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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 4 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1170

Nov 072018

Cobalt

  • 166,000 miles

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

While driving on the highway the power steering message came on the dash, afterwards the speedometer started to malfunction and the car began to shake as if it wanted to go off. With some difficulty I was able to get off the highway safely but had to turn off the engine and then restart the car in order for the message to go off and the car to drive normal once again.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #1169

Oct 122018

Cobalt

  • 284,000 miles
I was driving on a city street and my power steering light came on and it was tough to steer until the light went out. It happened twice, once driving straight and once turning onto a side road. I know that this is a recall on 2006 Cobalt, but I was never notified my car was involved in this. When I run my VIN number on this site, it states that my car has no recalls on it. However, I have had a couple of recalls on my car which were repaired. But this was not one of them.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #1168

Aug 102018

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there was an electric power steering (eps) failure and the eps warning indicator flashed. Also, the steering wheel was extremely tight when turning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) and NHTSA action number: PE10005 (steering). The failure mileage was not available.

- Raven, VA, USA

problem #1167

Feb 212017

Cobalt

  • miles

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

My car has no power steering and I replaced the power steering pump

- Bellbrook, OH, USA

problem #1166

Aug 022018

Cobalt

  • 180,000 miles
Intermittent loss of power steering and reduced power while driving. The car will drive fine and the next you start it up all the dashboard lights come on and the power steering light come on and the gauges start jumping

- Plattsmouth, NE, USA

problem #1165

Sep 112018

Cobalt

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 65 mph, the power steering failed and "power steering" was displayed on the instrument panel. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

- Holly Springs, VA, USA

problem #1164

May 012017

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 driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking noise. The contact stated that the steering wheel also seized, which made it extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the electric power steering failed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #1163

Aug 212018

Cobalt

  • 199,890 miles
Vehicle developed at rattling noise in the steering column when driving over rough road surfaces. I believe it is related to a plastic gear inside the column that others on the internet have described. Recently it has developed into a very loud rattle accompanied by a loud knocking noise that is heard and felt in the steering wheel only when braking moderately. Light or heavy braking seem to not cause this, so far. I am concerned that the problem may eventually result in the failure completely of the steering column. This would result in the inability for the electronic power steering motor to assist in turning the wheel, and thus the loss of control of the car. Or I am afraid it could result in the complete loss of steering all together.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #1162

Aug 232018

Cobalt

  • 170,000 miles
Without any warning or symptoms, my power steering went out as I was making a turn. It startled me and caused me to hit a curb. Luckily, it was a slow turn and I was not driving very fast. I now have no power steering.

- Rogers, MN, USA

problem #1161

Jun 122018

Cobalt

  • 120,698 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 25 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and able to drive normally. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to plum creek motors (1111 plum creek pkwy, lexington, ne 68850, (308) 217-4097), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,698.

- Lexington, NE, USA

problem #1160

Jul 302018

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles

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

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

- Inkster, MI, USA

problem #1159

Jul 202018

Cobalt

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact was able to guide the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact found on the internet that the manufacturer was investigating the power steering failure. The dealer and manufacturer had not been contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Philadephia, PA, USA

problem #1158

Jun 112018

Cobalt

  • 155,000 miles
Traction control light comes on. Difficult to control car due to rough year shifting, lose power steering. Car eventually loses power.dangerous cannot get out of traffic without causing accident. Turn off car and restart all lights are off and seems ok but will randomly happen again-- two times in same week!!!! this is crazy, afraid to drive vehicle but have no choice cannot lose my job.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #1157

May 302018

Cobalt

  • 176,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 55 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to be pulled over to the side of the road with excessive effort. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.

- Pinon, AZ, USA

problem #1156

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 #1155

Apr 252018

Cobalt

  • 216,000 miles
Steering warning light comes on while driving car is in motion 45 to 65 mph car shuts off and has no steering transmission sh*ts hard and bucks brake pedal hard makes hard to stop car guages start going wacky turns off and on my 20 your old daughter commutes to college with daily

- Weatherly, PA, USA

problem #1154

Apr 132018

Cobalt

  • 102,280 miles
Electronic steering cuts out. Car then has only manual steering resulting in dangerous limited and possibly dangerous steering. This happens in mostly city driving with some freeway traffic. Speeds vary with posted speeds dealer [jeff schmidt miami S burg Ohio.they claim there is no recall or that it has already been fixed. They replaced the steering drive shaft. If the car is turned off and then back on it will soon fault again.

- Ketteting, OH, USA

problem #1153

Apr 062018

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist failed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the warranty on the vehicle had expired and the contact would be responsible for the cost of the repairs. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #1152

Mar 172018

Cobalt

  • 198,000 miles
Power steering completely not working/went out during driving 40 mph

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #1151

Mar 162018

Cobalt

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle lost steering ability and the steering wheel would not turn. The power steering indicator illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Tellcity, IN, USA

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