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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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,010
Average Mileage:
61,350 miles
Total Complaints:
128 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (73 reports)
  2. replaced steering column (20 reports)
  3. the power steering assist motor under the steering column (15 reports)
  4. needs new steering column (6 reports)
  5. need to replace assist motor and p/s mod (3 reports)
  6. recalled! (3 reports)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 3 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Dec 012009

Cobalt LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

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

The power steering on my 2005 Cobalt just suddenly freezes up. I have to pull over, shut the car off for a few minutes. I have to continually do this. I called the dealer and they said it is the Power Steering Module and it would cost approx. $900.00 to fix as they have no recalls on this, but I am reading that more and more people are having the same problem. Do we all need to band together and file a suit to get this problem corrected. I don't have $900.00 to have this fixed and why should I. My car only has 63,000 miles on it.

- Donna H., West Union, SC, US

problem #87

Jan 012010

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

well let me start out by saying that like everyone else. the problem just started out of the blue.. Some days it may happen 10-15 times, while on other days 2 times. have taken to dealership and had diagnostics done and according to them the p/s module and assist motor need to be replaced. I have an extended warranty, but wouldn't you know it it only covers the motor even though i have talked to car parts place and they say the module and motor come together. hmmm sounds like im getting the shaft.. If you are going to buy extended warranty you need to make sure they spell everything out for you.. I was given a fixing price of 1150.00 of course the warranty would pay for the motor and my out of pocket would be 800.00. like everyone else 800.00 is not easy to come by. so i have contacted a used auto parts place and they have the module/motor as one piece for 350.00. if they are one piece then why isn't the whole thing covered under warranty you ask! my feelings exactly. I wonder if the people who decide what gets fixed and what doesn't had a family member killed because of the problem we are experiencing would change the way things are done. my problem started at 76000 which is later than some but it is an ongoing problem and Chevrolet needs to take care of it.

- mathewr, Oneonta, ALA, US

problem #86

Sep 092009

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I would like to say that i think the 2005 chevy cobalt should be recalled and fixed at no charge to the owner. I have already payed 650.00 dollars and the problem is still their. First my power steering light comes on then my power steering cuts right on out. Its to hard to turn the wheel and I am afraid its going to kill me or someone else this is a outrage.. Those who have the power to fix this would rather let the body count go up before they do anything.. Well let me tell you that will not be me I am going to make it my life purpose to make sure they do something about this issue. So if any of you Chevy CEOs read this just know I am coming and you will fix this

Update from Mar 5, 2010: Finally, Chevy has issued the recall:> I guess one of them owned one and had the problem. It is about time they got it.........

- James S., Mechanicsville, VA, US

problem #85

Dec 272009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

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

Well my wife was driving our cobalt and the power steering light came on in the message center while driving down the freeway at 70 mph the other day. She brought the car home and turned it off. I proceeded to come home and I plugged in my diagnostic code reader and it said that nothing was wrong so I assumed that the electronics must have gotten wet no big deal. The next day she was again driving on the freeway at 70 mph and it happened again so she took it to the dealership where we bought it and they said that they can't fix anything because the computer said that there isn't anything wrong with it. So now we are paying $3000 for the extended warranty with a $100 deductible that doesn't help us at all because there is nothing physically wrong with the power steering unit. Chevrolet needs to pull their heads out and fix this problem!

- Henry L., Conneaut, OH, US

problem #84

Dec 212009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,134 miles

Power steering quit for no reason driving down the road. Power steering came up on dash info window last week. Next time I fired it up it was fine for 20 miles and it happened again. Now within a half mile of driving power steering is gone. It must reset itself every time you shut it off. I have seen many of these complaints about power steering problems. Is this normal wear or a bad product?

- danhei69, Conneaut, OH, US

problem #83

Nov 292009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 40,900 miles

ok so driving my 2005 cobalt today just got it less than a month ago so driving along and power steering light comes on and all of a sudden absolutely no power steering at all and wheel was almost impossible to turn. taking it to chevy dealer tommorow cant wait to hear there solution to this one. 4 days after purchasing the car it needed control arm bushings and they fixed it and forgot to put balljoint nut back in and car dropped and was all f*cked up they blamed it on the dealer mistake. wonder what they will say about this

- ryanecotec22, Johnson City, NY, US

problem #82

Oct 142009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,982 miles

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

It started about 6 months ago, when the key started getting stuck in the ignition.I had to go back and fourth from park to drive to get it out.Then about a month ago,I was on my way to work and all the gauges went crazy and the power steering went out.While this was going on the transmission changed gears ruffly.I had to stop and turn off the car,then turn it back on, to get it to stop!!! This week i have not been able to drive to work,it has got so bad.Even when i stop and turn it off now, it doesn't help anymore.I'm thinking about filing a Class Action Lawsuit.Is anyone else interested?

