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.
When I got the car in June 2020 I got the key I was told to turn key to acc wait until lock icon go off my car alarms will sound anti theft system took to Chevrolet dealership, and they charged $$$ said they replaced several part's and still it's stalls, and loose powder steering, it says I have no fuel in car brake light on do not chimes when I get in car it makes it like I stealing the car and it shutdown everything been doing it sense July can't drive out no where stalls when I did try driving it engine light comes on then my steering wheel locks
While driving through an intersection car shut off. This loss of power while driving has happened several times over the last few months. I called Chevy dealership today and was notified ignition switch was already repaired previously and that I may be charged a diagnostic fee if I bring the car in for repair.
Car shuts off and loses power while driving and the key keeps getting stuck in the ignition and the doors keep locking and unlocking constantly until it loses power again after changing the battery
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side frontal air bag deployed independently. The contact sustained burns on the forearm and temporary hearing loss due to the deployment of the air bag. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed by the insurance to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring wiring harness detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the mechanic disconnected the clock spring which caused the horn and several other electrical functions on the steering wheel to be inoperable. A local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure, case number: Xxx. The contact was offered a $2500 compensation from the manufacturer in regards to the issue with the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 75000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Keller, VA, USA
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I know about the recall for 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, my can has turned off while driving & I have had problems starting my vehicle., the steering wheel ignition system 'is the problem' my vehicle does not start anymore at all !! please schedual an appointment at the nearest dealer that can repair the recalled parts? near 95838 sacramento, ca. I believe that my life has been endangered several times because of the defective recalled parts !! " yes" I am very upset" !! my vehicle has stopped running on both city & freeways.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition was loose and the vehicle could roll away if the key were removed. Also, the check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine overheated. Another mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch was damaged. The contact planned to take the vehicle to ricky hendricks city Chevrolet (5101 E independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28212, (980) 242-5621) for additional diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 135,000.
Takata recall the problems I'm having with my car is that the locks keep unlocking and locking and won't let my car startup. It locks me out and when I put the key in the switch it won't crank and the only way that I'm able to get the key out of the switch is if I jump it off. I was at home when it happened parked.
Car alarms power steering display comes on, car shakes, won't shift gears, was looked at, comp said lost connection to tmc trans modular control. While in motion
About once a month "power steering" appears on display, sometime power assist is gone, most times it is still there but transmission shifts very hard and stalls engine when stopped for red light. If power steering comes on right away after starting vehicle, shut off, smack pass side of center console, then start, usually off then, but if vehicle is hot from sitting in sun, or very cold in winter, you have to drive it and either heat it up or cool it off before pulling over parking and shut off for 15 minutes, then hit it then start it. Told dealer of this before P/S recall work was done they said it was not related, when I went to pick it up they ask if we were having trouble with the power steering and transmission, I said yes, they said oh have a nice day.
Vehicle wouldn't start. Like the battery was dead, wouldn't even try to turn over. Go to turn the key off and pop my trunk where the battery is located and I can not get my key to turn all the way back to the off position, as a result I cannot remove my key. The speedometer read 30mph even though the vehicle never started and wasn't moving. Non of the electronics were working so I was unable to pop my trunk. This has happened several times before and eventually the vehicle will start and when it does the battery light stays on and the dash reads; engine performance low. The transmission will surge as I am driving and I cannot go faster than 30mph. I have even had the car shut off completly while I was driving down the road. After anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks the vehicle will stop acting up and drive normal for a while. Agian the normal lasts anywhere between a few hours to a few months as well. The power stering also flashes on the dash and sometimes cuts compleatly out.
I have an 05 Chevrolet Cobalt I bought off an individual August 2016 at first the car drove perfectly no major problems that couldnt be fixed. As of May 2017 while driving 30 mph or 60 mph my guages jump for example will be driving 55 mph on a city street and the guage will jump down to 20 mph. As I am turning my steering locks have almost crashed multiple times (needs recall fixed) but to be clear it does not jump at all while stationary. Having to feel unsafe in any vehicle should be unacceptable by any means. This is my first GM car and having worked for GM im highly disappointed
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and (steering). While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to hedricks Chevrolet (961 w shaw ave, clovis, ca 93612) where it was tentatively diagnosed that the power steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist until the vehicle was officially diagnosed for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,690.
4/14/17 vehicle svc-ignition recall 14113 lock cylinder & key 13454 ignition switch the vehicle was performing well prior to the recall service but now it appeared that the ignition was "stiff' to operate following the repair & the key seemed to periodically hang up when inserted. There was a random hesitation when making a U turn-as if the car briefly stalled out- no power, upon turning the wheel. Eve of 4/21/17, after being driven & parked on a city street for about an hr, the vehicle would not start although there was full battery power. The vehicle was secured & left to sit. Morn of 4/22/17 svc ctr was notified. Vehicle still wouldn't start, but, upon insertion of the key & initial crank, the car began experiencing sudden random clicks of the ignition switch, door locks engaging, dashboard panel flashing. Upon removing the key & reinserting it, the key appeared to have deprogrammed & the anti theft light was activated. The key was removed & the car secured. Later, attempt to engage the ignition using the second new key & was unsuccessful-the key would not turn to off position but locked in acc mode position. Later, the vehicle was towed per dealer auth. The tow truck operator noted that the car battery appeared to have drained by their arrival, the key would not disengage from the ignition & the car would not come out of park. 4/24/17 service found codes P0604 & P0606 control module Ram failure + internal controller failure- dealer courtesy performed reprogramming, theft relearn & crank variation learn. The vehicle appeared to be operating normal after reprogramming & was set for customer pickup. The dealer svc ctr recommends replacement of the ECM if it reoccurs. There appears to be other vehicle owners that have experienced this ECM failure after having recall svc. Contacted Chevy cust assist ctr & initiated a case record. Case pending.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 mph, the temperature gauge icon illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering lost power. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred several times and was not remedied. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Vehicle losing power, speedometer flat, tachometer working, while in motion and stationary; displaying: Power steering = car has steering wheel play; car does not drive over 30 mph and revving high. The car regains power and loses power and regains intermittently. Chevy Cobalt 2005
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering returned to normal. The failure occurred on four occasions and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) in 2011. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Our 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt has had ongoing intermittent electrical problems that cause the vehicle to slam into gears going when accelerating and slowing down. This is accompanied by the vehicle shaking. While this is going on, the speedometer fluctuates and we get a power steering warning. My son has lost the power steering assist occasionally and one time it almost caused and accident. If we shut the vehicle off, the problem seems to go away but only temporarily.
The first time it happened, was at interstate speeds.(60 to 70mph) the second, was in city stop and go traffic. The third was backing out of my driveway after a 5 minute idle. The fourth was when my last mechanic was test driving it because he thought he'd fixed it. Dash lights blink on and off, all warning lights come on, engine cooling fans stop operating, transmission hunts for what gear it should be in; resulting in the transmission self destructing. Engine management, other than the cooling fans, seems to be unaffected. I've replaced 4 tcm's so far; as all mechanics say that is the problem. It works for a few days or a week, then the same problem manifest. This seems to be a problem with quite a few GM vehicles.
While driving vehicle power steering light comes on, steering wheel locks up, gear shift starts clicking, stalling out during driving at speed. I have ran off road several times and have to use both hands to turn a curve because of steering locked.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Clarks Summit, PA, USA