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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.

The power steering failed so often that GM was forced to issue a recall in March, 2010. Great, but what about other problems like the key getting stuck in the ignition or all the other electrical demons this car possesses?

And, oh yes — then there’s the terribly dangerous issue where the Cobalt randomly shuts off while driving. As it turns out, that problem is related to GM’s massive 2014 recall for a dangerous ignition switch defect. A recall that eventually ballooned to 2.6 million vehicles in one of the automotive industry’s biggest scandals.

6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,016 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt windows / windshield problems

windows / windshield problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #3

Sep 102006

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have 33000+ miles on my Cobalt. Lately the wipers have been going into pulse mode while the selector is in regular speed. They always work in high and in pulse. When the wipers start to pause I move the selector to high so that I can see to drive. The selector lever does not appear to be moving around. I have not examined this and I have not called my local Chevrolet dealer.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #2

Jan 152006

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
Windshield washer unit does not work when outside temperature is below 38 degrees. It appears to be a vehicle feature as opposed to just a frozen washer unit as I have tested it multiple times. This causes major problems when driving in snow or salted roads as visibility is almost zero.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 282005

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48 miles
Car purchased 2/21/05. Windshield fluid not in the car. Driving on highway mud was splash on window tried to wash it off, no fluid, mud smeared on window had to pull over on the highway to manually wipe off-2/05. Horn not working or was never put in, had to wait 3 days for replacement-3/05. Brake light coming on whether car is in motion or not. First reported 3/05 then again in 4/05. Told that the fuse may be going out. Still does this as of 9/05. Radio/cd player locks if you start the car an immediately adjust the volume have to restart car to unlock- 5/05. Back lighting for console does not come on all the time while in automatic mode. Unable to see speed if driving through a tunnel not well lit. Driver side tire making squeaky noises and grinding sound when parking in reverse. First reported 5/05 told may be brake dust still doing this as of 9/05. Appt pending. Headlight blew out 9/05. Back window passenger side not sealed properly you can hear and feel the wind coming in while on the highway its a pain. All of these thing were reported to dealer and General Motors on survey.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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