This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
8.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$929.00
Average Mileage:
58,748 miles
Total Complaints:
97 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (50 reports)
- replaced steering column (20 reports)
- the power steering assist motor under the steering column (15 reports)
- needs new steering column (5 reports)
- need to replace assist motor and p/s mod (3 reports)
- recalled! (2 reports)
steering problem
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2011Apr 15
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt and I am experiencing problems that nobody can seem to fix.
I took it into my local Chevy Dealership in April for them to fix the power steering recall. Before I took it in, the car was running fine, but ever since them I have had nothing but problems. The "power steering" light will come onto the information LED and the power steering immediately goes out. Then there is a nonstop series of clicking coming from somewhere on the dash. Then all the meters on the dash start to go crazy. Then the car starts to chug, really bad, to the point where it becomes impossible to drive. I had to stop driving it completely because I was 8 months pregnant and physically couldn't turn the wheel of the car without hurting my abdomen.
I took it back to the local dealer immediately and they told me there was nothing wrong, therefore, nothing they could do. This was frustrating because they could physically see the problem, but they couldn't get anything to cup up on the diagnostics check. They cleared the computer and it was fine for a week, until the same events started up again.
I took it my mechanic that I usually go to and he replaced some kind of transmission module or something and another part, I'm really not clear on what he did, it didn't work. So I was out $550 for nothing. Still, I was frustrated because he, too, could see the problem in action but insists that the diagnostic check says there's nothing wrong with my car.
This is my last resort. I'm a single mom, full time student, I don't have the money to keep letting people fix my car willy nilly with no real idea of what's wrong with it. I am hoping you have had somebody with similar problems and can help me out.
Thank you.
2011Oct 03
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
Chevy needs to compensate us all for these issues. My issues started with my power steering after the dealership fixed it. When I got the car back I got approximately 5 miles up the road and the Chevy dealership looked over the car and said it was possibly a bad BCM and if it kept up that would have to be replaced. All the money I've put into the car the past 2 years is AWFUL!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 30
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 25,749 miles
The steering column was replaced 0n Jan 30, 2008. On Aug 12, 2011 my steering failure light came on while I was driving on the freeway causing the car to immediately swerve sharply to the right and crashing into the guard rail. I had no chance to react.
The car was totaled and I received injuries and missed a week of work. I notified the dealership that regularly serviced and inspected my car. I notified GM and NHTSA.
So far, GM has not acknowledged any fault, has not replaced my car, and has not reimbursed me for damages. The wrecked car is in a tow lot and the lot is demanding that I pay over $700 to get to the car. GM has an inspector who is supposed to inspect the car but GM will not pay for the inspector to get access to the car. GM says it is my problem. So much for corporate responsibility.
2011Feb 10
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 86,000 miles
The electric assist power steering unit had been replaced by GM Recall approx 10 months prior. Similar problem to other 2005 cobalts, ding, ding, ON dash TC code, then power steering, code. Would loose power steering assist, once on highway, speed gauge moved high and low while maintaining the same approximate highway speed. At slower speeds , would loose power assist, transmission would shift at wrong times so would be a rough shift, engine might stall. Was a safety hazard, and contacted National Safety Counsel website, and GM dealer area POC. Private mechanic could not figure out what needed repair. At GM dealer: Check engine light on, Tested Systems-Multiple system faults Set-P0700 Transmission Control module requested malfunction indicator light, U2100 CAN BUS COMMUNICATION.U2107 LOST COMMUNICATION WITH BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND U2100 CAN BUS COMMUNICATION. GM shop contacted GM Technical assistance and they advised of possible wiring issue between body control module (BCM) and power steering control-checked connectors at BCM, transmission control module and power steering control module, checked connector C3 at vehicle control interface module-verified wiring good-replaced wiring terminals at BCM for circuit 2500 and 2501 to power steering control module-cleared codes and test drove, approx 20 miles. Cost 4 Hrs labor, $376.00. has now worked properly and safely, no loss of steering, no transmission shift problems, no stalling, gauges work properly.
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2011Mar 16
Cobalt LS V4
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Took my 2005 cobalt in because the power steering failed. They fixed the recalled PS motor and called me back only to tell me that didn't fix the problem and that now I will be getting charged for any more work that goes into fixing it. Has anyone else had this problem? Sounds to me like they aren’t recalling the right part.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Nov 08
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 11,200 miles
i would like to start a class action lawsuit i am so so sick of this car i am ready to scream
i fixed the power steering pump and Chevy had a recall lo and behold they recalled the power steering module and i was stuck with the bill now 10 months later it is still going on but Chevy dealer said it was the steering column and transmission
2008Jun 15
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
My local Mechanic suggested a bigger battery i installed a 900CCA battery and all of my Power Steering woes went away havent had the warning lights flashing the gauges jumping anymore, Just a suggestion someone might try.
