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.
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.
My husband was driving and the car suddenly stopped taking gas and said reduced engine power. He got it back home as it was only a few miles but top speed was less than 10 mph. It never did run right anymore and then completely stopped a few days later. Also the key gets stuck in the car if the battery goes dead. I had to leave the key in with the window down because I was scared of getting locked out. When my husband was able to come and charge the battery some it released the key. It never had any issues like these until they suddenly started. These issues showed up in summer 2021. Codes mentioned general electrical failure, throttle control issues with pedal and tac module. High and low voltage to tac module.
The 2013 power assist module (due to problems and recall) that was installed in my car back at that time-the warranty expired in 2015--well before I purchased mycar which was 2018. Power steering problems have returned as I cannot drive my car due to lack of power steering-cannot drive even in my driveway.. this, obviously, is a recurring problem and another recall needs to be implemented especially when those of us cannot afford to fix a problem that is the manufacturer's and/or manufacturers' fault. Please help!!!
Car shuts off and loses power while driving and the key keeps getting stuck in the ignition and the doors keep locking and unlocking constantly until it loses power again after changing the battery
I just noticed that there has been a few recalls on my vehicle and ive done some repairs on it since I have owned it but not on any off the parts that were once recalled. I can almost guarantee that my car was never fixed after the recall was issued because the car still has most of the original parts on it. So if I can get these problems fixed J need to asap.
- Leetonia, OH, USA
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Fuel pump module leaks fuel. Vehicle smell of gas. Can cause a fire. When seating still fuel will leak on the ground when car is running or when starting the car.
My cars problem started with the drivers door not opening from the inside or outside. The car stays locked even using the key fob, automatic door lock switch or key. I have to crawl through the passenger side over the console to enter or exit the vehicle. I am worried what I would do if the passenger door does the same thing. This is a safety issue since I can't get out of my car or in it. I searched online and several people had this same complaint.
My Chevy Cobalt just stalled in traffic at a dangerous rate of speed on street approaching a stop light the screen in car said engine power reduced then said engine disable. This is very dangerous and very unsafe.
I was driving down the interstate, when my warning light came on, and said "engn pwr reduced" it immediately slowed from 70 mph, to 10 mph and wouldn't rev past 2000 RPM's. the source cannot be found as to why it happened and almost cost me my life on the interstate.
I've paid over $400 dollars into this car for batteries in the last 18 months because of the manufacturer default. When I got the car, the ignition switch was a problem the first night, and we had to take it back to the dealership the next day, where all they did was spray some wd-40 in the hole. That was before the recall was made news. On Sept, 11, 2015 I was leaving a store, and tried turning on the car and it didn't start. I've had battery problems before (with this vehicle too) and just had the battery replaced 18 M ago, but there was no check battery warning light earlier or anything wrong with the vehicle performance. At the time, I didn't think it was the battery because the radio, A/C, etc had no problem turning on but the engine itself wouldn't start. And usually batteries have no problem in summer weather. After a tow getting to the auto shop, they hooked up a charger to the battery, and started it up, and said I needed a new battery! I said no, that's not possible, I got a new battery just 18 months ago. Its probably the ignition recall that is the overall problem because until this year (when the dealership finally got me in) the ignition was slipping out of the off position randomly over-night. Or it might be the fact that the manufacturer put the battery in the trunk where there's no air circulation! what was Chevy thinking. In a responsible government, I should be entitled compensation for this, I mean $400 for the same part in a 18 month span because they put a dangerous part in their cars knowingly! ps. I'm looking into Chevy issuing me compensation, because I know the auto repariman won't reimburse me on the labor costs, but they say the last day to file a grievance was in Jan '15 so if you would like to contact me on ways over/through it I'
All my door handles are falling off and I've heard many colblats doing the same and all my paint is chipping off my car I drove from a to B and that's all
The vehicle will move to the accessory position constantly and drain the battery. It was taken to rick hendrick Chevy on savvanah hwy in charleston by a young woman. They repaired it and allowed her to drive off with the vehicle knowing it had the same problem. They put her life in jeopardy.
