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 brake caliper was rattling because it was broke I had a auto repair man replace part then all of a sudden it brakes again that was for the front and back it also has elected electrical problems the windows work when they want and the car mostly always stalls it has even stalled on me in the middle of traffic on hwy what it does is act real sluggish and the more you press on the gas the more it bogs out and pulls back instead of taking off as supposed to the turn signals in the front always blow everytime replaced there is also interior electrical problems such as the interior lighting works when it wants to and the doors lock and unlock themselves with will unset the anti theft system and allow for Prowler to take the car.
Multiple problems with my '05 Cobalt, but this was problem cannot be duplicated by dealer and when I called GMC, they cannot tell me anything about this problem. Driving on a highway approx. 50-55 mph and all of a sudden car dropped to approx 20 mph. Dash reading said 'reduced engine power' and my traction control light came on. Nothing would make the car go faster, luckily nobody was behind me. Car kept acting like it was going to die. Got the car to my in-laws, which was only 5 minutes away and we unhooked the battery. After letting the car sit for a few minutes and the battery together, the car seemed fine. Took it to the dealer and said they can't get a code because the battery was unplugged. I called GMC and they told me they can't do anything without the code. I have children who sit in the back of my car and I am not waiting for the problem to happen again, if I am on the interstate and cars are behind me, they are going to run into me, as there was no warning this was going to happen. Not happy that Chevy seems to be avoiding a huge safety issue and pretending it doesn't exist. There needs to be a recall on this immediately.
Driver's side door will not open from inside or outside. Both the inside and the outside door handles will become "loose" and while easy to pull handles, the door will still not open.
Vehicle was parked inside garage, filling tires with air. A cigarette lighter powered air compressor was being used to fill tires. Was only in use for a few minutes, when air compressor stopped. The fuse for the cigarette lighter was blown. This was a common problem with the car. On several occasions the fuse for the cigarette lighter would be blown for no apparent reason. I have only used it in the past to use my obd II scanner, being that the obd diagnostic port is powered by the same fuse as the cigarette lighter. Besides using the obd scanner, no other things have been used via the cigarette lighter. Regardless the fuse would be blown. After the fuse was blown with the air compressor, I unplugged it from the cigarette lighter, only to see smoke coming from under the hood. The fuse melted in the fuse block. From there, the window wipers began operating, as well as the windshield wiper fluid being shot out from the nozzles. Smoke began pouring from the inside of the car, from under the dash. I quickly ran to the trunk where the battery is located, and disconnected the battery as soon as I could. Garage was filled with smoke, with the ominous burnt electronic smell.
On Saturday morning 8/24/13 I got into my car and backed out of the driveway. Once I backed out of the driveway and put the car into drive the car started to jerk. I kept driving for about another 50 feet to a stop sign. It jerked to whole way to the stop sign. There I made a U turn to go back home to get my father. He got in the car and we drove back to the same corner and once again it jerked the whole way to the stop sign. So we went back to the house so my dad could get some his shoes on so we could take it to where I bought the car. While he was in the house I turn the car off. When my dad got back in the car and I turn the car back on and drove to the sign the jerking had went away. I drove the car the rest of the day and put around 75 miles on it that day with no other problems. On Sunday night 8/25/13 I got into my car to drive into town. I drove about block and the car began to jerk and shake again. I drove about another block and pulled into a parking lot. Once I stopped I noticed the power steering light on the dashboard had come on. I turned my car off and sit there for a little while turned it back on and drove in town with no problems the rest of the night. On Monday 8/26/13 I drove the car 30 miles back to where I bought it with no problems. Their service department has been trying to recreate the problem now for 3 day with no success.
- Gettysburg, PA, USA
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After starting the Cobalt or even if I am driving down the interstate at 70 mph, the T/C lights, brake lights, power steering lights all light up on the dash. The speedometer and RPM gauges start going crazy. The radio will also go in and out. Usually on the interstate, the car will continue to drive, which is very scary. But if I am in town or slowing down to stop, the car will cut off. Then after I crank it again and start to move, the transmission changes gears really rough and feels like it is going to fall out. The only thing I have found to fix this (after weeks at different dealerships) is to turn the car off and flip the key on and off several(20 plus) times.
