I went to shut off my car Saturday night, May 28th and was unable to remove key had to remove battery cable to shut car off. Dealer familiar with problem. Apparently at least 200$ solution. This has happened to other folks also.

- Gays Mills, WI, USA

Could not shut car off when parked. The key would not move lock to shut car off. Could move key forward (to start), but could not move to off. Immediately drove car to dealer. Dealer told me they had to disconnect battery (while the car was running) to shut of the car then proceeded to replace the ignition cylinder. The remarks on dealer repair invoice were " replaced ignition cylinder due to the key getting stuck in the housing and the cylinder blowing up". note that I consider not being able to shut off a running car extremely unsafe! in case something happens like throttle sticking etc. (don't know if there is any history of throttle sticking on this model yet). Also, generally it is bad practise to disconnect the battery cable on a running engine. This may affect the computer (future safety issue? or future expensive electrical system repairs). Does GM condone this practise at their dealers? dealer used my extended warranty and charged $106 for the deductible to fix this safety item. I found similar 2009 Cobalt ignition issues on your NHTSA website, ref. ODI id's 10364046, 10368042, 10361530, 10394051

- Andover, CT, USA

The battery continues to die and it causes the default factory alarm to lock the car. The keys are always getting stuck in the ignition. Right now im locked out the vehicle. The extra key can't unlock the doors (cant override the alarm lock).

- West Memphsi, AR, USA

Driving home from work stopped at store, tried to turn my vehicle off, the key got stuck in the ignition and wouldn't come out. Drove the car home, had to leave the car running until the tow truck came. The tow truck man informed me that this has been a problem with 2010 Cobalts and that he has had to tow many of them away. The car was towed to a dealership, still at the dealership, been there for almost two weeks. Was quoted a an outrageous price to fix the problem.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact attempted to park and shut the vehicle off but the key could not be removed from the ignition. A mechanic arrived to disconnect the engine. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who was diagnosing the problem. The current and failure mileages were approximately 54,100. The VIN was unavailable.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

2009 Chevy Cobalt. Over past 6 months, on a couple of occasions: Ignition switch would not turn off. I had to select ign switch on/off several times before engine would switch off and I could remove key. Sept 21 parked at hotel to check in. Returned to car- started normally. I parked car at room ignition switch would not turn off. Key jammed in ignition. I had to disconnect battery to shut off car. Upon return home car taken to dealer-ignition switch, collar and key removed/replaced. Dealer service mgr stated had several of these and mechanic familiar with replacement. I had a 2006 Chevy Cobalt that ign switch started to do same thing, but car was total loss accident before I could take to dealer. I think this is a fire/safety defect.

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

Background: I have a Chevy Cobalt ('07) and currently having a serious problem with power steering. I did some research and noticed hundreds of owners experienced the same or similar problem all over the country(us). 1. problem occurs after start driving for couple hundreds feet or less. Regardless of speed or turning the steering wheel, problem will occur. 2. how often? varies from couple minutes to couple seconds, but problem occurs every time the car runs. 3. shutting down the engine and reignite it again. This will restart the programming of the vehicle but does not solve the problem. After couple of hundred of feet, problem arise.

- Little Elm, TX, USA

We purchased a 2009 Chevy Cobalt for our son who is just learning to drive. While practicing parallel parking and the 3 point turn the steering locked up and was impossible to move. We took it into the dealer who said that this is a problem that could occur (and there was a bulletin issued by GM) because the power steering is run by computer and it could overheat which could happen when practicing parallel parking. However, there was nothing they can do to fix it. I do not find this an acceptable solution since my son is a first time driver and has not even taken his driving test yet. I would like to know if there are any options available.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

No incident has occurred at this point, however, I see this as a potential safety hazard. I have a 2009 Chevy Cobalt with battery installed in the trunk. The battery vent tube is connected to the top of the battery by a plastic elbow, a plastic vent tube is connected to the male nipple on the elbow. The plastic vent tube inside diameter appears to be too small inside diameter for the male nipple. The plastic vent tube is split where it attaches to my battery where it is pushed onto the male nipple which will allow the vented hydrogen gas to vent into the trunk (which is part of the passenger compartment only separated by the back seat) I think presents a potential safety hazard and potential fire risk. I can send you a picture of the split vent tube if you need to see it. I assume that this is a factory installation defect, this is not an improper repair defect, so this situation could exist on other models using this type of vent tubing.

- Burnet, TX, USA