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.
Electrical/electronics problem. Symptoms: Dash warning lights (ie: Engine, traction, theft) came on. Digital display warning: Low fuel (over 1/2 tank of gas) power steering (which stopped operating) and transmission service (transmission stopped shifting smoothly). Gauges (speed, fuel and tach) operated erratically, not at all or combination of the two conditions. This condition started with a few of the listed symptoms which initially cleared them selves. Later as more showed at same time, I was able to clear them or sometime they cleared themselves. This happened over a years time. When all symptoms showed and would not clear, I took the vehicle to trusted mechanic. He could not locate problem but due to outstanding ignition switch recall, suggest that repair may fix the problem. Vehicle was taken to dealership and recall service preformed and no other outstanding recalls were found. Vehicle operated without a problem for almost a month before the listed symptoms reappeared. Was able to clear the fault codes but symptoms returned within the day and won't clear. A check of recalls found that a recall for power steering loss as described was issued and done at approx. 49,000 miles. Several electrical system checks were found in maintenance history (done after power steering recall) and preformed before I purchased the vehicle. The issue describe has become worse over time and has effected the safety of not only those operating the vehicle but any one else on the road when this problem manifest itself. Given that the ignition was replaced and the problems persist, I can't believe it was the ignition causing these problems. I will contact GM to see what my options are. Given that GM is paying 900 million to the government in fines, maybe uncle sam could held those of us with GM engineered lemons replace them with something that is safe to drive on the road.
Multiple times (not only today) my vehicle did not let me open the doors, the passenger door handle had too much give and did not allow my passenger to open their (passenger) door. I had to walk around the car and try to open it from the outside, which did not work, either. After a few minutes of trying I banged my fist next to the lock, which allowed the car to open. This has also happened to me on the driver's side door. Luckily, there was not an emergency, but if there were, if we were in an accident or the car was on fire, we might have been trapped in the vehicle. Another issue the car is having is stereo problems and speaker malfunction. My front speakers do not work at all and the front left (driver speaker) is the one warning chimes come out of, including the blinker. I have researched this problem and it is a very common malfunction. It is not dangerous per SE, but a blinker left on unknowingly could easily result in an accident. I have researched both of the issues online, especially the latter is very common for Cobalt owners. I have contacted GM, and was told I need to get the vehicle diagnosed for my own money, even though it clearly is a malfunction by the parts/flaw in design to get GM customers to pay premiums for fixing parts that should not go wrong.
The air bag switched turned on and does not cut off and now the car hesitates to start up. All my recalls have been due to either electrical, steering and ignition problems. Now their is an issue witj the air bag and ignition. It chokes them starts after turning the key all the way to the right but it hesitates to start. This dudnt not happen unitl the air bags light started to stay on.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition switch. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system); however, the remedy failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 65,000.
I was just wondering if after the dealerships fixed the defective key slots of Cobalts and other cars, many people had their wiring system mess up only to take it back to the dealership and have them charge you for fixing up the wiring that led from the key slot ( where you insert the key to start the car) down to wherever it goes. This is what happened to me. About a month to two months later ( I would have to go back and check) after they fixed the key slot my car just went dead and the dealership told me it was the wiring from the key slot from the ignition to wherever it leads and that they had to change it and when I tried to talk to the manager about it I never got through to him on his phone, he never answered his cell phone and wasn't at the office and I just gave up on it. So my question is did others have the same problem as I did where they had to pay for wiring that I think was part of the same thing that they supposedly had recalled to fix. In case you don't know what I am talking about; there was a recall on the ignition keys, that could accidentally just turn your car off and you would have trouble steering the car's steering wheel as the car was off. Sorry, if I am not being specific enough, I was just wondering if others had the same problem I had about having to fix the wiring and pay for it themselves as I believe it was their negligence of handling the wiring system. I am not sure on the dates as I am not looking up the information, I am just approximating and I am not sure how to send this information as I am not computer literate.
- Mcallen, TX, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ESC warning light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ebcm needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,080. Updated 7/9/15 updated 10/13/2017
Car rolled down slight hill after turning off and exiting vehicle, transmission shifter appeared to be in park but obviously not as car rolled after leaving alone on slight slope. After accident, I placed key in ignition, started car but will not back up or change position of gear from neutral or drive. Will not go back into park. Key will not come out of ignition now. Bumper and radiator are damaged after crash.
