10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
17 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,604 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #113

Sep 112012

Cobalt

  • 45,744 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle power steering failed while driving approximately 35 mph. The vehicle independently traveled across both lanes, crashed into a curb and then into an embankment before stalling. The air bags failed to deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained injuries to the left side of the body and a police report was filed of the incident. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle and determined that the anti-lock brakes had failed however, did not provide a reason as to why the vehicle stalled. The approximate failure mileage was 45,744.

- Newville, PA, USA

problem #112

Feb 242014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 84,826 miles
Vehicle steering tighten up. Check under hood for power steering stick check info center indicated pwr steering pulled over let a mechanic chk N google issue N fought tht it was a recall called classic Chevrolet gave my VIN said no recalls clked ge motor corporate office who then gave me Chevrolet csrv nbr spw rep who chk and said still no recall was found rep then suggest to have vehicle place on a diagnostic machine under my pwrtrain I had rdside assist still have to me however she said depending on the result frm diagnostic I my have to pay out of pocket. Well service rep cll told me it was power steering module is out. Its electric pwersteering it cost $ 362. To be fix. No choice car was picked up at a stranded location with the covered roadside assistant. Received my car bck on day 2 yet I still paid out of pocket tht clearly identify as a recll N electrical issue with or when driving the vehicle. I feel I shouldn't hve been charged and would like this to be handle promptly. 2010 Chevy Cobalt customer.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #111

Dec 292013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • miles
As I was driving home at approximately 30 mph my power steering light indicator appeared on the dash board and then suddenly it became very hard to steer my wheel. After it happened a few more times I decided to call Chevrolet dealership to ask if my particular car had been recalled and he said that the Chevrolet Cobalt 2010 was not recalled. As of 02/22/14 its been happening everyday and I have to constantly shut off the car and start it again in order for the steering to work again.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #110

Feb 202014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
Pulled into our development and the power steering went out, a power steering message displayed on the console. Car was very hard to steer. Made it home a turned car off. I called the dealer and made an appointment. Once we started the car we made it to the dealer with no incident. Chevy is now telling us we need a new power steering motor $392 and they said there is no recall on the Cobalt which I find very hard to believe. There are tons of reports about this on this site and in news reports all you need to do is google it.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #109

Jan 012014

Cobalt

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed while traveling various speeds. The contact also mentioned that the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 10V073000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #108

Feb 012014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
Car lost power steering while driving. I stopped, turned the car off, turned it back on, steering was back to normal. Later that day while driving, car lost power steering again.

- Auburn, IN, USA

problem #107

Jan 222014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 46,700 miles
I was driving and my car's power steering light came on and was not functioning anymore. It became hard to turn and took more effort to turn it.

- Mexico, MO, USA

problem #106

Jan 232014

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact stated the power steering failed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. Updated 03/12/14

- Elizabethton, TN, USA

problem #105

Sep 262013

Cobalt

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 20 mph, the power steering assist failed accompanied by the illumination of the power steering warning light. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #104

Nov 252013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 50,300 miles
Power steering failure. Car is out of warranty (20,000 miles) contacted Chevrolet who says part already replaced under recall (April 2010). This part has failed for a second time! manufacturer of this exact part has had recalls with Toyota (2012) as well. Critical safety issue that must be addressed by NHTSA and force a second recall until design flaw is resolved.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #103

Dec 182013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 37,854 miles
While driving at low speed (25 mph) through an "S" curve I entered the first portion of the curve and the Cobalt was operating normally, without any warning entering into the second portion of the "S" curve suddenly there was no power steering. An alarm bell chimed and the message board displayed "power steering" message. I was able to stay in my lane of traffic using extra force to control the steering wheel. There is a recall # 82540 but it appears the recall stopped by 10,000 units short of my VIN #. same problem as recall, but it appears the recall didn't recall enough vehicles?