- brittanychurchill, Phippsburg, ME, US

problem #81

Nov 112009

Cobalt LX 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,234 miles

Returning from a surf trip heading home my power steering took a dump . looks like its cover under the warranty though . Taking it to the dealer .

- domesticfix, Tampa, FL, US

problem #80

Nov 022009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,500 miles

Power Steering message displayed on the computer. This happened initially and then again the following day. Progressively got worse until now it happens within 1-2 minutes of starting the car. Turn the ignition off and restart the car and it will work for a minute or so. I hear a click just above the brake pedal. Immediately there are 4 dings and the computer says Power Steering and the power steering stops working.

I took the cover off of the power steering motor just above the brake pedal and used electronic cleaner on it but that did nothing. Based on these symptoms it seems as though the problem is the power steering assist motor but when I discussed this with a service adviser from a dealership they said it could be many things. I doubt they would tell me the real problem even if they knew what it was.

I have 2 GM vehicles and also a Dodge. I have tried to support American auto makers but these annoying problems are very very frustrating. Then it is even more frustrating when you can't buy parts to fix them yourself. They force you to have a dealership fix it. So you almost always end up spending $500 or more for any problem. I have talked to way too many people who have Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas or Nissans that have driven their cars 100,000 miles and say they never had any repairs.

- Rance M., Ponder, TX, US

problem #79

Nov 052009

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

When I called the dealership, I was told they'd never heard of this problem. My 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt power steering failed/ froze after backing out of a parking space. I was told it needed a new steering column. I searched and found w.care2.com and signed their petition re. Cobalts and the recurrence of power steering failure after the initial repair. I searched Lemon Law and have talked to two attorneys in CA. Car manufacturers supported a legal change 10 years ago so that people who have 'extended warranties' are exempt from Lemon Law protection. Today I was told to file a report with National Highway Transportation and Safety Admin, and, Bureau of Automotive Repair 800-952-5210.

- heart, Hemet, CA, US

problem #78

Nov 082009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,694 miles

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

This isn't the first time this issue happens. Book says turn engine off and restart, problem fixes itself. Sure but at what harm to my car? This is now the 2nd time the power steering light is on. Before it was the transmission. Dealer code U2100 comes up which means it's a malfunction in the code reading. So what's the real issue. This power steering can't be fixed w/o paying $500-$1000 are you kidding me WTF. POS car should have gone w/ Ford.

- stoy, Taunton, MA, US

problem #77

Dec 012008

Cobalt LT 2.2L Ltr

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I have a 20005 Chevy Cobalt LT 4 door. I got my car in Jan of 2008, and in Dec of 2008 my power steering started to go out every other day. then one day it went completely out. I took it to a dealership to get it diagnosed to see what was wrong and they had told my my Electronic Power Steering Control Module in my steering column is going out. I asked them how much it would cost and they told me depending on the severity of it anywhere from 600 to 1200 dollars. A dealer ship is the only place to get one because it is a "dealer item only" they said. I'm hoping that GM come up with a recall for this item!

- Sean M., Greeley, CO, US

problem #76

Oct 052009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

I just bought a 2005 Chevy Cobalt a month and a hlf ago from a dealership in Daytona Beach. As soon as I left the parking lot I had to come back because of issues happening with the car. After picking it up from the dealership I was headed home and saw power steering come up in the dash. I went to take a left turn and the steering wheel locked on me with on coming traffic coming. I keep telling the salesman that I do not want this car because I don't feel safe in it. They keep giving me the run around. I think they waiting for my warranty to run out.

- lenuta10florida, Palm Coast, FL, US

problem #75

Dec 142008

Cobalt LS 2.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

click to see larger images

power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure

Sorry If i posted twice, I don't know if i got the first one right so i just redone it.

Okay well i was traveling on Highway 160 on my way to a friends house it was snowing and i didn't know they was ice on the road and as i was approaching a curve in the road

" Power Steering " showed across my message screen, so i didn't take much thought to it until i tried to cut the wheel and it was tight and hard to turn as if the car was not running so I panic and cut the steering wheel to deep and the curve was curved in ice and i spin out of control. the back of the car hit a cliff side bouncing me back on the road where i plow a guard rail and coming to a rest, The seat belt didn't catch good and the air bags did not deploy i didn't even have the car for one year i got it in January and crashed in December the car also had more problems but this was a one and last problem the car had, it never done anything like this before the accident. But overall the cobalt is a good car but they really have a glitch in the power steering.

Ps, the dates are way off on the pics and its hard to see the full damage because of the snow.

