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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.

3.5

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,248 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #3

May 172010

Cobalt

  • 76,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at 5 mph, the key was difficult to take out of the ignition. The contact had to change gears, turn the vehicle on and then back off to pull the key out. The contact spoke with the dealer who stated that the cause of the problem was the shifter. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 76,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #2

Jul 092007

Cobalt

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the gear shift selector failed several times, and had been replaced twice. The first repair was covered by factory warranty. The second repair was at the owners expense. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. The manufacturer advised the failure occurred because she drove the vehicle too often and wore out the selector. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000 and the current mileage was approximately 68,000. Updated 07/21/10.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #1

Jan 132007

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,745 miles
Internal binding of the floor shift assembly of my 2006 Chevy Cobalt with automatic transmission prevented the key from being removed from the ignition. Also the push button latch on the top of the shifter was stuck inside the shifter causing the shifter to freely move from park to drive without the button being pushed. I took the car to sands Chevrolet and the shifter was replaced under warranty with part number 15926820.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

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