36 of the 2,231 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt are about the equipment — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 36,000 miles.
36
Complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EQUIPMENT
POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS "REPLACED" UNDER THE RECALL, BUT STILL CONTINUALLY GOES OUT OFF AND ON. VERY UNSAFE!!
NHTSA complaint #10396590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, ALL DISPLAY LIGHTS BEGIN GOING OFF AND ON, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLES GO CRAZY, CLICKING NOISE IN DASH, CAR SPUTTERS WHEN STOPPING AND JERKS REAL HARD WHEN BEGINNING TO RESUME DRIVING AFTER STOPPING. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME, NOT ALWAYS JUST OFF AND ON, NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO HAPPEN. HAD RECALL ON POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR, HAD THAT REPLACED AT 70,558 MILES, STARTING HAVING SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. HAD STEERING COLUMN, SHAFT AND LINK REPLACED AT 73,117 MILES. CAR SEEMED OK FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND THEN AGAIN AT 73,900 MILES SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING AGAIN. CONTACTED GM, WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS DONE SO ANYTHING ELSE THAT HAPPENS NOW IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. HAVE SEEN 100'S OF OTHER COMMENTS FROM COBALT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE AND GM. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY MORE OF A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES THAN JUST THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR. SOMETHING MORE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND DONE WITH THIS ISSUE. IT IS AND OR CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHEN OCCURRING (STEERING GOING OUT AT ANYTIME) LIKE I'VE SEEN ON MANY COMMENTS FROM OTHERS, DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? GM STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A 5 STAR SAFETY RATING BUT YET THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX A PROBLEM AS SERIOUS AS THIS. I LIKE MANY OTHERS CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM JUST TO KEEP HAVING IT RE-OCCUR. I HAD TO PAY OUT $950 A MONTH AGO AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE AM NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAD TO BORROW MONEY TO HAVE THE FIRST REPAIRS DONE AND HAVE NO WAY TO HAVE IT DONE THIS TIME (CAN'T AFFORD IT) SO NOW AGAIN LIKE I'VE SEEN MANY OTHERS COMMENT I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE AROUND IN A VEHICLE THAT'S STEERING COULD AND WILL GO OUT AT ANYTIME. IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO FIND OUT OR HAVE DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. A VERY CONCERNED AND SCARED DRIVER. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10382518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
CHEVY TODAY SAID THAT THEIR IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY PWR STEERING YET BOTH MYSELF AND MY BROTHER TEST DROVE IT. NOW IN AUG I HAD THE RECALL AND THEY FIXED IT SO THEY CLAIMED IN AUG BUT YET IT IS DOING THE SAME THING ONLY WORSE THIS PAST WK. AMAZING HOW CHEVY WILL TRY TO USE THE EXCUSE THAT IT IS SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THEN THE PWR STEERING WHEN THE INSTRUMENT LIGHT CHIMING PWR STEERING WAS A [XXX] GOOD INDICATION THAT IT WAS THE STEERING. NOT TO MENTION I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD JOLT LIKE IT WAS NOT GOING INTO GEAR. LET ME NOT FORGET TO MENTION THE CLICKING NOISE I GET UNDERNEATH THE DASH NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CLICKING IN THE SHIFTER. SAME PROBLEM NEW DAY AND THEY TELL ME IT'S FINE. I GUESS I HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE ON THE RD FOR THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CAR. YOU GUYS NEED TO STEP IN BECAUSE I AM 2 STEPS AWAY FROM CALLING A LAWYER AND SUING EVERYONE THAT IS INVOLVED WITH KNOWING AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SURELY DO NOT FEEL LIKE BEING SCRAPED OFF THE DARN HWY OR THE GUILT OF KILLING SOMEONE OVER SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE TAKEN CARE OF BACK IN 2005 WHEN ALL THIS STARTED HAPPENING. WE NEED TO RECALL ALL CARS FROM 05 TO 09 AND GET THEM OFF THE STREET AND HAVE CHEVY REIMBURSE US OR GIVE US A SAFER CAR. I KNOW IT MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT OF MONEY BUT 1 LIFE BEING SAVED MAKES A DIFFERENCE. I KNOW CAR DEALERS HAVE WHAT THEY CALL A BEAN COUNTER AND THEY DON'T CARE IF 1 OR A 12 PEOPLE DIE FROM FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND YOU GUYS CAN LIVE WITH THAT. BUT TO ME THAT IS HORRIBLE AND NEEDS TO BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY....NOW MEANS NOW!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME NOT SO HAPPY WITH HOW YOU GUYS MANAGE SAFETY AND THE RESPONSE TIME. IGNORE THE PARTS SECTION OR EQUIPMENT SECTION BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PWR MOTOR REPLACED. I TRULY DO NOT FEEL THEY EVEN REPLACED IT. I THINK AMERICA HAS BEEN HAD ONCE AGAIN BY THE CAR INDUSTRY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10359439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COLBALT LS THAT I PURCHASED TWO MONTHS AGO. THERE WAS A RECALL #20110023. I TOOK IT TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY "FIXED" THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WAS DRIVING ON BEVERLY RD IN PITTSBURGH, 35MPH OR LESS, I TURNED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND TRIED TO TURN IT BACK TO CENTER BUT IT WOULD NOT RESPOND, CAUSING ME TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AND $6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10356159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
