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.
Power steering failure. Steering at first started going out only during U-turns or other sharp turns. Then, steering would go out suddenly after driving for 30-60 minutes. Finally, steering would shut off about 15 seconds after starting my car. Had to replace the entire steering column.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving approximately 45 mph and he lost control of the steering wheel. The failure occurred at least ten times. He turned the vehicle off and restarted it since occasionally it would correct itself. The power steering light also illuminated after the steering failed. He took the vehicle to the dealership and was informed that the issue was prevalent; yet, the dealer did not make any repairs. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was approximately 55,000. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
We have a Chevy 2005 Cobalt. The front end make a really bad riddling noise and sometimes the steering is hard. I call and took it to a dealer and they said they was no recalls. I said I heard it on tv and also the papers. My daughter is the one that drives this car most of the time. I want to know is she going to be safe. Please let me know asap. I don't want anything to happen to her. Its asking for a date of incident I'm not sure. Guess" the noise is mostly on rough roads. The steering is about one time every ?" thank you please let me know.
Driving down the road and at any random point the power steering light goes on, now the steering wheel is extremely hard to turn. This occurs on a daily basis. The amount of times this happens is very random. The most times it has happened in a day is 7 driving within a 30 mile radius. The only temporary thing to fix it is try to safely pull off the road and shut the car off and start it back up, but it can go out again within the next mile.
- Moreno Valley , CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving, the power steering failed both at low speeds and high speeds including approximately 35 mph. The failure occurred 7 to 8 times beginning on 12/26/09. The steering wheel became very difficult to turn and suddenly; the problem would correct itself and occasionally it could take longer. He has not taken the vehicle to the dealer at the time of the complaint nor had he spoken with the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 38,000. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 60 mph the power steering failed without warning. She was able to drive onto the emergency lane and turn the vehicle off. The power steering reset itself and the vehicle began driving normally. A local mechanic stated that they were unable to diagnose the failure and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The current and the failure mileages were 57,000. Updated 3/12/10 the power steering motor was replaced. Updatd 05/14/10.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was a clicking noise, the warning light would illuminate, and then the power steering failed on several occasions. The problem became progressively worse whenever he made a right and left turn. The dealer could not find any error codes while running a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified when the complaint was filed. The vehicle has not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 100,000. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds including approximately 35 mph the power steering light illuminated and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The power steering light did not shut off unless the vehicle was turned off. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 84,000.
I was driving my 2005 Chevy Cobalt when I tried turning a corner and the steering wheel failed to work causing me to hit a curb. I then seen that my power steering light was on and that's what caused this.
The power steering fails repeatedly. We pull over, turn off the engine and restart the car and the power steering works for a while; sometimes five minutes, sometimes five days. But it's been happening off and on again for over a month now. Our mechanic says the repair will be over $1000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the steering wheel became uncontrollable. He had to shut the engine off so that the vehicle could reset itself. The manufacturer stated that the warranty was not valid and the repair cost was $2000. There were no related recalls. The failure mileage was 15,000.
Power steering failed while driving almost resulting in an accident. Steering works for about 5 minutes then goes out. Comes back after restart but then goes immediately back out. This is a very unsafe condition because it is unpredictable. Brought to dealer. Very expensive fix. Still not resolved
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 45 mph the power steering warning light would illuminate on the vehicle and immediately after the power steering would lock. An hour after driving the vehicle the steering failed at least three times. He had to put the vehicle in neutral, turn the vehicle off and wait for the power steering to reset itself. There were no recalls for the failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 64,015.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The driver stated that after driving a long distance at approximately 45 mph the vehicle made a clanking noise and the steering wheel failed to operate normally. The dealer has not diagnosed the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact has a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 5 mph out of a parking lot the contact suddently lost control of the steering and crashed into a vehicle. The contact was found at fault; although, he doesnt agree since the loss of power steering caused the crash to occur. The vehicle was destroyed. The mileage was unavailable.
Power steering goes out randomly while driving making it very difficult to steer the car. This started Monday and did it 2 separate times then it happened again on Wednesday. Once you turn the engine off and back on it's ok for an indeterminable timeframe.
Power steering on '05 colbalt shuts off during driving. System turns off sporadically. If I cannot pull over and shut the engine down, the steering wheel will turn but very hard to turn. If I turn the vehicle off and back on the system works fine till the next episode.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Monroe, MI, USA