- Marseilles, IL, USA

problem #102

Dec 042013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
I was pulling out of a parking lot and power steering light came on and car was difficult to steer. I turned the car off then back on and was able to drive but the slightest turn of the wheel the power steering light would go on and become difficult to drive. I did find the recall online & when I called GM they stated it was already fixed. I bought this car used in 2011 so I don't know if it was fixed. I did take it to a dealership and the stated it was previously fixed and it is not related to the recall, and gave me an estimate of $860 to fix it, but if it was fixed is this still an issue that will continue or was it supposed to completely correct the problem. This issue to me has not been corrected.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #101

Nov 192013

Cobalt

  • 43,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was driving 25 mph when the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

- Oak Lawn , IL, USA

problem #100

Oct 312013

Cobalt

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently and while the contact was traveling at different speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering) but was advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Milan, MI, USA

problem #99

Nov 062013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
While driving down a side street the power steering warning light came on and I lost all power steering control. At this time it became very difficult to steer and turn the wheel, I was able to get it back to my house, but moved extremely slow due to lack of control. I had the vehicle in the shop for other issues, not related to this and thought they might have said something about a recall, if there was one but they did not and their system is down to check that now.

- North Olmsted , OH, USA

problem #98

Jun 282013

Cobalt

  • 68,000 miles
I was driving home to visit my parents. Was getting ready to turn left at a busy intersection and lost power steering. When I got to my parents house researched power steering online and saw where it may be just a one time occurrence. When I started my car later on I noticed that my power steering was fine. I had no more problems while visiting family. That following Sunday I was on my way home and lost power steering again while driving at 10 pm on the interstate speed of 65 mph. My first car had no power steering so I've been able to cope but it's getting worse, in to turn around in my parking lot I have to turn my car of then back on in order to have enough power steering to make the tight turn. It's been a couple of months now I've tried to contact the only Chevy dealership in my area with no response from them. I was finally able to drop it off the other day at the dealership I purchased the car from originally, I was informed this morning that my car was not covered under the recall for power steering and will cost me $500 to replace. Within the last couple weeks my car has also started making a thumping type noise as well. It sounds like my front passenger tire is about to fly off the axle. Not sure what is causing that - waiting to hear from the dealership on that. I feel like I'm riding in a deathtrap.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #97

Oct 072013

Cobalt

  • 48,994 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed to operate normally as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure and current mileage was 48,994.

- Covington, TN, USA

problem #96

Oct 202013

Cobalt

  • 70,100 miles
The problems with steering it started in summer 2012, the last problem with the power steering it was last week. I left my car in a parking, than when I wanted to start it the power steering was out, I could not rotate the wheel I could not do nothing, I tried many times but did not work, then I stopped the car for about 20 min., in finally it started but the wheel was rotating very hard. Even until now I have same problem. I'm afraid to pull the car out of the garage, I do not want to endanger my life or my family........ I paid money for this car but seller do not guarantees the major problems like this. Please help me to resolve my problem. Thank you a lot!!!

- Montreal, Quebec, Canada, MA, USA

problem #95

Aug 162013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
Power steering gave out on a U-turn. Shut off the engine and it worked again. Looked it up on line and found out there was a recall. I brought it to rotolo Chevrolet in fontana, ca (the place where I bought it). They told me that there was a recall and they replaced my motor already. They charged me $100 and told me that they could put an upgraded motor in for another $200. The car was not repaired. You can buy the motor on line for $80. It's under the dash, two bolts and a plug to pull out. It takes ten minutes and a 12 mil wrench.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #94

Oct 122013

Cobalt 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
While driving down the road at a relatively slow speed the car lost steering power. We could not turn the steering wheel left or right, had to continue driving straight. It is a major concern due to the fact that we often times drive very windy roads that overlook the ocean. Just last weekend we were headed to stinson beach with a 10 - week - old in the car. The road leading to stinson beach is very curvy with sharp turns and steep drops. According to Chevy there was a safety recall for power steering on 2010 Chevy Cobalts, but apparently our model is an exception to the recall. Very frustrated, concerned customer.

- Yuba Cuty, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »