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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:
12 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,428 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #91

Aug 052020

Cobalt

  • miles

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

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 #90

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 #89

Jan 252022

Cobalt

  • miles
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 #88

Jul 022021

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and loss motive power. The power steering became inoperable. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #87

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 #86

Apr 252020

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, she heard a clunking sound. The power steering warning light illuminated and the rpms reeved up. The vehicle slowed down and the contact pulled off to side of the road. The contact was able to drive home very slowly and parked the vehicle in her driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Beverly Hills, FL, USA

problem #85

Apr 072020

Cobalt

  • miles

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

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 #84

Nov 122019

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
2006 Chevy Cobalt. After coming to a stop, at a stop sign, for example, steering wheel locks, engine shuts off, key sometimes sticks in the ignition lock, occurs randomly and with out warning. Car will restart and behave normally. Dealer replaced ignition switch under recall in late 2014. Went to dealer service department for help with sticking ignition switch. Currently dealer refuses to reinspect ignition switch with out agreement to diagnostic charge. Contacted GM customer service. GM admits there is a extended warranty until 2020 for the ignition switch {warranty letter 14632) customer service rep further indicated that any parts replaced have a 1 year warranty only. And my ignition switch is past parts warranty. GM customer service stated that the dealer is within there rights to demand a diagnostic fee if the dealer determines the problem is not the ignition switch. We indicated to the GM customer service that the ignition switch is locking up again. Its was my understanding that GM feels that the recall repair is a one time event. GM refuses to look at the ignition switch again unless I agree to pay for diagnostics regardless of any safety issues involved.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #83

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 #82

Apr 202019

Cobalt

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle should have been repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer declined reimbursement of the repair fees. The failure mileage was 28,000.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #81

Jul 272018

Cobalt

  • 87,000 miles

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

'takata recall' my mother's Cobalt has stalled on her many times at stoplights and almost caused accidents because when the car makes a stop at a stoplight the check engine light comes on and power steering and everything goes out and the key won't turn. This is a very dangerous car to drive in please put a recall on this vehicle, she is an older woman and it isn't safe for anyone to drive at this point. One of the almost accident happened on a city street and she almost was rear ended since she couldn't move in time and the car goes out at any moment it wants to.

- Robbins, IL, USA

problem #80

Feb 112019

Cobalt

  • 125,000 miles
Car stopped 01/2019, repaired ($400) 2/11/2019: Still not working: Check engine light on, power steering light on, key gets stuck in ignition, alternator replaced, battery replaced, codes: Iso 9141, lwp2000, link error. I need this car for work and Chevy dealer says my VIN not attached to recall notices. Please attach recalls to this VIN

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #79

Dec 202018

Cobalt

  • 18,071 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. After the vehicle was started, it shuddered and vibrated while idling. The vehicle stalled and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the key switched back to the accessory position. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,071.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #78

Dec 162018

Cobalt

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While parking the vehicle in the driveway, the contact forgot to place the shifter into park and removed the key from the ignition switch. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle while in gear, but it failed to start. The contact noticed the vehicle was still in gear and placed the gear shifter into park. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but it failed to start. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to estle Chevrolet (located at 1515 N clinton St, defiance, oh 43512, (419) 785-8015), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- 9413 Anderson St, OH, USA

problem #77

Aug 052015

Cobalt

  • 119,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and my traction control came on. I lost steering control and my car started shifting rough and eventually my power deminished. Now comes on periodically for a couple days then will go off and drive fine. Also my airbag light stays on for passenger and shows it to be off. Has done this since I bought it.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #76

Dec 042017

Cobalt

  • miles
Power steering failure and engine light came on dashboard. Car is drivable but power steering fails often at times when driving. Was almost in bad car accident if I had not pulled off the highway.

- Englewood, CO, USA

problem #75

Nov 102017

Cobalt

  • 40,000 miles
The vehicle can mess up from either driving down the highway or trying to accelerate the vehicle on city street or highway that the engine stalls and says "engine power reduced" the check engine light along with the T/C light comes on. It happens multiple times in just 30 minutes of driving, more for longer trips. It will even do it in 10 minutes of driving. You have to pull over and turn vehicle off for a few minutes and then it drives fine for maybe a mile down the road before it does it again, or, you can continue driving it with the pedal all the way to the floor board trying to get speed which if you do the car shifts gear very badly and rides rough but when you're trying to get to work on time you do what you have too. I have taken the vehicle to a mechanic 3 times over this. Throttle body was changed (twice), they replaced the computer and cleaned the wires. One mechanic was the Chevrolet dealership and they told me they needed it there when it happened to better diagnose the situation. I do not have the ability to let them just keep my vehicle. I have had this vehicle for a little over a year. I bought it used. I have a loan on the vehicle and I am scared to drive this any further than I have to because I know the vehicle will mess up. I have two children that I have to put in this vehicle to take places. This vehicle is extremely unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want help with this situation!! this first happened in November of 2016. I do not know the day specifically. I do remember it did not fall under the dealerships warranty that I got it from.

- Oskaloosa, KS, USA

problem #74

Sep 122017

Cobalt

  • 81,744 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving unknown speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak. The contact called the local dealer (munday Chevrolet, 17800 North fwy houston, tx 77090) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 81,744.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #73

Jul 222017

Cobalt

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving, the vehicle stalled and lost power without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Big Spring, TX, USA

problem #72

Jul 102017

Cobalt

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. On several occasions, while driving, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was able to turn off the engine warning indicator. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recall was associated with the vehicle and to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 128,000.

- Monsey, NY, USA

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