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 had recall 10V073000 performed by the dealer due to noticing my steering was getting tight then sloppy. The dealer replaced the motor and said the slop in the steering was a bad intermediate steering shaft. So I bought that and had it installed, not at the dealer because they where ridiculous in price, and it fixed nothing. There was still slop and wandering while driving. After a while, making left turns I would head a clunk and it would still be difficult to turn. Then while making a slow left turn it was really tight and then a loud clunk then the steering became really loose and the vehicle lost steering until I turned the wheel more and it finally grabbed. It happens more frequently now. I was told the rack is now damaged. The intermediate shaft that was recommended by the dealer was an incorrect diagnosis when I had the recall performed. The failure of the motor put excess stress on the rack which caused the gears to wear is what an independent shop told me. GM is telling me that I have to spend more money to get a "proper diagnosis" from the dealer when at the time the recall was performed they had diagnosed it incorrectly.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed to function properly when turning left or right. The vehicle was not yet inspected and diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering), but it exhibited the same condition mentioned in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,242.
The traction control system light on my Chevrolet Cobalt 2005 stays on and does not turn off until I shut off the engine. The check engine light also stays on as well at the same time the traction control system light is on, so not sure if these two issues are related. I also notice that the vehicle jerks periodically when I am on the road and there is rough shifting of gears.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 45 mph, the "power steering fluid" warning message appeared. In addition, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after the first attempt. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was unknown.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously included in and repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). Shortly after receiving the recall repair, the power steering remained difficult to steer. The contact took the vehicle to the robince Chevrolet dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. The contact stated that the dealer did not provide an exact repair diagnosis; therefore, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
- Porter, TX, USA
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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
I simply lost the ability to steer my car, all it does is click when I turn the steering wheel, luckily I was close to home and slowly edged to the front of my home.
I was driving the car when a massage appeared on the board power steering and I lost power in the car I was driving very slowly I was scared the steering don't respond but I was driving straight to my house and then 25 min later the steering work.
Car flashes power steering and then the traction control light come on. They car shifts really hard and lunges forward when you are putting on the brakes and the speed needle jumps up and down. When you turn the car off and back on it stops doing it.
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.
2005 Chevy, Cobalt, had 2 recalls 2010, 2014 both for steering issues. Recently told by a mechanic problem still in rack and pion in steering mechanism. Dealer will not promise to fix as part of orignal recall or can't quarantee fixing. With all the fatalities of this issue my feeling it should be a lifetime warrantee. On highway driving I feel it still is an issue and don't feel safe. Dealer was not helpful at all. I have spent much money on front end issues with this vehicle and feel it has been related to some of the steering issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the traction control and steering warning indicators randomly illuminated several times, and then the engine stalled. The power steering also randomly shorted out each time the failure occurred. The failure intermittently progressed for over two years. The dealer was notified of the failure several times, but the contact had not yet approved what the dealer mentioned would be an extensive diagnosis and repair. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V073000 (steering), 14V047000 (electrical system), and 14E021000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available...updated 06/08/17
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
I was parked. I returned to vehicle and started vehicle. The power steering light on dash illuminated and my steering was very hard to maneuver. I managed to drive the car back to our hotel, but was fearful of driving any further. Had it towed home.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 5 mph, the steering column power was intermittent and the power steering indicator illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed and the manufacturer was not notified. The failure recurred the following day. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The power steering assist warning indicator illuminated as the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Fraser, MI, USA