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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Cobalt continued to carry the torch first lit by the 2005 model year. To be clear, that torch is burning bright with widespread power steering issues, electrical curiosities and a dangerous ignition switch defect which led to a massive recall by GM. This isn’t a great torch to carry.

The 2006 added it’s own special flare with gas leaks due to cracks in the “return portion of the modular reservoir assembly.” A recall of 2006 Cobalts was issued to fix the problem, but only to vehicles sold in or current registered in Arizona and Nevada, leaving other owners to pay for repairs themselves.

Between this car stalling while driving, giving owners fits with power steering failure and having it be a potential tinderbox because of gas leaks, we felt we had no other option than to award it our “Avoid Like the Plague” badge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,002 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #3

Sep 012014

Cobalt

  • 78,000 miles

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

The activating switch for the passenger-side air bag failed around 78,000 miles. This seat switch activates the passenger airbag safety system when an occupant sits down in the front passenger seat. I was told at the time we had the ignition switch recall repair done to the car that the only way to replace the broken seat switch was to replace the passenger seat cover. To do this requires an initial outlay of $150 dollars for the part( the switch is woven into the seat fabric)plus labor to install(price unknown)at the dealership. Without regard to age, weight or gender any front seat passenger may believe they are protected upon reading the dashboard 'airbag' sign when sitting in the car. The panel-mounted indicator for that airbag is a lighted display which, in daylight, is hard to see without cupping your hand over the annunciator-or wait until nightfall, get somebody to sit in the seat, and then check out the dash light.

- Oldsmar, FL, USA

problem #2

May 042010

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
My wife an I were stopped at middlebrook pike traffic light waiting for the oncoming traffic to pass on western avenue in knoxville, Tennessee so that we could make a right turn. We were rear ended by another vehicle who failed to stop. My seat belt did not restrain me, I was bouncing back and forth several times(I remember going back and forth around 3 to 4 times before it knocked me out). The seat belt just did not hold me ! at that time I weighed about 250 to 260lbs. I was paralyzed from the waist down for about 9 days at the university of Tennessee hospital in knoxville on the neuro floor. I have been to [xxx] rehabation several times and they have fitted me for a power wheel chair. If the seatbelt would have worked properly I would not be in this situation the head rest is bent and loose were my head bounced off of it severaltimes, an the seat itself moves when it is supposed to be stationary(it can go forward or backward) without warning.the car dealer said they was a recall on the seat belts on this car but they never did fix them. The car dealer had people who bought vehicles sign papers that they had their pre-delivery inspection when they did not. The dealer would give them a tank of gas for it an also for any letter from GM on ranking the local dealer's service favorably only. This dealer knew of several recalls on this vehicle but they did not want to fix them under the manufacture warranty.my wife called GM headquarters and they told her that if she had any more problems with her car they would replace it. I also have a spinal cord injury. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #1

Nov 022006

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5 miles
(1) car shuts itself off while I was driving down the freeway. During@ rush hour I veered away ( w-no power to car ),from traffic behind me. Parked, shut car off, took key out of ignition, then replaced and started it back up, and proceeded enroute. (2) after market cruise control failure to shut off and turn on. (3) result of above (2)after market cruise control takes its own mind and decides to fully accelerate until gearing down in hopes it 'awakes' the computer (automatic transmission),then cruise control will finally shut off. (consequence ) passenger had a heart attack. I called a taxi. "he's ok" (4) service air bags light have been on since 20, K miles I now have 47, xxx miles. (5)stock tires and rims wobble with irritating continous noises -can't ge rid of it. (6) stock seats driver and passenger sides both were installed incorrectlythey are really slantedlike this ( / \ ). (7) a clunking bucket sounding noise fills very slowly, (health problems) an odor is always present leaving me light headed, nautious while driving, dizzy exiting car, and with breathing problems -like shortness of breath. I have severe back problems now, and can not sit in the car for more than 20 min, upon a break of fresh air and a walk for the spine. (8) brakes sound and feel (when applied),scratchy.@5,000 miles the Chevy dealership had to turn and shave allready my disc brakes saying they were worn in. (9) my heater makes a lot of noises when using it. (10) acceleration hesitation.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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