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CarComplaints.com Notes: The Cobalt was introduced to replace two of Chevy’s smaller cars, the Cavalier and Prizm. But the compact’s fresh start that Chevy was hoping for was riddled with issues, most notably widespread power steering failure.

The power steering failed so often that GM was forced to issue a recall in March, 2010. Great, but what about other problems like the key getting stuck in the ignition or all the other electrical demons this car possesses?

And, oh yes — then there’s the terribly dangerous issue where the Cobalt randomly shuts off while driving. As it turns out, that problem is related to GM’s massive 2014 recall for a dangerous ignition switch defect. A recall that eventually ballooned to 2.6 million vehicles in one of the automotive industry’s biggest scandals.

8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$0
Average Mileage:
61,600 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. pull fuse #26 , shuts off power locks , free fix (1 reports)
  3. remote/fob triggers the issue (1 reports)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #10

Oct 232010

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,617 miles

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

At some point we noticed that when we returned to our car it was unlocked. Eventually it began to lock and unlock while driving (seemingly at random). We took it to the dealership, and they couldn't figure it out. Then it happened more and more until we could hear the motors were wearing out. Eventually I noticed that when I walked further away from the car it stopped going insane. Immediately I realized it was the remotes causing the issue. We pulled the fobs off the key chains and it has never happened since. We phoned the dealership, apparently they don't sell replacement fobs that they code, you have to replace the entire unit, and that is quite expensive.... So we didn't (it would most likely reoccur anyway).

- vins, Calgary, Canada

problem #9

Sep 012013

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

major pain in the ass , just pull fuze #26 and it shuts off power locks, free and no more random locking and unlocking anymore. all you lose is keyless entry but your car will stay locked when you lock it or stay unlocked when you want it.

- dawgsrgr8, Woodlyn, PA, US

problem #8

Jan 012006

Cobalt

  • Manual transmission
  • 132,000 miles

You can be in or out the car and locks just go up and down for no reason mostly do it on rainy days do not know why but it crazy

- stephanieal, Birmingham, AL, US

problem #7

Jul 062011

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

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

It's really annoying, I run the risk of having anything locked in the car at any point in time if I don't leave the window open. If I have to leave my car whether it's on or off and I need to get back in it I have to leave the window down to get something from the trunk or mailbox. definitely never leave the kids in the car, even if you have to get out to shut the trunk or open a door, anything.. .ever/never. Rain/cold or snow, the car will randomly lock or unlock when it pleases. The alarm ALWAYS goes off when I open the car door, since the remote stopped working years ago even after a battery change and a remote replacement, the only way to turn it off is by turning the car on.

- Eileen A., Millbury, MA, US

problem #6

Feb 112011

Cobalt LS 4.2L 4 Cllander

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I a have cobalt 2005 since it was new, never had any problems until six months ago.I have had trouble keeping headlight bulbs from burning out constantly, and my headlights fog up with moisture almost always especially when it rains or snows. The other problems are keyless remote won't work, spent money for a new one and to program it, worked for a couple of months and quit, waste of money. Chevrolet is saying locks jumping up and down are not dangerous. Bull crap I drive this car by myself as a women, I am scared to to even drive in town where u have to go slow . Anybody can jump in your car these and demand small items like your money (or your life) ha ha!!!. I know the world is not a wonderful place these days there crazy nuts out there. Here in wv. they are telling on the news not to carry your wallet in store parking lots, how are you suppose to lock your purse in the car (even thieves that your car a Cobalt can be accessed from inside to the trunk , if you want to go shopping, you are out of luck. I only have one car to drive, my husband has to work. So when my stuff is stolen I will Chev. corporation to pay them(right) I have always had chev. most of my life my husband also a chevy Impala. I did want to think about buying a new car at 53, but I am at least have trade this one in and purchase another make of of a vehicle. I'm scared of these jumping locks , if you can not feel safe in your car what's that tell you? My first car was a chevy Nova which I loved. Another thing I am on social now how can I spend 400. to fix something that this company knows they should.

- Linda E., Clarksburg, WV, US

problem #5

Jan 012006

Cobalt

  • Manual transmission
  • 62,137 miles

one of alot of complaints: my car has a ghost who locks and unlocks my car at random times. the ghost may strike while im driving down a quiet street, or speeding down the highway. the ghost appears at both high and low rates of speed. the ghost appears when im not even around!

my car will unlock while driving, then lock, then unlock, then lock, then lock again, then unlock then lock then lock then lock then unlock then lock then lock then unlock then lock then lock then unlock then unlock... you get the idea...

this ghost will make an appearance for only a few seconds or sometimes stick around for a couple of hours.

the ghost strikes when im not even in the car! i can get to my vehical and watch (and hear!) the locks going up down up down etc...

it's kinda creepy driving the car as the locks go nuts...

GM? they can look at the vehical and try to figure out the problem for about $130/hr with no guarantee of diagnosing or fixing the problem...

i guess im slowly learning to live with the ghost that has invaded my car, what else can i do?

- 1974cricket, Edmonton, AB, Canada

problem #4

May 012010

Cobalt

  • Manual transmission
  • 77,728 miles

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

When you lock your car manually because the keyless lock no longer works, it unlocks itself. The dealer gave me a list of things that need replaced that come to $740.00 before labor and taxes, some in one door some in the other door then laughs and says they get you coming or going these big auto makers.

- gseth, New Brighton, PA, US

problem #3

Feb 252010

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,500 miles

ok i bought this 05 cobalt my windshield wiper switch only turns on the wipers when u use the cleaner button. and my radio doesn't work at all ive checked all fuses my locks wont lock

- Christopher M., Okc, OK, US

problem #2

May 112005

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,400 miles

After couple of weeks of owning the car I went out in the cold morning to start my car and the car locked up. It wouldnt let go of my keys and it wouldn't turn on. I had to call the chevy road service to help me and they jump started my car. The alarm went off and the doors locked. Chevy road service had to unlock my car and ran some tests on my battery and electronics and found nothing wrong. This has happened a total of three times all over a three year period. Two of the times I have had to have my car towed to Superior Chevy becuase road side chevy service wasn't able to fix issue. It is a pain in the rear.n Chevy says they have fixed the issue and found nothing wrong, but if they had fixed the issue it would not have happened three times.......right?

- Zach H., Shawnee, KS, US

problem #1

Aug 102009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,456 miles

took car to local garage and they couldn't get any information about how to repair this. all the dealerships would say is we need to see the car. They also found out that this is an on going problem with the cobalts and other gm vehicles but there are no recalls for this. how safe is this when you can't keep your car locked while it's sittinging a parking lot and it locks and unlocks numerous times. there has to be away to stop this

- marsh, Navarre, OH, US

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