2010Feb 03
Cobalt LX 3.2L V6
- Manual transmission
- 84,000 miles
I can't believe that they haven't recallede this stupid car yet. I mean, given, it is a cheap car, but that doesn't meant that it has to be cheaply made. I was driving down I-75 in Estero, Fl at around 70 m.p.h. and the steering will locked up forcing me off the road in the middle of a lot of traffic. I had my two little girls in the backseat and when I contacted the dealership, they said that there was nothing they could do unless I paid for the steering column to be replaced which cost me over 1,000. The trade in value on my car is only 2,000.00!!! I can't believe that they would leave this car on the road in this condition when I've read about this same complaint 1,000's of times. I hope someone is reading this who can do something about it. Recall the car NOW!! Don't wait until more people are hurt or dead.
2010Feb 23
Cobalt LT 2.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
Hello, I can't believe this site is here, it's like my hero. But I got the 2005 Chevrolet cobalt in 2008, my mother wanted me to have a good car for my safety. It was a good car until about December 2009, the power steering started giving me a headache, so she took it to the dealership in Knoxville, TN. They charged her for the code check, and charged her for a fuse that wasn't even the problem. So the problem fixed it self a couple weeks later it didn't do it anymore, so My mother & I was very relieved. But the other morning as i was heading to school, i stopped to pick up my cousin, Me and him was late for school already, and waiting on him didn't make it any better. So when he gets his things and gets in the car i look at the time and it's 7:49 and school started at 8:15 and we had about 7 miles to go. And it was raining on top of it. So I back out of his drive, and floor it. i was driving the car about 60/64 MPH, and the roads were very wet and the rain was pouring down even harder now. we were in the country part of Knoxville, TN were they are a-lot of 2 lane roads. we was approaching what everyone calls "kiss your ass curve," it was very steep and as i got closer i hear 4 dings looked down, and " Power Steering" was across the message center, the steering was very tight and i tried to whip it to take the curve, and it slides off the road and over a bank then into a tree going about 50 mph. the car took the hit more on the passenger side and both Kyle and I were buckled up. the car came to a sudden stop, deploying both airbags. I got a black eye and a pulled shoulder muscle, kyle got a broken wrist and two broke fingers from trying to brace himself on impact. He's still has to undergo surgery and is in the hospital. The car was pulled to a salvage yard, and the police report reads, "Mechanical failure." And the insurance adjuster, wrote it up. And with full coverage insurance they're paying off the bank no. and getting a replacement car. I just hope it isn't another cobalt because I no longer trust this car. And after seeing complaints on other problems of GM, i don't think i'll ever get another GM car.
Thank you
- Dylan C.
Update from Oct 6, 2010: Can't believe they recalled this after I destroyed my car. But That's how it goes. But I did find out 100% what caused my problem after the insurance investigated the case. They're is a small box like thing I can't really explain it because i'm not educated on the whole operation of cars, but the thing inside of the steering column in my car had went bad, and caused the power steering to just randomly shut down, and by that caused me to lose control at a high speed, I Do blame a-lot of Gm, for the accident but it's a fifty fifty thing. They're were other factors leading up to my accident and me being a new drive was the main thing. But i'm glad they had A recall on this problem it was good finally. But if they keep making cars that's going to need recalled every other year GM might as well go out and everyone go to a different make of car.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 22
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
I have a 2005 chevy cobalt, and the power steering has went out, it started going out slowly, you could turn the car off and then start it back up and it would start working again but I have been going down the road in it several times in the past few months, and it be working fine then all of a sudden it just go out, and it usually does it when Im getting ready to turn and it has caused me to almost wreck more than a few times...I think this should be a recall cause I pay 310 a month on my car, and definitely cant afford to pay 400 to 900 to fix this problem especially when it was a factory defect in the first place.......
2010Feb 12
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 66,239 miles
I was driving around town and on the highway. The power steering light came on and had no power steering. I was lucky I didnt kill myself or crash into the other car going the other way. I called my GM dealer and they said that the sensor got wet it would be okay and called GM service rep and they said sorry cant do nothing about it. People with the same problem should go to nhtsa.gov to make a complaint so GM will have to put out a recall for it. It is going to kill someone one day
2009Jun 07
Cobalt BLS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 36,040 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt BLS. The first time this happened was in the month of June 2009 and approximately 10 times until Feb 14, 2010, my car's message center "dinged" and the message "Power Steering " was being displayed. The tachometer, and speedometer both started jumping up and down, that seemed to stop after a couple of seconds, my steering seemed a little stiffer but nothing really noticeable, it wasn't until i pulled into the parking lot at work and had my car jerk around when it shifted gears. Felt kinda of like someone popped the clutch in a standard.
Last year I brought the car to GM to look into this issue. The mechanic found nothing wrong with the Power Steering and charged me 80.00 for checking it out. It happened many times after this however I wasn't about to bring it back to GM and be charged for something that they say is not a problem. This problem has made me very unhappy with GM and this may also change my thoughts on the company. I also came across this website and noticed that I'm not the only person having this problem. I do not believe this problem is temperature related and that it occurs at higher temps, I am from Ontario, Canada.
GM should not wait until there is a fatality to recall or make the changes. This has happened to many who have purchased the Cobalt and we are very concerned and frightened to be driving and have this happen so many times. When this occurs I need to pull over to the side of the road and wait 10 or 15 minutes and restart the car sometimes the light goes out and I can try again and sometimes I need to wait a little longer. I am afraid of driving around since it has happened often and you never know when an accident can happen.
