Transmission module failure leads to temporary power steering failure. While driving my 2008 Chevy Cobalt, the instrument cluster started malfunctioning. The speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge all started bouncing around erratically. The driver information center started flashing "power steering". this all took place while I was driving the car on the freeway ay about 60 mph. As I was trying to pull to the breakdown lane the power steering failed. I thought the power steering pump went out. After getting the car to the side of the road and turning it off I called my mechanic. He told me he heard of this before and told me to restart the car. I did and everything was back to normal. I drove straight to his shop where he plugged in his diagnostic check computer. He told me the problem was with the transmission module and is a well know problem with the Chevy Cobalt. I have since googled it and found many Cobalt owners are experiencing the same problem. I spoke to Chevrolet customer service and was told that because my car has 125,000 miles it is out of warranty and not covered. I don't care so much about that as the potential safety hazard. If the power steering fails while on the road again it could lead to an accident. It has happened twice since and I have managed to pull over before the steering shut down. Is this an issue you could look into on these cars?

- Mabank, TX, USA

I was driving down the road about to get on the freeway and "power steering" showed up on my cars message center. If, while driving, I put the car in neutral, turn it off and back on, the power steering works again, but only for a few seconds, usually long enough to do a turn. There have been numerous times that I have almost hit another car because I lost my power steering right before a turn.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

Problem started speed at 55 noise on right front then hard vibration when you apply brakes it is worse.now at 45 it does this not all the time about once a week and after 5 miles or more it will finally quit have had wheels rebalanced to make sure that not the problem and have changed tires still no difference.they did tell me seepage around struts but not bad.told me to take to dealer as still under warranty. Took to Chevy dealer it drove ok for them and they had me drive it to explain my prob they put on a lift and they see nothing seepage around struts no big deal unless dripping. They said unless it had vibration when they drove or I knew what the problem was couldn't help me nothing done to correct problem.dealer told me next time it happened to bring it in and there would be no charge. That was a joke. When it happens may not be close enough to a dealer unless I pay a tow person to take it there. This has been going on for abt 3 months.

- Aftom, OK, USA

A 2008 Chevy Cobalt was driven about 10 miles, parked, shut off, the key removed & locked with remote. A few hours later the car was unlocked with remote, the key was inserted in the ignition but it would not turn nor could the gear shifter be moved out of park. The car was started using the remote but shut off after the 10 minute time-out. Tried to call on-star but noticed the green light was not illuminated and would not work. Had to use home phone to contact them. Car was towed to dealer the next day. Dealer diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and replaced it. Dealer would not repair it w/O cost even though there appears to be a service bulletin for this problem. Car had about 37,000 miles however problems with the ignition not turning on the first attempt were noticed on many occasions prior to failure.

- River Falls, WI, USA

Went to start 2008 Chevy Cobalt with just over 8000miles. When inserted key into ignition key got stuck and would not release/turn to start vehicle. Car would not even shift out of park.

- Flagstaff , AZ, USA