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.
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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for a moment. Then the contact restarted the vehicle and she was able to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle as the OBD reader was unable to read the codes. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and scheduled an appointment for the diagnostic test on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering seized and the vehicle stalled. The contact had to wait a few seconds to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. After diagnosis, the contact was advised that the anti theft module had failed and was later replaced. Immediately after the repair, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000. The current mileage was approximately 109,507. Updated 03/07/13 the consumer stated the power steering will shut off, the transmission will shift very roughly, the instrument cluster go on and off, and the car will die at various speeds. When this failure occurred the steering would lock up. Recently, 02/13/2013, the vehicle had no power steering then, it suddenly turned on nearly causing the vehicle to fly off the road. Updated 03/11/2013
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to electric power steering recall and reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated her daughter was driving the vehicle, when the steering wheel locked up. Her daughter was unable to turn the wheel and consequently she hit a retainer wall. Prior to the accident, the consumer stated the steering wheel would shake when braking or while driving at highway speed. The dealer stated the rotors and brake pads needed to be replaced. However, after they were replaced, she continued to experience the same problem. When the consumer returned to the dealer, they informed her, there was a problem with the steering rack and charged her $868.02
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer states several issues with vehicle related to recalls the consumer stated there was a smell of gasoline inside the vehicle, five sensors were bad, there was a problem with the fuel pump and fuel injection system. The RPM's jumped, when the vehicle was in cruise control mode, the cruise control would shut off for no reason. The consumer had a difficult time starting the vehicle, after she filled the tank, the vehicle would steer to the left, and there were times when the vehicle would jump out of gear.
- Ripley, WV, USA
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2006 Chevy Cobalt. Consumer states problem with loss of power steering the consumer stated the vehicle has been to the repair shop four times for the same failure. According to the invoice, a recall was issued for the power steering control module.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer states issues with power steering in April 2010, the consumer received a letter stating there was a safety recall on the power steering motor and when the part arrived, it would be fixed free of charge. The consumer went to the dealer and the recalled part was replaced. However, it also caused the transmission to slip and hard braking whenever the power steering message appeared. The consumer informed the dealer of the problem and the dealer stated it had nothing to do with the recall. The consumer returned to the dealer again. The dealer claimed the problem was the control arm bushing. The dealer replaced an im insulator, link, loose sway bar bushing and the steering gear. The consumer stated she continued to experience the same problems with the transmission, and the vehicle loosing power. The consumer returned to the dealer and the mechanic stated the vehicle had an electrical problem.
Power steering goes out while driving. This has happened several times. It just seems to get worse. Message center will just state power steering. You can cut the car off and restart. This only gives you a little more time. This is very dangerous. Please help!!!
The contact owns 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after receiving repairs under NHTSA campaign: 10V073000 (steering: Electric power assist), the vehicle began stalling sporadically and the power steering warning light illuminated. The dealer advised that the failure could have been caused by the wiring harness under the dashboard which he discovered was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice yet the dealer was unable to pinpoint the failure and could only suggest that it was the wiring harness, which was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 68,000. Updated 04/15/11 the consumer stated the dealer kept the vehicle for a week to correct the problem. The vehicle is currently operating in a normal manner. Updated 11/04/11
Steering: Electric power assist system - I have a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Four months ago, I took the vehicle to the dealership to have NHTSA recall campaign number: PE10005 10V073000 completed. For the last four months the vehicle performed as it had prior to experience the power steering issue that prompted me to have the recall performed. For the last week, I have experienced intermittent power steering loss. Each time, while driving the power steering loss warning message appears and I have a overall loss of power steering, the braking system is compromised as it is slow to respond and the vehicle (an automatic transmission) shakes violently as if it was trying to shift gears. This loss typically subsides at higher speeds. I believe that the replacement part is also defective. The power steering returns if the vehicle is stopped and the engine is turned off then back on, however after less than 1/2 a mile the power steering loss warning message appears again and the issues return.
