Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints (2005)

1,649 consumer complaints on file.

#10509395April 24, 2013
STEERING
I WAS ALMOST KILLED IN THIS CAR WHEN MY STEERING FROZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULDN'T TURN MY WHEEL. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT WAS VERY DANGEROUS & SCARY. LONG STORY SHORT I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WHICH WAS RECALLED BACK IN 2010. MY DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY FIXED IT BACK IN 2010 WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE THE PAPERWORK (ACTUALLY ONLY 1/2 OF THE PAPER WORK). IF IT WAS FIXED IT ISN'T WORKING NOW AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED. THIS WAS A RECALL AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $500. TO GET IT FIXED. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM & SPOKE TO [XXX] AT YOUR COMPANY AND GOT NOWHERE! IN FACT [XXX] SIDED WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I WOULD LIKE THIS FIXED AT NO EXPENSE TO MYSELF. IF HIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED I AM GOING TO MY LOCAL TV SHOW AND ALSO TO MY STATE SENATOR RON BLUMENFELD WHO WILL INDEED RESOLVE THIS ISSUE IF YOU ARE AT ALL FAMILIAR WITH CHANNEL 8 AND MR BLUMENFELD. I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD JEOPARDIZE SOMEONE'S SAFETY OVER THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $115. JUST TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THEN ANOTHER $500 TO REPLACED THE MOTOR....YET AGAIN!! I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU. I AM COPYING THIS LETTER TO [XXX] AS WELL AS MY ATTORNEY. ALSO, TERRYVILLE CHEVY, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALLY UNHELPFUL AND REFUSING TO HELP ME WITHOUT MONEY. IT IS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505256April 1, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CAN NOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. VEHICLE IS NOT LOCKED, WILL NOT OPEN. HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504463March 25, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON NORMAL OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION, EXCLUDING THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503680March 19, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. WHEN YOU DRIVE AT TIMES, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND DIES OUT AND RUNS ROUGH. IT OVERHEATS AND THEN THE MECHANIC CANT FIND THE PROBLEM OR ANYTHING WRONG BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. MY COUSIN BOUGHT A 2009 COBALT AND HER CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS OF DYING OUT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE EVERYTHING BREAKS DOWN. I STILL OWE ON THE CAR AND ITS A MONEY PIT. A MECHANIC SAID MY FRAME IS BENT. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON AND ITS SQUEEZING ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503006March 14, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
MY CAR REPEATEDLY GO THROUGH TIMES OF FITS. THESE FITS INCLUDE LOSING POWER STEERING, POWER STEERING CHIME, TRACTION CONTROL CHIME, CLICKING BEHIND THE RADIO, SPINNING SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE FAILS, JERKING OR HICCUPPING AS ONE PERSON DESCRIBED IT, OCCASIONAL STALLING. MY CAR WILL DRIVE FINE FOR WEEKS, LIKES ITS NEW EVEN, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT HAS A FIT AND THIS GOES ON FOR DAYS. THIS STARTED WHEN MY CAR WAS A YEAR OR TWO OLD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 8 TIMES. EARLY ON WHEN THE CAR WAS YOUNGER IT WOULD SEEM TO BE REPAIRED ONLY DO START THIS PROBLEM AGAIN A YEAR LATER. NOW THAT THE CAR IS OLDER AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE QUIT TAKING IT AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WILL HELP. THEY DO NOT SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE RUDE TO ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502691March 13, 2013
STEERING, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WAS ALSO A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE BEING APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURES WOULD RECUR SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501186March 4, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. DOORS APPEAR TO LOCK/UNLOCK FINE BUT HANDLE FEELS LIKE IT IS DISCONNECTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN RESEARCHING ON INTERNET, I FOUND THAT MANY COBALT OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT A QUICK FIX IS TO POUND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR AROUND THE HANDLE AND THAT WHATEVER IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT WILL POP BACK INTO PLACE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN THAT ONE MIGHT BE TRAPPED INSIDE OF THE CAR WITH NO QUICK MEANS OF EXIT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501272March 4, 2013
POWER TRAIN
IF THERE HAS BEEN THE SAME RECALL ON 2009 CHEVELOT COBALT, IT SHOULD BE FOR 2005! I CAN TELL YOU OF 3 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR CARS TO BE ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE. TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501278March 4, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THE 2005 COBALT? THIS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE! WHY DO YOU HAVE THE RECALL ONLY FOR 2009, IT SHOULD BE FOR 2005 AND ALL MODELS AFFECTED, REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR! JUST PICKING ONE YEAR IS NOT ACCURATE FOR THIS TYPE OF ISSUE. THIS NEED TO BE FIXED ASAP! PLEASE AND THANK YOU! "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500815February 28, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499606February 21, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
