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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:
32 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
121 / 3
Average Mileage:
65,599 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 1 of 19)

problem #363

May 032023

Cobalt

  • miles

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

While driving the car, it will suddenly stall w the engine running but won-??t react the use of the brakes, steering or gear shifter. It-??ll suddenly jerk and the following lights will appear on dash :ABS, Power steering, no brake fluid warning, low fuel warning and check engine. All of the areas have been check and have all their fluids so this doesn-??t make sense. We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and the first time she drive it, a truck almost wrecked into her

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #362

Aug 052020

Cobalt

  • miles
Before I get into all of it there has never been an accident not yet at least. I do everything I can to try an stop that from happening, (but accidents do happen) only because I know my car could kill on me so I-??m extra careful. 1) After I get gas I-??m my car the car won-??t start right away. I have to restart it a couple times an step in the gas an rev up wasting the gas I just put in to get it to start. 2) When I stop an start to pull out of somewhere on to a main road the car will just die on me so I-??m stuck pulling out in traffic trying to get my car to start again. It-??s when I come to a stop an pull out it just kills on me. So I have to make sure no one else is coming an I have enough time to be able to restart it otherwise I-??m worried when I pull out of anywhere or stop an go that another car will smack into me because my car just died on me in the middle of the road/ pulling out an crossing lanes. SUPER SCARY! 3) Let get into the next issue so anytime I run my ac my car starts to do this jumping thing like it wants to kill on me not to mention it has killed on me with the ac on (I live in Louisiana an it-??s too hot not to have ac plus I have 3 kids) what-??s sad is the ac works fine but if you want the car to maybe not die then turn it off an you have a better chance of it not killing off on you but not always a guarantee. So ill run it for second to try an cool down so I-??m not drenched in sweat but I have no other choice to turn it off so the car doesn-??t just die on me. This refers back to the 2nd problem I make sure it-??s off anytime I pull out of anywhere thinking that would help it from killing on me while trying to get out of anywhere but it doesn-??t but I can tell you If the ac is on when I pull out when I start to go it dies right as I-??m in the middle of the road every time never fails. Mechanics have replaced parts trying to fix the issue, but it still happens I can-??t keep buying/fixing things for nada, ongoing problems since buying.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #361

Jan 012022

Cobalt

  • miles
The problem that sent it to a different mechanic than the chevy dealer where it came from after a month and $900 bill for $550 ecm and diagnostic test they did without my permission, there labor for the test and ecm was a total of $900. Plus claimed it was throwing a code for a peddle that it needed. We just put a brand new peddle and brand new throttle body on it, it was idled to high, so reason for them getting it was to get the old ecm and new throttle sinked up to reduce the idle, at the time of it leaving me it started and ran just idle to high. Throwing no codes. They got it, claim it wouldn't start so did a diagnostic claimed it needed a new peddle. I said I'm coming to get it, they didn't tell me at any time I couldn't drive it home. I left there lot and pulled about 150 feet off the side of road because it wouldn't shift. Called them, botched did no good. Called same tow truck to tow it home. Got here it was idled normal but was throwing a different codes, I turned the car off it wouldn't stop running for about 3 to 4 minutes, then it died. I had it towed to different mechanic for the ignition to be replaced. He said it was throwing a couple codes still ignition not fixed yet, and it ran for about 15 minutes after shutting off the key. At no time here or at the new place did it throw a code for a defective peddle. So now it's be gone for 2 months, new ecm, new throttle body, new peddle, idle is fixed and car runs but won't shift. Codes its throwing is now are just needing coil on #4 checked and throttle position sensor adjusted. So far that's it. 2 months later. Still not ready for pick up.

- Winnabow, NC, USA

problem #360

Jan 252022

Cobalt

  • miles

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

My power steering alert came up and immediately I start having trouble driving as the steering wheel got tight. Almost had a accident and there is other problems with my 2006 chevy cobalt lt that have been on recall and I cannot get any help at local dealership

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

problem #359

Oct 282021

Cobalt

  • miles
My headlight an blinker quit working new bulbs an all new wiring it it still will not work My trunk button also just stopped working an the fuse is not blown. I even replaced it just to make sure still nothing. Door panel clips won-??t stay in bought new ones same thing so now my handle is coming apart an my door doesn-??t want to shut bc it thinks I-??m still holding the handle.. Fuel everytime I get gas I have to crank my car a few times and press on the gas before I can get it to go otherwise it just dies on me I-??ve had it looked at they said it was something about how my car does not know when to stop releasing air I think. My blinkers don-??t turn off unless I do it manually. The seals on my door is no good anytime it rains it-??s coming inside of my car an since the door panel won-??t stay on it-??s coming straight into my car

- Mandeville, LA, USA

problem #358

Oct 092021

Cobalt

  • miles
While driving power steering message showed on dash, lost transmission control, and speedometer stopped working.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #357

Feb 142021

Cobalt

  • 0 miles

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

Had to change my fuel pump due to a crack on it. My key gets stuck in the ignition switch in order to take it out I have to push a button under the steering wheel. I to change my steering shaft because it does a clacking noise.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #356

Feb 252021

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
Instrument cluster lights do not work and electric power steering dose not work

