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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 8 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1090

Jul 012016

Cobalt

  • 102,230 miles

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

While driving my 06 Chevy Cobalt, the power steering light comes on and blinks continually and my steering wheel will begin to shake. The recall was called and my car was serviced so why is this issue happening again? it'll go off for a couple of days and come back on. Something needs to be done to fix this, Chevy needs to fix this, once again.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

problem #1089

Jun 122016

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While pulling out of a parking spot, the power steering seized and caused the contact to use excessive force to turn the steering wheel. There were no lights illuminated. Since then, the vehicle was difficult to drive because the power steering failed intermittently without warning. The vehicle was experiencing the same issue as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #1088

Jun 222016

Cobalt

  • 182,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the power steering seized and the engine light illuminated without warning. Directly after, the vehicle jerked and accelerated without warning and the speedometer malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 182,000.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #1087

Jun 202016

Cobalt

  • 110,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column kit, steering motor kit, connector, and programming need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Seward, PA, USA

problem #1086

Jun 162016

Cobalt

  • 86,722 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 65 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,722.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #1085

May 062016

Cobalt

  • 1,780 miles
Steering locks up while in the middle of a turn intermittently. It almost caused a bad crash.

- Attica, NY, USA

problem #1084

May 072016

Cobalt

  • 160,000 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, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Manakin-Sabot, VA, USA

problem #1083

Sep 142015

Cobalt

  • 43,652 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle's steering ability was diminishing steadily. The check power steering and check engine lights remained illuminated at all times. In addition, the speedometer failed to work. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the communication between the electronic control module and the power steering column was lost and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,652.

- Jeannette, PA, USA

problem #1082

Apr 082016

Cobalt

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 45 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the speedometer gauge failed to indicate the actual speed when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic power steering gear box failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #1081

Feb 102016

Cobalt

  • 139,764 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon turning the steering wheel left or right, it seized without warning. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel each time the failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and indicated that the vehicle was not included in a manufacturer power steering recall. In addition, the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) and NHTSA action number: PE10005 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 139,764.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #1080

Apr 012016

Cobalt

  • miles

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

Car suddenly became very difficult to steer. When moving, stationary, any speed, it's very difficult to steer the vehicle.

- Mason, OH, USA

problem #1079

Sep 102015

Cobalt

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that there were multiple failures with the vehcle. The contact mentioned that the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel to become tight and extremely difficult to turn. The engine made an abnormal noise, the vehicle hesitated several times, and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14E021000 (electrical system), 14V171000 (electrical system), 14V047000 (air bags and electrical system), 10V073000 (steering), and NHTSA action number: PE10005 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. The manufacturer was notified of the failures.

- Calumet Park, IL, USA

problem #1078

Mar 092016

Cobalt

  • 164,789 miles
Takada recall. The led indicator on my steering column will show power steering, at which point if my rpms drop below 1000 the car will stutter, the power steering turns off, and it becomes very difficult to drive. Usually have to pull over and let car rest for 10 to 15 minutes before I can we engage the ignition and drive at a safe manner. This has happened multiple times during highway driving where it becomes extremely unsafe at highway speeds. Have checked VIN numbers and called Chevrolet only to be told my VIN number and car is too high for their recalls.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #1077

Feb 252016

Cobalt

  • 150,000 miles
The electronic power steering wheel is acting weird is unsafe to drive might cause an accident. Need it fix per code 10V073000

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #1076

Feb 292016

Cobalt

  • miles
Ever since I purchased car it'seems been nothing but problems. First it was both control arm bushing after 1 month of purchasing my 06 Chevy colbalt. I've since had to replace the entire front end all except for the steering column.which makes a loud unsettling rattling noise when I go over the slightest bump or when I turn my wheel left to right while in the park position. But now even more scary my car has been stalling out randomly and I've seen other complaint's about this issue. I've had oil changes and tunes up and a diagnostic test and I've been told the car is okay.it's not okay! today it stalled out while accelerating at a green turn arrow and I got hit from the back by the car behind me turning as well. No huge damage but I'm afraid and would like to know what is the real issue.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

problem #1075

Jan 152016

Cobalt

  • 54,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph and making a right turn, the vehicle became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

- Rohrersville, MD, USA

problem #1074

Jan 312016

Cobalt

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 10 mph and making a left turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. In addition, "power steering" was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #1073

Jan 232016

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 158,979 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the check engine light, safety lock light, and power steering light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, when the brakes were applied, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the bcn module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,979. Updated 04/13/16

- West Demoines, IA, USA

problem #1072

Sep 152010

Cobalt

  • 75,478 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a chime and "power steering" was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The failure mileage was 75,478.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #1071

Jan 072016

Cobalt

  • 128,324 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,324.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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