2010Feb 05
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 41,010 miles
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt LS w/Sport Package. On my way to work this morning, my car's message center "dinged" and the message "Power Steering" was being displayed. The tachometer, and speedometer both started jumping up and down, that seemed to stop after a couple of seconds, my steering seemed a little stiffer but nothing really noticeable, it wasn't until i pulled into the parking lot at work and had my car jerk around when it shifted gears. Felt kinda of like someone popped the clutch in a standard.
I have been very happy with my car to date, but if GM doesn't consider this problem important enough to fix, it will change my thoughts on the company. I came across this website and noticed that I'm not the only person having this problem. I noticed prople seem to think that this problem is temperature related and that it occurs at higher temps, I am from northern Ontario, Canada and it was approximately -30 degrees Celcius this morning when it happened. I've also noticed that the mileage at the time of this happening seems pretty consistent. DEFINITELY think that GM should look into this.
Going to call the dealership tonight and also file a formal complaint to GM, this is a life threatening problem, I am a volunteer firefighter and don't feel like being the victim in one of our Auto Extracations. I just sold my old 1997 Chryler Intrepid, had 330,000km on it but really only minor problems, thought going to a 2005 with only 54,000 at time of purchase would create less problems. Car still has warranty on it, hoping for at least some of this to be covered.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Feb 08
Cobalt LT V4
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
Fall of 2009 my power steering went hay wire. I was on the higway going 60. All electrical things flashing , power steering went ,then the car shut down. My dealership couldn't find anything. They just turned off the computer and reset my car. Also lost all history.
Feb 8, 2009 started my car and the power steering didn't work.
2009Apr 01
Cobalt LS 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
GM sucks! I had got in touch with GM and told them what was going on and they told me that i was out of luck. I provide transportation for my 21/2 year old so it is very dangerous!!! The fact that I have no freaking power streering and on top of that, no use of the air bags because that went out when the power streering went as too!!!!!
2008Nov 12
Cobalt LS
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
I've read probably 50-100 complaints about the electronic power steering in these cars. It pisses me off that chevy has not investigated this issue. I had to have the whole electronic power steering replaced and it cost me over $800.00 because obviously my car warrenty had run out.
I bought this car loaded. Leather interior, heated seats , 6 air bags, ac, cruise control, power locks and windows and a sun roof so I paid a good buck for it and now I hate it.My other point is that they obviously have not looked into it cuz even the newer makes are still having this issue. What the hells it gonna take. Calling the dealer and bitching and complaining got me nowhere. The car wasn't paid for yet so I had to eat the 860.00 bucks to fix it. Not a happy camper!
2009Dec 18
Cobalt LS
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
Okay so here we go. Seems like I have been having much of the same problems as everyone else. I have had my cobalt since April 2007. I did by the car used however it only had 12,000miles at the time of purchase. I have ALWAYS taken my car to the local dealership and continue to pay their outrageous prices for all the minor things i.e.oil changes, etc....Since August 2009 my car has been to the dealership numerous times (around 6-7) for everything but oil changes.
My latest problem however is the power steering issue. Same thing as most. First its the "ding ding" then the 'power steering' message displays. The first time it happened was Dec. 2010. Just out of the blue thank goodness I was in a parking lot so I was able to shut the car off. While I was deciding what to do next I then tried to restart the car. HEY.....everything was fine again!!! NOT!!!! In the weeks since then it just randomly chooses when to steer and when its tired it doesn't. LOL In all seriousness, you never know when the bells will chime and power steering will go out. So far I can shut my car off and it will be okay when I start it up again. It may be okay for 2 minutes or 20. One never knows. I went one whole day with great steering...no issues! Then the next, at every stop sign and red light I was switching the engine off to restart my car. I think I'm at the point where I have to break down and fix it myself. So far, I have heard from the dealer that it needs a new steering column. I have also been told that parts alone will be around $690ish.....
We have always been Chevrolet customers but with the lack of customer service skills from the shop crew and the feeling that you have been taken every-time you visit, not to mention cars that have major mechanical problems just AS SOON as their warranty's run out.......leaves one with a disgusting taste in their mouth for Chevrolet and most American made cars.
2009Mar 01
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
Complete pain trying to steer my car. Just jams up when I try to turn.
2010Feb 01
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
Also having a severe problem with power steering failure on my 2005 Chevy Cobalt. Only has 56,000 miles on it. It has progressively gotten worse over a short time. At first the power steering light would come on and my wheel would lock up once every couple of days. Now I cannot get the car to run more than a minute without it locking up. Obviously this makes it extremely difficult to manage. I used to have to turn the car off and restart it to get my wheel to unlock, (which is a HUGE safety issue when driving on the highway) but now with as frequent as it has become, there is no point in doing so because it locks back up so shortly after restarting it. After taking it in to my dealership they informed me that it would be expensive to fix and that I DIDN'T need to have it fixed right away because it wouldn't affect any other areas of my car's performance. I'm not so sure I believe this. They charged me over $60.00 just to look at it. Then after calling the manufacturer yesterday, when hearing about the numerous complaints on this same issue, they tried to tell me to bring it back in to pay another $60.00 to look at it again! I don't think so. My car is barely 4 years old and doesn't have a large number of miles. I STRONGLY believe Chevy should be responsible for fixing this issue for all those that appear to be having the exact same problem!
