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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 1 of 7)

problem #132

Dec 212018

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles

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

While driving on expressway, car went dead> had to make an emergency stop. Power steering went out, but after restarting the car it was ok. It keeps happening off and on- on occasions. I kept smelling gas, took it to car repair shop was told I could not drive the vehicle, was told the gas tank had to be replaced or whatever the part inside the gas tank. Note: When the power steering problem arrived I was leaving going to work. I started the car but the steering was hard to turn so I pulled back into parking space and turned off the engine. I restarted after a few minutes-was able to steer ok. Upon smelling gas this went on for serval days. I thought it was fumes from other cars. I would smell gas while driving it. One day as I pulled up to work I got out of the car and noticed something wet next to my front tire. I could smell gas fumes. I took it to repair shop the next day. Shop told me the car could have caught on fire.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #131

Sep 082020

Cobalt

  • 172,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, she was informed that NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E021000(electrical system) and 10V073000(steering) were associated with the VIN. The contact then took the vehicle to jeff johnson Chevrolet(2533 carrollton pike, woodlawn, va 24381) where she dropped the vehicle off to have the recalls repaired. While driving at 45 mph, the steering wheel locked as an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove straight into ditch and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. There were no injuries due to the accident and a police report was not filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to her fianc's house. She immediately called the dealer to inform them of the accident and also informed that she had noticed that the steering wheel was slanted to the right by about one to two inches upon return of the vehicle. The dealer informed her that her vehicle was not apart of the steering wheel recall. The contact called another dealer, flow Buick-GMC(1945 skibo rd, fayetteville, nc 28314) where she was informed that since the recall had already been serviced, they could not assist her with the matter. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and was informed that a senior advisor would contact her about the matter. The senior advisor had called her back and informed her that the recall was inactive and that they would contact the initial dealer to get their side of the story. The contact had yet to hear back from the advisor. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.

- Galax, VA, USA

problem #130

Aug 052020

Cobalt

  • miles
1.gas smell - fuel leaks after leak fix still smell gas (even after setting for a couple of days. 2-door lock issues-even after fixed by GM-now won't lock at all 3.air bags- GM stated that they could not get parts in 4.electronic issues -start auto now show-power steering, had checked by GM wont ECM won't cummunicate with tcm. I have had all of this checked by anthony Chevrolet and nothing has been done! state they cannot get parts and or not worth fixing.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #129

Jul 232020

Cobalt

  • 13,000 miles

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

On 7-20-20 I spoke with stephanie ( 1-800-222-1020) on the NHTSA site, were I got the phone number. I told her I entered my VIN and found there were 6 recalls on my 2006 Chevy Cobalt. I explained to her on 7-15-20, I left for work but noticed my power steering was not working properly. I was afraid I would not be able to make the turn onto the expressway because of the steering. I went and purchased power steering fluid, only to learn there was no place to put it. Stephanie and I looked at the recalls together. We discussed the numerous recalls she saw along with me. She set-up a diagnostic appointment here in conway, ark were I now reside for 7-23-20 @ 7:00am. Superior dealership. I arrived and (lisa) asked if I had an appointment, I said yes. I told her what my issue was and she went into my car and pulled out something under the dash. She had in her had something she said would light up red if there was a problem. I was under the impression I was going to have to place the vehicle on a machine in order to find out the problems. She then told me there were three recalls on the car but they all had been fixed. And stated I would be charged $ $150 for a diagnostic test. I explained to her I had not received any communications pertaining to recalls on the vehicle. I clearly saw on the NHTSA site recalls for, the gas tank which I had to replace because it was leaking gas. I replaced a fuel throttle because when I was driving on the expressway I lost power in rush hour traffic. There is a problem with the air bag because it is showing it's off, so I know if I were to get into an accident it will not deploy. I believe the recalls I saw on the site were legit recalls. I'm not certain how they disappeared from the site when I showed up for my appointment only a few days later. I was told I could pay the $150 because their techs had to be paid or get rid of the car.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #128

Jul 062020

Cobalt

  • miles
Power steering light come on and off and anti-theft light comes on and off usually when turning and on highway

- Carrollton, TX, USA

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problem #127

May 282020

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 202,385 miles
The car isn't drivable. Electric power steering out, electric plugs and wires, won't start at all. No clicks, nothing. If you turn the key nothing happens, but a light that is a car with a lock through it. This is my daughter's only transportation. I saw there was a recall on the power steering and electrical. Thank you kathy key

- Palatka, FL, USA

problem #126

Mar 142015

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles

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

Service airbag light is randomly popping up on the dash! this happens when the car is running and in motion.

