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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 9 of 62)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1070

Jan 042016

Cobalt

  • 184,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering failed. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was unaware if the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.

- Mrytle Beach, SC, USA

problem #1069

Dec 152015

Cobalt

  • 128,610 miles
I've been continually hearing a really loud noise as I turn the steering wheel to the left. Today as I turned left the steering became quite a bit tougher to turn almost like there was no power steering at all, but only when I turned left.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

problem #1068

Jul 202015

Cobalt

  • 138,287 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained facial injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,287.

- Dalton, GA, USA

problem #1067

Nov 012015

Cobalt

  • 106,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the power steering stalled without warning. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 106,000.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #1066

Nov 182015

Cobalt

  • 81,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver and the power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle independently shifted into the neutral position as the vehicle revved without warning. The contact was able to switch back to the appropriate gear. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

- Apollo, PA, USA

problem #1065

Oct 212015

Cobalt

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at various speeds and attempting to turn the steering wheel, it seized without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #1064

Nov 012015

Cobalt

  • 160,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, an abnormal noise was heard and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Claremore, OK, USA

problem #1063

Oct 152015

Cobalt

  • 80,600 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle jerked and the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,600.

- Winnsboro, LA, USA

problem #1062

Nov 012015

Cobalt

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering became very difficult to use. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning light remained illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Wyomissing, PA, USA

problem #1061

Oct 312015

Cobalt

  • 85 miles
Traction control light and power steering light came on while driving straight at about 80. The car became jerky while taking a slight left (almost like a delay in the steering wheel). Came to a light and the idle starting flirting. Drove forward it lurched a bit went and pulled in. While stopped I shifted between drive, park rev, the transmission would slam into gear. Idle fluttered. Shut off vehicle for 20 seconds lights and issue went away. Car is at 117,000km

- Langley, WA, USA

problem #1060

Oct 282015

Cobalt

  • miles

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

The ignition switch was supposedly changed, still having trouble starting the car. Difficult to steer, sensors aren't working. Stationary when trying to start the vehicle, sensor lights comes on when driving, city highway.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #1059

Oct 212015

Cobalt

  • 115,400 miles
Car while it's running gets a security light and engine light on and all gauges read zero besides the rpms jumping to a thousand. An display saying low fuel and power steering and when try to change display it reads ---------- and it did the same thing while driving down the road so I pulled over and turned it off and back on and only the security light stayed on. Very dangerous as the car will not move when it's happening it's like it's disabled.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #1058

Oct 032015

Cobalt

  • 120,000 miles
The intermediate steering shaft has gone out. The entire steering column and electric power steering on all Cobalts have had numerous recall issues. This is just another example of Chevrolet utilizing inferior products on their vehicle resulting in expensive repairs in addition to steering problems whereby the steering becomes extremely difficult intermittently and ultimately resulting in steering failure should the problem not be resolved. The same steering symptoms from the recall regarding the electric power steering issues.

- Tioga, PA, USA

problem #1057

Jul 282015

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles
I bought this 2006 checy Cobalt 2 months ago at clear choice auto sales dealership in carlisle and I told them about the steering was rough when I was turning to the right but easier to turn to the left when I took if for a test drive. They took it in there shop and said it was the tire pressure. They then added air to the passengers side front tire then and I noticed that it still was the same when I drive it home. I then found out that I have the 2 recalls for the key and ignition switch so I took it to lawerance Chevrolet and had them replace them and I also had them check on the problem I was having. They said that it was the power steering module column that was the issue but it was going to cost a hole loy of money to replace it. I didnt have the money to get it replace but I knew that there was a recall for the Cobalts steering. I ask them if it was still covered under recall and they said it was already canceled. Idk what to do I really dont want to spend money for this issue when its a recall already and I just bought the call for $5,500. I my steering wheel also shakes when im driving on the highway and when I hit the brakes.

- Enola, PA, USA

problem #1056

Sep 242015

Cobalt

  • 140,000 miles
I purchased the car 2 and half years. The car always seemed to have slight steerdng issues but nothing major note enough to be worried about. I had the front of the end of the car completely rebuilt thinking that was the problem. I took the car in because I thought that it need a front end alignment. I was informed that had been issues with the steering of the Cobalt and to check into it. I was told by to garages that is the immediate drive shaft on the car. One garage also said the rack and pin. I thought the car just need brakes rotors etc. I didn't have money to have the car complete rebuilt front end so I had little things done. The car was still having issues after I had ever thing redone by boyfriend did all the work on the front end. So it was when I took it in the alignment. That I was told about the issues. However the clicking in the steering has always been their but I didn't know. I was told the car is unsafe for me drive because of the steering problems. I have contacted GM they acted as if they heard anything about any steering issues and after the investigation I did I found out differently. I am taking the car into GM on Saturday 9/26/2015. If I have to pay on my own it will cost me 1000. I dont have that kind of money. I am single mom going to nursing school fulltime. I need help getting this resolved.

- Richfield, OH, USA

problem #1055

Aug 222015

Cobalt

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Philadephia, PA, USA

problem #1054

Aug 192015

Cobalt

  • 107,700 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 30 mph, the vehicle decelerated intermittently and the automatic door locks started to lock and unlock as the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,700.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #1053

Sep 162015

Cobalt

  • 85,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle became difficult to steer and the power steering and stability control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

- Maidens, VA, USA

problem #1052

Sep 012015

Cobalt

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the recall repair for NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) was performed; however, the repair did not correct the failure. The steering wheel became hard to turn and failed to complete the turn while the contact drove at various speeds. The failure was experienced several times. The power steering light illuminated while the failure occurred. The contact was able to restart the engine and regain normal steering function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Knox, PA, USA

problem #1051

Sep 122015

Cobalt

  • 126,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the eps warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) in mid 2010, but the recall remedy failed to deter the failure form occurring. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Englewood, CO, USA

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