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 power steering assist lost while driving. Required greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds to steer and turn, increasing the risk of a crash. Found recalls for 2010 Chevy Cobalt for electric power assist system, but not for model year 2008, please help.
My 18-year-old daughter had a defective ignition switch in her vehicle causing her to lose control of her vehicle and crash into a ditch on today 11/29/2018 we check the recall list before we purchased her vehicle and it was listed as safe.
On Nov. 7, as I was cutting the steering wheel to the right to park, I lost control of the steering without reason. I put the car in park and tried to see if I turn the wheel to the left would it turn the wheels to the left and still not steering guided the wheels. The wheels remained locked in one position...the position I last guided the steering wheel before it gave out. This is almost atleast $1200 dollars worth of work. I need to just get this recall done there is too many other cars with the same power steering issue. What is this happened to me changing lanes on the interstate this would have been really bad!
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. When the contact started the vehicle and shifted into reverse, "power steering" displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle did not move. The contact called an unknown dealer and was advised to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) in 2014 and they were only mandated to repair the vehicle once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Twice (10/6/18 and 10/21/18) while driving on the highway, the car has suddenly and completely lost power steering. I took it to a non-dealer who says there is a possible recall (10V073000), but when I called Chevrolet they said my car does not have any recalls. I don't know if my specific car wasn't part of the recall or if it was supposedly fixed before I bought it.
- Hamilton, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed. The contact stated that the steering wheel became stiff and seized while turning. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made abnormal noises. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) by an unknown dealer, but the repair failed and the steering wheel continued to make abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that it was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to an unknown Chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
While driving aprox 40 mph on a city street the dic states I'm low on fuel (I had 3/4 of a tank) power steering low and the car would jerk when I gave it gas I was able to get it home and when I tried to restart the car it was very difficult to steer. I bought the car used and was never told of these recalls when I called the dealership they told me the power steering motor had been replaced in 2010 and I was to pay for it to get it fixed. Its a very sad thing today that no one wants to really stand behind their products, so now at 70yrs old, on a very tight fixed income I will have to come up with maybe a cost of $2000 to fix this problem
Vehicle was in motion in traffic on city street, power steering failed and power steering message appeared on dash 80 year old almost lost complete control of vehicle and collision narrowly avoided
The contact's daughter owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated that the speedometer and rpms increased and moved erratically. All of the instrument panel warning indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ed martin Buick GMC (9896 N Michigan rd, carmel, in 46032, (317) 872-9896) on several occasions, but no diagnostic failure codes were found and the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called ed martin Nissan at (317) 359-9231 (802 shadeland ave, indianapolis, in 46219) where the vehicle was purchased. The dealer advised the contact to call ed martin Buick GMC where the vehicle was previously repaired. The dealer performed a steering repair, but the contact could not confirm exactly what was repaired on the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 8-2091634468. The failure mileage was 88,792.
The vehicle is a 2008 Chevy Cobalt lt and only has 54400 mileage. Electric power steering assist motor has stopped working while on the road at about 40 mph. This part was recalled in 2010, was replaced and has already quit working. Seems that these motors are not very durable and can be dangerous to drivers as they can go out at anytime even going down the road.
While I am driving anywhere, all of a sudden the safety lock feature comes on my dash board showing locked and then I lose power steering and all the other features go crazy on the panel, such as the gas, temp, air, ect... I then have to turn off the engine and restart it for it to reset itself but it continues to happen and more and more as time goes on and it's scarey because I lose my power steering and am afraid for my life or the life of others. I have had related recall work done it but it didn't last long and now no one wants to deal with it. Please see the attached history. My vehicle now has 92000 miles however the problem started at 59644 when the power steering motor was replaced. Maybe it's an electrical issue instead"??"
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that when attempting to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced and was instructed to take the vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Power steering completely fails while parallel parking or when car is stationary and you try to turn the wheel, its impossible to steer. Scary to think if it happens on highways. Started a year ago and now its permanent
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While starting the vehicle, it was discovered that there was no power steering. The power steering warning indicator illuminated. After a few minutes of starting and restarting the vehicle, the power steering returned. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times before being taken to the dealer. Quirk Chevrolet (444 quincy avenue, braintree, MA 02184 (781) 348-9660) diagnosed that the power steering motor failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and was serviced in 2017 per NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the warranty had expired after one year from the date of the recall service. The failure mileage was unknown.
The dash message says power steering. As I was excellerating in the on ramp of the highway, the RPM jumped up to 6,000 all on its own and now it will not shift gears, does not read any mph, and can barely go more than 20mph. This was unexpected and had no warnings prior to. Although it still functions (turns on, runs, has all power available, has reverse) it is ultimately disabled. Also, the fuel lines/ fuel pump failed causing a gas leak, making it a challenge to start the vehicle. I have patched the fuel line as a temporary fix. I have already replaced the lower control arms and the timing chains at my own expense
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 55 mph, a rattling sound came from the steering wheel and the steering wheel became loose. The failure occurred without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle below 40 mph to reach his destination. The contact also stated that the failure occurred only when driving above 45 mph, but the rattling sound was heard at any speed. The vehicle was taken to dan tobin Chevrolet Buick GMC (2539 billingsley rd, columbus, oh 43235) where the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in a recall; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that when at a parking lot, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted and was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
While leaving work on back roads with a lot of turns my power steering came on. I got the power steering replaced 3 years ago with a recall and now the power steering motor is not working.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated and no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 200,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Scotts, MI, USA