Print this page

CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Cobalt continued to carry the torch first lit by the 2005 model year. To be clear, that torch is burning bright with widespread power steering issues, electrical curiosities and a dangerous ignition switch defect which led to a massive recall by GM. This isn’t a great torch to carry.

The 2006 added it’s own special flare with gas leaks due to cracks in the “return portion of the modular reservoir assembly.” A recall of 2006 Cobalts was issued to fix the problem, but only to vehicles sold in or current registered in Arizona and Nevada, leaving other owners to pay for repairs themselves.

Between this car stalling while driving, giving owners fits with power steering failure and having it be a potential tinderbox because of gas leaks, we felt we had no other option than to award it our “Avoid Like the Plague” badge.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
32 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
121 / 3
Average Mileage:
65,780 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.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #342

Feb 112019

Cobalt

  • 125,000 miles

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

Car stopped 01/2019, repaired ($400) 2/11/2019: Still not working: Check engine light on, power steering light on, key gets stuck in ignition, alternator replaced, battery replaced, codes: Iso 9141, lwp2000, link error. I need this car for work and Chevy dealer says my VIN not attached to recall notices. Please attach recalls to this VIN

- Ontario, CA, USA

problem #341

Jan 232019

Cobalt

  • 120,576 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was restarted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,576.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #340

Jan 172019

Cobalt

  • miles
Takata recall the car will randomly lose power steering. The power steering message will display on the dash and the steering wheel will lock up. You will then hear a clicking sound as if the transmission is going bad. The car will jerk forward really hard and as you bring the car to a stop, the car will shake and you will hear all kinds of rattling. The gauges on the dash will all jump up & down! and you have no idea of the speed you're going. The check engine light will come on as well as the car with the lock light. Sometimes the steering wheel will unlock itself but you will also have all of the other symptoms. As I stated earlier it happens randomly so I have to constantly pull over to avoid an accident! if you attempt to keep driving it there's a chance the car will completely shut off and you will lose control of the gas pedal and brake pedal. I contacted General Motors and they stated the car had already been fixed and I got it after the warranty so it's all in my hands. Why does the customer have to literally pay for the mistakes of the company I've literally read thousands of reviews of people having these same issues. It's an extremely dangerous car!! and we need to be compensated. This happens when the car is stationary, in motion, on the street, and on the highway.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #339

Dec 162018

Cobalt

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While parking the vehicle in the driveway, the contact forgot to place the shifter into park and removed the key from the ignition switch. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle while in gear, but it failed to start. The contact noticed the vehicle was still in gear and placed the gear shifter into park. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but it failed to start. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to estle Chevrolet (located at 1515 N clinton St, defiance, oh 43512, (419) 785-8015), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- 9413 Anderson St, OH, USA

problem #338

Jul 302018

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to power steering, electrical and ignition switch issues.

- Inkster, MI, USA

problem #337

Aug 052015

Cobalt

  • 119,000 miles
I was driving on the highway and my traction control came on. I lost steering control and my car started shifting rough and eventually my power deminished. Now comes on periodically for a couple days then will go off and drive fine. Also my airbag light stays on for passenger and shows it to be off. Has done this since I bought it.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

problem #336

Aug 032013

Cobalt

  • 40,000 miles

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

Passenger air bag sensor works intermittently. Ignition shuts car off when hitting bumps as well as not turning off completely when parked. Front right wheel bearings continue to fail, replaced 3 times in 3 years.

- Joplin, MO, USA

problem #335

Nov 102017

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles
Failure to communicate with tcm/ECM/PCM. This problem has caused several occurances where driving the vehicle has been hazardous. Because of either the wiring or the tcm itself, I, the consumer, have nearly been in 2 accidents. At first I was told that it was the power steering assist module. Replaced that and problem still occurred. When the problem occurs, the gauges jump up and down and completely stop working (speedometer and tachometer), transmission shifts extremely hard when accelerating, power steering illuminates in the data information box which in turn causes loss of power steering (replaced power steering assist motor, issue still happens, 1 occurance of loosing power steering and being able to stop before going off the side a mountain when trying to maneuver a right hand turn), check engine light illuminates, when shifting from park to reverse, reverse to neutral, neutral to drive, the transmission engages very hard and results in an audible "clunk". 1 occurance of vehicle switching gears into neutral from drive, while driving (shift lever still in drive position),passlock light also illuminates in dash. Vehicle consistenly acts as it is going to stall (headlights and dash lights dim). Checked alternator and battery, both in optimal working condition. Presenting diagnostic code include P0700 and U0100. Vehicle maintanence has been performed at 3,000 mile intervals but has been pulled off the road due to the 2 occurances of near accidents. Vehicle has been experiencing issues for several months prior to removing it from opperation. I know for a fact, this Cobalt is not the only one having this issue.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #334

