Chevrolet Cobalt Complaints

7,975 consumer complaints on file.

#10371846December 20, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. MY MAJOR PROBLEM (THERE OF COURSE ARE OTHER SMALL ONES) WITH THIS CAR IS THAT IT DIES? IT JUST SHUTS DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAS DIED/SHUT DOWN WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS, WHILE MAKING A TURN, WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, WELL BASICALLY IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME WHILE DRIVING IT. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES/SHUTS DOWN, IT GIVES NO WARNING, IT JUST DOES IT. THE AC/HEATER, RADIO, AND LIGHTS WILL STAY ON, HOWEVER THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. I EITHER HAVE TO PUT IT ON PARK OR ON NEUTRAL AND START IT UP AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS RE-OCCURRING. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY CAN?T FIND A PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WARNING/ENGINE LIGHT ON NOTHING! I AM VERY STRESSED OVER THIS ISSUE THAT HAS GONE FAR TOO LONG. I DRIVE MY CAR TO AND FROM WORK PRAYING THAT IT WON?T SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, WHICH IT HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES NOW. I FEEL THAT EVERYTIME IT SHUTS DOWN ON ME I?M GOING TO HAVE A PANIC ATTACK AND NOT BE ABLE TO ACT FAST ENOUGH TO TURN IT BACK ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I HAVEN?T BEEN HURT BECAUSE OF THIS CAR. I HAVE FOUND SOO MANY PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND I AM APPALLED THAT THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. THIS SYSTEM IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. SO MUCH FOR TRYING TO SUPPORT OUR COUNTRY BY PURCHASING AMERICAN CARS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371149December 18, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES ON A 2009 COBALT SS TURBO SCORE AND GRIND WITHIN 10,000 MILES. YOU HAVE TO PUT AFTER MARKET BRAKES ON THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10371150December 18, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE
I LAST CHECKED MY BRAKES WHEN I TOOK OFF MY SNOW TIRES IN MARCH WITH 18,000 MILES ON MY CAR. EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE, FRONT AND REAR PADS LOOKED ALMOST NEW WITH PLENTY OF MEAT ON THEM. IN JULY, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE STARTING TO GROOVE, SO I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER WHEN I WENT IN FOR A RECALL AND THEY RESURFACED THEM FOR ME (22,885 MILES). I ASKED ABOUT THE PADS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD LOOKED AT THEM AND THEY WERE FINE AND EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL. IN OCTOBER, I NOTICED THE GROOVING COMING BACK. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THEY CHARGED ME TO REPLACE THE REAR DISKS AND PADS AT 29,170 MILES (THEY DID THROW IN THE ROTORS FOR FREE DUE TO THE ABNORMAL WEAR). AFTER THE SERVICE, THEY GAVE ME THE OLD REAR PADS AS PER MY REQUEST. UPON RECEIVING THEM, I COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THAT THE INNER REAR PAD, WHICH HAD BEEN WEARING IDENTICALLY TO THE OUTER REAR PADS WHEN I CHECKED AT 18,000 MILES, WERE WORN ALMOST TO THE BACKING PLATE! THE OUTER PADS STILL HAD 1/4" MATERIAL LEFT, SO IT SEEMED CLEAR THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. THE DEALER COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THIS WEAR AND STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL BESIDES THE BRAKE WEAR. IT SEEMS INCREDIBLE THAT A FRONT-HEAVY, FRONT-DRIVE CAR WOULD WEAR THROUGH ITS INNER REAR BRAKE PADS WHILE ITS FRONT PADS (WHICH DO MOST OF THE BRAKING) AND OUTER REAR PADS STILL HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT WITHOUT THERE BEING SOME KIND OF PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE PADS AND ALSO HAVE PICTURES. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THESE PADS WEAR DOWN SO QUICKLY, I COULD BE PUT IN A SITUATION WHERE I UNEXPECTEDLY HAVE NO E-BRAKE AND COMPROMISED BRAKING ABILITY DESPITE FREQUENT INSPECTIONS. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT GM IS MORE INTERESTED IN SELLING ME PARTS THAN IN DIAGNOSING AND CORRECTING THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD FROM THE BOTH CHEVY DEALERS AND OTHER OWNERS THAT THIS IS A SOMEWHAT COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY CAR, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370731December 15, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON, A FUEL ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL BUT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V419000,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,244.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370832December 15, 2010
PARKING BRAKE
