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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
57 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
51 / 3
Average Mileage:
67,145 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.

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

steering problem

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2007 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Comments (Page 3 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #613

Feb 142018

Cobalt

  • 9,400 miles

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

I've had the car for 2 years I have experienced a power steering problems the steering wheel has locked up on and several times I have also seen on youtube that a young man died from the steering wheel locking up on him a 2007 Chevy Cobalt as well I'm very concerned I drive with my kids in the car I have to go to a dealership now to replace his car and pay money that I do not have knowing that there should be a recall on this make and model I seen it on youtube and a lot of complaints about this part.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #612

Feb 272019

Cobalt

  • 23,838 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 15 mph, clicking noises were heard when the steering wheel was turned and the power steering indicator illuminated. Moments later, the steering lost power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 23,838.

- Sarver, PA, USA

problem #611

Sep 022018

Cobalt

  • 182,000 miles
It starting having flashing dashboard lights once as I was driving it just a few blocks from my home the first time it happened all gauges go everywhere up down or stop it looks like a christmas tree! and before the gear shift had some clicking at times. The clicking started then the gauges started going all over and the speed was all over then dropped to 0 not to move again. It's been happening on and off for about 8 years but as time goes on it's getting really bad I've kept looking for recalls as did my mother as she had the car before my owning it. It now does this anytime and the steering stops working with no notice or if it's not working and trying to pull over as it did on an on-ramp it kicked on and made the car jump into side lane about half way into that lane. Had it been a two lane road and a car coming towards me it would have been a dead head head on collision as it takes time and a lot of power to move the car when the steering is like a 1950 tractor in a wet field! I have back issues and don't have the upper arm strength that it really needs. There in no real warning when it's going to happen. But sometimes I hear a click and it happens a few seconds later. Also the interior lights every one through inside of the car stopped working about 3 months when my parents bought the car used back in June 08 they have never worked since. It had like 23,000 miles on it roughly. They was in middle 60S back then. It's now a family car and it's scary to have to drive it but I've got money in it I can't afford a replacement now. I have video of what it does. I just have videos no pictures.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #610

Dec 182018

Cobalt

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed. While attempting to reverse the vehicle from a parking location, the power steering indicator illuminated and the steering wheel could not be turned. The driver was able to move the vehicle forward, turned the engine off for a moment, restarted the engine, and the power steering returned to normal. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #609

Oct 092018

Cobalt

  • miles
Steering is very hard to turn while driving on a city street or highway.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #608

Sep 182018

Cobalt

  • 75,600 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 25 mph and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized and an abnormal noise was detected. The contact also mentioned that the steering wheel turned all the way around, but the front wheels did not move. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,600.

- St Albans City, VT, USA

problem #607

Sep 052018

Cobalt

  • 74,238 miles

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

The steering gives out and locks up while vehicle is in motion when turning either left or right. There is also play in the steering wheel when vehicle is in motion or sitting stationary. The steering makes popping and rattling noises when turning either direction when vehicle is in motion or when sitting stationary. This is a very dangerous known issue with the Chevy Cobalt and I have lost control of my vehicle as a result of these issues went off the road into the ditch and barley avoided a head on collision.

- St. Albans, VT, USA

problem #606

Sep 052018

Cobalt

  • 74,328 miles
The steering gives out on my 2007 Chevy Cobalt and there is play in the steering when it does work as well as popping and rattling noises. It is very dangerous, hard to steer, the steering locks up and I have lost control of the vehicle several times as a result. This happens when the vehicle is in motion when turning either left or right.

- St. Albans, VT, USA

problem #605

Aug 312018

Cobalt

  • 153,243 miles
Takata recall as I was driving through a parking lot all the dashboard needles went crazy then my steering was hard to turn so I immediately put the vehicle in park and shut off the vehicle, I tried to start the car and it didn't want to start eventually it started after a few more trys to turn the car back on. Also the key ignition is hard to turn when inserting the key into the ignition, air bag service is always showing on my dash when I'm driving

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #604

Aug 232018

Cobalt

  • 158,000 miles
I started my vehicle and put in reverse and I noticed that the steering wheel was a little stiff. I looked down and saw the power steering signal on the dash. On the expressway, on the way home, at times it worked smoothly and at other times it got hard to handle. It was fairly consistent (on working intermittently) on the way home even on main roads doing 35-45 miles per hour.

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #603

Jul 312018

Cobalt

  • 92,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While making a left turn, the steering wheel turned right without warning. The dealer was not called. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the technician found failure code number: C0550 (power steering inoperative) and advised the contact to call NHTSA. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Fenton, MT, USA

problem #602

Jul 062018

Cobalt

  • 114,000 miles
Power steering unit has gone out. I was on the street moving at 55 mph

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

problem #601

May 272018

Cobalt

  • 149,000 miles
While driving at 40 mph getting off exit 100 off of route 81, the power steering to the right wasn't working, being very hard to turn. As I turned the steering wheel a little to the left, the steering loosened and allowed me to turn right very slowly. I returned to driving as the steering seemed to be working properly as a few tests in the parking lot indicated that it was working properly. Fortunately, I made it home but as I turned to the street to take me home, I heard a loud clunk from the front. As I turned into the driveway, I heard the clunk again. I let the car sit overnight. When leaving the next morning, the steering wheel, nor the tires themselves, would turn to the right at all! the steering motor had been replaced by a recall and then I had to replace the replacement 3 years later! I had to have the tie rod ends replaced under warranty with only 15,000! now I don't know if I want to put more money into it. It wasn't a horrible car and it did well, but seeing all these posts makes me think this was a design flaw that they turned a blind to.

- Steelton, PA, USA

problem #600

May 252018

Cobalt

  • 170,000 miles
Twice now I've lost all power to my car driving down the highway. I can not remove the key, there is no power to anything. I replaced the battery after the 1st time. Exact same thing happened again.

- Ely, MN, USA

problem #599

May 122018

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to turn the steering wheel with force. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Rome, OH, USA

problem #598

Apr 222018

Cobalt

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 15 mph, the steering wheel seized and required more effort to safely operate the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer (moran Buick GMC, 14000 telegraph rd, taylor, mi) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but would not assist since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #597

Mar 312018

Cobalt

  • 0 miles
Yesterday, my fiance's son attempted to drive his car. Upon cranking the car and putting it in gear to back out of the driveway, he discovered that his power steering was inoperable. After a few moments. It began operating again. I am concerned that driving his vehicle with the possibility of this happening is clearly unsafe. I've researched it and saw where GM has acknowledged the problem but there aren't any open recalls to correct the defect in their product.

- Horn Lake, MS, USA

problem #596

Jan 152017

Cobalt

  • 46,500 miles
While driving, many times the steering wheel of the car becomes stiff and hard to turn. To bring the steering wheel back to its free-range motion, the ignition had to be shut off and turned back on the middle of the road. When it becomes stiff, there is a short bell and the light next to the speedometer reads "power steering". this issue has been occurring on and off. This first happened 1/15/17 and is still affecting the vehicle. Driving becomes very dangerous in situations such as highways and heavy- traffic areas. This problem occurs while the vehicle is in motion and while turning in both city streets and highways.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #595

Feb 272018

Cobalt

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 65 mph, the steering wheel seized and the power steering failed. Multiple warning indicators illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was taken to Chevrolet of spartanburg (1051 asheville hwy, spartanburg, SC 29303) who stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #594

Mar 032018

Cobalt

  • 146,738 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 20 mph, the power steering failed and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 146,738.

- Thornville, OH, USA

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