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Key Stuck In The Ignition
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (Page 2 of 3)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.
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.
7.6
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $380
- Average Mileage:
- 45,550 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 44 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (26 reports)
- replace shifter (10 reports)
- use key release (4 reports)
- popped access panel and hit button to remove key (2 reports)
- press reset under steering colom (1 reports)
- replace ignition (1 reports)
accessories - interior problem
Helpful websites
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
About three weeks after I had the steering column replaced in my Cobalt, I went to the grocery store and I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. No amount of turning the steering wheel, taking the shift out of park and putting it back in, etc. would make a difference. I had my second key with me, so I locked the car, did my shopping, came back out and drove the car to McDonalds. I still couldn't get the key out. A friend there got the key out for me, but then the key wouldn't go all the way in. I could still drive it, but the ignition was stuck between off and on. Within two days, the battery was dead. I had to borrow my friends' cars to drive to work, because the garage couldn't get me in for several days. A neighbor jump started my car, and I managed to get it to the garage. They finally discovered that it needed a new shift assembly. Apparently it's very expensive, but I had the extended warranty so I only paid $100. I thought it was foolish to buy the extended warranty, but it paid for itself in the past month. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong! Judging from what I've read on the internet, Chevrolet needs to have recalls on both the power steering and the shift assembly problems, but I asked the dealer, "Why don't they have a recall?" And they said, "Because they are bankrupt."
- Denise C., Lawton, PA, US