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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Cobalt continued to carry the torch first lit by the 2005 model year. To be clear, that torch is burning bright with widespread power steering issues, electrical curiosities and a dangerous ignition switch defect which led to a massive recall by GM. This isn’t a great torch to carry.

The 2006 added it’s own special flare with gas leaks due to cracks in the “return portion of the modular reservoir assembly.” A recall of 2006 Cobalts was issued to fix the problem, but only to vehicles sold in or current registered in Arizona and Nevada, leaving other owners to pay for repairs themselves.

Between this car stalling while driving, giving owners fits with power steering failure and having it be a potential tinderbox because of gas leaks, we felt we had no other option than to award it our “Avoid Like the Plague” badge.

8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$320
Average Mileage:
59,100 miles
Total Complaints:
42 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (25 reports)
  2. should be recalled based on the number of complaints (4 reports)
  3. access door under column - push button & it will release key (3 reports)
  4. dealer replaced the ignition lock cylinder (3 reports)
  5. replaced the shifter (3 reports)
  6. had shifter replaced (2 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #22

Aug 292006

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

It sometimes takes me 5 minutes to get the key out of the ignition. It gets jammed and won't come out. I have to wiggle the key and shake the shifter and push the button on the shifter in. This is a pain in the ass. I don't think that a consumer should have to pay for a problem when they are not the cause. Thanks to whom this concerns. That's you GM

- Victor C., Gulf Breeze, FL, US

problem #21

Dec 102009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,000 miles

This is the most annoying thing in the world! It's such a pain in the ass. I've been late to school and work trying to get my damn key out. I have to wait until I hear 3 clicks to pull my key out, and sometimes I can't. I have to push the key unlock button under a steering wheel! I've had the shifter cleaned, replaced, and everything else you can imagine over 5 times! I just bought this car in September of 2009 and I love it, yes, but hate the problems I've been having.

- Ashley S., Rapid City, SD, US

problem #20

Feb 182010

Cobalt LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

I am so pissed off my key keeps getting stuck in the steering column & locks on me, but

if you go to your manual and look on page 2-20 column lock release it will show you how to unlock it!! there is a little plungger button under there that you can push and it will release the key!!!. Save a little time to see if there will be a recall on this. hope this helps!!.

- stewartmi, Clinton, MI, US

problem #19

Jun 252009

Cobalt Purple 2.2L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

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

I bought this car in May of 2009, sometime during the summer the check engine light came on and I stopped at Autozone to have them check it out and they told me the plug in for checking problems was not working so I took it back where I bought it and the mechanic stated it came unplugged from inside (something of that nature) and it would take hours for repair..my belief it was like that when I bought it. Not long after that incident which I did not have them repair..too expensive my key problem started has done it 3 times but did finally I was able to get it out of ignition..the other day got home and stuck and won't come out no matter what..it effects the headlights and the shifter..why do cars cost so much but are made so cheaply? But expensive to fix...:( So I guess I will have to take it to garage and spend money I don't have.

- Kim R., Troy, PA, US

problem #18

Nov 232009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,282 miles

This is a real pain in the ass problem, i thought i was the only one, everytime i park and turn key to turn off it wont go all the way and key wont come out, i would try and try putting it in park and neutral over and over, thinking that was the problem. This wasn't the problem. i went to Chevy dealership they were charging me just to take a look at the problem. they were guessing it was because it wouldn't go in park properly. i wasn't going to pay Chevy $90 just to take a look then god knows what they would tell me how much it would cost to fix. i took it to a mechanic i knew, he took a look at it for no charge. there was a problem where you enter the key, there's a square chip inside with a spring and thats what was broken.thank god for him god knows what the dealership would have told me especially my warranty was out they could of told me anything and i would take there word for it.charge me what ever they want. it cost me $200 for the part and my mechanic fixed it for me. if this happens again i will be real pissed off.

- Sandra J., Scarborugh, Canada, Canada

problem #17

Nov 162009

Cobalt LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

If you have this problem with the key getting stuck in the ignition switch take it to the dealer right away. If you wait till the warranty is over GM will do NOTHING for you. Even though if you search the internet it seems to be a widespread issue you can expect NO help from General Motors Corporation. Furthermore GM dealers want to start by replacing the ignition switch for around $300 cost to you when in fact the issue is with the shifter assembly. Just another way to get more money from you.

I'm so glad the government bailed out General Motors they are a real stand up company. So I filled a complaint with the BBB we will see what response I receive from that. Just want to make sure everyone knows take it in now! Do not wait till the warranty expires because you will be on your own.

- tortomasim, Covington, LA, US

problem #16

Nov 262009

Cobalt LS 2.2L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,000 miles

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

While driving, shifter button stuck in, then fell out. Cannot get key out of ignition.

- Bennie H., Corsicana, TX, US

problem #15

Feb 092009

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

When I first bought the car I loved it then 2 weeks later the windows wouldn't roll down. Then one day at work I went to go get out of my car and the car wouldnt release my key. It was like it wasn't reading it was in park. so I had to leave my keys in my car all day while at work and I had people try to get it out and no one could. I couldn't start my car at that point, it had to be jumped. My husband looked into getting it fixed and we couldn't afford it, we just had a baby and hes in the military. He told me I just have to unhook the battery everytime I get out because it might die on me. So for the past months I have been "un-plugging" the wire from the battery everywhere I go. Sometimes it wont start regardles, other times my power steering goes, sometimes the speedomitor wont work. It's such a hassel. We did by a new shift knob for it and it did work just fine the first 7 times then it did it again. The guy at the chevy dealership told us that it was the gear sensor and it was going to be $700 to fix. Thats just not affordable. He told one of his friends at work one day and he told us there was a recall because it happened to him too and they might be able to pay for it if we qualify. I'm assuming this is what he may be talking about.

