10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 70 / 4
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 129 / 3
- Average Mileage:
- 63,968 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
My 2006 Chevrolet colbalt's power steering stopped working, causing loss of control
- Kenosha, WI, USA
My son owns a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. GM has elected not to recall his car at this time even though he has experienced loss of power steering while driving. His car has around 60000+ miles. If he shuts the car off and waits a few minutes he regains power steering. I am not sure how often this occurs be cause he is at school. GM gave him a case number and said he could have a diagnostic preformed. Why should he have to pay for this and why are they being selective on cars. Do not have specific date on failures.
- Vicksburg, MS, USA
I own a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Well to begin, I initially had an issue with my shift column, which I researched and found out it was a common issue with this vehicle. It would cause my key to get stuck in the ignition. I took it to the delearship and they replace the whole column. Then a a couple of week later, my vehicle was accelerating really fun, I just blew it off for a moment, until I then tried to put my car in reverse one day, and it would not go anywhere. I took it to the delearship and they told me my transmission is slipping, at 86,000 miles. The dealearship has my car, and is trying to figure out if it's even worth fixing. Im also wondering if this problem could have been caught the intial time they fixed the vehicle, and figured it was my shifting column, because even with my transmission slipping, it also affected the shifting column. One other problem I have had with the vehicle is the air bag sensor, I have not got this fixed yet, because the dealearship wants to charge $99 just to see exactly what's causing my airbag sensor to not come on, when I have passengers with me.
- Houston, TX, USA
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I was driving home this evening from work when I got the "power steering" warning on my dash. Soon after, I noticed my car would buck and jerk quite violently. It got to the point that I did not feel safe driving on the interstate so I pulled over. I called my local dealership, george weber, remembering there was a recall on 2006 Chevy Cobalts, to my dismay, my car was not included in this so called recall that was announced in March. However, the service department employee, marsha, did acknowledge that the symptoms I had experienced coincided with the symptoms of two vehicles that were fixed at her shop. The only difference was those two vehicles were under the recall, but my car is not. It is imperative that this recall extend to all Cobalts that stand a chance of having the same issues. I was very scared for my safety and the other on the road as I felt I had no control over my vehicle. The scariest feeling is that it came out of no where. [xxx]
- Waterloo, IL, USA
The power steering goes out at random times. I get a warning signal on the instrument panel, and the steer becomes very difficult. If I stop the car and shut it off, the steering is restored for awhile. This happened to me on the highway, at highway speed. This is very concerning.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
I was just pulling out of a parking space and the power steering failed this has only happened once and it became very difficult to steer the car and the power steering light came on. I turned the car off and then turned the car back on and I have not had the problem since
- Somerset, NJ, USA
Inability to steer, car was taking to dealer, they was not able to get the car to duplicate
- Opelika, AL, USA
I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt ltz. About 3 months ago, I was driving and "power steering" appeared on my dashboard along with a chime noise and a few other warning signs. I took it to a shop and they found nothing wrong with it. Just this past Tuesday 3/16/10 it did the same thing so I pulled over, turned it off and let it sit. After about an hour I drove home and it was fine. Then today 3/20/10 it happened again as I was driving so I pulled over and turned it off for 10 minutes, started again, and the warning lights were still there. I turned it off and on a few more times but the problem was still present. I continued to drive then, and the whole time the power steering warning came on and off along with the chime. The traction control and engine lights stayed on also. A few hours later, I started my car and the engine light stayed on the whole time until I got to my house.
- York, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 25 mph at night the vehicles power steering suddenly stopped working. A digital check power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that were not sure which vehicles would be on the recall list. They also stated that they are uncertain if they would assume liability for the repairs. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 53,506.
- Pimebrook Pines, FL, USA
Power steering defaults.....
- San Bernardino, CA, USA
2006 Chevy Cobalt suddenly lost power steering and became extremely difficult to control, almost causing an accident on more than one occasion.
- Seaside Park, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While traveling at speeds of 30 mph, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become extremely difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.
- Florissant, MO, USA
The electronic power steering when out on my car several times almost getting me and my friend in to a accident. I was able to get my car home safely but had to drive with extreme caution. Turning was more then difficult. The power steering would come back when I turned the car back on but shortly after would turn off again. I tried to fix it but it was to no avail it just kept turning off. This of cores makes it to where I cant even get to work safely with out worrying about my steering going completely out.
- Medford, OR, USA
I was driving and I was turning on a curb. I lost my power steering. I was going 50 mph. I went to take the car to the dealer and turned the car and once I restarted my car the power steering was back as if nothing happened. I was told by 2 dealer that my car is not on a recall list. And, that I needed to get the power steer motor replaced most likely.
- Landover Hills, MD, USA
My 2006 Chevy Cobalt's power steering is not working. A few days ago the steering felt as if it were sticking. Going into a turn there would be no power steering and I would have to really torque the wheel, then, in the same turn it would suddenly come back on causing me to oversteer and swerve. Now it usually isn't working but occasionally does.
- Kingston, NH, USA
I was driving on the highway in denver Colorado when my power steering went complete out I had no control on the steering of the can I pumped my brakes to come to a complete stop. Should I have been driving the car during rush hour I could have been killed or killed someone else.
- Arlington, TX, USA
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer states steering and front end problems. The consumer stated the vehicle has been to the repair shop 3 times for front end problems. The coil pack and module had to be replaced. The shift lever failed and would not release the key when the engine was turned off.
- Greenville, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph. The power steering warning light illuminated on the dashboard with a loss of power steering. The vehicle was able to continue in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The failure was contributed to the steering column. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.
- Houston, TX, USA
2006 Chevy Cobalt. The car started to rattle when driving couple days latter the steering wheel started to wobble from side to side. I took it to a automotive repair garage and had the look at the problem and was told by the garage that the rack & pinion steering assembly needed to be replaced. There was a lot of play in the steering assembly. The garage had me speak to the local Chevy dealer. The service department informed me that there has been major problems with the Cobalts steering and there is 1.3 million Chevy & Pontiac cars that have a steering issues but there is nothing they could do for me but buy a new assembly at $367 plus labor to correct the problem. GM might recall the problem. The steering has locked up on me today after the GM dealer said it was ok to drive. Thank god I was no going at a low speed. I hope that nobody gets killed. I have parked the car until I can have a new assembly installed by the repair garage. The assembly is a special order from a GM dealer. This also takes a toll on the tires and front end.
- Garden Grove , CA, USA
- Beaver, PA, USA