Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2006)

2,330 consumer complaints on file.

#10395610April 12, 2011
STEERING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS AND EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MP. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN ONE QUARTER TANK TO THREE QUARTERS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394235April 4, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE HAD CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THE LOCK MECHANISM ON MY DOOR. A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN OPENING MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR IT DOES NOT CLOSE. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO GET THE LATCH TO GO BACK TO IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION AND THEN CLOSE AND LOCK THE DOOR. ON 04/02/11 HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, THE BACK DOOR OPENED UP ON ITSELF. SOME THINGS FELL OUT OF THE CAR AND WERE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED AND MY FRIEND RIDING IN THE BACK INJURED THEMSELVES WHEN THE DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN AND SLAMMED AGAINST THEM. WE CLOSED IT AGAIN WITH SUCCESS AND THEN MY FRIEND MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND WE TOOK ANY ITEMS OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AREA. AGAIN THE CAR DOOR OPENED ON ITS OWN HOWEVER, THIS TIME, THE DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THE MECHANISM THAT KEEPS THE DOOR CLOSED AND LOCKED JUST SEEMS TO BE FAULTY. I'VE LOOKED ONLINE AND IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. NOW I'M FORCED TO FIND RIDES UNTIL I HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE ON MY CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE. I FOUND THAT MANY OF THE PARTS ON MY CAR USED FOR "SAFETY" ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THIS INFURIATES ME. LUCKILY MY FRIEND IS ONLY SORE AND MY PERSONAL ITEMS DAMAGED WERE MORE OF PERSONAL VALUE THAN ACTUAL FINANCIAL VALUE BUT THIS IS STILL NOT ACCEPTABLE. I JUST KEEP THINKING IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THIS COULD BE FATAL AND CHEVY WILL HAVE DEATHS ON THEIR HANDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SACRIFICED QUALITY FOR COST EFFECTIVENESS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10393923April 1, 2011
STEERING, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. VERY STIFF AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME GET ME, AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES, I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WAS FREE TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS OCCURED A SECOND TIME LAST WEEK WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY IT WORKED. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN GOING A FASTER SPEED. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS NOW AT THE SHOP LOOKING AT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM THAT IS BAD. IT IS A RECALL AND ALREADY REPLACED AND IS BAD AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR CAN STOP WORKING AT ANYTIME WHICH GIVES YOU NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10394598March 30, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE GAS BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A LEAK. A FRIEND WHO IS ALSO A FLEET TECHNICIAN, LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE FOR ME AND FOUND THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK NEAR WHERE THE FUEL LINES CONNECT TO THE FUEL SENDER AT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK. IN TRYING TO GET AN ESTIMATE OF THE COST OF REPAIRS, I FOUND THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. THERE IS EVEN A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE 09V419000, BUT ONLY IF I LIVE IN ARIZONA OR NEVADA. IT SEEMS WE ARE BEING PENALIZED FOR NOT PURCHASING OUR VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT STATE. I FOUND THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AT THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2006/CHEVROLET/COBALT/FUEL+SYSTEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10393354March 25, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THEY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH A MICRO SWITCH IN THE SHIFTER. YOU CAN SHIFT THE CAR INTO GEAR WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BUTTON
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392658March 23, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN OPERATION, THERE WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE EMISSION VALVE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY IN ORDER TO COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,200.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389715March 10, 2011
STEERING
I AM REQUESTING THAT DOT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THE 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT (PART# 10394225) SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN I AM ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, COASTING (NEUTRAL), AND BRAKING. WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH IT MAKES A "CLUNKING" NOISE GIVING ME THE NOTION THAT THERE IS INDEED SOMETHING IN THE STEERING FUNCTION THAT IS BROKEN. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS UPON ACCELERATING WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAS OVERPOWERED MY GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MY CAR TO STEER VERY HARD TO THE LEFT ALMOST CAUSING COLLISION WITH OTHER CARS. THE LOSS OF CONTROL ON STEERING IS EVEN WORSE UPON LOW SPEED BRAKING; THE WHEELS HAVE IN THE PAST TURNED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. AGAIN, THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED A NUMBER OF COLLISIONS AT STOP LIGHTS WHERE THERE ARE 2 OR MORE LANES, OR THERE IS A TURNING LANE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IRREPARABLE DAMAGE IS DONE. COBALTS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO REPLACE THIS PART 2-3 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 5 YEARS IN OPERATION. SO FAR NO ACTION TO REPLACE THE PART HAS BEEN DONE ON MY PART. CURRENTLY THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF TESTIMONIES AND EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM HERE AND I WISH YOU TO FORMALLY INVESTIGATE. THERE IS NO INCIDENT REPORT YET, DISREGARD INCIDENT DATE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386735March 7, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST), THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING SPORADICALLY AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASHBOARD WHICH HE DISCOVERED WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE YET THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE FAILURE AND COULD ONLY SUGGEST THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN A NORMAL MANNER. UPDATED 11/04/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386610March 6, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2006 CHEVY COBALT SS/SC HAS BEEN SERVICED MORE THAN 10 TIMES IN 5 MONTHS FOR SENSORS FAILING AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT ARE STILL OCCURRING. MAJOR PROBLEM OCCURRING IS CAR SHUTTING ITSELF OFF IN TRAFFIC AND AT IDLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386278March 3, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOOR LATCH FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384669February 27, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE DO NOT WORK. FOR 2 DAYS, I HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER 2 DAYS, I UNLOCKED MY DOOR AND HEARD A POPPING SOUND FROM THE DOOR. WHATEVER IS JAMMING UP FINALLY RELEASED. IT'S A SAFETY DANGER BECAUSE OF THE RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER/OCCUPANTS COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED 2 SEPARATE TIMES, BOTH LASTING FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10384173February 23, 2011
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WERE EXTREMELY WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383029February 17, 2011
STEERING
OUR 2006 CHEVY COBALT HAS ISSUES WITH THE POWERSTEERING. IT MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN BUT WITH NO APPARENT TRIGGER. THE WARNING SYSTEM IS NOT RELIABLE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T ALWAYS GIVE WARNING OF THE FAILURE, AND SOMETIMES IT DINGS AND NO FAILURE OCCURS. WHEN MALFUNCTIONING THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO USE. A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PROBLEM MAY OCCUR AT ANY TIME AND AT ANY SPEED. THEN WHEN THE STEERING IS LOCKED IT OFTEN FREES UP SPONTANEOUSLY! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!!! THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT. WE PURCHASED OUR 2006 CHEVY COBALT NEW AND AT ABOUT 23K MILES WE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE COLUMN WAS ALSO REPLACED. WE JUST HAD THE PSA MOTOR REPLACED THROUGH THE RECALL FOR THE SECOND TIME. OUR PARTICULAR CAR WAS NOT EVEN LISTED IN THE RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID THE REPAIRS BECAUSE OF OUR LONGTERM ISSUE. I BELIEVE THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER PART CAUSING THE PROBLEM (SPORADIC AND UNRELIABLE STEERING) BECAUSE THE PSA MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO REOCCUR. NOW OUR CAR HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND GM IS UNWILLING TO "DO" ANYTHING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. WE HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR THIS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS CAR FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED! I'M AFRAID THIS ISSUE WILL CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, IT MUST BE FIXED! THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IS A HAZARD TO ALL PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. THE 'NEW' PSA MOTOR DOES NOT WORK ANY BETTER THEN THE ORIGINAL PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382897February 16, 2011
STEERING
WHEN TURNING SHARP RIGHT IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS 4DR, THERE IS A LOUD, METAL RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL, AS IF STEERING IS HITTING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN TURN IS SHARP, SUCH AS A U-TURN OR COMING OUT FROM AN ALLEY, DRIVEWAY, ETC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382802February 15, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO CODE AND THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND ACCELERATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND ABRUPTLY MADE CONTACT WITH A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,800.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10382578February 14, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS FOR A MONTH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381583February 11, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT LOCATED A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE SENT TO FURTHER INSPECT THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381615February 11, 2011
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A BEEPING SOUND AND BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. SHE THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF REPEATEDLY AS THE STEERING WHEEL RESET TEMPORARILY BEFORE RECURRING WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD RESEARCH THE FAILURE AND CONTACT HER WITH A DECISION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,245.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10381442February 10, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK WITHIN ONE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL LINES. THE FUEL LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10380803February 5, 2011
EQUIPMENT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I BOUGHT MY 2006 COBALT BRAND NEW AND IT NOW HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT. AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES THE KEY LOCKED IN THE IGNITION AND SHIFTING GEARS BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. NOW TODAY (2/3/11) I WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR UNTIL I STARTED IT AND COULDN'T PRESS THE SHIFTER BUTTON IN TO PUT IT OUT OF PARK. IT STAYED STUCK IN PARK. WHEN I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT, IT STAYED STUCK IN ACC. I WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY TAKE IT OUT BY PRESSING THE "PLUNGER" UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. CALLED THE DEALER AND HAD TO TOW MY CAR THERE. AGAIN, MY SHIFTER ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED WITH A TOTAL COST (AFTER TOWING, DIAGNOSTICS, LABOR, AND PARTS) OF $450 OUT-OF-POCKET. DUE TO A CHEAP PLASTIC PIECE IN THE GEAR SHIFT. RIDICULOUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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