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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:
70 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
129 / 3
Average Mileage:
64,228 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1210

Sep 092020

Cobalt

  • 161,000 miles

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

Constant power steering, traction control and other miscellaneous engine light messages. Power steering loss causing car to be undriveable. This happens during car start up and while driving both on the road and freeway.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1209

Jul 192020

Cobalt

  • 61,652 miles
I was draving my car on the city at 30 to 35 mph and all of the sudden the veicle start acting weird and then the power steering alarm when on. Luckily I was able to stop the car with a little of struggle. I got out of the car to check the front of the car to see if someting was wrong but I couldn't see any visual problem so I turn the car off and torned back on and still the car keep giving me the same problem, luckily I manage to drive the car back home at 5 mph.

- Ridgefield Park, NJ, USA

problem #1208

Aug 102020

Cobalt

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph coming out of the driveway, when the power steering suddenly failed. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated, then the steering wheel ceased. The contact turned off the vehicle and then restarted the vehicle approximately 20-30 minutes. The vehicle's power steering returned to normal functionality. The contact had not contacted the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 170,000.

- Thonotosassa, FL, USA

problem #1207

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 #1206

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

problem #1205

Jul 112020

Cobalt

  • 200,000 miles
Yesterday was on way home from work and car just died on city street with no warning. I somehow managed to get the car to a parking lot and out of traffic. I tried to start the car and no the car wont start back up so I had to have the car towed home. Last week I lost power steering while driving on a rural road and then car started acting like it was going to die. I stopped and when I stopped the car jerked into a forward position. I shut the car off and restarted the car and the transmission was shifting really hard going from 1st to 2nd gear when getting ready to slow down it seemed like the car was a manual and I had it in 5th gear because it was seeming like it was going to stall out because the transmission was idling in the wrong gear as I was slowing down. Sometime the key will get stuck in the ignition and I have the steering column cover off so I can push the white button to release the key. When the keys are not in the ignition the speedometer and the RPM and everything electrical in the car jumps back and forth like the car was on.

- Portsmouth, OH, USA

problem #1204

May 282020

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 202,385 miles

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

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 #1203

Jun 102020

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
The steering wheel keeps locking. There are times that I get stranded and have to have someone pick me up because O cannot get the steering wheel to unlock.this has been going on for about as long as I owned the car. This happens when car is in stationary position. The paint of the car is peeling I have owned several cars and the paint has never peeled.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #1202

Apr 252020

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, she heard a clunking sound. The power steering warning light illuminated and the rpms reeved up. The vehicle slowed down and the contact pulled off to side of the road. The contact was able to drive home very slowly and parked the vehicle in her driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Beverly Hills, FL, USA

problem #1201

Feb 132020

Cobalt

  • 147,018 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check electrical system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering became firm and difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted nor informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,018.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #1200

Feb 102020

Cobalt

  • 112,000 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 while his wife was driving at 20 mph, the steering ceased which caused the vehicle to go through an intersection. The driver was unable to steer the vehicle in either direction. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, the diagnostic test was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

- Cropsyville, NY, USA

problem #1199

Jan 182020

Cobalt

  • miles
Vehicle was parked at a store I went to get in it and the power steering light came on it would not let me turn the wheel at all. I would like to know if the power steering has been recalled in my car.

- Tiffin, OH, USA

problem #1198

Dec 202019

Cobalt

  • 133,956 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering became firm which made it difficult to maneuver the vehicle. Davidson Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC of rome 5871 rome-taberg rd, rome, NY 13440, (315)371-4152, was contacted by phone and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) and therefore not eligible for a second free repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,956.

- Rome, NY, USA

problem #1197

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 #1196

Dec 082019

Cobalt

  • 157,000 miles
Power steering goes out while driving making it hard to stop or steer

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #1195

Nov 122019

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
2006 Chevy Cobalt. After coming to a stop, at a stop sign, for example, steering wheel locks, engine shuts off, key sometimes sticks in the ignition lock, occurs randomly and with out warning. Car will restart and behave normally. Dealer replaced ignition switch under recall in late 2014. Went to dealer service department for help with sticking ignition switch. Currently dealer refuses to reinspect ignition switch with out agreement to diagnostic charge. Contacted GM customer service. GM admits there is a extended warranty until 2020 for the ignition switch {warranty letter 14632) customer service rep further indicated that any parts replaced have a 1 year warranty only. And my ignition switch is past parts warranty. GM customer service stated that the dealer is within there rights to demand a diagnostic fee if the dealer determines the problem is not the ignition switch. We indicated to the GM customer service that the ignition switch is locking up again. Its was my understanding that GM feels that the recall repair is a one time event. GM refuses to look at the ignition switch again unless I agree to pay for diagnostics regardless of any safety issues involved.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #1194

Nov 112019

Cobalt

  • 137,464 miles
The power steering on my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt cuts out without warning. It works without a problem and then without warning the steering wheel seems to lock, or is very difficult to turn. This is happening now even though my vehicle shows on the NHTSA website as not having any outstanding recalls. This has happened while driving in traffic on a city street, while turning in an intersection across oncoming traffic on 11/11/2019. Fortunately no collisions occurred, but this could have ended in catastrophe.

- Midland, TX, USA

problem #1193

Oct 232019

Cobalt

  • 113,000 miles
Steering coloum exploded unable to steer while driving at high speed hit brakes when noticed it wasn't steering and I had no control of where I was going hit brakes and car spun out of control almost being stroke by another vehicle traveling in a highway speed of 65 mph

- Fulton, NY, USA

problem #1192

Oct 132019

Cobalt

  • 98,000 miles
I was was backing out of driveway and power steering went out for a few seconds. I continued driving to the store at around 25mph and the power steering went out and back several times. I slowed down to turn around and the steering went out I was not strong enough to turn properly ran over the curb and almost hit the minimart gas pumps scared the crap outta me!! called my son-in-law and he came and drove it home for me as he was strong enough to handle it when the power steering went out.

- Niagara, WI, USA

problem #1191

Oct 072019

Cobalt

  • 280,194 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult when attempting to make a right turn. The contact coasted the vehicle over to the side of the road, called the mechanic, and was informed that there was a recall for the steering. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 280,194. The VIN was invalid.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

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