Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2005)

1,649 consumer complaints on file.

#11717536February 12, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The steering locked up after the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted while driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The exhaust system, fuel lines, brake lines, and the engine had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664917June 4, 2025
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction. The contact stated the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11607602August 9, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to pull off the roadway, turned off, and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the loss of power steering assist became a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580769April 2, 2024
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558116December 2, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
.Engine wire harness/yes . Could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, I fixed the wire for the speed sensor and more
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553855November 6, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551471October 23, 2023
STEERING
Power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. Other sources say there has been a recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537965August 11, 2023
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I started up my car and it was very hard to turn the wheel easier when I gained speed. The warning said "Power Steering"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11531362July 10, 2023
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
For the last several years I have been experiencing loss of the power steering and the electrical just going crazy lights flashing horn blowing. I’ve had a new computer put in and power steering still going out. I looked online and saw there was a recall for power steering motor in cobalt models 2005 through 2010 but when I put in my Vin number, it says my car has no recall. I need to know if there is a power steering motor recall on my car if someone could help me I would greatly appreciate it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522383May 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won’t turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. Steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519765May 1, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while parked, the contact attempted to open the driver's side door; however, the door failed to open. Additionally, the window failed to operate as needed. The contact had to exit the vehicle through the passenger's side door. The contact attempted to unlock the door from the outside however, the door failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11501921January 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS light lit, Traction light lit, power steering light lit, car jerking, not shifting. Stalling.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467575June 4, 2022
STEERING
My mother owned this 2005 chevrolet cobalt 4D (vin # stated above). The power steering seemed to have quit working, as it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. On Dec.28, 2021 she (& my 2 daughters) were turning left & her car was hit by another car on the right front (passenger side), front 1/4 panel. The car was spun around several times. My mother was temporarily knocked unconscience & then came to. Car was totalled out. (Doctor ignored to perform a head scan instead he scanned her back). My mother bled on her brain for 3 months & died. It was very devastating
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11458464March 26, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My husband was driving and the car suddenly stopped taking gas and said reduced engine power. He got it back home as it was only a few miles but top speed was less than 10 mph. It never did run right anymore and then completely stopped a few days later. Also the key gets stuck in the car if the battery goes dead. I had to leave the key in with the window down because I was scared of getting locked out. When my husband was able to come and charge the battery some it released the key. It never had any issues like these until they suddenly started. These issues showed up in summer 2021. Codes mentioned general electrical failure, throttle control issues with pedal and tac module. High and low voltage to tac module.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11422359June 25, 2021
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have a fuel leak by the left rear tire possibly a corroded fuel line. I smelled gas for two days. The leak was by the exhaust. My children and I could of been killed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11413575April 23, 2021
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. INVALID VIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11399901March 9, 2021
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL DINGING SOUND PRESENT. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR AND THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC GROUNDED OUT THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11399313March 5, 2021
SUSPENSION
THE SWAY BAR, CONTROL ARMS, & BUSHINGS WERE ALL FAULTY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT DUE TO SUBPAR PARTS BEING USED IN MANUFACTURING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396948February 19, 2021
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS INCORRECTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED WHILE DRIVING, PROVIDING SPEED READINGS OF 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11396588February 17, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE 2013 POWER ASSIST MODULE (DUE TO PROBLEMS AND RECALL) THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY CAR BACK AT THAT TIME-THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2015--WELL BEFORE I PURCHASED MYCAR WHICH WAS 2018. POWER STEERING PROBLEMS HAVE RETURNED AS I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING-CANNOT DRIVE EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. THIS, OBVIOUSLY, IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE OF US CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S AND/OR MANUFACTURERS' FAULT. PLEASE HELP!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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