CAR WAS ACTING NORMAL, JUST TOOK A 200 MILE ROUND TRIP, THE NEXT MORNING THE ROADS HAD SOME SNOW AND A BIT OF ICE. I BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND DROVE ON THE SIDE STREETS (2 BLOCKS) TO THE HIGHWAY, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I BEGAN TO FEEL A DRAG, I SHUT OFF MY RADIO AND LISTENED SOON MY TIRE GAGE CAME ON SO I LOOKED IN MY MIRROR AND SEEN SPARKS FLYING, I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AT AN AVAILABLE SAFE LOCATION ONLY TO FIND MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. I CHANGED THE TIRE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN, ONCE I HIT DRY PAVEMENT I HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE GM DEALER CALLED ME TODAY AND SAID MY PARKING BRAKE WAS LOCKED UP. MY CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC AND I HAVE NEVER ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE (HAVE OWNED THE CAR OVER A YEAR). THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME THE PARKING BRAKE LINE WAS OFF AND SHREDDED . THEY ALSO STATED THE TIRE WAS NOT GOING TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE BRAKES MAY NOT BE EITHER SINCE THE LINE THAT APPARENTLY LOCKED ONE SIDE OF PARKING BRAKES UP COULD HAVE JUST FALLEN OFF AND LOCKED ONE SET OF PARKING BRAKES UP WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN USED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370650December 14, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKES SQUEAL SQUALL AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN COMING TO A STOP, REAR BRAKE PAD LIFE IS VERY POOR...ONLY 13,000 MILES ON CAR AND ALREADY LOOKING AT PADS IN 6,000-10,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370487December 13, 2010
STEERING
IN APRIL I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE CHEVY COBALT 2006, IT WAS FOR THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR, I WAITED NEARLY 7 MONTHS EVEN THOUGH I PLACED ORDER IN APRIL. I FINALLY GOT IT DONE AFTER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT OFF IN DEC. AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY FRUSTRATION BECAUSE I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL THAT THE PART WAS IN. A WEEK LATER THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN, COME TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW POWER STEERING COLUMN (THIS IS A 4 YEAR OLD CAR!!!), SO THE RECALL SHOULD NOT JUST BE THE MOTOR BUT THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, THE STEERING COMPLETELY GOES AND YOU CAN BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370396December 13, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED A STRONG FUME SMELL WAS COMING OUT OF THE HEATING SYSYEM. THE CONTACT STATED THIS OCCURRED AFTER REPAIRS WHERE MADE TO THE POWER STEERING DUE TO A RECALL 10V073000: (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10370427December 13, 2010
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL 35 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS BUT THE STEERING WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). SINCE THE REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED, THERE WERE FUMES BEING EMITTED FROM THE HEATING VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE CONTACT SICK. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 7,600.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10370157December 10, 2010
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE STEERING BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AND SHE DROVE INTO A DITCH. *KB (LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10369804December 9, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369705December 8, 2010
SUSPENSION, SEATS, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
SUSPENSION SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE BOTTOMING THE CAR OUT ALL THE TIME. IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME WE MEET A CROOK IN THE ROAD. SOUNDS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO BREAK IN HALF. WE FEEL THIS PROBLEM COULD END UP RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC DISASTER. TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE BATTERY BRACKET (WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, WHO WOULD'VE THOUGHT) WAS LOOSE AND THE FUEL PROTECTOR BRACKET WAS LOOSE (ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR). THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE BRACKETS AND SAID ALL WAS FIXED. WE DROVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND WE STILL HEARD THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BACK AND THEY SAID, "IT'S GOTTA BE SOMETHING ELSE!" WE HAVE ALSO BEEN PUTTING IN COMPLAINTS ON THE COMFORT OF THIS VEHICLE. IF YOU PLAN ON TRAVELING FOR MORE THAN 10 MILES AT A TIME, DO NOT PURCHASE A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT LT2. OUR DAUGHTER IN WHICH IS ONLY 25 YRS OLD COULDN'T EVEN RIDE IN THIS CAR FOR 20 MINUTES WITHOUT GETTING A BACKACHE. THESE CARS ARE HORRIBLE IN THE WINTER SNOW AND ICE. THEY ARE OF NO COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL CHEVROLET CAVALIER. THEY REALLY SHOULD LOOK INTO GOING BACK TO THOSE LITTLE CARS, FOR THEY ARE GREAT LITTLE CARS ALL THE WAY AROUND. I HAVE A 2002, AND AM SO HAPPY I STILL HAVE