2009Dec 20
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 32,000 miles
I had no idea this was a problem for so many people. chevy def. needs to step up and admit they made some sort of mistake. my car doesnt even have 40000 miles on it
2009Jan 01
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
At first the power steering went out intermittently then it completely went out on me and me like a dumb ass thought I needed power steering fluid but thought it was odd that there was no power steering pump only to find out that it is now an electrical motor in the steering column that cost just pennies less than 800.00. the problem with no power steering was I was working in a southern Missouri town and the roads have very bad curves numerous times I almost went over a the side of a cliff. or almost hit another car. No wonder people are buying imports you cant work on an American car yourself and it cost an arm and a leg to get an American car fixed not to mention that half of out so called American cars aren't even American anymore.
2009Dec 01
Cobalt LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
The power steering on my 2005 Cobalt just suddenly freezes up. I have to pull over, shut the car off for a few minutes. I have to continually do this. I called the dealer and they said it is the Power Steering Module and it would cost approx. $900.00 to fix as they have no recalls on this, but I am reading that more and more people are having the same problem. Do we all need to band together and file a suit to get this problem corrected. I don't have $900.00 to have this fixed and why should I. My car only has 63,000 miles on it.
2010Jan 01
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
well let me start out by saying that like everyone else. the problem just started out of the blue.. Some days it may happen 10-15 times, while on other days 2 times. have taken to dealership and had diagnostics done and according to them the p/s module and assist motor need to be replaced. I have an extended warranty, but wouldn't you know it it only covers the motor even though i have talked to car parts place and they say the module and motor come together. hmmm sounds like im getting the shaft.. If you are going to buy extended warranty you need to make sure they spell everything out for you.. I was given a fixing price of 1150.00 of course the warranty would pay for the motor and my out of pocket would be 800.00. like everyone else 800.00 is not easy to come by. so i have contacted a used auto parts place and they have the module/motor as one piece for 350.00. if they are one piece then why isn't the whole thing covered under warranty you ask! my feelings exactly. I wonder if the people who decide what gets fixed and what doesn't had a family member killed because of the problem we are experiencing would change the way things are done. my problem started at 76000 which is later than some but it is an ongoing problem and Chevrolet needs to take care of it.
2009Sep 09
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I would like to say that i think the 2005 chevy cobalt should be recalled and fixed at no charge to the owner. I have already payed 650.00 dollars and the problem is still their. First my power steering light comes on then my power steering cuts right on out. Its to hard to turn the wheel and I am afraid its going to kill me or someone else this is a outrage.. Those who have the power to fix this would rather let the body count go up before they do anything.. Well let me tell you that will not be me I am going to make it my life purpose to make sure they do something about this issue. So if any of you Chevy CEOs read this just know I am coming and you will fix this
Update from Mar 5, 2010: Finally, Chevy has issued the recall:> I guess one of them owned one and had the problem. It is about time they got it.........
2009Dec 27
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 53,000 miles
Well my wife was driving our cobalt and the power steering light came on in the message center while driving down the freeway at 70 mph the other day. She brought the car home and turned it off. I proceeded to come home and I plugged in my diagnostic code reader and it said that nothing was wrong so I assumed that the electronics must have gotten wet no big deal. The next day she was again driving on the freeway at 70 mph and it happened again so she took it to the dealership where we bought it and they said that they can't fix anything because the computer said that there isn't anything wrong with it. So now we are paying $3000 for the extended warranty with a $100 deductible that doesn't help us at all because there is nothing physically wrong with the power steering unit. Chevrolet needs to pull their heads out and fix this problem!
2009Dec 21
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 76,134 miles
Power steering quit for no reason driving down the road. Power steering came up on dash info window last week. Next time I fired it up it was fine for 20 miles and it happened again. Now within a half mile of driving power steering is gone. It must reset itself every time you shut it off. I have seen many of these complaints about power steering problems. Is this normal wear or a bad product?
2009Nov 29
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Manual transmission
- 40,900 miles
ok so driving my 2005 cobalt today just got it less than a month ago so driving along and power steering light comes on and all of a sudden absolutely no power steering at all and wheel was almost impossible to turn. taking it to chevy dealer tommorow cant wait to hear there solution to this one. 4 days after purchasing the car it needed control arm bushings and they fixed it and forgot to put balljoint nut back in and car dropped and was all f*cked up they blamed it on the dealer mistake. wonder what they will say about this
2009Nov 11
Cobalt LX 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 58,234 miles
Returning from a surf trip heading home my power steering took a dump . looks like its cover under the warranty though . Taking it to the dealer .
