Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2006)

2,330 consumer complaints on file.

#10273768June 14, 2009
STEERING
STEERING FAILURE IN THE CHEVROLET COBALT. I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK CAR IN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERS SERVICES DEPARTMENT, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART WAS REPLACED BUT WHEN THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR THEY FOUND THE STEERING TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THEY RELEASED THE CAR BACK TO US WITHOUT SOLVING THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE TROUBLING SINCE THIS IS THEIR PRODUCT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD A RECALL ON THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE COBALT, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273714June 13, 2009
STEERING
DEAR SIR OR MADAM: ON MY WAY TO WAL-MART ON ROUTE 40 ONE SATURDAY AFTERNOON, A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON MY 2006 COBALT SS DASHBOARD. THIS WAS HAPPENING AS I WAS INCREASING MY SPEED CLOSE TO THE SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MILES AN HOUR. I ARRIVED TO MY DESTINATION WITH DIFFICULTY SINCE I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND DRIVING IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT TO AVOID CRASHING IN THE PARKING LOT TRAFFIC. AFTER I SHOPPED AT WAL-MART AND RETURNED TO MY CAR, I STARTED ENGINE AND RELIEVED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS DISAPPEARED. MUCH TO MY DISMAY, I WENT BACK TO ROUTE 40 UP TO 55 MILES AN HOUR AGAIN WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM APPEARING AGAIN. BASED ON WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED SO FAR, THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GET TURNED "OFF" DURING A LONG, STRAIGHT-AWAY DRIVE AT MORE THAN 50 MILES AN HOUR ON A HOT WEATHER. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE TODAY AND I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE DEFECT COULD ENDANGER MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT THE POWER STEERING IS MUCH MORE NEEDED, ESPECIALLY IN LOW TRAFFIC SPEEDS. DURING LOW TRAFFIC SPEEDS, IT INCREASES THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A MORE REQUIRED EFFORT TO STEER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO IT YET AND I WILL BE CALLING MY CAR DEALERSHIP SOON TO SEE IF MY ZURICH VEHICLE CONTRACT COVERS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. SINCE GM'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ALREADY, IT WILL NOT BE COVERED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THAT COUNTLESS COBALT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SIMILAR PROBLEMS, WHICH WORRIES ME. GENERAL MOTORS HASN'T STARTED A RECALL FOR THE DEFECT AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THE DEFECT CAN END UP BEING FATAL TO MANY OTHER COBALT OWNERS. I HOPE GENERAL MOTORS ISN'T BEING NEGLIGENT, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THEY ARE UNDER BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION. I BOUGHT THE 2006 COBALT SS 4 MONTHS AGO USED AND I'VE ACCUMULATED 7000 MILES ON IT WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF ABOUT 67,400. IT WAS A GREAT CAR UNTIL I FIND OUT IT'S PRETTY UNSAFE WITH A RE-OCCURRING POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273451June 10, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY OVER $3,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273466June 10, 2009
STEERING
MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IN THAT THE POWER STEERING JUST TURNS OFF. THERE ARE NO APPARENT REASONS WHY. I CAN DRIVE 1-2 DAYS WITH NO PROBLEM AND THE THIRD DAY IT WILL QUIT 4 OR 5 TIMES. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT TURNS IT BACK ON. CHEVROLET HAS RECALLED THE MALIBU BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE WITH THE COBALT. THIS OBVIOUSLY A BIG SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST QUITS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL HAVE IT REPAIRED HOWEVER IT SEEMS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOME UNEXPECTED PERSON HAS THIS HAPPEN AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273478June 10, 2009
STEERING
I ALMOST GOT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT A WEEK AGO BECAUSE MY POWER STEERING FAILED ON MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS/SC. MY WARRANTY IS UP AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 900 DOLLARS TO FIX. I AM DISGUSTED THIS IS NOT RECALLED. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. AND I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. JUST WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT, CAUSE I KNOW GM WONT RECALL IT UNTIL SOMEONE DOES!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273497June 10, 2009
STEERING, EQUIPMENT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED TO 2006 CHEVY COBALT IN SEPTEMBER OF 06. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY , "BRAND NEW" CAR THE AIR CONDITIONING, POWER LOCKS, AND POWER STEERING HAVE ALL CEASED TO WORK. MY AIR CONDITIONING ONLY WORKED FOR ONE SUMMER. THE POWER LOCKS WENT OUT ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. NOW, THE MOST CONCERNING IS THAT MY POWER STEERING HAS NOW FAILED. I TURN THE CAR ON AND HAVE POWER STEERING FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES, THEN THE CARS POWER STEERING FAILS. I WILL NEVER HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE ANY PARTS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PAYMENTS AND INSURANCE. MY POOR HUSBAND IS A PIZZA DELIVERY PERSON! THIS IS THE WORST THING TO HAPPEN. I TRIED TO BUY AN AMERICAN MADE CAR HOPING THAT I WOULD AT LEAST GET TO DRIVE IT FOR A FEW YEARS WITHOUT HAVING IT BREAK DOWN. NOW GM IS GETTING MY PAYCHECK AND THE TAXES THEY TOOK OUT OF IT!! THIS IS PLAIN WRONG! I WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273195June 9, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A CHEVROLET COBALT (2006) WITH 40,000 MILES. THE CAR WILL START, BUT OCCASIONALLY THE POWER STEERING WILL GO, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND IT WILL SPUTTER AND HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING. WHEN I STOP IT MAKES A THUD NOISE. THIS OCCURS ONCE EVERY TWO DAYS, AND TO THIS POINT IT IS IN THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER BEING DIAGNOSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273251June 9, 2009
STEERING
I BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY COBALT APRIL 9,2009. AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN IS GOING OUT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $900. NOW THE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I THINK THEY KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE CHECKED ON THE INTERNET AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR SOMETHING HELP FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273008June 6, 2009
STEERING
