Print this page

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.

The power steering failed so often that GM was forced to issue a recall in March, 2010. Great, but what about other problems like the key getting stuck in the ignition or all the other electrical demons this car possesses?

And, oh yes — then there’s the terribly dangerous issue where the Cobalt randomly shuts off while driving. As it turns out, that problem is related to GM’s massive 2014 recall for a dangerous ignition switch defect. A recall that eventually ballooned to 2.6 million vehicles in one of the automotive industry’s biggest scandals.

6.8

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
61,750 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace steering column (5 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #8

Jan 012016

Cobalt LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have an 05 Cobalt that had a steering recall. My daughter had it done, so I never thought twice about it, until now that I'm trying to sell the car. I noticed it sounds like something is loose in the dash or firewall. I changed the front struts and rack and pinion and spent hours trying to find the problem. Well I finally traced it back to the power steering mechanism that GM replaced. I could tell because the part still looks new. There is play in this section of the column. I thought about calling them but what for if the part they put in for warranty is just making it worse. Plus they probably would want to charge me and have that messed up attitude that my daughter said they had. I found another column to replace it. Thanks GM for nothing!

- ., Albuquerque, NM, US

problem #7

Jan 012012

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

This problem started at least in 2012. I took it to the dealer complaining that the car was making a terrible knocking and vibration from under the hood to the dashboard. It was worse when you ran over a "less than even" road and for sure when you went over the annoying speed humps. They could not "duplicate" the problem and sent me home with my tail tucked between my legs. This car has been doing this still to this day with no one being able to find the problem. It is about to turn over to 100,000 miles. The steering wheel is vibrating when you get up to 45-50 mph and Pretty much stops when you hit 60-65 mph. My mother says to drive until it breaks/falls apart and then they will be able to find the problem. That hasn't been why I have continued driving.. its because I don't have money to continue carrying this car to be checked over only for someone to say... they can't find the problem. This car has also been the victim of ignition switch problems 3 times .2 of them after it was replaced. It shut off causing me to wreck and no air bag deploying. Still can't find the horn most of the time either. Read more with other complaints. Thanks for reading.

Update from Mar 10, 2019: this knocking under the hood and front end has been there since 65,000 miles and the dealer never get a "duplicated system check" on it. Burns me up. This car is like when you go to the doctor and feel better when you get to the examining room. Again.. I am just driving it until something breaks.. and I survive if its a crash and sue GM for negligence with not addressing these issues we all are having. Where the pealing sealant isn't a safety issue they tell me.. well what the hell do they think this would be?

We SHOULD NOT have to be paying repair bills for a correction if it is faulty steering column... or anything related to the front end.

- Edward L., Tucker, US

problem #6

Oct 302014

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

I am asking GM to know if this problem should be classified under their recall of March 31: GM says it will replace, depending on what's needed — the power steering motor, steering column, or both.

When asking the dealer they are just trying to charge additional 800 usd for column change. Here you even don't know if this problem will happen again, since the system is one and the problem is called power steering loose.

Very upset, need to do a 3 day job to pay the bill, and GM never answers.

- Andia L., Westalm Beach, FL, US

problem #5

Nov 012008

Cobalt 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had my son bring the car in to get fixed. They fixed I believe everything but the problem. I was pissed. They even gave him four new tires, which we just had new tires less than a year ago. The women at chevy told him we needed a new steering column. The car was just over 3 years old and this seemed to be very ridiculous. I did not have $3000 and did not have a week or two to fix it. The woman was very cold about it. She did not care one bit. I, to this day still have the car and it still sounds like crap. Unfortunately, it was a lease, which turned into a finance, so I am paying the car off for like ten years. The car will never get fixed and I will probably never be able to sell it thanks to Chevys help. The worst part about this is that the car was for my children and they take turns driving it. I worry to death every time they walk out the door with the keys in hand. Its always, call me when you get where ever, or call AAA it you break down.

- sweettooth4488, Howell, NJ, US

problem #4

Jun 012010

Cobalt LS 2.2L Ecotec

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

There is a small knock in the steering when you are turning the steering wheel and it crosses from left or right, across the center/straight (0 degree) point. This is especially noticeable if I hold the wheel straight and then quickly go left or right a few degrees, to mimmick swerving on the road.

I've had the dealership examine this and it wasn't happening at that time. I've already had the power steering issue fixed (see "POWER STEERING" problem with many complaints), but this knocking problem still persists.

- Timothy C., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #3

Jun 012010

Cobalt SS 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 53,000 miles

I've noticed a knocking in the steering and it feels real loose and also knocks sometimes depending on the size of the bump. When I had my car at the dealers for the power steering unit safety recall I had a mechanic look at it. He informed me that it was a bearing in the steering column that is going bad and it comes as an assembly and will cost me like $722/US to have it fixed. The thing that gets me is that the car doesn't even have 54,000/miles on it. You would think that something like this would be a mechanical defect and should be covered/replaced by Chevrolet.

- boston69, Hampton, VA, US

problem #2

Dec 082007

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

I recently took my car to my local dealer where I bought my car because there was a weird sounding noise occurring in the front end of my car. When I got it back they told me that I have bent rear rims. I have never hit anything so I do not know how that could be possible. I did however buy it used so that would be the only possible thing. My problem is that I only hear this sound when I go about 30mph on this certain part of my street. I took it to my regular mechanic and he showed me that I do for sure have bent rims but nothing that would be causing the noises in the front end of my car. He said that it was probably just a suspension problem getting used to the colder weather that has been occurring. There is no major risk and I will not address this problem until I have to get new tires for my car. It just seems strange to me that it only occurs at 30mph, and in the 11 months that I have had the car that it only started making the noise in the 11th month. All comments are welcome to help me through my situation.

- Phil D., Fenton, MO, US

problem #1

Dec 052006

(reported on)

Cobalt Sedan 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

The front end in my Cobalt sounds as if it is ready to fall apart. It's like a jar of marbles under the hood. The steering is knocking, locking up, and making a grinding noise. I had a steering shaft replaced but as made no difference. GM as not yet come up with anything to fix the problem. There are 4 cars of this type in the town that i live in and they have got the same problems. I think the front end and steering in those cars are faulty and that GM should make a major recall to take back the cars.

- Todd C., Englee, NL, Canada

Not what you are looking for?