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.
I have received (both) recall work done on my 05 Cobalt, and yesterday I was driving on the highway at 55-60mph for the first time since I got my car back last Friday. I lost power steering and my car would no longer shift to increase its speed. It felt like I was in neutral gear as the rpms were in the 5000-6000 range yet I was still at a speed of apprx 55mph, as I attempted to pull over to the shoulder I recognized I did not have power steering, and the light on my dash quickly went off and then came back, along with a check engine light. After finding out what the engine codes were via autozone, I was told my transmission control module had failed, hence why my transmission would not engage into third gear. After driving the car around more that afternoon, it continued to happen at the high speed levels, and again the power steering failed. I brought it up to the Chevy dealership that performed the work, yet the service department was closed at 7pm. The sale guy tried to convince me that this recall would not affect anything with the transmission, yet multiple mechanics have told me that if the new piece was not programmed properly with my ECM, then its possible that this is affecting my vehicle. I am going to try and bring my car back in tonight after work, or hopefully tomorrow. I have already call General Motors and reported the same incident, because there is a rumor going online that the new ignition switch may have a "short" in it. But I do not want to confirm that.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was informed that the part needed was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate current mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The key failed to turn and could not be removed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The contact received the recall notification related to NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but the part was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate mileage was 87,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the contact crashed. The contact was unable to recall what he crashed into. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered neck and back injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received the recall notification related to NHTSA campaign id number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure of mileage was unknown.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to several recall notices. The consumer stated there were always some type of electrical issues with the vehicle, such as the headlights and taillights having to be replaced. Also, the rims bent easily. The consumer had to purchase new ones.
- Sophia, WV, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that she attempted to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number:14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was made aware that parts were not available for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
My wife's Chevrolet Cobalt was part of the power steering motor recall and received the repair on May 26, 2010. The car functioned normally until March 31 of 2013 when the Cobalt, with only 17, 321 miles, was brought to the local Chevrolet dealership after my wife experienced a failure of the power steering. Next I accompanied my wife to the parking lot where it had been parked and discovered that upon re-starting, the car functioned normally. The check engine light however was on. We took the car to the dealership on Feb. 1, 2013 where the power steering problem and check engine light was discussed. The technicians indicated that they could find nothing wrong with the power steering, simply stating that, "'it works now!" on Friday March 8, 2013, the power steering message appeared on the speedometer, a chime sounded, and the power steering went out. I managed to drive the car home and park it. The steering was very hard to operate, as the power steering was not functioning. If my wife had been driving, I seriously doubt whether she would have been able to control the car. During this same incident the engine ran extremely rough and almost died several times. This car simply is not safe. The recall repair was not successful suggesting that General Motors had its dealers perform on the Cobalt was not the correct one. (was it the most economical for G.M.?). since that time we have driven less than 500 miles and it is now fourteen months later! we are afraid to drive this car.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice and was waiting for further notification. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and who made minor repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000 miles. The current mileage was 13,252 miles. Updated 6/17/14
I was stopped at a red signal for a few minutes. Suddenly, a university of buffalo student hit my car from the rear at full force. He was texting and when he got out of the car he was still texting. He admitted it was his fault because he was not looking at the road and was texting on his phone. I called the police and obtained a police report. The air bags did not work. My mom and I were jolted forward at full force with back and neck trauma. My car stalled on impact of the other car. Luckily my foot was on the brake and I did not hit the car in front of me. I had to restart my car and I pulled the car over to the side of the road in order to not block the busy street. I complained that my air bags did not work but I was ignored. Also, the ignition switch had turned off the car which I thought was strange.
The vehicle shuts off while running. I've stopped at stop lights and when I try to continue driving the car will shut totally off while in drive. The door locks are constantly running up and down and will not stay locked. Many times I've come back to the car thinking it was locked to find it unlocked itself. The electrical problem has created a problem with brand new batteries. I've replaced it twice since purchasing the car in 2010.
As im driving from a fast rate of speed and I slow down I lose power steering and on multiple times I have come close to hitting vehicles as im parking or almost running into a house for not being able to turn.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. He received a recall notice in the mail and he was advised that the parts were not available. He was driving approximately 65 mph and the vehicle shut off he hit a pot hole and his temperature light came on and GM stated they are not responsible. The contact occasionally had difficulty getting the vehicle to start and had to make several attempts with the key. He had to wait until the vehicle cooled down almost two hours and was able to drive very slowly to his residence. He advised them in 2005 that something was wrong with his ignition after he purchased the vehicle in July 2005. The failure occurred in November of 2005. The dealer drove 20 mph to test drive the vehicle and was unable to reproduce the failure. The contact advised them that he was driving 65 mph when the failure occurred. He cannot drive the vehicle because the anti freeze continued to leak out of the vehicle. He was advised that the struts, bushings, timing chain, link and the water pump was leaking because of the failure. The manufacturer made an appointment for him to have the vehicle diagnosed at a dealer and was told that it would take 20 days to a month before the manufacturer could send someone to diagnose the failure. The vehicle is currently at his residence. The dealer notified him today to ask if the manufacturer scheduled an appointment to diagnose the failure. The dealer where the vehicle was purchased and diagnosed are no longer in business. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was over 120,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 45 mph. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken for unknown repairs however, the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 154,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The engine was restarted and the vehicle operated normally. The contact also indicated that the power steering malfunctioned and made the steering wheel very difficult to turn. In addition, the key became stuck in the ignition switch and was unable to be removed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage was 71,155.
I went to crank my vehicle then proceeded to put it into drive to take off, but I had no power nothing. Turned my key over to recrank and it crank with no problem. This time allowing me to take off and drive. Now if I have the key in the ignition and turn it to the on position it sputters for atleast 50 to 60 secs before cranking.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition module failed and caused the vehicle to stall sporadically and without warning. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice, who was unable to diagnose the failure both times. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number:14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) after the failure and was awaiting the parts needed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I know my car is involved with the GM recall for the ignition, as I called the Chevrolet 1-800 number. Yet I have still not received a recall letter. Which concerns me very much. How do I get a letter? and when will I get this letter. Why is GM not moving faster with this recall and trying to get the cars fixed, when it is so dangerous to drive the car, but we have no choice too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Hanahan, SC, USA