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.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the turn signals failed to activate when engaged unless lifted or pushed heavily. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 -20 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was restarted and functioned as normal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 119,356.
All my door handles are falling off and I've heard many colblats doing the same and all my paint is chipping off my car I drove from a to B and that's all
Engine would not turn over no electrical connection this happened several times during ownership. I have lost my job depending on this vehicle. I would try to start it one morning and some times it would and others if wouldn't. when I heard about the recalls on the cars my happens to be a 2005 Chevy Cobalt when I looked it up there were 6 recalls on this one car. I understand things happen and not done to purposely hurt anyone but there was many people hurt. I'm just scared after getting my car back from getting it repaired some other things going to happen and I'm a young mother with 3 small kids and I don't want to put them at danger at all. I know not everything is made perfect because we are only human but I want to know that my kids are safe ridding with me in this car. I've thought about getting a new one but my car has been so good to me tell now and I no longer have a job to get another car. I don't have a vehicle, a job, or a way to pay bills this might of not hurt me physically but emotionally and financially it has. I hope there is something you can do to make things right I appreciate ur time and thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the starter and fuel pump failed needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 09/10/15
- Willow Springs, IL, USA
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I was driving home for work last week when the T/C light came on, I pulled over and turned off the car, waited for a couple of minutes and then started finish driving home. On Saturday, April 11, I had went to the store, on my way back from the store the T/C light came on and so did the brake light and another light then the car just shut down by itself. I waited for another few minutes and started the car up and went home. I called a Chevy dealership and told them what had happened, they said as long as the light comes on, I am still ok to drive the car. I left the car alone on Sunday, so Monday morning April 13, 2015, I left the house early to head into work. Not even 5 miles from my house it happened again and the car shut itself down. I had to call a tow truck to come and pick me up and take myself and my car to a mechanic. I am still waiting to see what is the problem and how much it is going to cost me this time. Last year, I had a problem where my check engine light came on and the car shut down only to find that the piston throttle was causing the check engine light to come on and shut down. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Attorney representing consumer writes in regards to steering wheel and brake system malfunction after recall work was done. The consumers son was driving, when suddenly the steering wheels and brakes locked up while he was trying to negotiate a curve, causing him to have an accident. At the present time, the key cannot be removed from the ignition. The consumers son was not injured, but the vehicle was totaled. The ignition lock cylinder was replaced on October 21, 2014.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to transmission shifter recall issues. The consumer stated she had not experienced a problem as stated in the recall. However, the key became stuck in the lock position and she had to jiggle the key to release it.
Throughout the course of my trip home the car dash kept flashing a power steering error message and the lights on the dashboard kept getting dim. The steering wheel was getting really tight, the car almost stalled out several times, and the dials fluctuated. The car also began to shake violently and I became afraid that I would not make it home. I have contacted the local Chevrolet dealership about this problem on multiple occasions and they refuse to even look at the car without charging me. The car has already been recalled twice and although I have had both recall repairs done I am still having problems. Every time I drive this car I fear for the lives of my family.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. After having the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V171000 (electrical system) and 10V073000 (steering), the power steering failed and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. In addition, the contact stated that the doors would lock and unlock independently. As a result, the contact was unable to get into or out of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the body control module, door locks, fuses, electronic door lock mechanism, and the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 5,000.
I brought my 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt to multi Chevrolet in union to have the ignition switch recall completed. They called me and asked "was your check engine light on"? I assured them if my check engine light was on I would have taken the car immediately to my local mechanic. Every since then I have occasionally had the power steering & traction control lights appear on the dashboard. I took the car for an oil change and the power steering light stopped. I have now had a new battery installed and 4 new tires and yesterday January 4, 2015 the car rings and the traction control light comes on. I am terrified to drive this car. I think General Motors sold these cars knowing full well they were lemons and dangerous and think they should have to pay monetary damage to everyone they stuck with this death trap.
The car engine would not shut off, the steering wheel would not lock, the ignition key was stuck and was unable to remove the ignition key even though the car was in "park."
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was difficult to remove from the ignition. The failure occurred several times. The contact stated that the part was not available for the repair under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Cobalt lost all power. While reaching for keys to try and restart Cobalt, keys were not in ignition switch and must have fallen out. With no power to steering I kept my left hand on steering wheel and reached to the floor with right hand to try and find keys. At this point in the blink of an eye the car steering was un responsive and Cobalt veered off the road to the right down through a half pipe shaped drainage ditch and did a roller coaster down then up in the air and then slammed back down to ground coming to a stop. In this roller coaster event I was tossed into the inside roof of the Cobalt then with seat belt on pulled/slammed back down into seat on my lower spine then the seat broke loose from its position and slid forward slamming my left knee into the lower dashboard and broke the door where the trunk release is located. Police were called, report taken I was dispatched to hospital via ambulance.
While driving my Cobalt from anywhere between 10mph to 50mph multiple "ding" noises occur. Then any number of alert lights come on including; traction control, air bag, check engine, etc... there is a strange clicking noise that comes from somewhere in the dash. Also, along with these symptoms the transmission (auto trans) begins to shift very hard both up and down, car shudders as if it is going to stall when it comes to a near stop. The scariest and most dangerous part is that the car has experienced loss of power steering at speed and loss of braking control. Sometimes I have spent 5 minutes trying to get my key out of the ignition as well, and must forcefully move the transmission shift knob back and forth until the key turns free. This car is a danger, and despite having multiple recalls it is still unsafe to drive.
Had no issues all day until all of sudden we were leaving a parking lot. I'm at the stop sign when I went to press the gas to go, I hear a chime - no indication lights come on- car acts like it's going to stall (it doesn't), steering is very hard and a clicking noise is coming from the gear shift area. Do not feel safe driving it all, although it's movable but very rough/bogging out. Recently had the ignition recall recently, had a few issues pop up since then but nothing as serious as this. Had to get it towed to my mechanic, he replaced a few sensors, but clicking noise still remains and is undriveable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact had received notification of NHTSA campaign: 14E021000 (electrical) and had taken the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The dealer replaced the necessary parts however, the contact stated that the check charger system and anti theft warning lights became illuminated after the recall repairs. The engine stalled multiple times and the door locks activated even when the vehicle was shut off. The failures were not present prior to the recall repairs. The manufacturer had not yet been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Salem, OR, USA