When driving the power steering goes out, the odometer goes crazy, my search engine and security light comes on, starts saying low fuel (when on a full tank), the mileage goes blank as well as everything else on the dashboard.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after the push button starter was deactivated, the front driver and passenger side doors failed to unlock. The contact activated the remote key fob to exit from the front driver's side door. In addition, both turn signals became inoperable. The air bag on indicator and tire pressure monitoring system failed to function. The failures occurred after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure was mileage 65,306.
Took car to dealer on GM ignition switch recall; there was nothing wrong with the car mechanically when they took possession. They had the car for about 6 weeks, they moved it around on their lot by their own admission, did a req oil change and when we went to pick up they had lost the keys. When they agreed to make new keys, they could not get the automatic door lock to work and after now 6 months of discussions they still wont take responsibility although a second dealership has looked at it and says "they must have shorted out the system changing the ignition or programming the keys".. I need help getting them to fix the locks.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the instrument panel display would illuminate extremely dimly causing the instrument gauges to become difficult to read. The contact discovered that the headlight wiring harness burned and melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Our vehicle was subject to the recall for the ignition system. We called to make an appointment and were told that we needed to wait for the parts to come in first. After waiting 8+ weeks we were told the parts were in and we made an appointment and dropped the vehicle off. When we went to pick up our vehicle we were told that a vehicle, with the same VIN # was already repaired in Illinois. We live in NJ and our vehicle was never in il. The maintenance manager (freehold Chevy) agreed that the vehicle was never repaired by looking at the ignition switch. We were told that the VIN # issue needed to be corrected before they can work on our car. It's now 6+ weeks later and our follow up phone calls have not brought us any closer to having the repair done. I believe the repair should have been done since they could tell the parts were never replaced on our vehicle and the VIN # should have been resolved between the dealerships.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph, a clicking sound emitted from the dashboard and the key became lodged in the ignition switch. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the battery post needed to be tightened. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. In addition, the contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). However, the parts needed were unavailable to perform the repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle jerked forward and stalled on various occasions. Also, the contact mentioned that all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V355000 (electrical system). However, the parts needed were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the parts were unavailable for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Once my ignition switch was repaired per the recall, I began smelling gas inside and outside of the vehicle. No check engine light has come on but the smell has been getting worse and worse. When the car sits for a long or short period of time it has difficulty starting; also since the ignition switch was replaced an electrical issue began.
My car shut down while driving for the second time since June 25, 2014. This time it restarted and I was told to take it to the GM dealership which fixed it before. The engine control module was replaced in July and now the problem was the module connectors. Both of which I had to pay for the costly repairs. GM doesn't care unless there is a death with these cars shutting down while you are driving them. I was told GM would not stand behind any of the repair costs because I had a high mileage vehicle. At what mileage should you expect a GM car to start shutting down while you are driving? I wasn't given that information when I bought the vehicle new. The 59 cent ignition switch is not the only problem shutting down GM vehicles. I have had to pay over $500 to repair the other parts that they say are shutting my vehicle down while driving. I have incurred too much money to fix a vehicle that is not safe to drive and has electrical problems. I will also loose money when trading it because of this history of the vehicle. Make GM do something about these unsafe vehicles.
The electrical system drains the battery causing the keys to get stuck in the ignition I need to get a jump to start it and this is a new battery six months old.
I am the very unhappy driver of a 2008 Chevy Cobalt with 4 recall repairs to date. I reported noticing problems with the power steering, struts and interior dashboard lights as early as Sept 2010, while having routine service done to my Cobalt. (the interior dash digital read out lights have always given misinformation and would dim on a regular basis.) I've recently been experiencing the power steering totally going out on my car (once on June 25, 2014 and again on Sept 4, 2014) which makes it practically impossible to steer my car. I've been involved with these recall issues since 2010 and have followed GM's instructions to have the repairs done, only to have continuing problems with the cars performance. It's not only a inconvenience, but is stressful and dangerous to continue driving this vehicle. I've requested to have GM help me get into another car more than once over the past few years, but have been denied. Now I've been told that GM has implemented a new "buy back program" for drivers such as myself and have requested they get me out of this vehicle and into another car, but again, have not been contacted concerning my request.. I can not and do not want to be without a car to drive and feel that I deserve to have my car replaced by General Motors at no cost to myself.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ellington, CT, USA