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. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 11/20/15 updated 11/25/15.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn without warning. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle lost power steering. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at 20 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. Power steering was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Was driving when the steering locked up as I was starting around a small curve in the road. Could not steer and went off the road into a yard and struck a tree. Insurance company totaled vehicle.
- Upper Sandusky, OH, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While exiting interstate highway, decelerating on a right-curving ramp, it became extremely difficult to turn the steering wheel. This has repeated in a number of other situations since, turning both right and left while accelerating, decelerating, and from a full stop, especially on turns of 90 degrees or more, but also in highway situations such as lane changes. Operator has not noticed any trouble lights before, during or after occurrences, or heard any particular sounds or experienced any smells.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 35 mph, when making a right or left turn, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.
I was driving and was getting close to pulling into a driveway when the dash lit up and the steering went out I had to try and back up to pull into the driveway it was very hard to do. Im scared to drive my car this happened at someone else house not mine
I was stopped in line of traffic and had to move to the right slightly to get out of a firetruck's way (not in a jerking and forceful movement, but normal turning of steering wheel). When I tried to get back into the line of traffic, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to move and I heard electrical motor noises coming from behind the steering wheel. These noises continued for 10-20 seconds and then the power steering message came on the display. This now happens every time I start my car and steering has become very difficult, especially turns at slow speeds. I researched the issue, and was told on the GM hotline that my VIN did not match the recall from 2010 pertaining to the power steering. I took the car to an independent mechanic, who also called GM and was informed about the recall when inquiring about parts. He did not fix or remove any parts, but wrote a note on paper indicating I was having the same issue as that recall. I again called the GM hotline, who again told me my VIN was not covered and that GM would not include my vehicle in the recall. They advised me to take it to a dealer, who I have an appointment with on Saturday, 4/11, more than 2 weeks after the problem occurred.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the gear failed to switch and the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Attorney representing consumer writes in regards to steering wheel and brake system malfunction after recall work was done. The consumers son was driving, when suddenly the steering wheels and brakes locked up while he was trying to negotiate a curve, causing him to have an accident. At the present time, the key cannot be removed from the ignition. The consumers son was not injured, but the vehicle was totaled. The ignition lock cylinder was replaced on October 21, 2014.
Throughout the course of my trip home the car dash kept flashing a power steering error message and the lights on the dashboard kept getting dim. The steering wheel was getting really tight, the car almost stalled out several times, and the dials fluctuated. The car also began to shake violently and I became afraid that I would not make it home. I have contacted the local Chevrolet dealership about this problem on multiple occasions and they refuse to even look at the car without charging me. The car has already been recalled twice and although I have had both recall repairs done I am still having problems. Every time I drive this car I fear for the lives of my family.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. After having the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V171000 (electrical system) and 10V073000 (steering), the power steering failed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000.
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt the tc light and power steering light comes on and the steering locks also when you turn it off two or three times the car will be ok for a couple of days and the tack gauges goes crazy while in park putting it in gear there is a clicking in the gear shifter I feel this car is unsafe to drive had it to the dealer I brought the car at and the tell me there is nothing wrong with it and send me on my way I have had it three times im scared to drive it its sad you pay alot of money for a car and they act like there don't care. This has been since the recall on the ignition witch recall I feel that GM need to look into this before someone is hurt.
Car was recalled in 2010 for power steering. Previous owner had it fixed. I initially reported back in January 2014 of recurring problem of losing power steering while driving. I was told it was already fixed so I would have to pay out of pocket to fix same problem as the recall. Here it is a year later and I'm still having the same problem with the power steering. The speedometer started flickering back and forth going haywire and there was a weird ticking noise in the area near the gearshift. I had to pull over on the side of the highway and was almost struck by a tractor trailer because the power steering locked up on me and I had my 3 kids in the car. I was told that I needed a new coil pack, it was replaced and it's still doing the same thing. It shakes at red lights and occasionally cuts off. I have to press the pedal to the floor to get it to accelerate which it does but very slowly, and then it just takes off like a rocket and I have no control over it. This is very dangerous!! also my car can switch gears without having to press the brake or the button in the gearshift. I can just simply push the gearshift back and forth without being in the car. While backing out of my driveway my kneecap bumped my keys and my car turned off. There needs to be another recall of the power steering because apparently the replacement parts are faulty as well. Or it could be the faulty wiring altogether in the system. These Chevy Cobalts need to be taken off of the streets and owners reimbursed for the car plus all of the trouble and near death experiences that we have to continue to experience on gms behalf. I have read several other complaints about the power steering being fixed and still have the same results as myself. How many people will have to die or another lawsuit presented before there's another recall to have these cars removed permanently off the roads?
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at 10 mph, the tail lights and head lamps randomly illuminated. Also, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving the power steering failed after the power steering light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The repairs were made but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,275.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized but was still able to continue to drive forward. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,500.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Streetsboro, OH, USA