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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2007 Cobalt inherited most of the problems from the 2005 and 2006 model years, but toned them down (a bit). Sure, the power steering still fails and the car has a chance of going up in flames due to a cracked fuel tank, but it’s not as prevalent as the older models. At least not yet.

In 2012, the Cobalt was recalled for gas tank fires but only for owners in certain states.

Then in 2014, the 2007 Cobalt was part of a massive GM recall due to a defective ignition switch that could cause the airbags to not deploy during an accident. The problem led to 13 deaths, government investigations and multiple class-action lawsuits.

8.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$530
Average Mileage:
63,300 miles
Total Complaints:
22 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (18 reports)
  2. replace power steering motor (4 reports)
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jan 022017

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

power steering fails

POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY!!! SERIOUS DEATH TRAP THAT GM WONT DO NOTHING ABOUT!!!

- Marina P., Fresno, US

problem #21

May 012016

Cobalt LT 2.4L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,000 miles

My 17 year old son was driving this car when the power steering went on the fritz! He is a new driver. So the power steering comes and goes along with speakers not working, air conditioning comes and goes. Rear defrost quit, turn signal sounds come and go, Windows sometimes work. This car has become a death trap!!!!! GM needs to fix their f**k ups!!!!!!!!

- James B., Eaton, IN, US

problem #20

Jul 302014

Cobalt LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

My daughter - who is 22 years old has had issues with this car since we bought it. First it would just DIE in the middle of an intersection - they put a band aid on it and said it was fixed.... now the recall on the ignition --- but what is even worse is now I am being told by dealerships that there is NOT a recall on the power steering yet it will just GO whenever it feels like it..... She is not that experienced at driving and w.out power steering... Come on people get with the program here! Someone is going to get hurt or worse because of this issue. I don't have an extra 500 plus dollars laying around to FIX and issue that should NEVER happen and GM should be RESPONSIBLE enough to own up to their mistakes.... and I say "mistakes" very carefully as I have had it with GM...... I own a pontiac.... GM should have went under instead of Pontiac!!!!!!!!!!!

- iannello, Palmyra, NY, US

problem #19

Feb 052014

Cobalt LT 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

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

this problem has happened a few times, i called the dealership about the recall i got a few months ago to get it fixed he told me that it couldnt get fixed because the recall was over. my check engine light also goes on and off randomly. I recieved the othe recal in the mail last week for the engine and the whole key ring problem. The dealership refuses to give me a loaner car until my car is fixed, also they said they will not be able to fix this problem until the end of april, i spoke with my car company.. Im am 20 years old, and a full time student who doesnt have money to get a new car, i dont have the best credit and have no co signer for a new car. However i called my car company (drivetime) and the loan department said there is nothing they could do for me. they advised me that this is chevys problem and to consult a lawyer. which i have done at this time. i am now waiting for a response from chevy.

- rhule, Spring Hill, FL, US

problem #18

Sep 032013

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 46,000 miles

While driving the with a car and lock would come on. Then the gas speed and power steering would just quit working. called gm and they give you the run around, Took to local gm they said the ecm was problem wait to see just payed 500 bucks for this. the power steering needs looking into again.

- Mike A., Laurel, DE, US

problem #17

Aug 192011

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

The dash lights come on, engine light comes on, power steering quits working. Have no idea why it started to happen. Have paid 530.00 to have it "fixed" at a dealership and it is still happening.

- Michelle P., Chillicothe, MO, US

problem #16

Sep 262011

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

This is my daughters car which we bought for her brand new in 2007. 2 weeks ago the gauges went crazy and the power steering went out. It scared her and she pulled over and parked the car. My son drove it to the dealership the next day with NO power steering. (He had an old truck with manual steering once so he knew what to expect.) I called the dealership to get the car fixed and told them I had seen a recall for the power steering assist motor on the internet. They took care of the recall but also told me the steering column needed replaced which cost me $780.00 and told me it was good to go. A couple days ago my daughter was coming home from work and the same thing happens again. (Crazy gauges and no power steering) We send it back to the dealer on a tow truck and they claim it must be some intermittent electrical problem because after a days worth of work they haven't duplicated the problem. All the while they are planning on charging me the hourly rate to fix this piece of junk. Needless to say....this will be my last GM vehicle. I have seen 1,000 + complaints on the internet with the same problems one person said they contacted GM and they were informed that unless they were FORCED to correct this problem they were going to do nothing. As soon as I get a little money ahead, this Cobalt is gone.

