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 bought my daughter a 2005 Chevy Cobalt with 60,000 miles on it, while driving her power steering went out on the car. She was able to pull the car over without incident. After researching the problem it appears to be a common and dangerous defect in the Cobalt.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving between 5 and 35 mph the power steering light illuminated on the dashboard and the power steering failed to operate normally. The contact was able to gain control of the steering wheel with some difficulty. The dealer but was unable to diagnose the failure due to scheduling. The current and failure mileages were 73,261.
In the beginning of October I was driving to work and a warning light came on and power steering was on my message display. My car then began to buck everytime it was to shift from one gear to another and when would slow down to stop it would act like it was going to stall out. I had it towed to the dealer they said it was the body control module and fixed the problem. Not even a month later the same thing happened. I took it in to the dealer and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. 2 weeks later it happened again. I drove it right to the dealer and kept the car running and had a mechanic drive the car to show them the problem. It is now in the shop today 12/1/09.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt purchased in 2006. Intermittently while driving the warning alarm would sound, the power steering warning light would illuminate, and then steering would become difficult. The dealer made numerous repairs to the vehicle, but would not disclose how they repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was unknown. The current was 90,000.
Every time I drive my 2005 Chevy Cobalt, before I can get rolling good, the power steering fails. This makes turns difficult and dangerous. We have contacted our local dealer numerous times for repairs but are told we would have to pay over $1,000 out of pocket to get the steering column replaced. This is crazy!!! this is a major, major safety concern. We will never buy another Chevy, the car is dangerous and the customer service is horrible.
I have a 2005 Chevy Cobalt coupe and the power steering keeps going out. I see this as a major safety issue. If I have no power steering, how am able to swerve to avoid collisions, objects in the road, deer, etc.?
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving he heard a beeping noise, and then he lost power steering. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 36000.
While driving under normal conditions, attempted to take a right hand turn at normal speeds when the power steering failed (locked up). Was able to navigate safely to side of road. Stopped and restarted the car and power steering operated fine. The problem re-occurred intermittently. Car was returned to dealer where the electronics system in the power steering was replaced.
~dear sir/MA'am~ hello. My name is [xxx]. I drive a 2005 Chevy Cobalt. I love the car, but there is a problem and I don't know who to contact. I hope this is the right place. I do not know a lot about cars, but as I was driving to work yesterday and I tried to get in the turning lane but not knowing my power steering pump had just stopped working for some reason and I almost smashed into the back end of a semi and I was going 45mph. I contacted the place I bought my car from (gateway Chevrolet-fargo, nd ), and they said they will only fix it if I get into an accident of some sort. All I have is the power train warranty left for coverage, and that doesn't cover the power steering. The car is only at 55,478 miles and they will only help me if I get into an accident" that is not right. I don't care who you are, that is not right. My husband actually was looking online today and it is a common thing in Chevy Cobalts. There has been at least one fatality from the power steering not working in another victims Cobalt, yet they still have not put out a recall on it. I don't understand. Do I have to die before this gets fixed? I paid more than I should have for this car to begin with... and they will not help me unless I crash the car" that makes no sense. Please help me! I am scared to drive and this is the only car I have. Please please help me! you can call my cell phone with any questions or you can reach me at home after 5:30pm cst. Please help me with this. If you are not the right place, please send me some sort of direction. I need help with this. P.S. I've signed a petition online I am number 202 on the petition. The link is below: www.thepetitionsite.com/2/Chevy-Cobalt-power-steering-problems you can visit it to see proof, if not whatever. It is great proof that this is a manufac.default and it should be recalled! thank you for any help you can give me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 25 mph and making a right turn the power steering locked which forced her to turn on her hazard lights, drive onto the emergency lane and turn the vehicle off. She was able to continue driving normally after 5 minutes. There were no warning lights on the instrument control panel. The dealer was not contacted. A local mechanic was unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The failure recurred on two occasions. The failure mileage was 60000 and the current mileage was 61000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the "power steering" warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. A chime sounded inside of the vehicle, followed by a loss of power steering. The driver experienced resistance when she attempted to turn and gain control of the steering wheel. The engine was turned off. The vehicle restarted and resumed normal operation. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The failure was contributed to the power steering motor. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact had concern of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 33,000.
I was driving down the highway and all of a sudden "power steering" flashed in the information center and steering became extremely difficult. When I stopped and started the car up again it was fine. I checked the manual and it only said that if this happens it's a serious problem and to contact the dealer. I have since read that this is a defect occurring with Cobalts.
My girlfriend bought an 05 Chevy Cobalt from a local dealership that inspected the car 15 minutes before we drove it off the lot. 25 hours later as my girlfriend is exiting the highway, slowing down from 55 mph. The powersteering fails on her and sends her into the guard rail doing about 40-45. I have been pn forums and have found an obscured amount of the same complaints. Something really needs to be done about these Cobalts before someone dies. Luckily she was only knocked around a little and wasn't seriously injured.
My girlfriend bought an 05 Chevy Cobalt from a local dealership that inspected the car 15 minutes before we drove it off the lot. 25 hours later as my girlfriend is exiting the highway, slowing down from 55 mph. The powersteering fails on her and sends her into the guard rail doing about 40-45. I have been pn forums and have found an obscured amount of the same complaints. Something really needs to be done about these Cobalts before someone dies. Luckily she was only knocked around a little and wasn't seriously injured.
2005 Chevy Cobalt power steering failure this is a safety issue so many complaints this is a recall issue what will it take someone to get killed before GM reacts that is all they need is a law suit.
The contact owns 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. When attempting to enter a parking garage the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the power steering failed. She was able to restart the vehicle to resume normal vehicle operation. She was in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The current and the failure mileages were 130,000.
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. Than my power steering went out. I was stuck on the side of the road.www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Cobalt/2005/steering/index.shtml.
Power steering in 2005 Chevy Cobalt going out causing steering to be very hard to control especially on sharp turns. Can be corrected if car is shut off and restarted but goes back out without warning. Almost got in a serious wreck coming off an interstate ramp where power steering went out without warning and came about 1/2 foot away from colliding with guardrail. Was told that cost of repair is about $2000 and the entire steering column would have to be replaced. Now the power steering is going out continuously. There is no specific speed as I have been going any from 5 mph to 55 mph when it goes out. Have owned car for about 15 months. I have seen many complaints and blogs on the internet regarding the same issue but no recalls have been made. This is a very serious issue and with all the complaints that I have seen I would think there would have been a recall by now.
I was driving and my power steering light came on and I lost my power steering completely. I'm a 95 pound girl and it is impossible for me to turn my car. When I turn the car off and let it sit for a moment and start it again, the power steering comes back on for a moment and then goes out again. This is very dangerous and I am going to have to pay $1000 to fix it I'm 21 years old, I don't have that kind of money laying around.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dallas, TX, USA