- riverj, Hindman, KY, US

problem #74

Dec 142007

Cobalt LS 2.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

click to see larger images

power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure power steering failure

i bought an 2005 (red) 2.2L and the car was fun it had only 38000 miles on it and i thought to my self that i could make years with this car, i bought it in the year 2007 and drove it often i was a sudden in collage and i also worked a job so the gas mileage was great. and one night it was a cold December night coming home from my part time job, on the message center in the cluster it began saying power steering and the steering got very heavy or hard to turn which ever describes better, and i was approaching a curve so i panic and jerk the wheel very hard, the back end slides around hitting a cliff it's eastern ky they are a lot of clifts, after hitting the clift i bounced into a ditch head on, My airbags did not deploy nor did the seat belt catch like normal my car was demolished and i had only had it almost a year, i got the car in January and wrecked in December, I miss it but it had a lot of problems, the brakes would catch and it would sometimes give it's self gas, but the steering was one problem that ended my cobalts life...don't get me wrong the Chevy cobalt is a great car, it's fun for people but if its got problems like this it can me fatal it almost was for me, i didn't have extended warranty. so the insurance payed the car off and no my parnts insurance rates are up big time. Think before buying a Chevy they are nice to the eye, but bad to the wallet. i am thankful for this website.

- riverj, Hindman, KY, US

problem #73

Oct 062009

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

This cobalt was my second car and I work really hard keeping it in great condition by constantly getting the oil changed, tune-ups, you name it. On Tuesday WHILE driving down the HIGHWAY at 65 miles per hour all of the sudden my car rang "DING DING" and on the digital reading dash said "Power Steering". My steering went completely out without warning almost causing a severe accident on the highway. Luckily, I was strong enough to get the car over! Turns out the fix ranges anywhere from $900-$1500 in PARTS alone, so in labor it will be several hundred more. I can't believe that with all these complaints on here chevy has yet to issue a recall. Lives were put in direct risk. I am a student studying at a major university with a minimum wage paying job so raking up that amount of money will be near impossible in a timely manner. In the mean time I will be forced at the mercy of my friends for rides to school, work and errands. This is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

- Sarah D., San Marcos, TX, US

problem #72

Oct 042009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,850 miles

I've had the same problem with my 2005 cobalt LS twice so far. A couple months ago I was driving down the highway going 55 mph when I heard 3 dings. I looked down and power steering message was flashing across the information bar. When power steering wasn't flashing across the screen the temperature had lines instead of numbers like it couldn't register. My check engine light came on along with the traction control light. The speedo and tachometer were moving really erratic too. When I stopped and tried to pull out again it was like I popped the clutch on a manual shift while it shifted into 2nd. Then it bogged down really bad like it shifted way too early. I finally made it home then sent the car to the dealer a few days later. They told me it was the body control module and replaced it for me. I assumed everything was fixed but today for no apparent reason the whole thing started once again. When I got it fixed the first time I had a custom stereo in the car that was apparently hooked into that control module they changed. I bought the car used with the stereo already in it too. They unhooked it saying that it probably shorted out the module. So I took their word for it and left it unhooked....I haven't had a radio or cd player since then....but now that the problem started back even with the radio unhooked, the dealer was wrong. Its back to the dealer again this week to see what they say. Its kind of sad but I hafta drive my 1987 Toyota pickup to work (which is over 100 miles per day for me) but its more dependable than this piece of junk cobalt. If the Toyota got 32 miles per gallon like my cobalt, id save myself the trouble and go ahead and run the cobalt off a cliff.

- chris454, Paintsville, KY, US

problem #71

Sep 122009

Cobalt V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My Cobalt keeps getting power steering problems where the steering wheel will shut down and get pretty stiff and the car would make like a jumping movement where if I brake it will turn off by itself.

- Janet N., Manati, P.R, Puerto Rico

problem #70

Dec 292008

Cobalt LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

The first time this happened, it was supposedly fixed by the factory warranty. This has reoccurred twice and this final time is the big one. Went online to look up what type of power steering it had, as there was a debate. Then I found all of these amazing stories of similar nature. Unbelievable. GM should be ashamed. Going to the shop in the morning. We'll see how this will be handled.

- Robert B., Fort White, FL, US

problem #69

Sep 162009

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

Hi, I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt, and my power steering has been going out off and on for the past month or so. I took it back where I bought it. They ran it through some tests and did a road test and charged me $81 to tell me nothing was wrong. Since then, it has gone out a good dozen times. On Wednesday, it went out three times in one afternoon. Since then it hasn't gone out at all, and seems to have something to do with the temperature outdoors since it only seems to bother when it is above 70 degrees. At first I thought it happened only when I had the air on, but it will do it when the air is off too. It never happens in the morning, though, only the afternoon, so I'm thinking it has to have something to do with the outside temperature. It is more apt to happen when I'm going at a slower speed, but I'll just be driving down the road, minding my own business, and all of a sudden, I hear "ding, ding, ding." The power steering light is on and I have NO power steering. I checked another website this week, and found hundreds of similar complaints. I'm going to a Chevy garage on Tuesday, and I printed out eleven pages of complaints to take with me. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. We need a recall!

- Denise C., Lawton, PA, US

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