10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 14 / 6
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 57,099 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
Power steering not fixed on open recall in 2010 power steering rack failure caused an accident in motion 3rd party dealership diagnosed the problem with the power steering rack failure, but was unable to fix.
- Akron, OH, USA
Key was stuck in ignition and was unable to start. Replaced body module control and now the check engine light wont go off, says air bags need service, radio is locked out, with a slew of other problems. Took it car to the dealership to find no resolution. My car also lost power steering briefly after only driving about 15 minutes.
- Belmont, NC, USA
The car shuts completely off while driving, it has only happened at low speeds and acts like it just stalled. Once restarted, the car runs fine. This happens at random times both when first starting the car and also after driving long periods.
- Versailles, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition seized and the security system warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the instrument panel became inoperable randomly. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
- Stanford, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving the vehicle, the key was accidentally removed from the ignition switch and the vehicle continued to operate. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and the front driver seat belt was faulty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the linkage was faulty. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 2/4/16
- Washington Township, MI, USA
The driver side headlight stays dim. Check engine light keeps coming on with something different. Had two fuel pumps installed. The car last night had power but would not turn over or attempt to start. When driving at highway speeds the steering is loose, at low speeds power steering sometimes works. Loud popping in slow sharp turns. Just had it checked and new tires said suspension was great.
- Hazard, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 35 mph, the instrument cluster began to malfunction and various warning lights illuminated. In addition, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact pulled over and switched off the vehicle, but it required multiple attempts to restart. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the anti-theft alarm system caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- Randallstown, MD, USA
2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch reimbursement for repairs issue. The consumer was informed he would not be reimbursed because the recall was not performed by an authorized Chevrolet dealer.
- East Providence, RI, USA
While driving the vehicle lost power. At times it could be re-started and at times it had to be towed for repair. Multiple dealerships and local mechanics attempted numerous repairs but could not locate problem. After years of unsafe driving the issue was resolved. The problem was described in service bulletin 07-06-04-0190 electrical intermittent reduced power dated 6/28/2011. The dealerships could not find the problem but my local mechanic finally did. In our small village he has since repaired numerous Cobalts with the same problem. I asked him if a recall would be issued and he said not until a significant number of people die as a result and the problem could be pinpointed. This is not acceptable. It took almost two years of unsafe driving before the problem was discovered and repaired.
- Bethel, OH, USA
The both front speaker quit working. That the turn signal chime did not work either this after take mi car to the dealership cause something about power steering recall
- Ukiah, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was difficult to remove from the ignition. The failure recurred multiple times. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start. After several attempts, the vehicle was able to start. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) however, the failure recurred. While driving approximately 20 mph and making a right turn, the vehicle stalled and the contact crashed into a curb. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
- Dallas, TX, USA
My key has been getting stuck in the ignition for not reason, I have to take extra time to start my car about 5 times and put it in all the gears before it will allow me to remove my key from the ignition.
- Fort Collins, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact's vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14E021000 (electrical system); however, while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
- Bayonne, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition and was unable to be removed. The contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V171000 (electrical system) and 14E021000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
- Gainesville, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. While the vehicle was parked, it burst into flames. The contact was alerted by the sound of an explosion that came from the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Laneville, TX, USA
The vehicle has a built in anti theft system. This system is controlled by a computer. As well as an etching in the key that is recognized by the ignition. This has been an on going problem for us where the anti theft system will engage while you are driving. When this happens you lose your instrumentation, power steering, your transmission slips and your engine sputters. This has happened to us at high speed in the freeway, slow speed on city streets and everything in between. The real issue is that it is so sporadic that our local GM dealer is unable to assess the issue.
- Xenia, OH, USA
I was backing up out of my driveway to let another car out and as soon as I put the car in reverse the car made the chime noise as if it was telling me to put on my seatbelt seconds later power steering was flashing on the dashboard the RPM gauge was jumping, the fuel gauge was jumping back and forth, low fuel blinking on dashboard with full tank of gas, steering wheel very hard to turn, check engine light is on, security lock light is on, transmission clicks when shifting. Called the dealer I financed the car from he told me to take it to a shop called precision auto services he couldn't figure out problem said most likely it was a computer issue so I called GM customer service to inform what was going on they had the car towed to bob johnson Chevrolet and they did a recall on the ignition switch also said there was a broken shift cable installed a new cable, they also had to replace serpentine belt. After all that I pick up car and make payment a week and a half later car does the same thing. I call and explain to service assistant manager he says that he didn't check for power steering after I explained was the whole purpose of having the car looked at long story short he gave me the run around so I thought to look elsewhere I took it to another shop where it was diagnosed free of charge he said that there were lots of codes on my car. But the car was back to normal after diagnosis then about 3 weeks later same problem took it back he explained to me that whoever disconnected a remote starter on my car didn't do it properly causing the modules in the car to not communicate. I paid to have that repaired 2 weeks later same problem now mechanic tells me its transmission control module which costs almost $500 which is over my budget. I'm making payments on something that I should be able to drive to and from work safe and comfortably. Please help!
- Rochester, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after turning the vehicle on, the entire instrument panel illuminated. Also, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,300.
- Portsmouth, OH, USA
The key is stuck on the on position an stuck in the ignition {can not get the key out of the ignition }.
- Halifax, PA, USA
- Clatskanie, OR, USA