2009Nov 02
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,500 miles
Power Steering message displayed on the computer. This happened initially and then again the following day. Progressively got worse until now it happens within 1-2 minutes of starting the car. Turn the ignition off and restart the car and it will work for a minute or so. I hear a click just above the brake pedal. Immediately there are 4 dings and the computer says Power Steering and the power steering stops working.
I took the cover off of the power steering motor just above the brake pedal and used electronic cleaner on it but that did nothing. Based on these symptoms it seems as though the problem is the power steering assist motor but when I discussed this with a service adviser from a dealership they said it could be many things. I doubt they would tell me the real problem even if they knew what it was.
I have 2 GM vehicles and also a Dodge. I have tried to support American auto makers but these annoying problems are very very frustrating. Then it is even more frustrating when you can't buy parts to fix them yourself. They force you to have a dealership fix it. So you almost always end up spending $500 or more for any problem. I have talked to way too many people who have Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas or Nissans that have driven their cars 100,000 miles and say they never had any repairs.
2009Nov 05
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
When I called the dealership, I was told they'd never heard of this problem. My 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt power steering failed/ froze after backing out of a parking space. I was told it needed a new steering column. I searched and found w.care2.com and signed their petition re. Cobalts and the recurrence of power steering failure after the initial repair. I searched Lemon Law and have talked to two attorneys in CA. Car manufacturers supported a legal change 10 years ago so that people who have 'extended warranties' are exempt from Lemon Law protection. Today I was told to file a report with National Highway Transportation and Safety Admin, and, Bureau of Automotive Repair 800-952-5210.
2009Nov 08
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 57,694 miles
This isn't the first time this issue happens. Book says turn engine off and restart, problem fixes itself. Sure but at what harm to my car? This is now the 2nd time the power steering light is on. Before it was the transmission. Dealer code U2100 comes up which means it's a malfunction in the code reading. So what's the real issue. This power steering can't be fixed w/o paying $500-$1000 are you kidding me WTF. POS car should have gone w/ Ford.
2008Dec 01
Cobalt LT 2.2L Ltr
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
I have a 20005 Chevy Cobalt LT 4 door. I got my car in Jan of 2008, and in Dec of 2008 my power steering started to go out every other day. then one day it went completely out. I took it to a dealership to get it diagnosed to see what was wrong and they had told my my Electronic Power Steering Control Module in my steering column is going out. I asked them how much it would cost and they told me depending on the severity of it anywhere from 600 to 1200 dollars. A dealer ship is the only place to get one because it is a "dealer item only" they said. I'm hoping that GM come up with a recall for this item!
2009Oct 05
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I just bought a 2005 Chevy Cobalt a month and a hlf ago from a dealership in Daytona Beach. As soon as I left the parking lot I had to come back because of issues happening with the car. After picking it up from the dealership I was headed home and saw power steering come up in the dash. I went to take a left turn and the steering wheel locked on me with on coming traffic coming. I keep telling the salesman that I do not want this car because I don't feel safe in it. They keep giving me the run around. I think they waiting for my warranty to run out.
2008Dec 14
Cobalt LS 2.2L V4
- Automatic transmission
- 41,000 miles
click to see larger images
Sorry If i posted twice, I don't know if i got the first one right so i just redone it.
Okay well i was traveling on Highway 160 on my way to a friends house it was snowing and i didn't know they was ice on the road and as i was approaching a curve in the road
" Power Steering " showed across my message screen, so i didn't take much thought to it until i tried to cut the wheel and it was tight and hard to turn as if the car was not running so I panic and cut the steering wheel to deep and the curve was curved in ice and i spin out of control. the back of the car hit a cliff side bouncing me back on the road where i plow a guard rail and coming to a rest, The seat belt didn't catch good and the air bags did not deploy i didn't even have the car for one year i got it in January and crashed in December the car also had more problems but this was a one and last problem the car had, it never done anything like this before the accident. But overall the cobalt is a good car but they really have a glitch in the power steering.
Ps, the dates are way off on the pics and its hard to see the full damage because of the snow.
2007Dec 14
Cobalt LS 2.2L V4
- Automatic transmission
- 46,000 miles
click to see larger images
i bought an 2005 (red) 2.2L and the car was fun it had only 38000 miles on it and i thought to my self that i could make years with this car, i bought it in the year 2007 and drove it often i was a sudden in collage and i also worked a job so the gas mileage was great. and one night it was a cold December night coming home from my part time job, on the message center in the cluster it began saying power steering and the steering got very heavy or hard to turn which ever describes better, and i was approaching a curve so i panic and jerk the wheel very hard, the back end slides around hitting a cliff it's eastern ky they are a lot of clifts, after hitting the clift i bounced into a ditch head on, My airbags did not deploy nor did the seat belt catch like normal my car was demolished and i had only had it almost a year, i got the car in January and wrecked in December, I miss it but it had a lot of problems, the brakes would catch and it would sometimes give it's self gas, but the steering was one problem that ended my cobalts life...don't get me wrong the Chevy cobalt is a great car, it's fun for people but if its got problems like this it can me fatal it almost was for me, i didn't have extended warranty. so the insurance payed the car off and no my parnts insurance rates are up big time. Think before buying a Chevy they are nice to the eye, but bad to the wallet. i am thankful for this website.
