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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.

6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
43,450 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. intermediate shaft changed (2 reports)
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments

problem #9

May 282010

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 47,846 miles

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

so i bought the 20 may this year before i had an 99 Grand am with 240 000 km with no major problem but the cars start to get old and had alot of rust on it (yea f*cking canadia winter) so for about two month i start looking for a Cobalt because i love GM and i found a good deal on a 2006 Cobalt LS 5 speed with 76 000 km for the price of 5222 $ CAN that not expensive for a almost brand new car (i tought) anyway the was nice run so quiet everythings was fine on the cars .. 1 week later i was driving on a messy street full of crack and bump i start to heard something getting loose like clunking noise in te front end of the car i get back to the dealer and he's mechanic look at it and told it was the rack and pignion i told me to go at a gm dealer this is still on the warranty . so i went to a gm dealer i told me i not on the warranty and they check the cars they done a road test a 5 minutes road they dont even lift the cars for check the front end or whatsoever they told me it is really the rack and pinion so the guy ask if i want to get it fix for the low price of 1200 $ CAN i said WTF this is 1 years of payment on the cars so i looked on the internet and read alot of site and call at another dealers and they never changed anyu rack and pignion on those cars so i went to another chevy dealer and now i get a real diagnostic it was the intermedite Shaft of the sterring column so i 've call my salesman where i bought the car and he will fix for me with no charge atleast .... what a story but i still love my cars its just annoying to buy a car with only 4 years old and have that kind of problem anyway

Update from Oct 20, 2010: Well, i get the cars fixed yesterday the mechanics replaced the i-shaft AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED I HAVE STILL THE F** NOISE IN THE FRONT END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so i check the car by myself and i think my top plate are done. I will replaced it soon!!! you knows, maybe it will fix my problem...

- Jonathan L., Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada

problem #8

Mar 152009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Even the slightest bump or when turning causes the steering column to rattle. Very embarrassing and very annoying. I paid a lot of money for this car!

- Dana D., Corinth, MS, US

problem #7

Dec 012009

Cobalt SS 2

  • Manual transmission
  • 76,000 miles

My Cobalt is making this rattling noise and is so very annoying. Took it in and they say its a steering mount wearing down the steering struts and everything else, don't really know the fuel extent yet. To get the basic things fixed is 600.00. If thats all that it is, not sure yet and now am afraid to know!!! Yikes!!!

- blainewisconsin, Cochrane, WI, US

problem #6

Sep 112009

(reported on)

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,900 miles

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

within 1 month of purchase car started shaking and rattling as if something was going to fall out from under car [when i put on brakes mainly].took back to DICK SHIRLEY CHEVROLET and they said steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $700.00.of course that isn't covered under warranty.they said it was SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT.i have already reported this to better business bureau,but im not finished yet! everyone needs to report this! I will never buy another chevrolet!THERE IS NO WAY G.M ISN'T AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS @ WWW,THEPETITIONSITE.COM/1/CHEVY-COBALT!!

- lisashaver, Mebane, NC, US

problem #5

Sep 092008

Cobalt 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,890 miles

I have a 2006 Chevy cobalt I makes a noise when turning and hitting bumps. I took to my local Chevy dealer to be fixed three times . They say they can't hear the noise. To bring it back when I hear it I think they are waiting for the warranty to run out. I need help with getting this fixed.

- Paula H., Marshalltown, IA, US

problem #4

Mar 082007

Cobalt 2.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 12,000 miles

Same as previous complaints that I've seen. There will be a rattling/clunking sound out of the front end. Had this problem fixed 3 times now. Each occurrence is at about 8-10,000 miles of use. The intermediate shaft was the correction every time. The last time it was fixed was last July, 2008. No new problems since. Hopefully, they did what they said they did and replaced it with a redesigned unit.

- khuff1975, Loves Park, IL, US

problem #3

Jan 012009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,245 miles

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

I have had my car since March 2006. We have had nothing but problems with it. Steering, ABS module ( about 5 times and still giving me problems) Sun roof, windows not working, alarm on car goes off even if the car is unlocked, neither one of of my locks on the inside of the doors work, and all this has been going on for a while now. And not to mention my car warranty is gone. I currently have 64,000 plus miles on my car. And I have already try to do the Lemon law on it and they told me it was not a lemon and offered me 4,000 for a 18,000 car. I should have took them to court because of all of the problems I have had with the piece of crap. ( and that is putting it lightly). I still owe 11,125.38 on my car and they tell me my car is only worth 5,000 because of a wreck I was in back in 2007. So basically I am stuck in that car until i either have the money to do a down payment on another car or pay it off and then try to trade it in. WORD OF ADVICE DON"T WASTE YOUR TIME ONN THE COBALTS!!

- kcross, Warner Robins, GA, US

problem #2

Sep 112007

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

Again this problem has arisen, this time the dealer told me there was nothing wrong, I know that it is the steering column, so I waited till the first of the year and took it back when it was very bad and they finally fixed it,although it took them 3 months to get the part in, and now 6 weeks later it is broke again

- Michele J., Roy, UT, US

problem #1

Feb 092007

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I love my cobalt, but, I have had the steering problem fixed twice, now only 6 weeks later it is happening again, my warranty was up the last time they fixed it and they didnt charge me, I am frustrated that I have to take it back again for the third time

- Michele J., Roy, UT, US

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