I was driving in to my apartment complex when my car completely loss power. I was able to steer, however I was not able to accelerate. The radio turned off and the air conditioner quite working. This has happened twice since I've gotten my car. Luckily, I was in places where I could safely pull over. I had to turn my car off, wait for a few minutes and turn it back on to get it to work correctly. I am also having issues with my power steering. I am starting to think that this car just isn't safe anymore and I am looking into possibly getting a new car because of it. It is becoming dangerous to drive this car!
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the fuel gauge and tachometer fluctuated erratically. The contact also stated that the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that there was low battery voltage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,500. Updated 08/27/13 when the consumer stated the vehicle, there was a high idle and a hard shift into reverse. The ignition shift lock release solenoid malfunctioned. When the key was held in acc mode, the brake lock release solenoid malfunctioned. The tachometer and fuel gauge fluctuated erratically. Updated 08/27/13
While driving on a major highway, "power steering" message is displayed on dash, warning chime sounds repeatedly, power door locks cycle at random, instrument panel gauges stop working intermittently and jump around, complete loss of power, and random warning lights appear on dash. At times the gas pedal was completely unresponsive, then vehicle would lurch forward - had a near miss incident when the loss of power on acceleration from a red light almost caused another vehicle to hit us. Issue has occurred at random intervals since the car was new, but has become more frequent lately and tends to occur more often on hot days. Dealer was unable to duplicate concern, despite hundreds of similar complaints on the internet.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
My car repeatedly go through times of fits. These fits include losing power steering, power steering chime, traction control chime, clicking behind the radio, spinning speedometer, gas gauge fails, jerking or hiccupping as one person described it, occasional stalling. My car will drive fine for weeks, likes its new even, then all of a sudden it has a fit and this goes on for days. This started when my car was a year or two old. I have taken it to the dealer a total of 8 times. Early on when the car was younger it would seem to be repaired only do start this problem again a year later. Now that the car is older and not under warranty I have quit taking it as I do not believe it will help. They do not seem to know how to correct this problem. They are rude to me.
When starting up the vehicle, the check engine and traction lights are lit up. The gauges fluctuate, as well as the temperture reading blinks. Loud clicking sounds can be heard coming from the shift selector. The steering wheel will not turn due to loss of power steering. After shutting off vehicle, the ignition will not release keys for about 15-20 seconds. Have also lost power steering on freeway at speeds of 70 mph. Have attempted to have GM and the dealership resolve the issue, first by having the recalled parts replaced. Problem is recurring for third time, after being "handled" by the dealership the last two times. A very dangerous and potentially life-threatening problem.
For no apparent reason and without any warning (no check engine light or anything), I received an "engine power reduced" warning and my car's engine completely shut down while I was completing a turn in a busy intersection. Luckily, I was able to coast to safety and park in a nearby parking lot. The car refused to turn back on for several minutes. Once it did, I drove my car to my office and was able to start it and drive it without further incident for several weeks. Then, without warning it happened again while I was on the freeway and has been happening intermittently since then. When I took it to the dealership, they claimed they are not aware of other people having this problem, but I have found numerous complaints and reports from other owners online, so I'm not convinced of their honesty or concern regarding this matter. They say they *think* the problem might be the master computer or at least that is their "best guess" (their words, not mine). I will be replacing it later this week. Unfortunately, I'm not confident the repair will fix the problem. After GM's repeated and explicit denial of the power steering problem and how long it took them to admit there even was one, I have decided to appeal to you. At present, when driving this car, I am a danger to myself and everyone else who might be around me on the road...as are all other Cobalt drivers. Please, investigate this matter before someone has this happen at the wrong place and the wrong time and someone gets seriously hurt, or worse. GM knows it created a car with a faulty electrical system which could result in catastrophic failures and they need to take responsibility for it and fix it. Just because they stopped making the car, does not absolve their responsibility to make them safe for everyone on the road.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving 50 mph. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled while driving in reverse. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for a diagnostic test. The test results showed a defective throttle position sensor. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic to have the throttle position sensor replaced but the repair did not remedy the issue. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was 199,267.
