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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) and NHTSA action number: PE10005 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
The other day while driving through an intersection the power steering abruptly stopped working almost causing an accident! there is a warning on the dash that goes out after shutting the car off and restarting it. The power steering works for a few minutes then abruptly stops working again without notice!
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering wheel lost power without warning. The failure recurred several times. The contact called the moss bros. Chevrolet dealer at 951-485-3500 (located at 12625 auto mall dr., moreno valley, ca 92555), but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. On different occasions, while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. In addition, the air bag indicator illuminated, which was a safety concern. Billy navarre Chevrolet in lake charles, Louisiana was made aware of the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) had closed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 110,379.
- Lake Charles, LA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle's doors constantly locked independently. The contact had to crawl in and out of the vehicle through the window. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle lost power and the power steering and check engine indicators illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and powered off. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The contact called harry green Chevrolet at 304-624-6304 (1858 E pike St, clarksburg, wv 26301) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact about NHTSA campaign number: 07V014000 (structure). The contact had not received a recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While making a turn at 20 mph, the steering lost power and locked up. The vehicle was pulled over to a parking lot. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called feldman Chevrolet of new hudson at (248) 939-5399 (30400 lyon center drive E, new hudson, mi 48165) and was informed that there were no recalls. The dealer suggested a diagnostic test be performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 186,600. The consumer stating while driving the vehicle steering will lock up when making a turn.
My wife was involved in a crash in our 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt on 23 February 2018. Car lost power to power steering motor, ABS brakes, and air bags did not deploy after hitting a tree due to loss of steering and braking ability. I drove the car the morning before the crash and noticed the gauges and speedometer fluctuating moving all around, power steering light flashing on dash, I pulled over and turned the car ignition off and restarted car it then went away. My wife then drove the car going to her work and she called me about 5 minutes after leaving our house saying she has lost control of the car with no power steering or brakes, she was scared and hysterical and said she had crashed under a tree with in 1 mile of our house. The air bags did not deploy upon impacting the tree. I went to help her, I missed seeing the car on the first pass by, because it was in a briar patch under a tree as you can see in the pictures and the amount of damage done. She is very lucky that she was not injured. This car has been in for recalls for power steering motor(2) and ignition switch (1). It was not raining the day of the crash, she crashed approximately 10:20 am. I pulled the car out of the briar patch and drove it back to our house. I feel that this crash was due to the car losing power to steering, braking and air bags. My wife said there was a on coming car, that she was trying to avoid hitting, when the car entered the grass on the right side of the road the soft ground pulled the car off the road into the field and came to a stop after hitting a briar patch and tree. It could have been much worse my wife or someone else could be dead because of the problems the Chevrolet Cobalt has had. I filed a claim with our insurance company with $500 deductible, so we will probably be without a car because of this accident because of defective problems with this car.
This is the 3rd time I have tried to get a response from NHTSA to remedy a ongoing problem with GM and the eps issues that has plagued all owners of Cobalts-G5-G6-Saturn ion-etc. But it is apparent GM is turning a blind eye to the problem. It is blaintently obvious when consumers do contact GM directly their reply is that they haven't heard of this problem. I can as well as others testify that all of the complaints on social media and forums are out there. So how can they say it is something they haven't heard of? there's too much money to be made off of repairs.
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. As a result, the driver crashed into a concrete traffic barrier. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.
I was driving down I-69 from fort wayne and the steering had abruptly gone out and I had no power steering. I managed to slow down and pull onto the shoulder. Shut the vehicle off and restarted the engine and it seemed to have temporarily fix the problem enough for me to make it home. This isn't the first tine it has happened. I also let my daughters use the car to drive to college and back. I would hate to have it go out on them not being familiar with how to correctly gain control of a vehicle with no power steering. It would be a shame to have the loss of life due to GM's complete disregard to the quality of the products they seem to pass off onto the consumer market. There is a problem with the power steering and there are plenty of owners through social media that have the same problems. Why won't GM fix this issue before another life is taken. It shouldn't matter how I was driving to know that there is a problem with the eps system. I have sent a message before and have never had a response from anyone via email or mail delivery. I want this taken care of or I will never buy nor recommend anyone buy a GM product due to the total disregard of human life over saving (corporate) the almighty dollar. Not only did this junk get put into Cobalts but also Saturn vehicles as well. Cheaper product isn't always saving money in the end. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
'tamara recall' the eps is not working correctly. When making turns and when parking it stops working and very difficult to steer. There seems to be an ongoing problem with this vehicle. I have a coworker that has the same issue as well as numerous reports by consumers that have filed complaints with GM. My children use this vehicle to go to college and I want to have peace of mind that this is something that won't cost them their lives due to neglegence by GM! I don't think it should matter how or when it occurs! it's obvious that there is a problem and GM should think very seriously about this problem!
Takata recall the steering wheel wouldn't turn at all for my Chevy Cobalt 2005 and it was stationary in our parkway and we can barely move the steering wheel and I wanted to know if there is a recall for that?
Recall no. N100023 - I was driving up to a stop sign and all of a sudden I couldn't turn the wheel. I was almost at a stop. The power steering was gone. A little later it turned back on. Recall no. 09041 - when I shift there is a clicking sound that is made inside where the shifter is, and then all of my sudden my car jerks. This happens when I am in motion. It jerks to the point I am physically moved.
Takata recall while I am driving my power steering light comes on and my car will lose power steering. My gear shift starts making a clicking noise, when I press on gas when it goes to change gears it jumps into the next gear, when I try to stop it won't let me the engine feels like it is trying to go faster when I'm trying to stop. I have had fhe car for about 2 years and it's a ongoing problem.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost power and could not be steered. A dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
About once a month "power steering" appears on display, sometime power assist is gone, most times it is still there but transmission shifts very hard and stalls engine when stopped for red light. If power steering comes on right away after starting vehicle, shut off, smack pass side of center console, then start, usually off then, but if vehicle is hot from sitting in sun, or very cold in winter, you have to drive it and either heat it up or cool it off before pulling over parking and shut off for 15 minutes, then hit it then start it. Told dealer of this before P/S recall work was done they said it was not related, when I went to pick it up they ask if we were having trouble with the power steering and transmission, I said yes, they said oh have a nice day.
Power steering alarm appears on dashboard. Power steering stops working and transmission begins very hard shifting, causing car to 'buck' each time it shifts. The problem has occured both when stationary and when in motion. It was intermittent, but now occurs daily.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Crystal Lake, IL, USA