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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
70 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
129 / 3
Average Mileage:
64,228 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 55 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #150

Aug 032009

Cobalt

  • 27,500 miles

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

Power steering failure while on way to work. Warning light came on prior to power steering failure. Dealer contacted, and car taken in the next day. Although the warning light did not come on and the steering worked the next day, was told there was a problem with the electronic components in the steering column, and the motors were faulty. Parts had to be replaced.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #149

May 202009

Cobalt

  • 46,020 miles
I was driving down the road in may and the power steering cut out while in motion. I immediately pulled over, turned engine off and then restarted the vehicle. The power steering began working again, but then cut out again after a few miles while still driving. This occurs every time I drive the car; works, cuts out, I restart the vehicle, power steering begins working, then cuts out again....everytime I drive!! my mechanic has tried replacing the computer chip and everything short of dismantling the vehicle. He informed me that he discovered that thousands of Cobalt owners have had the same problem. Unfortunately, GM refuses to do a recall despite the danger of the failure. The power steering column needs to be replaced. I am hoping GM will step up to assist their customers that cannot afford this repair.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

problem #148

Aug 082009

Cobalt

  • 84,076 miles
The events leading up to this failure were none. I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt and my electrical powering steering went out on a trip with my two children. I am so upset about this. The "power steering" light came on exactly one minute before this happened on the highway. I had no notice and had to pull hard off the highway and restart the car. I took it to the Chevy dealership (without a warranty) and it is going to cost $2000. I do not have this kind of money and also still owe $10,500 on a car that is dangerous to drive my children in. The entire steering column will have to be replaced is what the Chevy dealership said.

- Auburndale, FL, USA

problem #147

Jul 012009

Cobalt

  • miles

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

2006 Chevy Cobalt steering is going out while driving. Very concerned. Why has this not been a recall.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #146

Aug 042009

Cobalt

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a chiming noise inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Suddenly, the power steering failed. The driver had to exert greater effort to turn the steering wheel. The power steering warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The driver proceeded to a parking lot and turned off the engine. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the steering column motor assembly failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 28,000.

- Boventry, CT, USA

problem #145

Aug 062009

Cobalt

  • 32,210 miles
The power steering stops working, and I have to turn off my car and it works again for only one minute! and it stops working again!

- Hidalgo, TX, USA

problem #144

Jul 242009

Cobalt

  • 37,359 miles

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

Car traveled 75 ft while in park with the engine running and entered a lake at a girl scout camp. Vehicle declared a total loss by insurance carrier. Car had the shifter assembly binding replaced on 10/6/08 with mileage of 28201 mi. At an authorized Chevrolet dealer while still under warranty because the key could not be removed from ignition because the car did not recognize it was in park.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

problem #143

Aug 032009

Cobalt

  • 48,500 miles
The power steering goes out in my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt ss coupe. When this happens it causes the steering to be very difficult to steer and a crash could result.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #142

Aug 042009

Cobalt

  • 62,305 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While approaching a stop, the contact noticed that the power steering suddenly stopped working. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 62,305.

- Carrolton, TX, USA

problem #141

Aug 032009

Cobalt

  • 61,000 miles
2006 Chevy Cobalt, power steering keeps going out.

- Fieldale, VA, USA

problem #140

Aug 032009

Cobalt

  • 77,345 miles

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

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 77,000 miles words powersteering lit up on dash and I was unable to steer car while moving. No consequences on block from my house but it is not a fluid system. This is not preventable and I viewed one report with over 375 complaints of the same problem with 2005 - 2008 Cobalts. This needs to be recalled if this is a steering column problem with such prevalence. I travel quite a distance to work. What if I had been on the interstate as usual?

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #139

Aug 042009

Cobalt

  • 37,877 miles
Chevrolet Cobalt's power steering disables the car, while in operation! the brakes disengage and transmission shakes violently.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #138

Aug 032009

Cobalt

  • 43,750 miles
1. we were driving and a light came on that said that there was a problem with the power steering. 2. it happens within several seconds of starting the car, that the power steering fails. 3. went to the Chevy dealership and they said that there is a shortage in the power steering box and that I would have to replace it and it would cost $1,000.

- Oklahoma City , OK, USA

problem #137

Aug 012009

Cobalt

  • miles
2006 Chevy Cobalt-power steering pump goes out unexpectedly. After researching many databases, seems this is a severe problem with this model car and this particular style of electric power steering pump that GM utilizes. GM continues to ignore the consumer regarding this problem without issuing recalls or safety messages.

- Killeen, TX, USA

problem #136

Jun 302008

Cobalt

  • 30,000 miles
While traveling at highway speeds, approximately 40 mph a message appears in the message center in my dash indicating the power steering has gone out. I feel no difference in steering, but when the car switches gears (it is an automatic ) it is very rough and almost dies. It occurs randomly and has happened twice this week local repair shop couldn't find any problem.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #135

Jul 302009

Cobalt

  • 82,000 miles
My power steering went out on my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. I was on the expressway and it went out. If I pull over and turn the car off, let it sit, turn back on, it will work fine for a random period of time before it goes out again. I almost got into an accident. Now it keeps going out. I did some online research and found that hundreds and hundreds of people are having this problem. This is a very dangerous problem.

- Madison Heights, MI, USA

problem #134

Jul 172009

Cobalt

  • 29,978 miles
Electric power assist system went off while driving after a few minutes. The problem repeats at random intervals.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #133

Jul 281992

Cobalt

  • miles
Power steering failure. Electrical system failure.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #132

May 062008

Cobalt

  • 50,000 miles
At 50,000 miles or so the power steering failed, it no longer works. I heard this is a common problem with the Chevrolet Cobalt. GM will not fix this problem now because my car is no longer under warranty.

- Compton, CA, USA

problem #131

Jul 282009

Cobalt

  • 53,950 miles
While driving my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, the power steering message would appear on the led screen and the power steering would fail, reverting back to manual steering. Fortunately, I was able to control the vehicle and avoid driving underneath a tractor trailer, but others may not be as fortunate. I read several hundred postings on a website last night with other people experiencing the same problems. GM will not acknowledge that there is a problem with the vehicles steering, or potentially a defect prompting a recall. Once you turn the car off and restart it, the power steering works again and then the problem will repeat itself again sometimes within seconds of several minutes. This has been occurring for 3 days now and getting worse. I am waiting to take the vehicle to a GM dealer for evaluation, and I'm already being told that this is a non-covered warranty problem, costing around $2,000 to fix.

- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA

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