WHEN STARTING UP THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION LIGHTS ARE LIT UP. THE GAUGES FLUCTUATE, AS WELL AS THE TEMPERTURE READING BLINKS. LOUD CLICKING SOUNDS CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE SHIFT SELECTOR. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AFTER SHUTTING OFF VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WILL NOT RELEASE KEYS FOR ABOUT 15-20 SECONDS. HAVE ALSO LOST POWER STEERING ON FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE GM AND THE DEALERSHIP RESOLVE THE ISSUE, FIRST BY HAVING THE RECALLED PARTS REPLACED. PROBLEM IS RECURRING FOR THIRD TIME, AFTER BEING "HANDLED" BY THE DEALERSHIP THE LAST TWO TIMES. A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496872February 8, 2013
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE PARKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED THEN FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,944.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496138February 2, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
AT MULTIPLE TIMES, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE LATCH. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WHEN IT GETS VERY COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN I PULL THE LATCH IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT CATCHES ANYTHING INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS PROBLEM WILL GO ON FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, AND THEN SUDDENLY THE LATCH WILL BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494862January 27, 2013
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING), I RECEIVED AN "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING AND MY CAR'S ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS COMPLETING A TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY AND PARK IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE CAR REFUSED TO TURN BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. ONCE IT DID, I DROVE MY CAR TO MY OFFICE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT AND DRIVE IT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THEN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIMED THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE, SO I'M NOT CONVINCED OF THEIR HONESTY OR CONCERN REGARDING THIS MATTER. THEY SAY THEY *THINK* THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE MASTER COMPUTER OR AT LEAST THAT IS THEIR "BEST GUESS" (THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE). I WILL BE REPLACING IT LATER THIS WEEK. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M NOT CONFIDENT THE REPAIR WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER GM'S REPEATED AND EXPLICIT DENIAL OF THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND HOW LONG IT TOOK THEM TO ADMIT THERE EVEN WAS ONE, I HAVE DECIDED TO APPEAL TO YOU. AT PRESENT, WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR, I AM A DANGER TO MYSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT BE AROUND ME ON THE ROAD...AS ARE ALL OTHER COBALT DRIVERS. PLEASE, INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE HAS THIS HAPPEN AT THE WRONG PLACE AND THE WRONG TIME AND SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR WORSE. GM KNOWS IT CREATED A CAR WITH A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND FIX IT. JUST BECAUSE THEY STOPPED MAKING THE CAR, DOES NOT ABSOLVE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THEM SAFE FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10494701January 25, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487541December 6, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,643.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485999November 26, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY BECAME DARK. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE FAILURE FURTHER WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HAD IGNITED IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN NEAR THE FUEL TANK AREA. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10486117November 26, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ONCE SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT HESITATED AND STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,631.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484514November 13, 2012
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSIST UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483308November 4, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING
AFTER HAVING TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE CHEVROLET DEALER FOR A POWER STEERING FAILURE THE CAR ACTED UP AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HOWEVER AFTER ABOUT 1 HOUR OF DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY. THE GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON AND OFF AS WELL AS THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT. AT LOWER SPEEDS THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND FROM UNDER THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BOX AND THE CAR JERKED WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AT THOSE SPEEDS CAN LEAD TO FATALITIES. I AM EXTREMELY THANKFUL NOTHING HAPPENED. GENERAL MOTORS NEEDS TO GET THIS RIGHT AS CLEARLY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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