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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:
70 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
129 / 3
Average Mileage:
64,071 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 3 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1193

Oct 232019

Cobalt

  • 113,000 miles

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

Steering coloum exploded unable to steer while driving at high speed hit brakes when noticed it wasn't steering and I had no control of where I was going hit brakes and car spun out of control almost being stroke by another vehicle traveling in a highway speed of 65 mph

- Fulton, NY, USA

problem #1192

Oct 132019

Cobalt

  • 98,000 miles
I was was backing out of driveway and power steering went out for a few seconds. I continued driving to the store at around 25mph and the power steering went out and back several times. I slowed down to turn around and the steering went out I was not strong enough to turn properly ran over the curb and almost hit the minimart gas pumps scared the crap outta me!! called my son-in-law and he came and drove it home for me as he was strong enough to handle it when the power steering went out.

- Niagara, WI, USA

problem #1191

Oct 072019

Cobalt

  • 280,194 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult when attempting to make a right turn. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, called the mechanic, and was informed that there was a recall for the steering. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,194. The VIN was invalid.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #1190

Jun 012018

Cobalt

  • miles

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

"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 #1189

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 #1188

Jun 282019

Cobalt

  • 168,000 miles
Loss of steering capabilities. Car will not steer while driving.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1187

May 292019

Cobalt

  • miles

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

Every time it gets too hot outside my power steering comes on in my car switch makes it jerk the car and my engine light comes on...this problem happens when the car is moving and when it's stationary. When it's stationary it locks my steering wheel and it's moving it makes the car jerk

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #1186

May 142019

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Nimnitch Chevrolet (550 cassat ave, jacksonville, fl 32210, (904) 638-7986) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unknown.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #1185

Apr 282019

Cobalt

  • 140,000 miles
Takata recall loss of power steering for no reason

- Kittanning, PA, USA

problem #1184

Jul 272018

Cobalt

  • 87,000 miles
'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 #1183

Apr 112019

Cobalt

  • 156,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering lost power and the power steering indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,500.

- Littlefield, TX, USA

problem #1182

Mar 012019

Cobalt

  • miles
2006 Cobalt has been showing the power steering display on the dash light and when it does the engine starts hesitating and rough idle I read a few minutes ago about a recall of maybe the same situation a few years back but didn't know that at the time and didn't think that my Cobalt would have that problem

- Richlands, VA, USA

problem #1181

Mar 042019

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 5 mph, there was an abnormal vibration in the steering and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The failure mileage was unknown.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #1180

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 #1179

Feb 062019

Cobalt

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed. After warming up the vehicle and proceeding to drive, the power steering malfunctioned and the vehicle was difficult to steer. In addition, the power steering warning indicator was flashing. The contact had to turn around and go back home. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 143,000.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #1178

Jun 012017

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles
Power steering G went out. The wheel locked up and the gauges stopped working while I was in the middle of the road. Then it started to drive again and it happened again, I almost crashed. Now I have replaced the power steering motor but it still won't work.

- Miami Gardens, FL, USA

problem #1177

Jan 252019

Cobalt

  • 62,975 miles
In motion on public street. Stopped at satop sign, car died, would not drive forward. Drove home in reverse. "power steering" failed. No power steering fluid used in this car.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #1176

Jan 172019

Cobalt

  • miles
Takata recall the car will randomly lose power steering. The power steering message will display on the dash and the steering wheel will lock up. You will then hear a clicking sound as if the transmission is going bad. The car will jerk forward really hard and as you bring the car to a stop, the car will shake and you will hear all kinds of rattling. The gauges on the dash will all jump up & down! and you have no idea of the speed you're going. The check engine light will come on as well as the car with the lock light. Sometimes the steering wheel will unlock itself but you will also have all of the other symptoms. As I stated earlier it happens randomly so I have to constantly pull over to avoid an accident! if you attempt to keep driving it there's a chance the car will completely shut off and you will lose control of the gas pedal and brake pedal. I contacted General Motors and they stated the car had already been fixed and I got it after the warranty so it's all in my hands. Why does the customer have to literally pay for the mistakes of the company I've literally read thousands of reviews of people having these same issues. It's an extremely dangerous car!! and we need to be compensated. This happens when the car is stationary, in motion, on the street, and on the highway.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #1175

Dec 282018

Cobalt

  • miles
Loss of power steering during driving

- Eagle Pass, TX, USA

problem #1174

Dec 022018

Cobalt

  • 200,000 miles
The power steering fails specially right after you start up it's hard to turn. Then sometimes when you're going down the road and make it turn it gets hard to turn all of a sudden which could possibly lead to a wreck. So far we have not been in a wreck just a couple of close calls.

- Hammond, IN, USA

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