2009Oct 06
Cobalt LS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
This cobalt was my second car and I work really hard keeping it in great condition by constantly getting the oil changed, tune-ups, you name it. On Tuesday WHILE driving down the HIGHWAY at 65 miles per hour all of the sudden my car rang "DING DING" and on the digital reading dash said "Power Steering". My steering went completely out without warning almost causing a severe accident on the highway. Luckily, I was strong enough to get the car over! Turns out the fix ranges anywhere from $900-$1500 in PARTS alone, so in labor it will be several hundred more. I can't believe that with all these complaints on here chevy has yet to issue a recall. Lives were put in direct risk. I am a student studying at a major university with a minimum wage paying job so raking up that amount of money will be near impossible in a timely manner. In the mean time I will be forced at the mercy of my friends for rides to school, work and errands. This is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!
2009Oct 04
Cobalt LS 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 72,850 miles
I've had the same problem with my 2005 cobalt LS twice so far. A couple months ago I was driving down the highway going 55 mph when I heard 3 dings. I looked down and power steering message was flashing across the information bar. When power steering wasn't flashing across the screen the temperature had lines instead of numbers like it couldn't register. My check engine light came on along with the traction control light. The speedo and tachometer were moving really erratic too. When I stopped and tried to pull out again it was like I popped the clutch on a manual shift while it shifted into 2nd. Then it bogged down really bad like it shifted way too early. I finally made it home then sent the car to the dealer a few days later. They told me it was the body control module and replaced it for me. I assumed everything was fixed but today for no apparent reason the whole thing started once again. When I got it fixed the first time I had a custom stereo in the car that was apparently hooked into that control module they changed. I bought the car used with the stereo already in it too. They unhooked it saying that it probably shorted out the module. So I took their word for it and left it unhooked....I haven't had a radio or cd player since then....but now that the problem started back even with the radio unhooked, the dealer was wrong. Its back to the dealer again this week to see what they say. Its kind of sad but I hafta drive my 1987 Toyota pickup to work (which is over 100 miles per day for me) but its more dependable than this piece of junk cobalt. If the Toyota got 32 miles per gallon like my cobalt, id save myself the trouble and go ahead and run the cobalt off a cliff.
2009Sep 12
Cobalt V4
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
My Cobalt keeps getting power steering problems where the steering wheel will shut down and get pretty stiff and the car would make like a jumping movement where if I brake it will turn off by itself.
2008Dec 29
Cobalt LS 2.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 15,000 miles
The first time this happened, it was supposedly fixed by the factory warranty. This has reoccurred twice and this final time is the big one. Went online to look up what type of power steering it had, as there was a debate. Then I found all of these amazing stories of similar nature. Unbelievable. GM should be ashamed. Going to the shop in the morning. We'll see how this will be handled.
2009Sep 16
Cobalt LS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
Hi, I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt, and my power steering has been going out off and on for the past month or so. I took it back where I bought it. They ran it through some tests and did a road test and charged me $81 to tell me nothing was wrong. Since then, it has gone out a good dozen times. On Wednesday, it went out three times in one afternoon. Since then it hasn't gone out at all, and seems to have something to do with the temperature outdoors since it only seems to bother when it is above 70 degrees. At first I thought it happened only when I had the air on, but it will do it when the air is off too. It never happens in the morning, though, only the afternoon, so I'm thinking it has to have something to do with the outside temperature. It is more apt to happen when I'm going at a slower speed, but I'll just be driving down the road, minding my own business, and all of a sudden, I hear "ding, ding, ding." The power steering light is on and I have NO power steering. I checked another website this week, and found hundreds of similar complaints. I'm going to a Chevy garage on Tuesday, and I printed out eleven pages of complaints to take with me. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. We need a recall!
2009Aug 09
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 27,000 miles
My father-n-law bought me a used 2005 Chevy Cobalt in February. I had no problems what so ever with the car. It was practically brand new. It only had about 17,000 miles on it. Then about a month ago the "power steering" started to go out. It would go out about every 2-3 days, and when it did I would just pull over, turn it off, then restart. Then it started happening more and more. Now, I turn it on, pull out of the driveway and it goes out. I recently learned that the power steering is electric. What's with that. Well, I called the dealer where the car was originally from and they said that they have been receiving several calls about this problem. The guy said that it was probably the motorpack that's in the car where the brake/gas pedal is at. The guy himself said that there should be a RECALL for this particular reason. At first I loved this car. Now I can't stand it. I'm a single mother of four. I can't afford costs like these.