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #355

Dec 022020

Cobalt

  • miles
Power steering warning came on while driving on the highway an the speedometer stop working now the car won't start I have checked fuses an relays unhooked battery to reset computer nothing works

- Penrose, CO, USA

problem #354

Aug 052020

Cobalt

  • miles
1.gas smell - fuel leaks after leak fix still smell gas (even after setting for a couple of days. 2-door lock issues-even after fixed by GM-now won't lock at all 3.air bags- GM stated that they could not get parts in 4.electronic issues -start auto now show-power steering, had checked by GM wont ECM won't cummunicate with tcm. I have had all of this checked by anthony Chevrolet and nothing has been done! state they cannot get parts and or not worth fixing.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #353

Jul 112020

Cobalt

  • 200,000 miles

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

Yesterday was on way home from work and car just died on city street with no warning. I somehow managed to get the car to a parking lot and out of traffic. I tried to start the car and no the car wont start back up so I had to have the car towed home. Last week I lost power steering while driving on a rural road and then car started acting like it was going to die. I stopped and when I stopped the car jerked into a forward position. I shut the car off and restarted the car and the transmission was shifting really hard going from 1st to 2nd gear when getting ready to slow down it seemed like the car was a manual and I had it in 5th gear because it was seeming like it was going to stall out because the transmission was idling in the wrong gear as I was slowing down. Sometime the key will get stuck in the ignition and I have the steering column cover off so I can push the white button to release the key. When the keys are not in the ignition the speedometer and the RPM and everything electrical in the car jumps back and forth like the car was on.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #352

May 282020

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 202,385 miles
The car isn't drivable. Electric power steering out, electric plugs and wires, won't start at all. No clicks, nothing. If you turn the key nothing happens, but a light that is a car with a lock through it. This is my daughter's only transportation. I saw there was a recall on the power steering and electrical. Thank you kathy key

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #351

Apr 072020

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 mph up hill, the vehicle stalled and the power steering ceased. The ABS and battery light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was jump started and the driven to the residence. The contact stated an independent mechanic used a kill switch to drain the battery. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #350

Feb 282020

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 140,640 miles
The traction control light appears the car idles and shifts hard tries to shift off. The locks unlock and relock in a fast pace. The service engine soon light flashes. It does not matter my speed of the vehicle it happens even when driving 10 miles an hour. It is very scary. I am afraid to drive this car. When turning the steering wheel it is rough to turn.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #349

Dec 082019

Cobalt

  • 157,000 miles
Power steering goes out while driving making it hard to stop or steer

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #348

Nov 062019

Cobalt

  • 166,000 miles
While driving today door locks unlock and lock again randomly. It was scary. I was driving in town. Also traction control light and engine light came on. Began running rough and lunging. I am afraid to drive my own car.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #347

Jun 012018

Cobalt

  • miles
"takata recall" the car cuts off as I'm driving, or slowing down, the ignition switch doesn't work too well, it also stalls, goes long periods of time where it won't start or even turn over. My power steering warning light comes nearly everytime I drive but all my fluids in the car are full, so it makes driving kinda scary. It just feels unsafe and I wasn't aware of these problems and situations when I had gotten the 2006 Cobalt. Please help.

- Clovis, NM, USA

problem #346

Jun 042019

Cobalt

  • miles
Air bag lights come on car is hard to steer air conditioning does not work any more and I get an engine reduce power light comes

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #345

Mar 302018

Cobalt

  • 77,000 miles
"takata recall" on 3/30/18 I was involved in a wreck. I was traveling on a busy city street when the light turned red. I stopped and the person in front of me was driving a large SUV. When the light turned green and traffic began to move I started driving. Out of nowhere with no warning, the driver just stopped and my car ran into the back of the vehicle. We both stayed in our vehicles I called 911. Officers arrived and emergency services. Even though hardly any damage was done to the SUV, my car sustained a lot of damage to the hood and bumper of my car. The airbags didn't deploy. I thought my car was totaled by looking at it. I was able to have most of my car repaired out of pocket because I had liability only at the time. The passenger in front of me after giving information to the responders was able to drive away, I was not. I've also had another accident where the airbags didn't deploy in 2014. I am concerned that I might be in another accident that could be life-threatening and the airbags won't work. I contacted GM about my concerns regarding the airbags and nothing was done to have my airbags checked. I was able to have the switch changed when there was a recall for that. I hope by sharing my experience with you something can be done to have my airbags checked and give me a sense of security when driving my vehicle.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #344

May 202019

Cobalt

  • 175,000 miles
For the past three days driving to and from work my Chevy Cobalt has been putting me in danger. When I start to break, sometimes the symbol with a lock and key, and air bag lights will turn on and the car steering wheel would lock and the brakes would come up resulting in the car being turned off while I am on drive. This is dangerous because I cannot turn the wheel and the brake is also locked. I get out of my car in the middle of traffic to push it by myself then jump in it and try to start it. This method works sometimes but is dangerous to not only myself but more importantly others. I do not know what is the main cause for this issue however I did some research and did not see any recall on this problem. I need help fingering it out before I hurt myself or others in the middle of the road driving unable to steer or break

- Avondale, AZ, USA

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