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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 6 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1130

Jun 212017

Cobalt

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle shifted left and right without warning and the steering wheel felt loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and the dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #1129

Jun 122017

Cobalt

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver when making left or right turns and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the speedometer failed to display the actual speeds. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle would jerk and hesitate to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal was depressed again, the vehicle would accelerate without warning. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Port Wentworth, GA, USA

problem #1128

May 312017

Cobalt

  • 199,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. When the contact attempted to make a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #1127

May 032017

Cobalt

  • 84,900 miles

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

Power steering shuts off at intermittent times. The rpms go up and down and car sputters when this happens. This happens when driving and when the vehicle is standing still. It also almost dies at stop lights and stop signs. This happens on the highway and on city streets.

- Woodbury, MN, USA

problem #1126

Apr 012017

Cobalt

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the electronic power steering malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Johnstown, NY, USA

problem #1125

Jan 242017

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds and while parked, the vehicle would lose power steering ability without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #1124

Apr 032017

Cobalt

  • 187,000 miles

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

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 #1123

Apr 022017

Cobalt

  • 113,393 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 113,393.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #1122

Mar 132017

Cobalt

  • 138,852 miles
I was driving my Cobalt and suddenly the steering wheel was super hard to make turn

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #1121

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 #1120

Mar 082017

Cobalt

  • 75,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the power steering malfunctioned. The contact stated that the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering column made a clicking noise while being driven. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Clarkville, TN, USA

problem #1119

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 #1118

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

problem #1117

Jan 202017

Cobalt

  • 129,000 miles
Power steering not working.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

problem #1116

Jan 082017

Cobalt

  • miles
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 #1115

Jan 032017

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 125,240 miles
Steering completely failed. Could not turn steering in any direction. This happened while driving into my driveway. I was very lucky that this didn't happen at the very busy intersection that I just came from. I went to my Chevy dealer and they knew nothing about any recall. This thing is going to kill people.

- Springfield, MA, USA

problem #1114

Dec 242016

Cobalt

  • 157,000 miles
Power steering went out on my daughters car. She almost crashed into another car. Apparently this is electric and does not use transmission fluid

- Manchester, MO, USA

problem #1113

Dec 082016

Cobalt

  • 160,293 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was parked an attempting to reverse, the steering wheel locked. The contact managed to drive the vehicle out of the lot and the steering ability seized while driving around a curve. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,293.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #1112

Nov 292016

Cobalt

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact coasted to the side of the road and the engine failed. In addition, the doors unlocked without warning and the instrument panel lights failed. The rearview mirror dome light was the only light illuminated. The contact was able to resume driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #1111

Nov 072016

Cobalt

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) even though the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Collinville, AL, USA

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