2009Sep 15
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
This 05 cobalt is a piece of crap the steering just went bad on it and the power locks have also gone bad and chevrolet wants a ton of money to fix this stuff and we have only had the car since last feb of 08 and problem after problem the steering is problem is annoying cause nothing should cost that much to fix especially when everyone else is having the same problem why isnt there a recall on this, I know why its a way fro GM to get more money so the assholes that run it can pay on there big house and expensive foreign made car that they drive and dont care about anyone but them and the money they make someting needs to be done I cant afford to fix this problem with the steering and locks next car i get will not be a chevy or gm made car and I prefer chevy and now I'm thinking of buying a Ford or Dodge
2009Sep 16
Cobalt LS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
I tried sending this before, but it isn't showing. I've been having problems with my power steering going out for the past month. I'll be driving down the road, minding my own business, and suddenly, the power steering just quits. The bell rings, the light comes on and I have NO power steering. I turn the engine off, turn it back on, and it's okay until it decides to quit again. It has happened at least a dozen times. On Wednesday, it did it three times in one afternoon. It hasn't done it since. I have no warning, and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme nor reason, only it seems to happen in warmer weather, with or without the air conditioner running. It has never happened in the morning when it is cooler, no matter how far I drive. Wednesday morning, I drove 50 miles to a meeting and it didn't bother me, but it happened three times in the afternoon, so I have to blame the outside temperature, though I'm not sure why that would happen. I looked online and found hundreds of similar complaints. I took it back where I bought it and they charged me $81 to tell me there is nothing wrong with it. I am going to a Chevy dealer Tuesday to see if they will help me. I purchased an extended warranty from "Auto Select." I hope the Chevy dealer will take it. If not, I may have to go back where I purchased it again. This is a nightmare. I can't afford to pay $1000 to $2000 to fix it, so I NEED that extended warranty.
Update from Sep 22, 2009: I took my car to a Chevy dealer today and I have to have a new steering column. Thankfully, I purchased an extended warranty for the car, and they are willing to cover it. I just have to pay the $100 deductible. I emailed Chevrolet yesterday and said I thought they should have a recall. Of course the power steering wouldn't go out when I went to the garage, but tonight, it went out again when I was just coming home from my next-door neighbor's house, about a quarter mile away.
2009Sep 14
Cobalt LS 4 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I bought this car so I could have a reliable car. I got it in Aug. 2005. Before I even signed the papers problems with the air conditioner. Should have known then it was a lemon. Since then in 2007 Traction Controll light comes, Power Steering goes out, Transmision shifts really hard, clicking in the gear shifter, gauges for speed and RPM's bounce all around, and check engine light comes on. There is a few other things but the list goes on and on. All these things happen together. I could be just starting the car or driving down the road. Can not predict when it will happen or how long it last. Sometimes it takes only one time turning car off and on sometimes a few times. It's CRAP!!! I have taken it in they can't figure it out. Nothing shows up on diagnostics. I want the problem fixed. Hopefully this helps.
2009Sep 05
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
Without warning, this past Saturday, the Power Steering Message came on in my 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt and the power steering failed. Fortunately, my husband and I were just coming to a stop at a stoplight. I managed to get to a station and off the highway. We were about four blocks from the house and got the car home...thank god for the weight training I've been doing!! I made an appointment at the car shop and was told that the diagnostic test showed C0475 as the error code. Also, that this code COULD mean the power steering motor was bad. What they couldn't tell me for sure is if the power steering column caused the motor to go bad???????????? GM, if you are going to code issues, why not code all the issues so customers don't have to guess at what problem they have? I was told it would cost me $480.00 (This is at KOONS in Manassas, VA) to have the motor replaced and $940.00 to have the steering column replaced. AHhh here's the rub, I could replace the motor and still have the problem and then they would have to replace the column...the column contains the motor...I asked if I went with the motor and then later have to do the column if they would reimburse me for monies put out for the motor and was told flatly, NO I can't do that... So, I went with the motor because I have to rent a car for the week since it's going to take 2 -3 days to get the part blah blah blah...I don't want this car...I will NEVER buy another Chevrolet car AGAIN - EVER!!!!!!! I have about 60,000 miles on the car - bought used in 2006..I have another 2 1/2 years of payments.....I am seriously thinking of trading the car in for another one and take the higher payments...reading all the complaints scares the crap out of me...I don't want to be driving 65 mph on Rt 66 and loose my power steering...
AUTOBEEF, are the complaints listed here being sent to the manufacturer? Sent to President OBAMA since he (gov't) owns part of this company?
2009Aug 27
Cobalt
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
My power steering went out in my car a couple of weeks ago, at first I could just turn it off then turn it back on and it would drive fine for awhile. Now its to the point of as soon as I turn on my car and pull out of my drive way it goes out and wont just fix if i restart it. Every time i have to drive it gets harder and harder to fix. I am a 20 yr old woman and take care of myself i can't afford for things like this to keep happening. Today i called GM and tried to complain but the guy i was on the phone with said if there is not a recall then there is nothing he can do, but i did inform him about this website and others and let him know that they are about to have hell with these cars. Everyone definitely needs to call and complain so that something can be done, this is ridiculous! Plus i didn't mention the other problems ive had with this car, its just completely outrageous i thought it was just me and bad luck... but obviously not.
