10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 24 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 16 / 2
- Average Mileage:
- 64,340 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 teen driver was driving on city streets at low speeds, the power steering failed. There was a near-miss accident. I contacted the dealer (autonation GMC Chevrolet, corpus christi, tx) to see if there were any recalls on the power steering, they stated that yes, but I had already had it done. I had not recalled that service, but turns out I did take the car in three years ago for a recall that I did not pay much attention to involving a steering part (turns out it was the power steering motor; there was no problem with the car back then). I explained to the female service representative that I thought we had another bad power steering motor and that this was a serious problem, there was nearly an accident and that I would need to report it to the NHTSA. She stated that was fine, but I was not going to get another free power steering motor! I was speechless; I could not believe that GM representative only cared about a $150 part - or thought that I only cared about a $150 part, and not the potential impact on human life. I replaced the part myself with another oem power steering motor and that fixed the problem. I would appear to me that the original steering motor recall was not effective, especially if the same oem motor was used. I would recommend to GM that another recall be issued with improved parts. Updated 12/11/2017
- Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Steering assembly has play in it. Something loose in steering assembly did this for a long time.
- New Castle , DE, USA
This is the second time this issue has happened. The issue is when turning on an on-ramp that has sharp turning radius the car ABS system turns on and you lose control of the car. This also happens when you are already on a freeway that has a sweeping on ramp to another freeway the ABS starts to brake in the turn. I have reported this issue to the dealership and they have not addressed it.
- San Diego, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed after the power steering light illuminated. The contact mentioned that excessive force had to be used in order to move the vehicle from the parked position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,885.
- Miami, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
- Dunbar, PA, USA
My speedometer RPM and gas gauge started going up and down erratically I lost power steering. I had no idea what my speed was because the speedometer was inaccurate. This was a very unsafe situation to be in as I live in Colorado and we get snow and ice.
- Loveland, CO, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and the engine RPM's would increase before experiencing unintended acceleration. Also, the contact indicated that the power steering sensor light had illuminated. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 181,000.
- Gallup, NM, USA
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer had car taken in repair shop to fix power steering problem ignition switch and the dealer kept the vehicle for three months. Each time the consumer called to inquire about the vehicle, she was informed they were waiting on the parts. When the vehicle was returned to the consumer, the turn signals and air condition were not working properly.
- Palm Bay, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized on numerous occasions. The power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Saint Louis, MO, USA
My electronic power steering is cutting in and out at random time intervals. Called the dealer to see if my Cobalt was part of the affected recall on the power steering and was informed that they will not cover the repair for my car under that recall.
- Hemlock, NY, USA
My intermediate steering shaft went out had it replaced a month later it went out again. No two months later had it in again it needs entire steering rack $610 for GM ' brand. From what I read online GM suede the maker of the steering rack to pay their customers it is a plastic gear. The greatest thing about the car is the water that comes inside down my air bag when it rains. I've took it in 7 times for this problem. Besides the recalls the door handle fell off. Head light got water in it. It never ends.
- Beckley, WV, USA
The dic shows the reading of each tire pressure backwards, for example right front wheel is actually the rear right wheel, and left front is actually rear front. Also I am unable to use the cruise control. The lights turns on but the car does not engage in the same speed for the cruise control.
- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While traveling approximately 20 mph, another vehicle crashed into the front of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the air bag system was faulty and the vehicle was repaired. In addition, while entering the highway and attempting to make a right turn, the vehicle veered to the left and into oncoming traffic. As a result, a second vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was filed. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated as normal. Also, the contact indicated that fuel was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed and repaired the failure. No information was available regarding the diagnosis. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.
- Summerfield, NC, USA
I was on my way home and it was raining on the expressway but by the time I got to the city I live it had stop. I was exiting the expressway and was turning a left on the street I live on. I had made my turn at about 30 mph and after I had made my turn the car was straight for awhile then all the sudden the car acted up and the steering wheel or the wheels or something happen that made my car make a sharp U-turn going in front of ongoing traffic. My car went straight in front of a car and she didn't have time to stop so she hit me and we both went onto the island. I have no idea what happened but luckily we were both going slow that none of us were hurt but our cars were in bad conditions. I'm looking at 3,000 damage on my car, and probably 4,000 damage to her car. I want to say it was bc of the rain, but the road wasn't wet and I just got new tires and just got a oil change. I maintain my car very well so I have no idea why that would happen.
- Edinburg, TX, USA
On Thursday October 9th, 2014 I was driving East on rt 70. It began to rain heavily at approximately 4:50pm and I attempted to use the brakes on my vehicle. The brakes were suddenly very stiff. I didn't think they were working. I was in the left lane when this occurred and immediately put on my emergency lights and tried to move to the middle lane, to the right lane so I could go to the shoulder. When I attempted to switch the lanes, the power steering wasn't working. I managed to move the steering wheel slightly so that I could switch lanes. There was oncoming traffic before an available shoulder so I tried to speed up. I was unable to increase my speed. I was able to slow down naturally but I wasn't able to completely stop until I got to the shoulder and pushed extremely hard on the breaks and held down on the break for several seconds. The radio was still working and the heater was blowing cold air. I was able to get the vehicle working again by turning the ignition to the off position and turning the ignition back on. I think my vehicle's engine turned off while I was driving. I have onstar on the vehicle and immediately pushed the button when I was unable to break properly with my vehicle. The lady I spoke with said that she was seeing some problem with my breaks but I took my vehicle to the local dealership the same day and they found no codes for my vehicle. The next day the dealership told me that they fixed the ignition recall on my vehicle and that might have fixed the issue. On two other occasions before the recall was announced, I had a similar issue and brought it into the dealership. They couldn't find anything wrong. This experience was terrifying and I'm just glad that I wasn't killed.
- Littleton , CO, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 5 mph and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure persisted after shutting off and restarting the vehicle. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
- House Springs , MO, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized on numerous occasions. The dealer replaced the power steering motor. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 27,300. Updated 10/03/14 updated 5/12/2015
- Bangor, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the engine was running while the key was out of the ignition, the vehicle was in park and the vehicle rolled away. The contact had received two notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000(steering) however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
- Burton, SC, USA
I took the car into the dealership because of a noise on driver side near tire during low speed while going over a bump. Dealer stated the steering column was bad. Replaced the part at a total cost of $874.62. There are several complaints about the steering column lower bearing that is failing on the NHTSA web site, with some indicating they had to replace this part multiple times. I feel the part is defective and should be recalled because it can cause the steering to seize and the operator will not be able to control the vehicle. I contacted the manufacturer and they took my compliant over the phone, but they most likely will not reimburse me for the repairs unless they determine the part is defective. I want this to further investigated because I fear the new part can fail at any time causing a crash and a potential fatality.
- Hebron, KY, USA
- Atlanta, GA, USA