I have had a problem with my 06 Cobalt back in early 07 it was under warranty at the 7 times I took it to the dealer for steering concerns. The dealership could not duplicate the hard steering problem or produce computer problem. I was very adamant about this and also got new tires thinking that was the problem. It was not ! I was not aware of any serious problem with the power steering, and was leary to drive my car (a gift from my mom) but had nothing else to drive. In March of this year on the 30th I was coming from a friends home and was on a side road I slowed to make a right turn and I could not get the car to go right, it was very hard to turn, and I went through the light and hit a tree head on and the air bag did not deploy. I was told later I missed the sensor. The car was totaled and G.M. won't do anything about this. I was told that even though the car sat for 2 months with a dead battery the computer does not loose data. (G.M.) I know of several Cobalt owners who have had the power assist replaced on more than one occasion and it still went out. The mechanics (a.S.E.)certified informed me it is not the power assist it is in the steering column, and should be replaced, but G.M. won't do that it would cost too much money. It is nice to know that G.M. would rather sacrifice the consumer rather than take care of them. I also understand the computer has a history of not recording properly when there is a problem. The rest of us who have had a crash with and without air bags need some kind of solution. G.M. is sweeping this under the rug!!!! thank you for your time. Updated portable 06/22/11
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the contact was driving 10 mph into a parking space, a chime sounded and the power steering light illuminated along with enhanced traction system warning indicators. There was a loss of power steering. The contac turned the vehicle off. When the engine was restarted, the vehicle operated normally without the illumination of the warning lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 10V073000 (steering: Electric power assist system). The failure continued and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer three different times for the same failure. The ECM was replaced but the failure continued. The failure mileage was 80,681. Updated 1/21/11 also, the traction control light illumianted. Updated 04/11/11
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was traveling 15 mph when the steering wheel suddenly locked without warning. The contact was unable to maneuver the vehicle with a loss of power steering and crashed into a nearby pole. The front passenger suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was repaired two weeks prior to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering: Electric power assist system). The current and failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was rear ended while traveling 55 mph, lost control of the vehicle which caused her crash into the median wall and destroy the vehicle. The contact stated that the power steering failed and she could not control the vehicle of stop it from crashing into the median wall. Although the vehicle was a part of a recall, the contact did not receive the recall campaign number 10V073000 notice, which related to the electronic power assist, until August 1, 2010. The recall was issued March 1, 2010. The contact stated that if they knew of the recall prior to the accident, the lost of the vehicle could have been prevented. The contact was not aware of the mileage on the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving, the power steering light illuminated followed by a loss of power steering; then, the gauge began to "twitch". the contact also noticed that the vehicle would vibrate violently while he was slowing down and would "pop" when shifting gears. The vehicle was repaired according to recall 10V073000 at the dealership (steering:electric power assist system) but the failure continued. The contact called the dealership who offered no assistance. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was 49,317. The failure mileage was approximately 48,500.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated when driving at any speed and turning the steering wheel to the right, there was an unusual cracking noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the power assist motor was replaced yet the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 51,000. Updated 10/26/10. The left front strut was leaking oil and the steering column was replaced. Updated 10/26/10
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that her vehicle was included in NHTSA recall campaign id number 10V073000, steering:electric power assist system. An authorized dealer was notified and informed the contact that they did not have the parts available to perform the recall repair. Approximately one month later an authorized dealer told the contact that the parts were unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 29,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximate speeds of 30 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle began jerking and shaking excessively immediately following the failure. The contact shut off the engine and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated the failure occurred several times and on one occasion when first starting the vehicle, the power steering would not operate while in the park position. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering: Electric power assist system). The vehicle was repaired under the recall campaign however; the failure persisted twice following recall repairs. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and the vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000 and the current mileage was 45,000. Updated 08/11/10. The dealer stated the problem was a faulty wire. Updated 08/17/10
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the power steering would intermittently fail and would reset itself momentarily when the engine was shut off and then back on. The failure persisted and became increasingly worse to the point where the vehicle no longer had any power steering assist. She was able to locate NHTSA recall campaign id number: 10V073000 (power steering; electronic assist) and contacted the dealer. The dealer advised her VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the power steering would fail intermittently without warning. When shutting off the engine and restarting, the power steering would reset itself to normal operation. Although there was a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000: Steering: Electric power assist system), the manufacturer advised the contacts VIN was not included and repairs would be at the owner's expense. The manufacturer did advise if more vehicles were added to the recall, he could possibly be reimbursed for the repairs. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 97,146.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Phoenix, AZ, USA