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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:
49 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
40 / 4
Average Mileage:
51,861 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #112

Jan 082017

Cobalt

  • miles

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

Just bought 2006 Chevy Cobalt ss I know there was a recall for the power steering going out I called the dealership about the recalls I gave them the VIN and over the phone they said there is still 3 recalls for the car I went there today and they said there was only one they fixed it but it wasn't the power steering he said it was already fixed but there been times the power steering goes out on its own and I'm curious if they are still responsible for fixing that recal. Another thing was the airbags which I believe was another recall for the car the airbag lights is on and once again they refused to cover it.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #111

Sep 282016

Cobalt

  • miles
My vehicle has been turning off while I have been driving. This abrupt "turning off" started occurring even before the ignition switch was changed by GM but now it is becoming more frequent. Prior to the ignition switch being change, each time the car would turn off the airbag sensor would flash repeatedly. After the ignition switch was changed I notified the dealer that the airbag sensor remained lit, and they just told me that it was a faulty sensor and that it had nothing to do with what was fixed on the ignition. The dealer also told me that if I chose to have it fixed, it would be an out of pocket expense. I never took the car back to the dealer to have that repair. This month I was in a car accident on the interstate and the airbags did not deploy. Although th accident did occur because of the car turning off on me, I am concerned that the airbags did not deploy that day and that my car continues to turn off on me. It doesn't matter what speed the vehicle is going either, the vehicle turns itself off. It's has happened in normal traffic after attempting to cross and intersection, on the highway and even while making a turn. I really feel this could cause a major car accident if not repaired soon. I have taken my car to the shop to have it diagnosed but they cannot find what is wrong with the car. One mechanic said it was an electrical problem. Another mechanic said it could be the transmission. I keep getting conflicting diagnoses.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #110

Jun 202016

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was involved in a front end collision and the air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the seat belt pretensioner failed to retract. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The driver sustained a sprained shoulder, facial abrasions, and minor cuts. The passenger sustained a laceration to the chin. Both occupants required medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

problem #109

Jan 312016

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 55 mph, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained bruises, cuts, and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Cameron, TX, USA

problem #108

Jul 202015

Cobalt

  • 138,287 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained facial injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,287.

- Dalton, GA, USA

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problem #107

Oct 212015

Cobalt

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained whiplash, a sprained shoulder, and lower back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Shirley, NY, USA

problem #106

Apr 242014

Cobalt

  • 153,113 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact stated that a sulphur odor emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after an hour. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic but was unable to diagnose the failure and the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned and reset and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,113.

- Camden, SC, USA

problem #105

Aug 252015

Cobalt

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph over a hill on a railroad track, the contact crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the forehead, a bruise on the hairline, and whiplash that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA

problem #104

Aug 162015

Cobalt

  • 7,358 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at 60 mph, the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,358.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #103

Apr 012014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
I bought this car used last March (2014) with 56000 miles on the car. The airbag light came on (within a month of purchase) and has stayed on. It turns out to be the airbag sensor module. It will cost $850 before taxes to fix this issue. I am a single mom who is working her way through college. I simply can not afford to get this light fixed. I have contacted Chevy several times and have begged them for financial help. I even asked them to supply the part and I would pay for labor. I found on this website a recall for over 2 million Cobalt's to have the airbag module replaced. Chevy is telling that this recall is not to my car because the recall is not attached to my VIN number. I was hoping that you could further assist me with the recall and to see if it would happen to apply to my car. It looks like this is a common problem among Cobalts. Please and thank you for your time.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #102

Sep 182014

Cobalt

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition switch and released after numerous attempts. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). After the recall remedy was performed the ignition key would only released when the steering column button key release was engaged. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Grundy, VA, USA

problem #101

Dec 012013

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
I have read on multiple forums one being, aside from just one website being evident of reports for my request I to have found that my vehicle's air bag light turns on when there is no one in the seat (passenger) as well as turns off when there are person's in the seat. Not only that, but at random times on the main console while driving, it will say "service air bag" while also illuminating the red air bag display on the driver's hud (assuming that is for the driver's air bag) please please look into this. Preferably the passenger side, it would be nice to have the air bag on at all times or to allow the driver/passenger to turn it on or off. I have called several mechanics at Chevy dealerships who all say they can't just turn it on and to service it they would only make the seat sensor more sensitive, I don't believe that will solve this issue. As far as I know the air bag won't deploy when the "service air bag" shows up.