The 2005 Chevy Cobalt, as well as possibly every other model year Cobalt has more problems than just the power steering motor failures. The speedometer no longer works in my vehicle, the low-fuel warning pops up no matter how much gas is in the car, the engine warning light illuminates, as well as the anti-theft light, battery light (the battery is brand new) and just about every light on the dashboard. Though this isn't a big problem, the radio locks itself and cannot be used until the car is turned off and turned back on. The car struggles to get out of first gear and has stalled repeatedly at red lights and on ramps to the highway. I have had the power steering recall repair done twice and when I took the car back to the dealership in may because the power steering warning had popped up again and the power steering stopped working, they said it was not the power steering and they sent me home in my stalling, jumping car with no power steering. Speaking to a Chevy customer service representative, they told me to go have the car diagnosed (they did run a scan at the dealership and came up with codes U2107, U2100 and U2105) and that I should be responsible for the cost. I asked why they didn't suggest this at the dealership, and was never given an answer other than a repeated I should be held responsible and it's probably a bad ECM or BCM. The car is out of warranty and Chevy offered 50% of the repair cost, but how is this a problem that I caused and should be responsible for at all? this car is incredibly unsafe to drive and I have read a number of similar complaints for this vehicle online. GM must be held responsible for their faulty vehicles. The power steering recall did not take care of everyone's problems and the customers should not be held responsible for the manufacturer's failure.
After approach from stop sign, went to accelerate, vehicle stalled, dashboard computer lights flashing, I.e power steering, brake, mph, and pinging. Started vehicle after multiple attempts. Difficult steering, accelerating no more than 30 mph, and transmission jerking. This vehicle has been to shop 2 times. The trans module was replaced August 1, 2012. A day after pick up, it had the same issues I.e. difficulty steering, unexpected stalling, rough limited acceleration, flashing computer lights on the dashboard. The auto shop employee assured me" it is safe to drive and do not be afraid.." the shop had this vehicle for three weeks. It was written on invoice, " car driven for 26 miles trouble free has possible inop issue, but is operating as designed." Nine days after pickup this vehicle still remains unsafe on the road, with unexpected stalling stopping I.e stop/ go traffic, intersections, and computer lights flashing on dashboard. The tcm /ECM issue is still not resolved causing a safety issue with unexpected stalling and difficulty steering and loss of acceleration.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge and several warning lights illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while driving, power steering failed. As a result, the steering became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to a repair shop or dealer for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle should be taken for diagnostic. The failure mileage was 103,000 and the current mileage was 153,000.
After having been repaired several times under the power steering recall, the problems have become worse. The car stalls, lights flicker, the low fuel message will flash despite there being gas in the car, the power steering is completely inoperable, the speedometer rests on zero at all times, various warning lights are always illuminated and the car struggles to get out of second gear (it is an automatic.) the dealership service center gave diagnostic codes indicating possible issues with the body control module and electronic control module and stated that it wasn't covered under the recall, but that the power steering motor had again gone out, but they would not fix it. The car has stalled numerous times on -ramps to highways and in intersections and has become too dangerous to drive, but Chevrolet has refused to acknowledge the problem and only technical service bulletins exist, though they will now acknowledge them when asked, as though the problem is not a dangerous one. The entire electrical system of the car is faulty and should be recalled as it is a major safety concern.
On several prior occasions, the key would become stuck in the ignition. To solve this problem, I would simply shift from park to drive, cycling through the gears. This would allow the key to be removed from the ignition. I figured it was a small problem with the automatic gear shifter, it may not be fully engaging in park. This situation carried on for approximately two (2) years, whenever needed I would repeat the cycling of gears to disengage the key. However, a few days ago the key became stuck in the ignition and the previous solution would no longer dislodge the key. I found the switch under the steering wheel to remove the key, but the car is inoperable due to the key becoming stuck in the ignition cylinder on a constant basis. Upon doing some research, I have come to the conclusion that is a common problem with automatic transmission equipped Cobalts. The shifter is not fully engaging a micro shifter when engaging in park, causing the key to remain in the ignition. It has come to the point where I can not remove the key, even while using the switch under the steering wheel.
My car shutts off every couple of minutes while im driving it also shut down on big intersection and I almost got hit by the car in back of me. It is very dangerous I was so scared the car just honked and was mad because it was my fault the car just shut off.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nalcrest, FL, USA