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.
Power Steering Loss And Transmission Problem - What I found out, after doing much research, was that the power steering loss was also linked to the transmission not shifting. People owning a Cobalt also had experienced the dashboard "trouble" lights coming on when this happened. Some young kid put up the solution on a Face Book post. The FIX was so simple, It's astounding that GM didn't realize what was happening. It was apparent that the transmission control module, located in the engine compartment and in front of the car's computer, was installed in a plastic "box" or holder and NOT mounted on the Fire wall or any metal body part of the car. The ONLY means of grounding the module was a thin wire that is attached to the multi pin plug that jacks into the module. When the ground connection to the transmission module is lost, the power steering fails. As does the cars transmission ability to properly shift out of gear. The dashboard lights come on all at once. The computer does not recognize the signal from the transmission module. To fix this problem PERMANENTLY, remove the transmission module from the plastic box. DO NOT disconnect the multi pin plug. There are two bolt holes diagonally opposite each other on the module which is in a metal case. Get a 1/4 x 20 x 3/4 inch bolt with a locking nut or washer. Put the bolt in the hole and attach about 4 feet of number 12 solid copper wire to the bolt and tighten. Replace the module in the sleeve. Take the other end of the number 12 copper wire and attach it to one of the 3 bolts that support the front strut on the right side. Loosen one of the nuts, place the wire under the nut and re-tighten. Your problem with the steering and loss of transmission shifting should now be permanently solved. As the module is now permanently grounded to the body of the car.
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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 5 of 7)
i have a 2005 cobalt and i have really low miles on it. i barely have 38K on it. i have always babied this car and the power steering just went out as im driving on the freeway. No warning at all, not like when you need gas and a little "ding" goes off. Im on the freeway when all of the sudden it goes out. Ive never driven a car without power steering before so i kind of started to get worried. so i pulled over and waited about 10 minutes before getting back in the car, when i turned it back on i had no problems. then the next day it got about 100 yards before locking up, luckily i was at a stop light and i could turn the car off and back on, i got about another 100 yards before it happened again. So after calling all the Chevy dealerships in San Diego to get a weekend appointment i had to pay $109 just for a diagnostics! WTF?! NOT COOL CHEVY!! I come to later find out that the steering column AND ENGINE need to be replaced becuase theyre "binding". they want $930 ON TOP OF THE $109 i just paid them. plus tax.
This is my husband's car. A few weeks ago the power steeling failure notice came on and the car would lose power steering ability while driving without any notice. This has happened many times to him and me on one occasion. The quick solution here was that we pull over, turn the car off, and then turn it back on. That has worked for us so far. The car went to a small garage today and the mechanic could not find anything wrong with it. He suggested we check for recalls . . . and this is where i ended up. I am very happy to see others' complaints about this problem, but am very disappointed in GM. We will make a formal complaint to them, but it seems this problem should have already been addressed. Thanks for everyone's complaints. This site was very helpful for us. And I'm pretty sure I will never purchase another GM vehicle.
same issue as the rest of these victims that bought a 2005 chevy cobalt because it was cheapest. i will never have the money to fix this problem so a recall would be nice before i get in wreak or drive off a mountain.
I bought this car new in 05' and have had nothing but problems with it, the check engine light would come on and the car would just shut off, power steering comes on and the car shuts off, this car is a death trap, the whole car should be recalled!! I would not recommend anyone to buy one!
My 2005 Chevy Cobalt's power steering went out around the 45,000 mark. I found hundreds of other Cobalt drivers that had to pay $900-$2500 to repair their car. GM is aware of this problem but has chosen to do nothing about it. The only thing we can do is get everyone out there to call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and let them know of this issue.
It only takes five minutes, so please call in!
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
888-327-4236
http://www.SaferCar.gov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1eLyWNFO6s
- Jeremi M.,
Austin, TX, US
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I always thought owning a Chevrolet was a wise choice until I got a 2005 Chevy Cobalt. Everything was fine until 3mos later the damn power steering light came on and then eventually went out. I am a small women and to try to turn the steering wheel is like lifting weights but good for the abs. This is a terrible feeling for my body as well as my pockets!!!!! What makes Chevrolet think if we brought this cheap lemon we have extra money for the repairs to a faulty steering wheel? They need to recall this part because it's happening too many cars. I want to trade this SH@! and get a Honda or another Toyota. You would think with everything happening with GMC they will be compassion enough to fix this ongoing steering nightmare for free!!!!! anyone please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Went through the same crap has all of you, and of course it wasn't included in my "extended warranty" and I spoke to GM and was told they can't do anything for me. I don't know about the rest of you but It feels like the two are in it together. Just a feeling. I will try the suggestions listed and will let you know if it worked for me wish me luck.
