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 contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side frontal air bag deployed independently. The contact sustained burns on the forearm and temporary hearing loss due to the deployment of the air bag. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed by the insurance to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring wiring harness detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the mechanic disconnected the clock spring which caused the horn and several other electrical functions on the steering wheel to be inoperable. A local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure, case number: Xxx. The contact was offered a $2500 compensation from the manufacturer in regards to the issue with the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 75000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
In Nov 2019. The airbag symbol started comming on the instrument panel, it is on while stationary, goes out. Then it comes on when in motion, on city streets, highways, etc.
I know about the recall for 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, my can has turned off while driving & I have had problems starting my vehicle., the steering wheel ignition system 'is the problem' my vehicle does not start anymore at all !! please schedual an appointment at the nearest dealer that can repair the recalled parts? near 95838 sacramento, ca. I believe that my life has been endangered several times because of the defective recalled parts !! " yes" I am very upset" !! my vehicle has stopped running on both city & freeways.
Takata recall. I hit a patch of ice going to a friends house. I did a three sixty hitting a guardrail all the way around. My air bags didn't go off. They should of with how hard I hit. Totaled out my car. I was traveling down I-75 in Ohio
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. In addition, the air bag indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. Billy navarre Chevrolet in lake charles, Louisiana was made aware of the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) had closed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 110,379.
- Lake Charles, LA, USA
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My wife was involved in a crash in our 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt on 23 February 2018. Car lost power to power steering motor, ABS brakes, and air bags did not deploy after hitting a tree due to loss of steering and braking ability. I drove the car the morning before the crash and noticed the gauges and speedometer fluctuating moving all around, power steering light flashing on dash, I pulled over and turned the car ignition off and restarted car it then went away. My wife then drove the car going to her work and she called me about 5 minutes after leaving our house saying she has lost control of the car with no power steering or brakes, she was scared and hysterical and said she had crashed under a tree with in 1 mile of our house. The air bags did not deploy upon impacting the tree. I went to help her, I missed seeing the car on the first pass by, because it was in a briar patch under a tree as you can see in the pictures and the amount of damage done. She is very lucky that she was not injured. This car has been in for recalls for power steering motor(2) and ignition switch (1). It was not raining the day of the crash, she crashed approximately 10:20 am. I pulled the car out of the briar patch and drove it back to our house. I feel that this crash was due to the car losing power to steering, braking and air bags. My wife said there was a on coming car, that she was trying to avoid hitting, when the car entered the grass on the right side of the road the soft ground pulled the car off the road into the field and came to a stop after hitting a briar patch and tree. It could have been much worse my wife or someone else could be dead because of the problems the Chevrolet Cobalt has had. I filed a claim with our insurance company with $500 deductible, so we will probably be without a car because of this accident because of defective problems with this car.
I was driving out of my parking spot at a very low speed (less than 5mph) and the air bags deployed, unprovoked. Just the driver's side deployed. I received burns and cuts to my arm and have hearing loss in my one ear.
I simply lost the ability to steer my car, all it does is click when I turn the steering wheel, luckily I was close to home and slowly edged to the front of my home.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and (steering). While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to hedricks Chevrolet (961 w shaw ave, clovis, ca 93612) where it was tentatively diagnosed that the power steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist until the vehicle was officially diagnosed for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,690.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 mph, the temperature gauge icon illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering lost power. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred several times and was not remedied. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Made left turn and my airbag went off. Mechanic said that the clock spring shorted out internally in the coil and deployed the airbag. GM has not contacted me over this matter and have been trying to get them to reimburse me for since 2010.
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving in inclement weather at 60 mph, the contact struck a deer, drove into a ditch, and crashed into a concrete barrier. The air bags did not deploy. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was destroyed and towed from the scene. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There was one injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not provided.
After I had the ignition switch replaced the service airbag light came on. I took car back to dealer about this issue they replaced a clip on wiring in steering column. After clip was replaced service airbag light came back on. I feel that the dealer did something when ignition switch was replaced.
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.
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
[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).
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the contact crashed the vehicle into a fence. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 11/05/14 the consumer stated it felt as if the steering was failing. The consumer was not notified of the steering recall, but planned to have the steering inspected prior to the crash.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to reimbursement for ignition switch recall. The consumer stated her daughter was driving, when the vehicle suddenly stalled.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Keller, VA, USA