- joeindiana, Vevay, IN, US

problem #15

Apr 062011

Cobalt SS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The dash lights are going ceazy, and the power steering goes out,. This is a pain in the butt, It has been a good car until now, and i still owe on it I can not just go and get it fixed, I now only live on my disability. I dont know how im going to pay to have it fixed .

- Kristi W., Roaring River, NC, US

problem #14

May 032010

Cobalt LSE 6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

It's a recall but they won"t pay so what help is that!

- Ginnie G., Clute, TX, US

problem #13

Mar 302010

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 52,981 miles

I work 40 miles from home and recently bought my Colbalt for a work car. It is interesting when your driving on ICY effing roads and your damn power steering goes out! I am interested to find out how many more people had this problem and didn't report it BEFORE they were buried and couldn't report it. The cause of their demise was blamed on driver error not a faulty steering component which should be recalled. At least Toyota took a shot to the nuts for a whole fifty some cars that actually needed the recall. Bailout my A**. I bet the GM CEO is driving a Toyota, AT least they stand behind their problems and correct them. I may have to re-think my country's ability to make a quality car and try something different.

- snobum4, Rock Springs, WY, US

problem #12

Feb 272010

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

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

O.K. I see I am not the only one with thinks this is a crappy car and that Chevy I guess will have to wait and get a few lawsuits against them for killing someone or someone getting hurt real bad because they cannot turn the wheel when they need too. I could barely turn off the freeway when mine when out. This should be a recall if this seem to be a common issue.

- Cheryl B., Mesa, AZ, US

problem #11

Sep 292009

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Well, I had the same steering problem as many of ya'll did. Steering wheel would lock up every 2 minutes, it was dangerous especially when i was on driving on the highway. At first I didn't think much of and that it would eventually go away, but it just got worse And well i had to get it fixed and the best deal i got was $450 dollars. What a waste! Come on Chevy...you know what you gotta do.

- Kristopher S., Brownsville, TX, US

problem #10

Feb 072010

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,223 miles

I, along with thousands of other Cobalt owners, have the power steering failure while driving. After turning the car off and starting it again, it will work for a few minutes and go off again. It is perplexing to me that the crew at Government Motors wants to charge $100 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM!!!! LIKE THEY DON'T KNOW!!! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SHI**ING ME!!!! After MY TAX DOLLARS BAILED THESE IDIOTS OUT!! I can only guess that this will surely end in a recall, you can view the paperwork for the complaint filed by the NHTSA and it shows that Gov't Motors (GM) has until March 26 to give up all pertinent info. about this, so maybe a judgment will be issued then. Speaking of NHTSA, everyone with these problems should file a complaint at www.safecar.gov, where you can view the whole process of coming to a recall.

- Tom C., Huntington, WV, US

problem #9

Nov 192009

Cobalt LS

  • Manual transmission
  • 34,000 miles

I bought my 2007 Chevy Cobalt BRAND NEW and never thought I would need to buy an extended warranty. I have only put 34 thousand miles on it and it was the best little car I ever bought until the power steering started going out. I thought okay I will check the fluid. HA yeah right its power, there is no fluid for it. What the hell my warranty is up, its Christmas time, and I don't have the 100.00 dollars for them to tell me what the hell is wrong with it. So I started doing some research on the net and found that not only my car, but everyone that has the same car as mine is having the same problem and is in the same boat as myself. So why in the hell would I pay 100.00 dollars to Chevy so they can tell me what is wrong with it when this has been reported several times by so many other people. They know what the hell the problem is they are just trying to make more money. How unprofessional and poor customer service is that? Hello Chevy wake the F*CK UP and take responsibility for your auto mistake and help your customers out. It's not our fault this is happening. This is really frustrating and I'm so pissed that this has not been a RECALL. I want to know if there is something that I can do to make this a RECALL not just for myself, but for all the others that are having this problem too. This is very dangerous because I have to turn my car off and restart it while driving on the highway. I just can't get over the fact that this has been reported many times and there still hasn't been a RECALL. From now on I will never buy another American made vehicle again. This is CRAP and I'm so PISSED! =(