MY HUSBAND BOUGHT ME A USED CHEVY COBALT 2005 IN ORDER FOR THE KIDS AND I TO MOVE AROUND WITH..FOR THE FIRST YR EVERYTHING WAS FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN FOR TH LAST COUPLE OF DAYS I NOTICED THAT MY CAR STARTED DISPLAYING POWER STEERING..I DIDNT KNOW WHAT IT WAS SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS THEY COULDNT EVEN EXPLAIN..I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND NOTICED THERES LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE..HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHICH IS SO DANGEROUS COULD BE HAPPENING..DOESNT THE CHEVROLET COMPANY KNOWS HOW DANGEROUS THIS IS..ESPECIALLY SINCE I EXPERINCED THIS WHILE DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY AND MOST OF ALL WITH TWO OF MY SMALL KIDS..WHO STARTED GETTING NERVOUS..I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TURN ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND STOP TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD MOVE TO THE SIDE..WHICH WAS TH WORST EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE..
Ok. Seriously - what is wrong with GM and not recalling this issue. It started last summer for me. The very first time the power steering failed my power steering completely locked. I was unable to even move my steering wheel for about 5 seconds. JUST in time for a corner that was coming up on a freeway! The following two times I nearly crashed. It only happened three times last summer but about two months ago - it started again! Now, everytime I drive my car (and I mean EVERYTIME I START IT) my power steering fails. I have had it happen up to 12 times in one day. I can restart my car and it will be fine for about 10 minutes (if that) and it will fail again.
I have spoken with and written letters and emails to GM and they tell me the same thing everyone else is saying. "Take it to a dealership". Ya, I'm not wasting my money on them. I understand my car is NO longer under warranty (go figure - the first time it happened my car was about 2500 km over the bumper to bumper warranty) and I refuse to put any more money into their hands. I can NOT afford to put a new steering column in my car. I also just put $1000 into it because of the Ignition Control Module that failed just before Christmas and a new Catalytic Converter. Sometimes I think it's just a wire loose or something because it happens So randomly, and the electronics in these car is awful as well. I don't know, I'm not a mechanic.
This is dangerous and needs to be fixed! I am about ready to go to my local media to look into it. This car is a LEMON! There is a lemon right I believe for us owners who are stuck with P.O.S.'s like this and we should all get reimbursed for this! I have had nothing but problems with my car, but my debt is SO high on it, I CAN'T get rid of the car! No other dealership wants to take on these lemons!
We need to keep voicing our opinions! Maybe something will come of it!
GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD BE ASHAMD OF THEM SELVES SELLING POOR CITIZENS LEMONS AND LIMES. THE CHEVY COBALT IS THE WORST CAR I EVA OWNED. THE ENGNE LIGHTS STAYS ON AND THE POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK. AFTER HAVING IT CHECKED I WAS TOLD THE GMC MADE A BAD DECISION TRYN TO MAKE IT AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE ONLY WAY IT CAN BE FIXED IS TO HAV A NEW STERN COLUMN PUT IN. RIDICULOUS.
I HAVE A CHEVY COBALT 05 AND THIS POWER STEERING ON MY CAR IS BUGGING ME ALOT..WHEN I BE DRIVIN THE STEERING WHEEL GETS VERY VERY VERY HARD TO TURN..SO IF IT HAPPENED TO AN OLD PERSON I DONT THINK HE CAN TURN IT..SO I ASKED ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY MY SH*T IS ELECTRIC SO THAT MEANS I HAVE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN..ND AT LEAST I HAVE TO PAY LIKE 600 BUCKS..AND GM IS GOING OUT OG BUZZNISS AND THEY KINDA SUCK AND THEY CANT DO SH*T BOUT IT!!!!!
THAT SH*T PISSEZ ME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR AND SHE STARTED HAVING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON AND THEN NO POWER STEERING. SHE COULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WOULD WORK FOR A FEW MINUTES OR NOT WORK AT ALL AGAIN. SHE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MANAGER (AFTER HER PAYING $70 TO DIAGNOSE) TOLD HER THAT IT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $800. HE THEN GAVE HER THE NUMBER TO SOMEWHERE THAT WOULD HELP WITH THE COST. SHE CALLED AND THEY (NOT SURE WHO "THEY" ARE) ARE GOING TO PAY 60% OF THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF THIS IS TRUE OR NOT. SHE IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $800 FOR SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MORE THAN JUST A SMALL PROBLEM, MORELIKE WIDESPREAD, ON A MCDONALD'S SALARY. I AM HOPING THAT "THEY" ARE GOING TO HELP HER. IF AND WHEN I FIND OUT WHO "THEY" ARE, I WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW. SORRY, I WISH I HAD MORE INFO. OR YOU CAN CALL THE DEALERSHIP (GILLAND) IN OZARK ALABAMA @ 1-334-774-9030 AND ASK FOR THE SERVICE DEPT AND MAYBE THEY WILL GIVE YOU A NUMBER TO CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WHO "THEY" ARE :)
Power Steering Fails at any speed. Dealer says that I need to replace steering column. Others say no just replace Electronic Assist Motor. This is obviously a manufacturer defect. GM does not want to do anything about it. They say that if enough people complain, they will recall. I find it hard to believe that no one else has called GM to complain. However, that is exactly what you need to do. Call them and raise some hell and do some complaining. They say that if there is a recall, you will be reimbursed for all costs of repair. But, we should call any way. It would probably take a class action suit to get anything done.