- Lakewood, WA, USA

problem #100

Mar 082015

Cobalt

  • 116,427 miles
Starting on Sunday I was driving down the highway and my car suddenly shut off. The power steering light flashed and then the service air bag light as well. I pulled over, stopped completely, and turned my car back on and took the back roads home. After turning the car back on the warning lights on the display were gone. The next day I was on a different highway and the same thing happened except when I turned my car back on the service air bag light stayed on until I returned home. I had the recall on the ignition switch replaced last year.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #99

Jul 192014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 85,685 miles
When the company recalled the ignition switch, which affects the airbag system, we took the vehicle in for service and they replaced the ignition switch but didn't fix the airbag system problem. In the vehicle's dashboard display screen the service airbag light is still on. The mechanic said it wasn't related. He wrote on the service invoice for the ignition switch recall, "air bag warning related to no communication from airbag module".

- Newton Center, MA, USA

problem #98

Apr 142014

Cobalt

  • 100,098 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,098.

- Monte Vista , CO, USA

problem #97

Nov 022009

Cobalt

  • 32,150 miles
I have owned my 2006 Chevy Cobalt since 2008. Starting in 2009 all the way until now 2014 I have had issues with the car that are related to the ignition switch recall. I took my car in to the Chevy dealer to take care of the ignition switch recall on November 5, 2014. I got my car back the same day, they replaced the ignition switch and gave me two new keys. Surprise! two days later on November 7, 2014 my car again had the exact same problems related to the ignition switch recall that it did before I took it in for the recall fix. Hence, Chevy's "recall ignition switch fix" does not solve the problem with these cars! my car still does the following things even after the ignition switch fix that is supposed to solve these problems. Whenever it pleases it will lose electrical power and turn off the engine, leaving me stuck in the middle of a busy highway, this has happened on numerous occasions!! as if that isn't bad enough there's more! the power steering light flashes, the check engine light comes on, the service airbag light comes on, the gauges on the dash completely stop working properly the speedometer needle goes haywire moving from 0 mph to 60 mph back and forth non-stop when I'm not even accelerating to those speeds. The RPM gauge does the exact same thing. The car jolts forward uncontrollably, like it is having a problem shifting especially when the RPM is between 2000 and 3000. When you go to brake you have to slam the brakes all the way down because you lose your normal braking power the car skids as you're braking and continues to jolt forward uncontrollably. Oh and on top of all of this sometimes the power steering completely goes out leaving you with all of the problems mentioned above and you can't steer properly! something needs to be done immediately! the ignition switch recall fix does not work! these cars should not be on the road period.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #96

Nov 292013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I was driving the car at about 32 mph when the engine shut down. I traveled across four lanes hitting the curb head on then hitting a concrete flower bed( approximate hit 12-14 inches), traveling over this again hitting a curb in a parking lot and then the car came to a rest. The airbags did not deploy and the car was not running. This is not the first time the car has stopped running like this. When I first purchased it in February 0F 2006 within the first week the ignition would not turn over requiring a trip to the dealership. The ignition has been replaced at least 5 times. About three months into owing it I was driving down the road and the engine was trying to restart it self. It then stopped and I ended up in a ditch. Again the airbags did not deploy. Finally, in 2012 a school bus backed into the front of the car with it running and the airbags did not deploy. The igniton was replaced on 6/04/2014 under the mandatory recall. Within 3 days the ignition once again would not turn on and then when it did the engine dragged as if the battery was bad. The battery is one year old. I have had this problem non-stop since the replacement part. I called graff Chevrolet in mt. Pleasant and I got the standard response, "we can"T duplicate it". when I insisted the car needed to be looked at I was told, we have the right to refuse service and we can no longer service your car". I've called other dealerships only to be told the car needs to go back to where the recall part was replaced.

- Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

problem #95

Oct 172010

Cobalt

  • 75,000 miles
My vehicle airbag warning light has been on for years. GM has refused to cover the cost to repair it, stating it was my responsibility, even tho the airbag has never deployed. The warning light being on indicates that if I need the airbag it will not deploy. They issued a recall and my car wasn't included in it.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #94

Sep 042014

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure.

- Rehoboth Beach, DE, USA

problem #93

Sep 032014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. I have had issues with every part that has been issued a recall so far and then some. The latest issue is that my car is leaking gasoline under the driver side door. I see that there was a recall issued for this in 2009, but only for vehicles in certain states, in which I do not reside. I have also had issues with my ignition for several years, so it is good news that a recall has come up for it. Before the recall was issued for the power steering pump, I had no power steering for six months prior. I think that it is repulsive that GM can manufacture this car and just issue recall after recall with no consequence.

- Centreville, MD, USA

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