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.
I previously contacted GM befcause of a power steering issue weeks before my accident.I was crossing the railroad track when I lost all power to my car and it caught on fire.
The very first incident I experienced with my power steering was nothing major. I was trying park my car and it suddenly became very hard to steer. I powered the car off for a minute and then restarted it. Once the car was restarted the problem went away. Shortly after that the doors would not unlock. I was unable to get into my car for hours. After much prying, we were able to get into the car but now the driver's door lock has to be locked manually or unlocked with the key in door. Months down the line the power steering issue came back but only worse. It happened while I was driving. A dinging noise went off, "power steering" flashed across the dashboard, and all the gauges went wiggling. It startled me. Again, I pulled over and cut the engine for a spell and waited. After a few moments I turned the car back on and it was like nothing ever happened. The third time was the worst time thus far. I was exiting the highway and suddenly the noise came back and flashed power steering. It was much worse this time. The car was hard to steer, the car roughly jerked, and I could not exelerate. Thankfully I made it home 5 minutes later, but by then the engine light had come on. I found out that my car was recalled for this very reason. When I called Chevrolet they said that the previous owners had to have brought my car in during the recall because my car didn't have any open recalls. If my car was truly brought in for the recall then why is my car not fixed" and more importantly why do they expect me to pay for it? they are endagering my life as well as others'. passing cars off as though they are fixed when really they are not is criminal and something needs to be done. If need be I will pay for my own car but what about all the other cars that they've "fixed"" a young lady died from her power steering failing and you would think that would be enough to fix their mistake.
I was on my way to work this morning on and noticed my car 'stuttering' as few moments at a time. After I proceeded from a stop position and continued off the highway, the car dashboard began to light up, almost as if it was shortening out. The speedometer, fuel gauge, and my RPM kept moving back and forth quickly. There were multiple messages flashing such as powersteering, low traction, no traction. My check engine light, antitheft light, and the traction light kept flashing. Then I lost power steering and my car ultimately 'died' on the side of the road.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition module failed, causing the vehicle to stall sporadically and without warning. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure several times but did not provide a remedy for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering) but was advised that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.
- Oak Hill, WV, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the power steering sensor light illuminated as the power steering assist failed. The contact indicated that after shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the defect was corrected. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Tried to back out of my parking spot at home to go to work. Could not turn wheels at all. Had car towed to chapman Chevrolet because my bother, who is a mechanic, advised me that there was a recall for this model and year. After chapman received the car they blamed problem on steering column and wound up charging me $960.73 to replace it. My brother advised me that power steering unit is part of power steering operation. Information system on dash board said power system failure. Fortunately this did not happen while driving to work as I could not have handled the car and would have has a serious accident.
My most important issue with my 2008 Cobalt lt is that my engine is gone which I think is horrible and I purchased this car brand new I have been the only owner and have taking very good care of my vehicle, I will never buy a GM product again, through reading all the complaints I cant believe this vehicle hasn't been recalled my car started shaking really bad, and making a loud ticking noise, it was very hard to stop and also steer my vehicle I could have been in a very fatal crash or anything! my car also has the same issue about the speakers they go in and out and work when they want to. But my main issue is my engine in which my car I is longer under warranty and the dealership said it is nothing they can do for me, which I believe is totally absurd considering im still making payments on a vehicle that doesn't work, and is only 5 years old, so basically that means to me they will cover your car for 5 years or 100,000 miles then your just on your own which is horrible, to invest and buy a vehicle brand new and it just breaks down in this magnitude! I am very upset and disappointed that they aren't willing to help, so I will be suing them!
Took car into have it inspected for noise coming from the from end told it was the lower control arm bushing and that Cobalts where good for that part to fail so why does Chevy not fix the problem?
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to replacement of sway bars, links, wheel bearing and engine. Vehicle currently has steering wheel mechanical issues.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel seized. The contact notified the dealer and informed them that the vehicle had been remedied in 2011 under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident and referred the contact to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 35 mph when the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The contact was informed that the electrical steering column had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 74000.
Continued noise from front end when driving- right and left struts, bearing plates mounts, shields and bumper boots were replaced - the struts were leaking fluid front end alignment was also done I am now having the same identical problem ( oil is leaking and covering the strut ) at this time date 10/2013. This is not normal - my current mileage is 37,802.
At random the vehicle will suddenly exhibit ESC failure, traction control failure, and several other trouble codes while simultaneously losing all gauge function and power steering. The error will continue to escalate causing a malfunction in the electronic stability control mechanism causing grinding while turning. The error often subsides after shutting the ignition off for several minutes.
The power steering went out and the car became extremely hard to steer. This has happened at multiple times since the initial time. I called regarding the recall for power steering and found out that the previous owner had the power steering motor replaced at 58,400 miles. This is a huge safety concern, and the power steering going out twice on this model is indicative that the real problem was not addressed. The power steering column may be to blame for this continuous safety concern. The real core problem was not address by GM in their recall.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder and shut the engine off. After restarting the vehicle, the electronic power steering reactivated. The failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on November 18, 2012 for service under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000(steering). Most recently, the power steering assist failed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would not repair the vehicle a second time at their expense. The failure and the current mileage was 44,000.
My power steering light comes on and I lose power steering. I can turn the car off and back on again and it's fine for a while but eventually happens again.
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 35 mph and attempted to change lanes when the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer, who stated that the steering shaft had to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering: Electric power steering). The failure and current mileage was 84,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Prattville , AL, USA