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 mother owned this 2005 chevrolet cobalt 4D (vin # stated above). The power steering seemed to have quit working, as it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. On Dec.28, 2021 she (& my 2 daughters) were turning left & her car was hit by another car on the right front (passenger side), front 1/4 panel. The car was spun around several times. My mother was temporarily knocked unconscience & then came to. Car was totalled out. (Doctor ignored to perform a head scan instead he scanned her back). My mother bled on her brain for 3 months & died. It was very devastating
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the electronic power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. Invalid VIN.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle there was an abnormal dinging sound present. The traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the transmission made an abnormal clicking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several years prior and the independent mechanic grounded out the traction control module however, the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact stated that the transmission shift point failed and caused the vehicle to shift gears incorrectly and causes the vehicle to jerk and stall. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and caused the steering wheel to be difficult to turn. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle speedometer failed to operate as designed while driving, providing speed readings of 40 mph, 20 mph, 50 mph intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the transmission control module however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also taken to several dealers and independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle worked as designed. Additionally, there was an abnormal beeping noise detected. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
- Smithburg, WV, USA
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When I got the car in June 2020 I got the key I was told to turn key to acc wait until lock icon go off my car alarms will sound anti theft system took to Chevrolet dealership, and they charged $$$ said they replaced several part's and still it's stalls, and loose powder steering, it says I have no fuel in car brake light on do not chimes when I get in car it makes it like I stealing the car and it shutdown everything been doing it sense July can't drive out no where stalls when I did try driving it engine light comes on then my steering wheel locks
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,087.
Power steering locks in and out by itself causing the car to shift hard and doesnt want to idle but when steering is working correctly it runs like a new car please help
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and attempting to turn the steering wheel in either direction, the steering wheel ceased without warning. The contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not determined. Neither the local dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon reversing out of a parking lot at a slow speed, the power steering ceased to operate, with the power steering warning message displayed on the instrument panel. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with power steering failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her to make an appointment with her local Chevrolet dealer. The contact had not yet taken the vehicle to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage on was unknown.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle lost power steering assist which caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. Rodgers auto group located at (2720 S. Michigan ave Chicago, il) was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the NHTSA campaign number 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that when coming off the intersection at about 10 mph, when the steering wheel failed without warning. The contact stated that they were only able to drive the vehicle straight forward. The contact had the vehicle towed. The contact, who was a certified mechanic, stated that after examining the vehicle they noticed the rack and pinon was completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact replaced the rack and pinon. The contact contacted an unknown dealer who informed the contact that their vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator remained illuminated and the power steering failed. As a result, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failures was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Anytime while driving, the power steering will flash on my dash and my car will start to jerk aggressively. If I can't pull over and I drive for just a while to find somewhere to pull over, my car will stop moving and start going backwards in the middle of the street. I had an O2 sensor replaced which stopped the power steering to go out for a while but it started back again. My power steering will also go out as I start the car, forcing me to turn the car, wait a few seconds and start it again. It can go on for a while and multiple mechanics have looked at the car because the check engine light comes on but they can't see anything wrong with it. I have to wait 30 seconds before I can drive my car, which can make me late to places if I have to do it multiple times, if I don't wait then the power steering will go out on me and it can happen anywhere. Last year, it went out while I was going 60mph on the highway and I couldn't go anywhere to pull over, I'm lucky I didn't cause an accident.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at any speed, the power steering seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the vehicle. The vehicle also lost fuel. The failures occurred without warning. The vehicle also hesitated and jerked violently, and "faulty power steering" and "loss of fuel" appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the service engine indicator illuminated and the transmission made an abnormal shifting noise. The contact called anderson Chevrolet (31201 auto center dr, lake elsinore, ca 92530, (951) 226-0822) and was informed that the transmission recall was serviced in 2009; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering seized and the power steering assist indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off and on approximately four times. Afterwards, the vehicle resumed normal operation. Cable dahmer Chevrolet of independence (1834 S noland rd, independence, mo 64055, (866) 650-1809) was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 197,000.
Takata recall power steering needs to be fixed it's a strong dangers turn when parking or driving which scares me a lot I just got a recall fixed on my ignition and I I thought this was apart of the recall I looked online notice a lot of complaints noticed mine acting up I need it fixed I have a family and I don't want nothing critical happening
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use force to pull over and restart the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the speedometer was not registering the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,254.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gotha, FL, USA