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT WHICH I'M UPSET TO SAY HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST BE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS ACCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SINCE DECEMBER, 2006. WHILE DRIVING, MY "POWER STEERING" WARNING COMES ON, AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU LOOSE CONTROL OF YOUR CAR. THIS HAS ALMOST MADE ME GET INTO A FEW ACCIDENTS. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE MORE SERIOUS ABOUT THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY. I'M ENRAGED AND TERRIFIED TO THINK THIS MIGHT HAPPEN WHEN I'M IN THE CAR WITH MY KIDS. AS A RESULT, I DON'T GO OUT TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS. MANUFACTURERS SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I'M PRETTY SURE, IF THEY WERE THE ONES WHO DROVE MY CAR, THEY WOULD BE MORE SELECTIVE ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT. I WILL NEVER OWN A CHEVY AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273023June 6, 2009
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, I SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AS I LOOKED AT THE DASH TO MAKE SURE THE ENGINE HAD NOT DIED, I NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS ON. AFTER I STOPPED TO ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR...(WHICH I LATER DETERMINED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE.) UPON RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE IT SEEMED TO WORK FINE...FOR ABOUT TEN MILES. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED WITH A RESOLUTION OF HE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE WAY HOME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,102. THIS VEHICLE WILL BE PARKED IN UNTIL I CONTACT A DEALER ON MONDAY TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TRANSPORTING MY FAMILY IN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THIS SITE...IT APPEARS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES. GM SHOULD LOOK AT THIS CAREFULLY AND NOTICE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHS OR INJURIES>>>>YET>>>! WITH THE CURRENT FINANCIAL TROUBLES OF AUTOMAKERS TODAY...I DOUBT THE WOULD REALLY WANT A HUGE INJURY OR DEATH RELATED LAWSUIT TO BE FILED AGAINST THEM. EVERYONE WITH A VOICE (AND A COBALT WITH PROBLEMS) SHOULD MAKE THEMSELVES HEARD AND VOICE THESE COMPLAINTS! AS COBALT OWNERS WE SHOULD CONSIDER OURSELVES LUCKY JUST TO BE ABLE TO WRITE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM! SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272781June 3, 2009
STEERING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY WHEEL LOCKED ON ME. I TRY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF A ONCOMING CAR AND I WAS VERY FRIGHTEN. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WAS NOT THINKING ON MY FEET. CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. I ONLY GOT 45,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ONLY OWN IT FOR ABOUT 3 YRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272570June 1, 2009
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING AFTER A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE EXPENSIVE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272576June 1, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POWER STEERING MECHANISM IN HER VEHICLE FAILED THREE TIMES IN ONE DAY. SHE HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAIT FOR IT TO RESET ITSELF. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272596June 1, 2009
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON HER VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING MORE THAN 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK ON THE VEHICLE AND SHE COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD ONLY UNLOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CHEVROLET DEALER AND PAY $80 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE HOTTER THE TEMPERATURE WAS OUTSIDE, THE MORE FREQUENT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 68,000. UPDATED 07/10/09. *LJ WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A BEEPING SOUND AND THEN THE WORK POWER STEERING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED-UP. UPDATED 07/10/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272602June 1, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
MY DAUGHTER'S FINGER WAS CUT WHEN THE CHROME PLATING ON THE DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE STARTED FLAKING OFF AND BECAME EXTREMELY SHARP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269813May 24, 2009
STEERING
I PURCHASED A 2006 CHEVY COBALT FROM THE GSA THROUGH THE NORWALK AUTO AUCTION (NORWALK, CALIFORNIA) TWO DAYS AGO. WHILE ON THE WAY HOME I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE OF THE STEERING SYSTEM AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE AND STRUGGLED TO MAKE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE I STOPPED. I MOVED THE WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND WITHIN MOMENTS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF. I CONTINUED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM TWO MORE TIMES REPEATED THE SAME PROCESS WHILE ON MY 30+ MILE RETURN HOME. I HAVE VISITED NUMEROUS CONSUMER WEB SITES TIMES SINCE AND WITHIN THE LAST TWO DAYS I FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT. THIS IS PROBABLY WHY THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED VEHICLE WAS AUCTIONED OFF. ESTIMATES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ARE REPORTED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00. THE COMPLAINTS ARE NUMEROUS AND THE COST FOR REPLACEMENT IS OBSCENE. CONSUMERS REPORT THE REPEATED FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT EVEN ON REPAIRED VEHICLES. APPARENTLY THE COMPONENT FAILS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES REPEATEDLY. I AM 6'1" AND 250LBS. AND I STRUGGLED TO CONTROL THE CAR, THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT MY WIFE AT 5'. 115LBS. WILL HAVE EVEN MORE DIFFICULTY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. IF I AM UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AT A MORE REDUCED COST I WILL SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING INDIVIDUAL JUST LIKE THE GOOD 'OL GSA OF THE USA DID TO ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269474May 20, 2009
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILS. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WHENEVER THE POWER STEERING FAILS, THE CONTACT RESTARTS THE VEHICLE AND IT RESETS ITSELF BACK TO NORMAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,100. UPDATED 06/09/09. *LJ THE STEERING WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269477May 20, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE RESISTED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE DRIVER EXERTED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MOMENTS AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING MOTOR FAILED. THE REPAIR PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,051.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269484May 20, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILS RANDOMLY. THE FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED AT 20,000 MILES AND WAS REPORTED TO GM, BUT THEY NEVER TOOK ACTION OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,436.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269543May 20, 2009
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH AT 40 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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