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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
35 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
23 / 5
Average Mileage:
65,808 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.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 10 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #114

Feb 012013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that once the vehicle was started, the fuel and odometer gauges would display an accurate reading. In addition, the power steering assist failed and the vehicle would resume in normal operation after turning the engine off and restarting. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis however, they were unable to determine the problem. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 5/19/114 updated 05/28/2014

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #113

Jan 212013

Cobalt

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not further repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 111,000.

- Mindoro, WI, USA

problem #112

Dec 032012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Well I got my car back in 2009 and now I own it, well I have had power steering which I had fixed, but now I've been really having a bad gas smell and one of my friends dad is a mechanic and he looked at it and he's thinking something wrong with either the line or the filter or tank, I cant stand driving my own car cause how bad the smell is I've started having nose bleeds, and that's not my only problem all my lights are going off(tire, airbag, )etc. Yes my car is not in the best shape right now but I just started working again and my car is falling apart and idk how to get it fixed as of now.

- Rosharon, TX, USA

problem #111

Jan 012013

Cobalt

  • 75,900 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred nine times while the contact was driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing but was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system) that could have been related to the failure but he was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,900.

- Pixley, CA, USA

problem #110

Dec 272012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 7,972 miles
The control arm bushings had to be replaced with less than 8000 miles on the car. They went so bad the car swerved and clanked and chattered when the brakes were applied. Less than 8000 miles on the car"?? this is a joke. I see on the internet a lot of people with same complaints. Why no recall"

- Harwinton, CT, USA

problem #109

Oct 132012

Cobalt

  • 85,500 miles
GM is not fixing the whole power steering issue in their Cobalts. I had the recall fixed, the power steering motor, on 10/10/12 and three days later it failed again. I was exiting I95 in wilmington, de and was very close to hitting the concrete divider on the exit ramp to us 202. The problem with the car is the whole steering column is faulty. Looking around in the internet shows many others that were told they needed to replace the steering column to fix the power steering issue, same as my dealer told me. But all GM is doing is fixing the cheapest part. I have tried their customer service and get nowhere. They say they fixed my power steering problem and get all defensive when I tell them that it still happens. It happens after driving about 200-250 miles. Local trips are fine except that the steering looses feel and shakes and feels bumpy in the steering wheel. For the safety of all people on the road I feel you guys should test some Cobalts on a good 300 mile trip and see what happens. I'll even lend mine to you if you want.

- Myerstown, PA, USA

problem #108

Aug 012012

Cobalt

  • 97,000 miles

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

I noticed a slight tapping/rattling noise coming from the front driver side. The noise only occurs between the speeds of 50-60 mph and only when letting off the gas completely. Then I received in the mail an ignition cylinder recall. My car had problems with locking up and difficulties turning the key. So I took the car to the dealership told them about the noise I was hearing then waited a week with no call from the dealership so I called them. They told me my car would be finished by noon, I arrived at 4 pm. They then told me my car was not yet finished. The dealership had not even put in the new ignition cylinder even after a week. I was told the noise could not be replicated. I waited for the ignition to be put in (about 30 mins) then took one of the dealership mechanics on a test drive to hear the noise. Noise was heard and took it back to the shop. Checked under the car and nothing wrong could be found. The lead mechanic took it for a test drive but due to the heavy downpour of rain nothing was heard. I was asked to bring the car back on Monday due to possible severity of the situation. Dropped the car back off at the dealership Monday. A test drive and a look under the car and they found the problem, noise coming from rack and pinion while hitting bumps rack worn and needs replacement steering column making noise as well recommend replacement with out replacement the car would eventually have no steering ability at all: Cost $1524 no warranty. This car has had the power steering recall replacement (the steering wheel suddenly stopped working while in a parking lot due to broken pinion) in 2010 and a transmission issue (RPM rev when the car hit 40 when the gas was not being applied) that was a worn seal it was fixed and covered by warranty in 2011. This would be the twice now with no steering ability only its a different cause? I feel like I'm being cheated.

