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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,876 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #48

Nov 102015

Cobalt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving the car in the city street when the engine light came on. I continue to drive the car when I start hearing click sound than I hear bell sound come from the car. The car wouldn't go any faster than 40 mile hr & the gauges were jumping all over the place. I continue to drive the car then the words "power steering" came on where my mileage would show. All of the recalls have been repaired and something still wrong with this car. I asked GM to take look at the car without charging(money) to see if it is relative to the recall. The dealership said they couldn't tell if they would charged me money or not.

- Simpson, NC, USA

problem #47

Sep 252015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 10,377 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. After the vehicle was started, the enhance traction system, check engine, and power steering warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, when the vehicle was switched into the reverse position, there was an abnormal sound coming from the gear shift. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,377. Updated 03/11/16

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #46

May 012009

Cobalt

  • 10,000 miles
Engine would not turn over no electrical connection this happened several times during ownership.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #45

May 132015

Cobalt

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

3800 chadwood

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #44

Apr 132015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 139,975 miles
While driving on the street my car signaled reduced power, then engine disabled. Car slowed down to about 10 miles an hour, could not accelerate. Had to pull the car over, and turn the car off. Waited about five minutes and restarted my car. This happens about three times daily, and I was told by Chevrolet and GM that it's a common issue with Chevrolet Cobalts between the years 2005 and 2009 but this is not on recall. Today my car stalled five times and my bumper was hit by another car. I've been calling Chevrolet for the past two weeks and trying to see what can be done about my car as it is the only issue.

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

problem #43

Mar 262015

Cobalt

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the gear failed to switch and the check engine and power steering warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

- Wayne, MI, USA

problem #42

Mar 092015

Cobalt

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle was able to resume normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, who diagnosed that the head gasket was blown and caused internal damage to the engine. As a result, the engine required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Humble, TX, USA

problem #41

Jan 082015

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 171,654 miles
The vehicle will periodically jerk/hiccup at random while driving. On January 8, 2015 while traveling on the expressway, the vehicle began to randomly sputter/jerk/hiccup. The vehicle did not loose power, or was there any indication from dash board icons of any malfunction. There was not any visible warnings signs to alert a faulty system. This has occurred previously, while traveling throughout the city at speeds of 25-45 mph. During the most recent incident, traveling speeds varied from 50-70 mph on the expressway. This particular instance I was driving a 60 mile trip and this jerking occurred 7-10 times. The first time this occurred was probably 1.5 years ago. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic after the first instance, without anything being detected or a diagnosis. The issue is progressively worsening. It is beginning to happen more frequently. Last week, of the 4 days of travel on the expressway, the jerking occurred 3 of those days. Initially, I felt, this was associated to the cold and weather/temperature, but this has also occurred in warmer months. This is a definite safety issue, as it relates to myself, and others traveling in my vicinity.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #40

Apr 052005

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 80 miles
I purchased a Chevy Cobalt brand new in 2005. From the moment it left dealership I have had one recall issue after another. The main issue is stalling while driving caused by the ignition switch. This had been fixed at schumacer Chevrolet several times. My vehicle continues to stall and I am terrified of causing an accident due to this recall which GM refuses to fix. I feel I was sold a lemon and all I get from GM and the local dealers is nothing. My vehicle is worse with the stalling. I don't know where to turn to. Please help. I don't want monetary compensation from GM if I or any passenger in my vehicle dies in an accident due to a malfunction due to GM.

- Passaic, NJ, USA

problem #39

Jan 242012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 212,668 miles
On 01//24/2012 I was driving my 2005 Cobalt on the lodge freeway in Michigan my car just turn off for no reason while I was driving at 55 mph, yes I was injured and lost control of my car.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #38

Dec 242012

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 202,668 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 01//24/2012 I was driving my 2005 Cobalt on the lodge freeway in Michigan my car just turn off for no reason while I was driving at 55 mph, yes I was injured and lost control of my car.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #37

Dec 122014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
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."

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #36

Oct 022014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 174,854 miles
I was driving when all of a sudden the screen flashed engine power reduced. I had to pull into a parking lot to keep from being hit. Now my car won't start all. Had to have it towed home.