After reading all the complaints about the loss of power steering to the 2005 Chevy Cobalt I can see why GM is going out of business. I know more about my car problem then the useless dealership does at this point. Thousands of Cobalts have had this problem with the power steering just failing out of the clear blue sky. Its dangerous. People have paid 1000.00 to 2500.00 for a factory caused issue. Like so many Americans, I have been laid off and no clue on how I am going to pay for this. GM denies that this problem even exists. How many people yet to come will have this problem that have no clue its coming, how many people will be injured and how many people will die in a bad wreck because of this problem. Crap like this should be a crime. Instead we give billions in bailout money and protect GM in bankruptcy court so they can bail out on paying their bills. Only in America can this happen.
I am so upset at this matter because there has been many complains about this issue and Chevy seems to do nothing. This looks like something this company should recall cause it is a problem that can cause alot of damage. The estimate I was given to fix this problem is about $1,100.00 dlls. I don't think I should be paying for something like this if this is a factory problem.
OK, I took out the power steering motor as mentioned here and when I took it apart, a lot of black powder fell out. NOT a good thing. They are made in Japan and I'm guessing it's not a very clean facility. Anyway, cleaning it out with electrical contact cleaner didn't solve the problem. I took it to a repair shop and had it tested and it worked. I did notice that if only worked if the power was on the connector a certain way. What I did when I got home was to take the connector and a small, flat-tip screwdriver and leverage the connecting tabs so that they come in better contact with the prongs on the other part of the connector. Bingo! So far so good! It used to go out after about 30 seconds of driving and has been working all day now. So, clean out your steering motor and THEN adjust the prongs for better contact. This is a FREE fix, so try it FIRST before you spend money!
I experienced Power steering failure first in NOV 2007. It happens about once a month now... No recall is available for it. GM is no friend of mine. This problem is going to kill someone if it hasn't already!
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt and when I am going down the road a light comes on on the computer saying "power steering" and I lose all power steering. If I turn the car off and turn it back on it is fine (maybe for a day, maybe for an hour, or maybe just for a few minutes).
If anyone has a solution to this (cheap solution) please let me know.
I have a Chevy Cobolt and I take very good care of my vehicle. Today I had my mom in the car and I was bringing her back home. With NO warning the power steering light came on my car and I could not steer. I pulled into a parking lot and did not know what to do. I checked the owners manual and it said it is an electrical problem and you must get it to the dealership immediately. I called the Chevy dealer and they said to have it towed in and the steering column would have to be replaced!!!!!!!!!!
My mom was very upset and I was worried about her as well. Right now the car is being towed to the dealer and they said they will not be able to look at it until next week. I told them I am a student and I do not have thousands of dollars to fix this vehicle and questioned WHY there was no warning. Now I am reading ALL the complaints on this vehicle and they all sound just like what happened to me today !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is awful and something should be done and we should NOT be charged to fix an obvious GM problem. GM needs to come up with a resolution to all of us who this problem has inconvenienced both mentally and financially.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
i have a 2005 cobalt and i have really low miles on it. i barely have 38K on it. i have always babied this car and the power steering just went out as im driving on the freeway. No warning at all, not like when you need gas and a little "ding" goes off. Im on the freeway when all of the sudden it goes out. Ive never driven a car without power steering before so i kind of started to get worried. so i pulled over and waited about 10 minutes before getting back in the car, when i turned it back on i had no problems. then the next day it got about 100 yards before locking up, luckily i was at a stop light and i could turn the car off and back on, i got about another 100 yards before it happened again. So after calling all the Chevy dealerships in San Diego to get a weekend appointment i had to pay $109 just for a diagnostics! WTF?! NOT COOL CHEVY!! I come to later find out that the steering column AND ENGINE need to be replaced becuase theyre "binding". they want $930 ON TOP OF THE $109 i just paid them. plus tax.
- Alex B., San Diego, CA, US