7.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$380
Average Mileage:
45,550 miles
Total Complaints:
44 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (26 reports)
  2. replace shifter (10 reports)
  3. use key release (4 reports)
  4. popped access panel and hit button to remove key (2 reports)
  5. press reset under steering colom (1 reports)
  6. replace ignition (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Chevrolet dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Oct 182009

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

About three weeks after I had the steering column replaced in my Cobalt, I went to the grocery store and I couldn't get the key out of the ignition. No amount of turning the steering wheel, taking the shift out of park and putting it back in, etc. would make a difference. I had my second key with me, so I locked the car, did my shopping, came back out and drove the car to McDonalds. I still couldn't get the key out. A friend there got the key out for me, but then the key wouldn't go all the way in. I could still drive it, but the ignition was stuck between off and on. Within two days, the battery was dead. I had to borrow my friends' cars to drive to work, because the garage couldn't get me in for several days. A neighbor jump started my car, and I managed to get it to the garage. They finally discovered that it needed a new shift assembly. Apparently it's very expensive, but I had the extended warranty so I only paid $100. I thought it was foolish to buy the extended warranty, but it paid for itself in the past month. Let's hope nothing else goes wrong! Judging from what I've read on the internet, Chevrolet needs to have recalls on both the power steering and the shift assembly problems, but I asked the dealer, "Why don't they have a recall?" And they said, "Because they are bankrupt."

- Denise C., Lawton, PA, US

problem #23

Sep 262009

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

my key wouldnt realease either. just remover the cover at the bottom of the steering wheel, find the release button and duct tape it down. cheaper than bringing it to the garage and seems to do the trick.

- dewit2it, Green Bay, WI, US

problem #22

Sep 012009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,491 miles

car just rolled over 10xxx miles and sits in the driveway lifeless all started with the car shutting off when you lowered the steering wheel, then the car started shift very hard but not downshifting at all it would stall when i slowed down, then you no longer have to apply the brake to shift from park and the shift button is permanently pushed in, next the key started sticking in the ignition now the battery is dead because the key wont make it back to the lock position but is removable in the accessory position but even when it comes out the battery still runs out... i jumped it yesterday so that i could drive it and the engine sputtered and in the display it read engine power lowered i let it idle for a while to see if the battery needed to charge but still doesn't work I'm going to get it fixed and ill update this post keep in mind the car just hit 10,000 miles. i made a sign for the car and when its drivable it will be put on, buy American but don't buy a Chevy current mileage current repair cost and problems :)

- Sean O., Milford, MI, US

problem #21

Sep 012008

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

well. i put the key in to turn on the car. and it turned on, but wouldn't go in to Reverse or Drive or anything. was stuck in park, key was stuck in ignition and i had to have it towed.

- Dustin S., Aurora, CO, US

problem #20

Jul 112009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

My key has gotten stuck numerous times but I was always able to get it out after I jiggled the shifter back and forth a bit. Yesterday, it was completely stuck- would not turn at all. After letting my car sit all last night & today I discovered my battery went dead.

I was looking thru the owner's manual & discovered there is a panel that comes off the bottom of the steering column & there's a button in there to push to release the key. Luckily, my car was already scheduled to go on Monday to get an inspection & also get my headlight fixed (seal is broken so it has condensation all over the inside) so now I just need to add another problem to the list. (I've also had to have my rear door handle & blinker fixed)

I don't know what I'm going to do once my warranty expires....luckily opted for the extended one.

- ledzep3680, West Pittston, PA, US

problem #19

Apr 182009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,023 miles

started on trip to FL at first stop in Harrisburg PA. happened at every shut down to FL and while there..called dealer in Melbourne they said they had 2 come in that day for the same reason, one being towed. I opted out till getting back to NY and my dealer, where they said yes its stuck..could be the transmission shifter relay..or the ignition switch.

didnt get it fixed though. called GM they say they are "aware" of the issue. this has happened at least 100 times now

- Bill K., Ellenville, NY, US

problem #18

May 112009

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,252 miles

After the key could not be removed the battery whent so dead that now i have to purchase a new one. Guess what? over $200.00 for it.Been trying to get a dealer to call back on key problem on recall#06-07=30=004C but no response.Guess that's due to going out of business from Bank Rupt. GM (SUCKS)

- Bruce W., Clewiston, FL, US

problem #17

May 052009

Cobalt LS 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

This happened last year, Chevy fixed it. Now it has happened again and I'm out of warranty. So now I'm driving around with the key stuck in the ignition until i figure out how to get Chevy to pay for this.

