$$ said they replaced several part's and still it's stalls, and loose powder steering, it says I have no fuel in car brake light on do not chimes when I get in car it makes it like I stealing the car and it shutdown everything been doing it sense July can't drive out no where stalls when I did try driving it engine light comes on then my steering wheel locks
I got the car a few years ago only drove it for 5 months found out about the recall. I had to pay for the car to go nassau bahamas. They never ship it for me.they paid the ignition repairs never gave me a rental car. Then I called back a few months about a warranty say 60,000 miles or 5 year they tell another recall for the same thing. So I started checking come to find all kinda law suit on that type model. They want the car off the road. I asked them to pay out the car. Can't get a response. They open but the bahamas office closed from covid-19. Still have to wait on a response.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle lost power steering assist which caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. Rodgers auto group located at (2720 S. Michigan ave Chicago, il) was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator remained illuminated and the power steering failed. As a result, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 190,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the temperature gauge malfunctioned and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact spoke with several dealers, including gray Chevrolet (1245 N 9th St, stroudsburg, pa 18360, (866) 505-3058), ray price mt pocono Chevrolet (2969 pa-940, mt pocono, pa 18344, (570) 839-0810), and abeloff Buick GMC (1167 N 9th St, stroudsburg, pa 18360, (877) 816-1775) and was informed that the parts were discontinued and no longer available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the part had been discontinued. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition was loose and the vehicle could roll away if the key were removed. Also, the check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine overheated. Another mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch was damaged. The contact planned to take the vehicle to ricky hendricks city Chevrolet (5101 E independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28212, (980) 242-5621) for additional diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 135,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle's doors constantly locked independently. The contact had to crawl in and out of the vehicle through the window. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost power and the power steering and check engine indicators illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and powered off. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The contact called harry green Chevrolet at 304-624-6304 (1858 E pike St, clarksburg, wv 26301) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact about NHTSA campaign number: 07V014000 (structure). The contact had not received a recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The traction control system light on my Chevrolet Cobalt 2005 stays on and does not turn off until I shut off the engine. The check engine light also stays on as well at the same time the traction control system light is on, so not sure if these two issues are related. I also notice that the vehicle jerks periodically when I am on the road and there is rough shifting of gears.
Vehicle wouldn't start. Like the battery was dead, wouldn't even try to turn over. Go to turn the key off and pop my trunk where the battery is located and I can not get my key to turn all the way back to the off position, as a result I cannot remove my key. The speedometer read 30mph even though the vehicle never started and wasn't moving. Non of the electronics were working so I was unable to pop my trunk. This has happened several times before and eventually the vehicle will start and when it does the battery light stays on and the dash reads; engine performance low. The transmission will surge as I am driving and I cannot go faster than 30mph. I have even had the car shut off completly while I was driving down the road. After anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks the vehicle will stop acting up and drive normal for a while. Agian the normal lasts anywhere between a few hours to a few months as well. The power stering also flashes on the dash and sometimes cuts compleatly out.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel was unable to move. The power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after three minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,769.
Timing chain tenser bolt and guide brakes and destroys the motor on Chevrolet Cobalt 2005 causing the car to not start also turns on the check engine light and goes to low power mode also the transmission has problem too
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was stationary, the ignition key became stuck in the vehicle. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the reverse gear. In addition, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel power and the engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled, but was able to be restarted after five to ten minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,089.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted, and all the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,439. The VIN was unavailable.
This issue seems to be a common problem with the 2005 Cobalt. Please research any car complaint websites about this certain vehicle. Even though all the recalls have been taken care of, while in motion, at any time and any speed, the dash lights starts flashing and you get the message power steering on message center, tc light comes on, light that shows padlock symbol comes on, RPM needle jumps up and down, steering wheel locks up, motor surges and shakes, and you hear all types of clicking sounds below gear shifter. This is a very dangerous thing and Chevrolet/GM just cannot seem to fix this issue or even find anything wrong. The 2005 Cobalt needs to be recalled and any other year of Cobalt having this issue. I will give you below the last date this has happened, but this has went on since we got the car in 2008. My daughter is in school in Kansas City, and this issue has happened quite frequently lately. The only remedy is to pull to side of road, shut off vehicle and restart and hope it does not act up again. I just wonder how may deaths have happened already because of this faulty GM product and no one knew it was because of what the Cobalt did, locked up on its driver.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the contact noticed fuel fumes emitting from the inner part of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after some time. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust, oxygen sensor, thermostat and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted as the contact noticed fuel leaking from underneath the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
I was driving down the interstate, when my warning light came on, and said "engn pwr reduced" it immediately slowed from 70 mph, to 10 mph and wouldn't rev past 2000 RPM's. the source cannot be found as to why it happened and almost cost me my life on the interstate.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle stalled when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not able to restart. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,147.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carlisle, PA, USA