- Protland, OR, USA

problem #125

Jan 012020

Cobalt

  • 200,000 miles
The car says service airbag the steering is hard to turn and it makes a good knocking noise when you go out low-speed a high-speed make it difficult to leave on the road and make you swear it pulls to the left and it's horrible and gas

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #124

Jun 042019

Cobalt

  • miles
Air bag lights come on car is hard to steer air conditioning does not work any more and I get an engine reduce power light comes

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #123

Mar 302018

Cobalt

  • 77,000 miles
"takata recall" on 3/30/18 I was involved in a wreck. I was traveling on a busy city street when the light turned red. I stopped and the person in front of me was driving a large SUV. When the light turned green and traffic began to move I started driving. Out of nowhere with no warning, the driver just stopped and my car ran into the back of the vehicle. We both stayed in our vehicles I called 911. Officers arrived and emergency services. Even though hardly any damage was done to the SUV, my car sustained a lot of damage to the hood and bumper of my car. The airbags didn't deploy. I thought my car was totaled by looking at it. I was able to have most of my car repaired out of pocket because I had liability only at the time. The passenger in front of me after giving information to the responders was able to drive away, I was not. I've also had another accident where the airbags didn't deploy in 2014. I am concerned that I might be in another accident that could be life-threatening and the airbags won't work. I contacted GM about my concerns regarding the airbags and nothing was done to have my airbags checked. I was able to have the switch changed when there was a recall for that. I hope by sharing my experience with you something can be done to have my airbags checked and give me a sense of security when driving my vehicle.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #122

May 202019

Cobalt

  • 175,000 miles

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

For the past three days driving to and from work my Chevy Cobalt has been putting me in danger. When I start to break, sometimes the symbol with a lock and key, and air bag lights will turn on and the car steering wheel would lock and the brakes would come up resulting in the car being turned off while I am on drive. This is dangerous because I cannot turn the wheel and the brake is also locked. I get out of my car in the middle of traffic to push it by myself then jump in it and try to start it. This method works sometimes but is dangerous to not only myself but more importantly others. I do not know what is the main cause for this issue however I did some research and did not see any recall on this problem. I need help fingering it out before I hurt myself or others in the middle of the road driving unable to steer or break

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #121

Dec 202018

Cobalt

  • 18,071 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. After the vehicle was started, it shuddered and vibrated while idling. The vehicle stalled and the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the key switched back to the accessory position. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,071.

- Ogden, UT, USA

problem #120

Aug 032013

Cobalt

  • 40,000 miles
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 #119

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 #118

Sep 012017

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the contact was driving approximately 40 mph in the rain, another vehicle made an illegal turn. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained face, head, mouth, chest, back, neck, and right shoulder injuries as well as bruises from the seat belt. Medical attention was required. The front passenger sustained neck, back, head, and leg injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer and the dealer were contacted and made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000....updated 11/15/17 updated 11/28/2017

- Rentz, GA, USA

problem #117

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 #116

Apr 022017

Cobalt

  • 95,000 miles
Car smells like burning wire, locks unlock all day and all night, some electrical problem drains battery over night. I am terrified. GMC will not contact me.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #115

Sep 012014

Cobalt

  • 78,000 miles
The activating switch for the passenger-side air bag failed around 78,000 miles. This seat switch activates the passenger airbag safety system when an occupant sits down in the front passenger seat. I was told at the time we had the ignition switch recall repair done to the car that the only way to replace the broken seat switch was to replace the passenger seat cover. To do this requires an initial outlay of $150 dollars for the part( the switch is woven into the seat fabric)plus labor to install(price unknown)at the dealership. Without regard to age, weight or gender any front seat passenger may believe they are protected upon reading the dashboard 'airbag' sign when sitting in the car. The panel-mounted indicator for that airbag is a lighted display which, in daylight, is hard to see without cupping your hand over the annunciator-or wait until nightfall, get somebody to sit in the seat, and then check out the dash light.

- Oldsmar, FL, USA

problem #114

Jan 202017

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 50 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a cement road divider. During the crash, the front end was severely damaged. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured leg. It was unknown if medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

problem #113

Jan 182017

Cobalt

  • miles
Airbag warning indicator has been constantly on.

- Richmond, CA, USA

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