- ldaly63, Wauconda, IL, US

problem #16

Apr 252009

Cobalt LX 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

Key gets stuck in ignition and car wont power off.

- waytoreal1mi, Wesltand, MI, US

problem #15

Apr 012009

Cobalt LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

My key was locked into my ignition and I could not get it out for 30 minutes. I am not the only one with this problem, Google it. It is ridiculous. I have other complaints listed for this car. GM has yet to respond to my e-mail that I sent them, and it has been 2 months!

- Tabitha M., Brooksville, FL, US

problem #14

Feb 052009

Cobalt LT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

When the key got stuck in the ignition I looked here to see if it had happened to anyone else. I took the car in for repair, over 36 months old, so not covered under warranty. When I saw that it looked like a common problem I called GM. The guy I spoke to said he did a search in their system and NO ONE else had reported this problem. I find that hard to believe. If you have had this problem, please CALL GM and report the issue. Then when they tell you that no one else has reported you can say "liar" cause I reported it on 2-26-09.

Thanks

- ttroup, Bolivar, OH, US

problem #13

Oct 152008

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Should be a recall on it no older than it is is not the first time I heard of it

- freebirdalex, Rawlings, VA, US

problem #12

Nov 202008

Cobalt LS 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

key stuck in ignition overnight battery went dead.i don't think problems lies with ign. switch. i can hear solenoid clicking when i depress brake peddle.button on shifter will not pop out to lock in park,preventing key to rotate to full off position.shift control solenoid??? if so where is location of solenoid

- benj239, Philadelphia, PA, US

problem #11

Jul 182005

Cobalt LT 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I had the same problem right after I bought my 2005 Cobalt (brand new in June 2005). The key would stick in the ignition. I took it to the dealership 2-3 times and of course it would not stick while I was there. Finally I did some research on my own and discovered a tech bulletin had been issued stating that the fix was to replace the shifter and that some of the cars had the incorrect shifter installed. I went back to the dealer one final time and quoted the tech bulletin, which baffled the service writer since I'm just a dumb woman (another issue, but not with the car). After they replaced the shifter the problem stopped. Repair did not cost one cent as it was a factory defect.

- tripsmomoh, Madison, OH, US

problem #10

Aug 292008

Cobalt LS 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,022 miles

came home from work at 1130pm on a Friday, key stuck in ignition, and did not come out.

but it was in the accessory mode, killed the battery, when I had it just started just to

drive it to the dealer, the engine was shaking, and tow driver said something else going on.

that my car would not make it to the dealer 2 miles away.

had car towed.

Pain in but, and warrant over 30 days ago.

- fitzcfitz, Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #9

Nov 012005

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

When it gets really cold out and i turn off my car the key won't come out. I would have to restart my car a couple of times until it would finally come out. damn thing usually made me late for class. I've had it replaced by the dealer twice. they said it was the security system that was doing it.

- Sue S., Morton, PA, US

problem #8

May 202008

Cobalt LS 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

click to see larger images

key stuck in the ignition key stuck in the ignition key stuck in the ignition key stuck in the ignition

This car is a piece of sh*t. This happened to me several times while it was under warranty. Now it continues to happen as it is out of warranty. I would advise anyone considering this car to skip it. The value of the car is less than face value to trade in and twice as much to maintain and fix. In addition to this recent issue my car would: -Halt and turn off in the middle of me driving -Get the key stuck in the ignition -Air conditioner broken -Windows scratching, motorized incorrectly -Lights malfunctioning -Piston problems All within 6 months of purchasing the vehicle.

- Armando M., Hayward, CA, US

problem #7

Jan 012008

Cobalt 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

On my cobalt, there are three phases on the ignition......off, accessory, power. When i go to turn off the car it will not go back to off...it locks up on accessory....therefore my battery dies if i don't unplug it which is a pain in the a$$ to do everytime i wanna leave the car for a period of time.

- Frankie M., Chicago, IL, US

problem #6

Apr 222006

(reported on)

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,600 miles

Nothing would move on this car. Dead as a brick. Happened on weekend. Dealer not open. Seems like it is a totally locked start-up system.

- Gloria B., Elwood, IN, US

problem #5

Feb 062008

Cobalt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

When you put the car in park it wont let the key come out of the ignition

- Jeremy T., Copley, OH, US

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