Mar 132018

Cobalt

  • miles
I had the ignition switch changed 3 years ago and it is now messed up. My car won't start and I need a new ignition switch

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

problem #333

Jan 122016

Cobalt

  • 96,400 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While attempting to park the vehicle, all the warning indicators on the instrument panel illuminated. In addition, the vehicle's alarm started to sound loudly. The contact had to turn the vehicle off and restart it in order to drive the vehicle. The contact called mission Chevrolet at (915) 799-9169 (1316 george dieter dr, el paso, tx 79936) and was informed that there was no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 96,400.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #332

Jan 072018

Cobalt

  • 134,000 miles

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

Takata recall. I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt 2.2. the traction control light is on and the power steering is on the dash. When driving it has a hard shift to it and power steering at all. It all start with the traction control light come on. I cant not get it off.

- Linclon, DE, USA

problem #331

Dec 142017

Cobalt

  • miles
Takata recall: I recently purchased a vehicle from someone (private owner) and as the tags will soon expire so I decide to get what needs maintenance done to turn that check engine light off. I got a free estimate from O' reilly's and told me to go to Chevy and get the maintenance done to my safety recalls. Next morning I drive over to Chevy's dealership where I was denied any recall being done by an employee named sean popplewell. I told him to print me out a paper of what had been done, needing to be done and also took it up with the manager. The service manager confirms I cannot be denied for a maintenance but sees that the only maintenance open online is a service update and that there is nothing they can do salvaged or not. As I recently purchased the vehicle I am being denied my right to a safety recall, not only being denied while driving my 1 and a half year old son, in a vehicle who's check engine light is on due to the safety recalls that I am being denied to. I am within my right to 10 years after the recall is distributed to get the recall done within that time, they are not allowing me too. The car is 100% driveable but I need to get this taken care of so I am not denied in my smog test. I was also not the original owner and the law states that I am not held accountable for a previous owners lack of responsibility, I was not aware, I've never had received proper notification I should not be denied service. It's sad to know they have denied me these rights in front of myself and my 1 and a half year old who is in the car 24.7.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #330

Sep 012017

Cobalt

  • 138,629 miles
Power steering contributed to a single vehicle wreck that call cause driver to slide into a ditch. Also electrical problems cause the wipers not to work in misty rainy conditions. Hood latch will not come up with out using extra force.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #329

Jul 072017

Cobalt

  • miles
My ignition ion switch is very loose some times can't start car. My locks unlock and lock by them self..this happens while driving and while sitting still.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #328

May 172017

Cobalt

  • miles
Signal showing airbag needs servicing goes on and off while driving. Headlights, low beam (both of them) just stopped working. New bulbs and new fuses are not the problem. Now, I can't even keep my high beams in "on" position. Only if I hold the switch. I've had this car for under 3 months. Driver's side door lock sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I have to unlock the door manually (sometimes). I find that odd. My largest problem is obviously headlights. I have 2 children and can't drive at night, even in an emergency.

- Kearny, NJ, USA

problem #327

Apr 282017

Cobalt

  • 55,699 miles
Engine started jerking.malfuntion engine block light came on the dashboard.car was in motion on a city street going on a straight line.after dealer inspection diag-needs code P0300-#1 misfires-needs ignition coil and module.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #326

Apr 032017

Cobalt

  • 187,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Whether the vehicle was being driven or idling, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the transmission when shifting gears. Also, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and seized while in park. An unknown warning indicator illuminated and the speedometer malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that an electrical module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000.

- Lagrange, NC, USA

problem #325

Mar 012017

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles
Ignition lock - car gets stuck in the ignition and won't release. Locks on door move up and down on their own and eventually run battery down gear shift tries to shift on its own and clicks frequently

- Middletown, MD, USA

problem #324

Mar 042017

Cobalt

  • 102,000 miles
While driving my traction control light came on then my power steering flashed on as well. My car jersey like it was gonna cut off. I cuthink it off and it started back up. From what I have read this seems to be an ongoing problem with Cobalts.

- Big Island, VA, USA

problem #323

Jan 262017

Cobalt

  • 148,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While accelerating to 5 mph from a complete stop, the power steering failed without warning. He vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?