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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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
64,000 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 012009

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

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

I am having the same problem as so many who own this Chevy Cobalt junk. The message "Power Steering" displays and the car beeps. It then starts shifting erradically. The power steering also fails. I have to pull of the road and take the positive battery cable off the battery for a moment and then replace it. This resets the cars computer and the problem goes away for a while...a day or two. I took the car to my mechanic to have the A-frame bushings replaced (another common problem with this car). I had him run the error code on the car. It came up that the transmission module was failing. He called the local Chevy garage and they said they were unaware of problems with Cobalt transmission problems. While reading this blog I came across two other complaints in here from my home town, Conneaut, Ohio. Conneaut is a town of approximately 12,000 people.

I am amazed at how many people are having this problem and GM is not taking care it. I drive 90 miles a day back and forth to work. I am no longer able to drive this car and I am making payments on this dead horse. The blue book on it is $2,000.00 and that is a Cobalt that doesn't have problems. It is virtually worthless! I don't even know how to get rid of this car. There is something very wrong with this picture. I will not buy another GM product. They do not stand behind there vehicle!

- Charles R., Conneaut, OH, US

problem #5

Feb 072009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

My girlfriend has an 05 cobalt and the power steering light and the check engine light came on and the speedometer was bouncing up and down and the car slams into gear and acts like it doesn't want to downshift & just plain runs horrible. We pulled the codes and got a p-0700. It's a transmission system malfunction so my buddy looked it up and it said check warranty or recall info...but didn't find any. So who knows, gonna check it out this week but wondering if anyone knew what the problem was so I could fix it?

- Chris M., Claremont, NC, US

problem #4

Jan 152009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,944 miles

Well if your on the same page I was #2 tells it all. The car "jumps" like someone learning how to drive a standard. The speedometer goes goofy, the T/C light and check engine light comes on, and POWER STEERING. This has been occurring for more than six months. The first time it happened I had the car towed to the dealership. They could not pull any codes and it would not act up for them. All in all they did a transmission service and said it was a quart low on transmission fluid (approx $500) with tow). It has happened several times since then. On 1/15 it started acting up, took it straight to the dealership. Pulled the code for the valve body to be replaced in the transmission (approx $2000). Got it back on 1/19, next day engine light came on, told no big it will go off. Came on again beginning of this wk 1/27. Last night 1/28 started acting up again "jumping", gauges goofy, engine and T/C light on, also anti-theft light. Had to go to school...got in tcar to come home power steering was not working had to turn car off and on three times to get it to work. Last night was the worst yet...actually felt unsafe driving it. Went to just answer though this site to see if they can help, will post if so. (1/29/09)

- Susan K., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #3

Dec 082008

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 79,536 miles

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

first real problems i've had with the car...not looking forward to spending a lot of $$ for trial & error that doesn't fix the problem....looking for advise.

- c2j908, Arkona, ON, Canada

problem #2

Aug 242008

Cobalt LT2 2.2L Ecotec Inline 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,400 miles

Basically, I thought something was wrong with the temperature sensor when this thing occurred. It happened on a cool morning (58 degrees F) after a particularly warm day (85 degrees F) here in MN. I was on my way to work at about 6:45 AM, and a mile into the commute, the transmission started to shift like a manual tranny car with a new-to-a-manual-transmission driver. It was horrible. On top of that, some electronic components were going haywire. The speedometer fluctuated every second from 0-50 mph when I was doing about 40, the check engine and traction control lights came on, and the digital odometer bar said "POWER STEERING." Took it to my usual independent mechanic shop, and they were unable to diagnose the problem. I reluctantly took it to my nearest Chevrolet dealer, and they claimed it was a faulty piece of the transmission. The repair was covered under my GM extended warranty, to the tune of $1,100. But, two days after getting my car back, on the way to work in the morning, it happened again. :/

- Adam L., New Hope, MN, US

problem #1

Oct 262007

(reported on)

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

This is one of the many issues I have had with my 2005 Chevy Cobalt. I have had the car in the shop twice with this issue. They are unable to find any issues with the car. They check the computers, and drive the car. The issue does not happens all the time, but when it does it sounds awful. You put the car into gear, it idles up, then slams into gear. Feels like you are in a car with someone that does not know how to drive a stick.

- Josh S., Marseilles, IL, US

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