IT. I AM TRYING TO TRADE THE COBALT BACK IN AND GMAC IS TELLING US THAT WE WILL HAVE A HIGH PERCENTAGE RATE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR. WELL WE DON'T WANT THIS LITTLE ICE SKATE, IT IS SO UNSAFE. WHO WOULD WANT TO KEEP AN UNSAFE VEHICLE? I THINK THEY SHOULD REALLY START INVESTIGATED THE SUSPENSION ISSUES SINCE UPON OUR RESEARCH, WE'VE FOUND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2006, AND NOBODY CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. MAYBE THAT'S WHY THIS IS THE LAST YEAR FOR THE CHEVY COBALT. THEY SHOULD ALL BE TAKEN OFF THE MARKET ON RECALLS AND PEOPLE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR HEART ACHE AND UNSATISFACTORY OUTCOMES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS AND GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS AMERICA! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369544December 7, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
FAILURE OF DOOR TO OPEN. FOR 2 DAYS THE DRIVER'S DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDER OR OUTSIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369343December 6, 2010
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT HAD MINIMAL CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE STEERING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369174December 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2010 CHEVROLET COBALT SS. VERY LOUD BRAKE SQUEAL COMING TO A STOP 20KM AND UNDER (LOUDER THAN A CITY BUS). THIS HAS OCCURRED CONSISTENTLY FROM 2500KM. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A DOZEN TIMES, EVERY TIME THEY MACHINE THE BRAKES AND TELL ME THE SQUEAL IS NORMAL FOR HIGH END BRAKES. I HAVE DRIVEN PORCHES, HIGH END PERFORMANCE VEHICLES LIKE STI'S, 350Z'S, S2000'S EVEN HIGH END BMW'S, CORVETTES AND FERRARIS, NONE OF WHICH HAVE A "NORMAL" SQUEAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369127December 3, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKES WEAR EXTREMELY FAST, MAKE SCREECHING NOISE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369143December 3, 2010
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY JERKED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO RECALL 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER HOWEVER THE JERKING CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368623December 2, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED MY 2009 CHEVY COBALT SS/TC IN EARLY JUNE OF 2010. IT WAS A GM CERTIFIED USED CAR. WHEN I INSPECTED THE CAR BEFORE PURCHASING I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE HEAVILY WORN AND I LET THE SALESMEN KNOW ABOUT IT. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ALMOST 70% LEFT ON THE PADS AND EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE . SO I DID THE DUMBEST THING I COULD DO AND TOOK HIS WORD FOR IT. AFTER ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND 4000 MILES LATER MY REAR BRAKES START MAKING A SCRAPING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE AND WHILE LIGHT BRAKING AROUND CORNERS MOSTLY OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE.. I TOOK IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE EXPECTING SOME KIND OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT INSTEAD I'M ACCUSED OF BAD DRIVING AND LETTING MY E-BRAKE DRAG. THE ISSUE WAS THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE STICKING AND NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY AND THE PISTONS INSIDE WERE BENT CAUSING UNEVEN PAD WEAR. BOTH SIDES MOISTURE BOOTS ON THE PISTONS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE PINCHED AND BROKEN DURING THE FACTORY INSTALLATION. SO NOW HERE I AM WITH A BILL FOR ALMOST $1000 DOLLARS FOR REAR PADS, ROTORS AND CALIPERS AND ON A CAR THAT IS JUST OVER 2 YEARS OLD WITH ALMOST 2 YEARS ON A FACTORY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. I'M SORRY BUT THE CALIPERS TO ME ARE A MECHANICAL DEFECTED PART AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368636December 2, 2010
STEERING, WHEELS, SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BENT ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WHEEL. LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE OVER ANOTHER POTHOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN, TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE BENT WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A LATER DATE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FRONT VERTICAL BUSHING ON BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS BOTH END LINKS FOR THE FRONT SWAY BAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT AND COLUMN ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO NEED REPLACING. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,862 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10368574December 1, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT USING THE RELEASE BUTTON IN THE HOLE UNDER THE COLUMN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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