- Rochelle W., Ottawa, KS, US

problem #8

Nov 192009

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,860 miles

I could have used this site before this car was bought. The steering comes and goes creating some dangerous situations. I have not contacted a dealer yet to see what it will cost to fix. But by the number of complaints about this serious problem there needs to be a recall (I guess GM is waiting for people to die first). I will be calling the Dept of Transportation Safety hot line 1-888-327-4236. Call this number the life you save may be you own.

- sturgill, Shepherdsville, KY, US

problem #7

Sep 172009

Cobalt LS 4 cyl 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

There's no steering fluid, it is an electrical steering and it would fail after every 10-15 mins of driving then it would work fine after not using it for a few days.

- goteamedward, Ladson, SC, US

problem #6

Oct 142009

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,300 miles

not only did i call the dealership, ( who told me nothing could be done due to me being over 36000), but i called GM who proceeded to only give me case number. If you look online, at all the complaints about this EXACT problem, its appalling.. and for them to have not recalled it by now is horrible... I was driving home, and i was turning off of the highway, when my power steering randomly stopped working.. luckily i had someone in the car to help me steer....i had read online last night that if you turn it on and off a few times, the power steering will kick back on.... and it did.. But how reliable is that? its dangerous and shouldn't be happening on such new cars... i have files a complaint with the traffic safety board.. i suggest you do the same... 1-888-327-4236 ...

- Christine C., Keyport, NJ, Pacific Islands (US)

problem #5

Sep 092009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles

I bought my car used in 07 as an 07, about a week ago the power steering went out while my boyfriend was driving and he couldn't figure out why so he took it to the dealership and they told him it a part was broken, the internal motor / column and it would be about 1200.00 to fix. When i asked him why it broke if the car is still fairly new, he told me "its just a part that breaks after about 2 years" if im gonna be replacing this part every 2 years im not keeping the car, if i had known this would happen when i bought the car, i never would have done it. I don't know anyone that can afford a 1200.00 piece for anything..let alone every 2 years!!! if anyone has a petition or something going to get this resolved with Chevy or anything please let me know so i can sign and everyone else i know can also sign!!!! thank you!!!!

- Victoria K., Surprise, AZ, US

problem #4

Aug 212009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

I have a 2007 Cobalt and the power steering fails and the warning light comes on. It was bad enough that I had to have the car towed to a Chevrolet Dealership for repair. The Friday before it was towed to the dealership, the power steering went out on my wife six times when she was driving from the store to our house which was 3 miles away. Thank goodness that it was on a city street and not an Interstate Highway. The dealership has diagnosed the problem as being the motor for the electronic power steering. However the steering column and the motor have to be replaced and herein lies a bigger problem. The dealership has advised me that the motor is not in stock at any dealership nationwide and that the plant that makes the motor has a 400 motor back log of orders and they only produce 100 motors a week. So doing the math, it means that it could take at least 4 weeks for the motor to be delivered to the dealership so that the car can be repaired at a cost of 800.00 to 1000.00. This has left me without a car, unless I use my wife's car and then she would be without a car which she needs. You would think that with all of the Cobalts that Chevrolet is having to repair, that there would be a recall about this problem, however that has not happened.

So like others who have the same problem that I have, I will be stuck with having to pay for the repair to the car.

- boroguy, Murfreesboro, TN, US

problem #3

Aug 172009

Cobalt LS 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,399 miles

I have a 2007 Chevy Cobalt that has power steering problems also, and it only has 57,000 miles. I'm afraid i will have a serious accident in this car so I called and made a complaint to National Highway Traffic Safety Admin (NHTSA). I'm asking everyone who has this problem with their Cobalt to call and file a complaint, he's already had three complaints this week. Together we can all make a difference and maybe GM will listen and fix this problem. I know i don't have that kind of money to fix their error.

- lrains, Oklahoma City, OK, US

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