- Heather R., Brandenburg, KY, US

problem #14

Sep 202009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,660 miles

I bought this car a year ago. I haven't had any trouble until now, and yes I bought the extended warranty but sure as sh*t this problem is not covered..... the key is stuck in the ignition and the button on the shift is stuck in. The dealer says it the shift control solenoid which will cost 350.00 to repair..

- dbeth, Auburn, IN, US

problem #13

Jun 162009

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,500 miles

Came home from work and key would not come out of the ignition because the shifter button would not pop out. I drove it around some and came back hoping that would work, it didn't. Had to leave keys in vehicle all night, scary. I took it to a car repair shop and it is costing me $424!!! They said that the dealer had lots of shifters in stock. Apparently, this is a common problem. I am not a happy camper.

- Shonsie S., Beech Grove, IN, US

problem #12

Jun 142009

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

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

This is not the first time that I have a problem with this car first was the gas pump. Now this I will check with the dealer because the car is under warranty

- Eudely R., North Miami Beach, FL, US

problem #11

Apr 172009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,289 miles

WHEN TURNING CAR OF THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET OUT. THIS IS A PAIN IN THE ASS AGAIN.

- Lisa A., Memphis, TN, US

problem #10

Apr 172009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,289 miles

THE POWER STEERING GET HARD TO STEER. AND IT IS REEL A PAIN IN THE ASS.

- Lisa A., Memphis, TN, US

problem #9

Apr 082009

Cobalt Lx Sedan 2.2L 4cly

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,895 miles

ok this a problem that is getting on my nerves. why the hell wont the key come out im not the only person with this problem from what i can see, i have a friend that had this problem and the whole button fell out of the shifter. I myself think there should be a recall on this problem, but who am i to say.i will find out soon what it will cost hopefully covered on extended warranty.

- Ray R., Eminence, KY, US

problem #8

Nov 122007

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

Well, I know that there are people out there with this same problem. Where ya can't get your freakin key out after turning the car off!!!! I actually had it in the dealer's 3 different times! Again, first they didn't believe me!! They tried telling me it was the fuse. They changed that, and then I drove my car, if I remember....like 60 miles and then it did it again! So, I called them up. Took it back in, for them to tell me it was the switch in the gear......where you put it in park...reverse....etc. Well, got it back and you guessed it, shortly after it did it again! Here what I was told happened and what caused this, was inside the steering wheel........something happened with a wire touching another wire.....which had caused some kind of short! So, they fixed it....and so far I haven't had anymore problems with it!

- dmysticangel, Greensburg, PA, US

problem #7

Sep 122008

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,850 miles

This is the 3rd time I've had to take it back to the place where I bought it to have them look at it and fix it... the first time, it was cranking sometimes and sometimes it wasn't... they said it was in the gear shift... they "supposedly" replaced the solenoid in the gear shift... well... about 2 weeks later, it happened again... and this time I know for sure that they replaced it... and when I couldn't get the key out... the mechanic said that although it was in park, it wasn't registering that it was in park... then the key got stuck again like a week ago and I took it back and they said that it had to be something with the gear shift... what a bunch of crap... fix it the 1st time please!!!!!!!!

- kristenga, Grayson, GA, US

problem #6

Feb 112007

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

I had the same problem. Whenever I would turn my car off, I would sit there for 10 minutes trying to get my key out of the ignition. I finally had had enough and contacted the dealer. It turns out that my shifter was faulty. The mechanic said that even though i would have the car in 'Park', the car did not register it as in 'Park' and would not release the key. This was covered under my standard warranty so I'm not sure how much it would cost to have the whole shifter replaced normally.

- Tiana C., Oklahoma City, OK, US

problem #5

May 282008

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

my key got stuck in my ignition multiple times and my boyfriend had to take off the button on the gear shift and pop it back out and mess with some little plastic pieces until it finally just worked. Its really crappy that i paid full price for this car.

- Monica C., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #4

Dec 212007

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

Every time I drive the car I can't get the key out without having to reach under the steering column and sticking my finger in a whole to hit the right spot to unlock the steering column. My husband can't drive the car - he's cut a fused right wrist -- unless we want to leave the keys in it all the time. Most cars have a button on the steering column to release the steering wheel. I don't understand why the cobalt doesn't. I've tried turning the key to the "ACC" as the book states but that doesn't work. The dealership mechanic said he seems to think it's tied to a fuse but he's not sure -- if anyone has any ideas pls let me know.

- lawilburn, Vanceburg, KY, US

problem #3

Jan 152008

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Dealer reports car is out of warranty, of course it is, it has 50,000 miles on it. However a GM Bulletin was issued about the problem last year. I have been told it will cost me $79.50 just to evaluate the problem and up to 350 to fix it!

- RIck M., Dublin, OH, US

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