10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 24 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 16 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 65,017 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
While driving down the road the driver information center on the dashboard displayed "power steering." At that time the power steering failed and it became extremely difficult to control and steer the vehicle. When the vehicle was turned off and then restarted the problem disappeared. The problem has been returning more frequently and at all types of speeds.
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while turning, the steering wheel felt abnormally loose. In addition, an abnormal clunking and rattling noise was heard from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The failure was located at the steering column and steering shaft. The steering column and steering shaft were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 105,696.
- Burton, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle into the dealer for NHTSA recall campaign id number: 10V073000 (steering: Electronic power assists system) the vehicle started making a clicking sound whenever he made a left turn. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was taken to the dealer four times before it was determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not experiencing the problem until after the recall repairs. The vehicle did not have a problem before the recall repair was done. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who refused to provide any assistance since they do not believed the failure was cause by the recall repairs. The failure mileage was 8,530 and the current mileage 19,000. Updated 12/5/12 updated 12/10/12
- Damascus, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. As a result, the vehicle became very difficult to steer. The contact pulled the vehicle over and restarted it immediatetly after it started to function properly. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Columbia, SC, USA
We went to eat, came out to go home started car and lost complete steering, could not get it to steer correctly. Had to drive as slow as possible to get home.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel had become extremely hard to maneuver. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 90,000.
- Thomasville, AL, USA
Car is pulling to the left and had car alignment done and new tires put on. Still pulling to the left and hear rattling noise in the steering column when turning to the left and when speed at 50 mph. It also rattles when I slow down to stop. This is not safe for me or my family. This should be recalled immediately. Took car to mechanic diagnosis is the steering column. Production error. I am not going to be paying high cost for something that should be recalled and fault of a production error.
- Glendale, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving at various speeds. No warning lights illuminated during or after the failures. The contact stated that the steering would return to normal function after allowing the vehicle to momentarily rest. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Lorena, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving on the highway. The power steering began to function as normal after the vehicle was restarted.the failure had since recurred three more times. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer. The failure mileage was 68,000.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt lt. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after being informed by neighbors that the headlights and brake lights were illuminated all night. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they advised the contact that the computer module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the computer several months later. In addition, while driving approximately 50 mph, the power steering failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system) however, the failure recurred shortly after having the recall repairs performed. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
- Rego Park, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 10V073000 (steering:electric power assist system). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
- Laughlin, NV, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he heard a rattling noise coming from the steering shaft. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering column, steering shaft and the power steering assist needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000 and the current mileage was 58,000.
- Apollo , PA, USA
Vehicle is making weird front end noises, knocking, rattles, shakes in the steering column, vibrations when driving on the driver side behind the steering wheel and in the floor, tires are making a noise when driving like something is hanging.
- San Jose , CA, USA
Steering column is making loud noise and causes rattling when on gravel or slowing down to stop. Had power steering motor replace as P[er recall. Concerned that this will cause the steering to fail. Do not want to fix in case as it costs $800. According to ledingham in steinbach manitoba. Will this be a recall item" if I pay to have it fixed and it is recalled will they have to reimburse me for my costs" the car is a 2009 Cobalt.
- Landmark, 00, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact stated the vehicle had to be turned off and back on in order to reset the steering wheel but the contact stated the fix did not last very long. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer. The failure and current mileage was 20,000. When I turn on the car in about 30 seconds the power steering light pops up and the wheel is really hard to turn. Its almost impossible to turn when getting out the parking spot. I have to turn my car off at least 2 times to straighten it out because its so hard to turn. Its the hardest to turn when driving slow. Updated 10/06/2011
- Auburn, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed while driving at 70mph. The contact was able to pull over on the shoulder of the road, and turned the vehicle off for a few minutes. The power steering returned to normal function for a few minutes, and then continued to fail. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN information was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 60,050.
- Clarksville , IN, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel would shake violently when driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer numerous times for the failure. The dealer replaced the steering drive shaft and the steering column but to no avail. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 1,300 and the current mileage was 46,000.
- Crocket , TX, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving he was unable to turn the steering wheel to the right without force; however, he was also unable to turn it back to the left which caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle finally stopped when it crashed into a guard rail. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The passenger and driver suffered contusions and back pain. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 53,000.
- Fairmount , GA, USA
My 18 year old daughter was driving alone at night on a hwy, when she said her steering locked and she could not turn the wheel, the car veered off the road and she crashed into some trees down an embankment. This car was in for its electric steering recall few weeks before.
- E. Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Schaumburg, IL, USA