- La Vernia, TX, USA

problem #107

Aug 012012

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition and he was unable to remove it. Also, the contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 45 mph the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times who diagnose that the ignition module, steering wheel column and driver side air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 82,600.

- Viola, WI, USA

problem #106

Oct 012011

Cobalt

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle became hard to steer and there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact experienced the issue whenever the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who inspected vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a defective rack and pinion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 56,000. The current mileage was 59,000.

- Campbellsvilee , KY, USA

problem #105

Aug 012012

Cobalt

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance because the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system). The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #104

Apr 162012

Cobalt

  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 5 mph the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the power steering pump had to be replaced. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system) and was repaired previously. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

- Adrian, MI, USA

problem #103

Apr 162012

Cobalt

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 50 mph, the contact stated that the power steering had suddenly stopped functioning, causing the contact to crash into a nearby tree. The contact was not injured during the crash and a police report was filed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and no repairs had been performed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 71,000.

- Centerberg, OH, USA

problem #102

Apr 162012

Cobalt

  • 71,000 miles
At approximately 7:55 a.M. on Monday, April 16th, I was driving South on state route 605 to work (center village/new albany Ohio area). Going on a straight road, and at 50 mph, I felt the steering wheel become a little spongy as I was driving when I was making a small correction in the steering wheel to ensure I was properly in my lane. When I moved the steering wheel to right a fraction, the car drifted to the right as it should. However, upon making a correction to the left the car's steering wheel became impossible to turn. Because of this the car veered right striking a mailbox and crashing into some trees. The car is severely damaged and the insurance company is looking at it today. I had the electrical steering box replaced last year. The driver side airbag went off as it should but the car ended up on its side.

- Centerburg, OH, USA

problem #101

Feb 222012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
Purchased 2008 car used in 2010 with approx. 10K miles. Have had several issues with stereo speakers going out. Car now has less than 60K miles. Recently developed knock in front when going over bumps. Took car to dealer to have recalled steering box fixed. Chevrolet says lower control arm bushings, front struts are leaking, and sway bar end links need replaced soon. Almost $1500 dollars. Not covered under warranty though online search shows rampant issues.

- Zion, IL, USA

problem #100

Mar 012012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 14,795 miles
While practicing parallel parking power steering disabled itself. Could not get power steering to re engage. Took car to dealership on above stated date. They replaced the recalled internal power assist motor. A few days later the power steering failed again. Upon returning to the dealership we were informed that steering was being over used. Since that time power steering has gone out several times. Some of which the steering has not returned after turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle. Some instances have occurred while driving slowly.

- Shenandoah, TX, USA

problem #99

Mar 032012

Cobalt

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed without warning while attempting a right turn. The vehicle had not been to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The failure and the current mileages were 43,000.

- Dellingham, WA, USA

problem #98

Jul 202011

Cobalt

  • 78,900 miles
I got a broken I shaft after multiple time goin to dealer an telling me I was a women and did not know what I was talking about.

- Clyde , NY, USA

problem #97

Dec 122011

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 69,700 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 65 mph when the vehicle began to shake uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the struts, control arm, bushings axle, cv joints, sway bar bushings, brake pads, and the rotors but to no avail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that because the contact purchased the vehicle used, they could not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 69,700....updated 01/31/12 the axle seal was replaced, due to the vehicle leaking transmission fluid. There was a noise coming from the steering shaft. Updated 02/03/12

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #96

Dec 312011

Cobalt

  • miles
1.recalled steering motor replaced 2.replacement motor had to be replaced 3.steering locked, had to be towed in. 4. researched web an found how widespread this deadly condition is an all Chevy wants to do is keep replacing deadly failing part. Steering is steering, not like a mirror !!

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #95

Dec 052011

Cobalt

  • 38,000 miles
Came out of the store with my three kids in 25 degree weather, when I got into my 2008 Cobalt and I couldn't get the key to turn!! there are so many complaints about this and Chevy is doing nothing to fix it!! my car is at the shop and it is going to cost me $408 to get fixed, right before christmas!

- Fort Riley, KS, USA

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