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CarComplaints.com Notes: The Cobalt was introduced to replace two of Chevy’s smaller cars, the Cavalier and Prizm. But the compact’s fresh start that Chevy was hoping for was riddled with issues, most notably widespread power steering failure.

The power steering failed so often that GM was forced to issue a recall in March, 2010. Great, but what about other problems like the key getting stuck in the ignition or all the other electrical demons this car possesses?

And, oh yes — then there’s the terribly dangerous issue where the Cobalt randomly shuts off while driving. As it turns out, that problem is related to GM’s massive 2014 recall for a dangerous ignition switch defect. A recall that eventually ballooned to 2.6 million vehicles in one of the automotive industry’s biggest scandals.

7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
27,550 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 292008

Cobalt 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

I nominate the 2005 Chevy Cobalt Lemon of the Year! I have had numerous problems with the power steering "locking" up and erratic acceleration causing the car to lurch and kill when I let up on the gas. I have had to have it towed to the dealership twice, I have taken it to my dealership at least 4 times over the course of the past 15 months to find the cause and they have repeatedly told me they can "find nothing wrong". I have conscientiously had the required oil changes and maintenance check ups since I purchased the car as a used vehicle June 2005. It had 4,000 miles on it then. I now have 62,000 miles on it. It is a bare bones model, no power windows or locks. I do have a/c and it is an automatic. Some smaller annoyances are when the CD is stuck in the CD player, and the right turn signal doesn't stay on. But, I am lucky so far, no accidents as I have read other Cobalt owners have experienced! I am going to trade it in as soon as possible.

- doie, New Hope, MN, US

problem #3

May 312007

(reported on)

Cobalt V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,600 miles

I moved into the passing lane and accelerated. However, the gas pedal reacted as though I had hit the resume button for the cruise control. I had used the cruise control 5 days earlier. I applied the brake but with no response. I moved my left foot to the brake with full force while attempting to pull the gas pedal up with my right foot. At the time I didn't know that wouldn't change anything. Eventually - a few miles later - I gained control. The dealership initially showed concern & had the car towed to their shop. Since then they have claimed the incident couldn't have happened as I reported it. They can not duplicate the problem unlike the first time unintended acceleration occurred. At that time - 5 months earlier - I was in slow moving traffic, the engine raced & the car accelerated. I was able to put it into neutral, pull over & shut the car off. That was something the dealership could read on the car's computer. The second incident was not & at the time I knew it was different. I would never sell a car with such a serious problem. And I don't feel comfortable at all using it.

- Mary Ellen T., Laurel, NY, US

problem #2

Jun 022007

(reported on)

Cobalt 2.2L Inline 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,600 miles

Although the engine surges at stops, it is not serious enough to warrant a visit to the dealership. You can keep your foot on the brake pedal and notice a little surge like it wants to go, but just apply harder on the brakes. It appears the engine idle could be off I have mentioned that to the dealership of high idle in park and drops very low like it wants to shut off but never does.

The dealership informed me that there is nothing wrong and there is no timing or adjustment to the idle because of how the engine is designed.

- jimmi, Canton, MI, US

problem #1

Feb 202006

(reported on)

Cobalt

  • 2,000 miles

REV'S LIKE SOMEONE WAS PUMPING GAS PEDAL WHILE STILL IN PARK. IN GEAR IT WILL GO (AT 5-7 MPH) 2 BLOCKS WITHOUT EVER TOUCHING THE GAS AND HAS MADE ME PUSH HARD ON BRAKE TO KEEP FROM BEING THRUST INTO THE TRAFFIC STREAM. JUST PLAIN CITY DRIVING IT OFTEN SURGES WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR PUSHES VEHICLE FORWARD IN LANE. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITANT. IT COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH TEMPERATURE AS IT WAS NOT AS BAD IN OCTOBER BUT WHEN THE MERCURY DROPPED THE PROBLEM WORSENED. I HAVE HAD IT TO DEALER LAST FALL AND AGAIN THIS FEB. THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM BUT PERSONNEL OF DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD NOT EVEN TRIED IT OR CHECKED TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND PROBLEM. FIRST TIME TO SHOP IT WAS THERE FOR A DAY. THIS TIME IT WAS THERE FOR SEVEN FULL DAYS. I AM SURE THEY ATTRIBUTE IT TO THE IMAGINATIONS OF THE AGED. ALTHOUGH I AM 72 I AM NOT READY, NOR INCLINED, TO EXPIRE IN A VEHICLE OF ANY MAKE, AND CERTAINLY NOT IN THIS DOMESTIC MACHINE. ANYONE ELSE WHO DRIVES OR WALKS IN THIS TOWN IS A POTENTIAL VICTIM OF THE COBALT. I AVERAGE A LITTLE OVER 16MPG.

- vestarae, Anchorage, AK, US

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