Recall notice was sent out by GM in March, 2014 stating our cars need to be fixed but the parts are not available but, all owners will be getting an additional letter in April to inform us to call our local dealer to have our cars fixed. Finally we did get our letters on 4-21-14 and called my local dealer to make an appointment to have my recall fix and was told "Chevy did not send us any parts yet."
For no apparent reason and without any warning (no check engine light or anything), I received an "engine power reduced" warning and my car's engine completely shut down while I was completing a turn in a busy intersection. Luckily, I was able to coast to safety and park in a nearby parking lot. The car refused to turn back on for several minutes. Once it did, I drove my car to my office and was able to start it and drive it without further incident for several weeks. Then, without warning it happened again while I was on the freeway and has been happening intermittently since then. When I took it to the dealership, they claimed they are not aware of other people having this problem, but I have found numerous complaints and reports from other owners online, so I'm not convinced of their honesty or concern regarding this matter. They say they *think* the problem might be the master computer or at least that is their "best guess" (their words, not mine). I will be replacing it later this week. Unfortunately, I'm not confident the repair will fix the problem. After GM's repeated and explicit denial of the power steering problem and how long it took them to admit there even was one, I have decided to appeal to you. At present, when driving this car, I am a danger to myself and everyone else who might be around me on the road...as are all other Cobalt drivers. Please, investigate this matter before someone has this happen at the wrong place and the wrong time and someone gets seriously hurt, or worse. GM knows it created a car with a faulty electrical system which could result in catastrophic failures and they need to take responsibility for it and fix it. Just because they stopped making the car, does not absolve their responsibility to make them safe for everyone on the road.
My car shutts off every couple of minutes while im driving it also shut down on big intersection and I almost got hit by the car in back of me. It is very dangerous I was so scared the car just honked and was mad because it was my fault the car just shut off.
My car shut off while driving out of a parking lot a couple of days ago. Everything shut down. I couldn't even brake. I was able to put the gear in park and restart it just fine. However this is the fourth time this has happened. The last time being on the george Washington bridge. The very first time was 2 months after I purchased this car. I assumed it was because I went over a speed bump that was larger than normal. The second time I went over a pothole. The third time was on the highway. So I had a mechanic look at it and he stated that I could be the alternator. This was about 2-3yrs after purchase. However my time was very limited. I live in md but I work in New York so I spend a lot of time there and leave my car at home. So I haven't had a chance to get it fixed. With this last incident I decided to search the internet and it turns out that I am not the only one with this issue. I found it funny that there were many others with the same or similar problem. I put in a search for "Cobalt shutting off while driving" and found a couple of sites describing similar issues. This last incident reminded me of how dangerous this could be. I had my 4 yr old niece in the backseat and the exit of the parking lot was on a hill. Feeling the car rolling back and not being able to brake would surely be considered a safety issue. On a side note I did have my car examined for the recall I was given notice about. This was completed last year. Nothing abnormal was reported.
*please note...the incident date is approximate. We have a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt sedan that was involved in the recall for the power steering motor intermittent power steering failure. We had never had a problem with the steering prior to the recall being performed. After the recall was performed, we began having trouble with intermittent power steering failure - plus additional failures. Upon start-up, we have experienced no power steering, and had to shut the vehicle off and retry numerous times before the power steering returns. In addition to loss of power steering, we have experienced the following electrical problems: Traction control light illuminating random clicking of the brake safety interlock relay / actuator (without touching the brake). Check engine light transmission going into "limp mode"..."slamming" into gear when shifting from park - or improper shifting while driving. Random dash gauge failure random failures of the "driver's information center" - flashing, etc. This was initially happening only upon start-up...but started happening while driving as well - nearly leading to an accident while my wife was driving on a busy urban street. She was fortunately able to drift into the turn lane and come to a stop to avoid a collision and likely serious injury to herself and others, as it was virtually uncontrollable. In addition to the loss of power steering (while driving), the transmission also went into "limp mode", causing very hard shifting and much difficulty in drivability. This has also happened while I was driving the vehicle. I am 6'3", 260lbs., and I was struggling to control the vehicle. I have also been in contact with other Cobalt owners with the exact same set of "symptoms". it is clear that the motor replacement was not sufficient to repair the problem, and - in some cases - may be leading to further problems as in our case. This vehicle is very dangerous!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Garrison, KY, USA