2008Nov 01
Cobalt LS
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Last August (2008) was when I bought my used 2005 Chevy cobalt LS. It was running perfectly fine until November. I was making a right turn into my work when the steering wheel went stiff-as if I couldn't steer correctly. After that the power steering went in and out constantly for a week. Then finally, it just quit working. When I went to get my oil change, I asked them to do a diagnostic on my car and unfortunately they said that I had electrical power steering which meant, I needed a whole new power steering unit! As I read and researched all the details online about power steering failure in this make and model, I came to realize that this is a common thing. Now please excuse my french, but WHAT THE FU#K?! There must be a recall on this because I'm definitely not the only one experiencing this issue..
2009Sep 06
Cobalt LX 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
While driving I lost power steering and power steering light went on... talk about Dangerous this problem needs to be recalled
i have owned nothing but Chevy's since i owned my first car a 1978 Monte Carlo..and my husband and i currently own 4 Chevy's but if Chevy does not own up to this problem it will be my last GM vehicle.
2009Aug 30
Cobalt 2.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 67,000 miles
Ok so basically what everyone is saying is totally true. When i first got my cobalt i was so happy with it and the first two years it was great. Then on my third year i had to replace a control arm which cost 800 dollars. Now my power-steering is acting up and to fix it will cost 1-2000 dollars from what i been pricing. It happened on I 95 going 65 mph and i almost crashed into some cars because my motor over revved and jolted my car. My locks randomly lock and unlock and my car over revvs all the time and im worried i will blow the motor. This car after its warranty is a piece of crap. I cant believe all the things that have went wrong with it. After 6 months paint was chipping off my hood, after a year the paint on half of the buttons on my radio were chipping and the shifter keeps coming loose. I am trading this car in and hope to get something for it. I still owe 5000 dollars on this car and now its not even worth that much and its not worth it to fix it. So now im going to be stuck with a higher car payment but it will be worth it because this car is a piece of crap. Im never buying a GM car again!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2012Jan 23
Cobalt LT
click to see larger images
Bought this vehicle for my daughter to take to college with her. We originally had a 2006 Cobalt and had no problems but it was totaled in an accident so we went to our local dealership to find another car for her. We came across this 2005 Cobalt LT... top of the line everything and the best part was it only had 14,000 miles on it. You read that correctly! A 2005 with 14,000 miles. We thought wow what a find. Supposedly it belonged to a snow bird, one owner with a clean car fax. So we bought it cash and patted ourselves on the back for getting such a good deal. Our daughter came home for the weekend and we picked up the car on Friday, January 20, 2012. Daughter drove back to Tampa on Sunday no problems. Monday night she was driving it home from school when suddenly she said bells started going off, power steering failed, power steering light is on as well as the t/c light and it was bucking and shuddering. Wouldn't go any faster than 40 miles hr and the gauges were jumping all over the place. Scared to death she pulled off the road and immediately called us. (This was 10:30pm ) Advised her to not get on highway and take the streets back to her apartment which she did. When she got home she found this website and found out that the car had been recalled for p/s issues so Tuesday morning she took it to her local Chevy dealer thinking that perhaps the recall had never been done. Well it had been done and further more the dealership could not find anything wrong with the car, kept it for 2 days but could not replicate the problem. On Sunday she was driving back from a study group and the same thing happened again. So we drove to go pick up the car, gave her our car and drove home. We had stopped for something to eat and after the car being off for a bit, we had no problems with it on the 2 hr ride home. Took it to the dealership where we bought it and had to have the steering gear assembly replaced as well as some minor other parts replaced that had worked when we got the car but were not working now. They couldn't find anything wrong with transmission. After having car for 10 days we finally got it back and thought all was ok. (dealership picked up total cost) All was okay for 2 weeks then same thing happened all over again only this time the brake light, abs light and security system light were all going off as well as all the previous issues. She had the presence of mind to take pictures and to record it on her cell phone. Once 'gin made 3 hr trip to get car and again drove home with no problems. Took it next day back to dealer, showed the pics and video my daughter had taken. Was without car this time for 2 weeks. This time, it was the power steering module and they replaced the steering column assembly as well as the torque converter again at no cost to us. By now I decided that I didn't want daughter to take car back until i knew for sure it was ok. Picked up car on Thursday night, didn't drive it for the weekend and Monday afternoon while driving to grocery store same thing happened yet again. Lights flashing, bells ringing, car shuddering an bucking etc. Was most terrifying experience I have ever had. Called dealer immediately, told him I was bringing car back and wanted him to drive it to see that I was not nuts. He didn't even get off the bay area when he backed up and said I'm not driving this car. I told him I no longer wanted the car-in the 6 weeks I had it, it was in the shop more than in my possession. He called the GM of the dealership and had him come over and explained what was happening. GM was very concerned and told me to let them try and fix the problem one more time and if anything else happened, he would get me into another car. Well, they drove the car for over 100 miles over the course of 2 days and could not get it to duplicate the problem and nothing was showing on the diagnostics that there was a problem. So to end the story, they took the car back, credited me for the full amount for everything I paid and are putting me into a 2006 Mazda 3i. Of course I have checked this website and there are absolutely no complaints on this year Mazda. Yay!!!! Kudos to Coral Springs Auto Mall for going out of their way to make things right!! (Sorry for such a long post)
Linda F.
Tamarac, Florida, USA
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