- Gaffney, SC, USA

problem #35

Aug 112014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 131,432 miles
I have just recently bought a used 2005 Chevy Cobalt. I was unaware of the recalls on it, until later. Now, I have a car payment and am unable to drive my car. I was on my way to town, on a paved two-lane highway, traveling around 55mph. When (for no reason) my car just quits/dies, as I am going up a hill. There were vehicles behind me that almost hit me. When it quit, I had to struggle to get my car to the side of the road. I could not get it completely off the road. I turned my hazard lights on and began trying to crank my car. It took more than 20mins., to get it started back up, but, when it did, it was skipping so bad, I still could not move it. I turned it off and began trying to crank it, once more. It took another 15 minutes to get it to run well enough to pull the rest of the way off of the pavement. I was almost struck/hit many times by passing vehicles. This has happened to me 3 more times. Now, I can't even get my car to the end of my driveway before it quits/dies. The parts I need to fix my car have been ordered thru maxie price Chevrolet in loganville, ga since June 14, 2014. I was told it would only take 1-2 weeks for the parts to get to this car dealership, so they could be replaced. I have not heard from anyone about my parts and cannot get anyone to help me. I am not driving my car because it is just to dangerous. So now I am stuck with a car payment and a car that is unsafe to drive. I don't understand why it is taking so long to get parts and why someone won't help me. I was under the impression that a recall was top priority. Are there more problems that I am unaware of or is someone just stalling"?? I need a car!!! how can I get a loaner until my car is fixed???"

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #34

Jun 182014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 114,340 miles
On June 18, 2014 while driving 45 miles per hour I suddenly lost power steering in the vehicle and the engine kept cutting out like it was going to shut off. I pulled into a store parking lot and the shifter would not work properly when trying to get it into park. Power steering light, engine light and several other lights appeared on my dashboard.. I called the dealership on June 18, 2014 to notify them of my power steering going out and the other issues described above. They told me parts were still not available. I did receive a call back that they did in fact have the part and to bring in the vehicle on June 19, 2014. My husband drove the vehicle 35 miles to the dealership with no power steering, the engine wanted to die every time he came to a stop and acted erratically the whole drive there. According to the invoice received the dealership mileage on my vehicle was 114, 340 and they performed recall 10023 V220 removed and replaced power steering motor with motor kit 1 19257875 motor kit. On June 20, 2014 the car was driven 320 miles. On June 21, 2014 I had no power steering. On June 23, 2014 I had to have a wrecker service tow my vehicle back to the dealership.. on July 18, 2014 I picked up my vehicle. According to the invoice received the dealer performed recall 13454 (F-cylinder kit ), performed recall 14113 (removed and replace ignition cylinder and programmed 2 new keys per recall 14113). The mileage they say was on my vehicle on this invoice dated 7/18/14 was 114, 292. Don't know how my mileage went backwards"?" on July 28, 2014 driving to work at 4:30 am going 60 mph my power steering light comes on, the engine is cutting out, the dashboard lights up, the speedometer needle is flickering uncontrollably and I have no where to pull over. This is the 3rd time power steering problem due to GM recall. Help!!!

- Valliant, OK, USA

problem #33

Apr 012014

Cobalt

  • miles
On Saturday March 29th 2014 I had my recall fixed on the power steering at ryan chevorlet here in minot nd. I get it fixed and parked my car at home until Monday April 1st I am driving down the highway and come to a stop light then I began to hear a clicking noise in my dashboard then a notification pops up for my traction control. As I start to move my speedometer is moving from 10 to 20 but im barely going 5. my RPM's are going up also then a notification for my power steering comes up then im worried. I get to my destination and my power steering goes out and I can not turn the vehicle and it shuts completely off. I try to turn it on and it turns over just doesn't start. I call the Chevy dealer here and they say they will take a look at it. They had my vehicle for a while just to tell me my car needed gas. Does this make sense or am I being fooled" I have research this issue and it seems like it has happened before to other people. Could someone help me"

- Minot, ND, USA

problem #32

Jun 142014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
I was traveling at 40 mph when the check engine and traction control lights lit up on the dashboard. Steering was extremely hard, the power steering was not working and I pulled into the nearest parking lot. After several times restarting the car, the power steering was working again.

- Willow Grove , PA, USA

problem #31

Feb 052014

Cobalt

  • 80,000 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that he attempted to have the vehicle repaired for under NHTSA campaign number:14V171000. The contact stated that he was made aware that parts were not available as a result repairs were unable to be performed 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 the failure.

- Old Forge, PA, USA

problem #30

Sep 152013

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
Car simply stalled on I 376 at highway speed. Car won't start unless ignition key is "jiggled".

- Aliquippa, PA, USA

problem #29

Apr 062014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
My daughter was on her way to work and was unable to stop andhit the rear end of the vehicle in front of her. The car shut off... she did what the recall was told to do and had just the key in the ignition... luckily she was able to turn on the car to get out of traffic and she was not going too fast the seatbelts did not work and the airbag did not work as well.. also before we knew about the recall her ignition was messing up by not able to completely turn off while in park and key would not come out... we have to shift gears and turn off and on the car to get the key loose... so now we are down a car, I paid the car in full and its now not drivable... ??

- Tyler, TX, USA

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