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 was driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions; proceeding to make a right turn when the "power steering" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering wheel locked, begin pulling in one direction, and it became difficult to control the steering wheel. Immediately, the engine was turned off and restarted. The contact was able to continue driving normally. The warning indicator remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The failure continued to occur whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle is in the process of being inspected by an authorized dealer. The contact had concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 47,950.
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt with less than 50,000 miles on in and the steering has locked up on it several times while driving. Luckily no damage or injury has occurred. I took it into a auto shop and they ran diagnostic on it and the codes came back as a faulty steering column and steering motor. After I got this news I googled this and to my surprise Chevy has never issued a recall on this serious defect. Hundreds if not thousands of people has had the same problem. Seems to me Chevy doesn't care about the well being of their customer.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt ls. While driving the "power steering" warning light illuminated on the instrument panel, and then there was a loss of power steering. The vehicle was restarted to reset the error code, and to resume normal vehicle operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, but because he could not duplicate the failure he could not provide a remedy. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 4,000. The current mileage was 5,277.
1. taking a left turn, my car dashboard flashed a "power steering" warning and my power steering went out. 2. the power steering goes out at least 2-3 times day making it very dangerous to drive. 3. I will be taking the car to the dealership to be repaired. I've been told it could be the power steering motor or the steering column. I cannot afford to replace the column and if that is what is wrong I will be forced to continue to drive the vehicle in its current condition.
On way to work on 10/26/2009 and power steering goes out. Second time in less than one year. First failure occurred on 11/24/208 and dealership corrected problem by replacing BCM and steering column. Also, said no communication with PCM causing check engine light to come on. Car is currently at dealership waiting to hear from them on second. Occurrence. The problems the second time were identical to first occurrence.
- Anniston, AL, USA
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I drive an 05 Chevy Cobalt and the steering component/transmission went bad. Just bought the car a few weeks ago. Last night I was simply driving to the library when all of a sudden the power steering flash on the dash board, the steering got really tight, the check engine light came on, other lights sporadically flashes, the speedometer goes berserk, the rm's same issue, even one point the gas meter was going out of control. And the car will shake badly. The car was working just fine the few hours I drove before. Luckily I was able to get it home without hurting anyone. I've read that many people have suffered the same problem and that Chevy should have a recall. I have not taken it to a dealer yet because I don't have the money for repairs.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While turning into a parking lot the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then there was a loss of power steering. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a technician concluded that the power steering motor needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 45681.
Vehicle was operating normally while driving on the interstate. Power steering alert came up on the dash and power steering instantly went out. Fortunately I was on a straight stretch of highway and managed to make it home safely. Power steering has not worked since. I am still looking for a reasonably priced remedy.
I have 2005 Chevy Cobalt. At first the power steering went out with less than 50000 miles on the car. When I restarted the car, the power steering comes back on. However, the car does it all the time now. Sometimes in the middle of turning. I switch the ignition key back and then forward to make it come back on but sometimes the car stalls. I do not have the money to fix right now considering I am still making payments on the car.
I own a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The power steering intermittently goes out causing the steering to be almost impossible. I am sure you realize what a serious problem this is. I have found that this is a defect from the factory but that GM refused to make it a recall item. I feel that GM should have to fix the defect at no charge to us owners. 8tr
I own a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt ls and twice the power steering has failed while I was driving, once on the freeway and once while turning. The dashboard read "power steering."
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact noticed that while making a right turn, the steering wheel began making a grinding noise. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 53000.
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!
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While attempting to make a right turn into a parking lot the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and the power steering failed. She was able to safely restart the vehicle to resume normal vehicle operation. She notified the dealer, and a technician advised her that she would have to pay a diagnostic fee of $1000 to inspect the vehicle. No repairs were made. The vehicle identification number was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 43,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Chester, PA, USA