HAD MY WIFE'S 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN FOR THE POWER STEERING RECALL. THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAD PRIOR TO THE RECALL WAS THE FAILED REAR CONTROL-ARM BUSHINGS ON BOTH FRONT CONTROL ARMS (BOTH FAILED WITHIN THE SAME MONTH). NOW, AFTER HAVING THE RECALL PERFORMED, WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH (OF ALL THINGS) LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, THE BRAKE SAFETY INTERLOCK CLICKS (UNDER THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SELECTOR IN THE CENTER CONSOLE), AND WE HAVE NO POWER STEERING! I CANNOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS IN THIS CONDITION, AS SHE IS SMALL AND NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CRANK ON THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT THE POWER-ASSIST. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT I COULD BRING IT IN TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PART REPLACED IN THE RECALL - BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. CALLED CHEVY AND GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM AS WELL. LEFT THE CAR AT OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP THIS MORNING TO GET A MORE RELIABLE DIAGNOSIS!!
NHTSA complaint #10345297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
MARCH 26, 2010- 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT STARTED BEEPING. "POWER STEERING" WARNING APPEARED. CAR BECAME HARD TO STEER. CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED OUT. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY ENOUGH TO BE DRIVEN TO FAIRWAY MOTORS IN HAZLETON. POWER STEERING WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. APRIL 1ST, 2010- CAR STARTED BEEPING. "POWER STEERING" WARNING APPEARED. CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED OUT AS I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AT ALL, IT WAS STUCK IN PLACE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO ARMEN CHEVROLET IN ARDMORE. THE POWER STEERING WAS ONCE AGAIN FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND WAS FIXED. APRIL 23RD, 2010- ONCE AGAIN THE CAR STARTED BEEPING. "POWER STEERING" WARNING APPEARED AND THE CAR SPUTTERED AND STALLED OUT ON US 30 IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ARMEN CHEVROLET AGAIN. ARMEN CHEVROLET CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. DIAGNOSTICS ARE NEGATIVE, NO RECORD OF THE INCIDENT IN THE CARS MEMORY, 130 MILE TEST SO FAR HAS NOT REPLICATED THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DISTRICT SPECIALIST FOR CHEVROLET, NICK CHRISTENSEN,WHO CLAIMED TO BE KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH ARMEN CHEVROLET, STATED TO ME TODAY (MONDAY, MAY 3, 2010) THAT THE DEALER HAD DRIVEN MY CAR 240 MILES, DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, AND NICK ADVISED ME TO GO PICK UP MY CAR. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IN FACT, THEY HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR 130 MILES, FOUND A FAULTY SHIFTER (WHICH IS NOT RELATED TO THE CAR STALLING OUT, BUT STILL NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE I TAKE THE CAR), AND THAT THEY STILL NEED TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THEY REACH 240 MILES. NICK ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE DEALER HAS DRIVEN THE CAR 240 MILES, IF ARMEN CHEVROLET CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FURTHER AND THAT I BASICALLY HAVE TO TAKE MY CHANCES WITH THE CAR STALLING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AGAIN (FOR THE 4TH TIME) AND I SHOULD HAVE IT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10328639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
POWER STEERING FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #10321766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006 (WAS A RENTAL). UP UNTIL TODAY (2/27/10) I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT EVENTUALLY. NOW HOWEVER, MY CAR WILL NOT START - IT JUST CLICKS, AND MY SHIFTER WON'T MOVE. THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GFB6Y7_ZKX0 THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR: POWER STEERING FAILURE AFTER ABOUT 45,000 BAD WHEEL BEARING AFTER ABOUT 50,000 CD PLAYER REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T EJECT CDS (THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER'S MODEL) FAULTY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I FEEL THIS MODEL OF CAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #10314827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES " POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT. IF I CYCLE POWER THE PROBLEM RESETS BUT RECURS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10313556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2008 BY EARLY SPRING OF 2009 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A BEEPING NOISE AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID POWER STEERING I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING I AM A VERY SMALL 100 POUND GIRL AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER WHO THEN TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME OVER 800 TO FIX AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY . I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY AFTER JUST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND BEING A STUDENT IN SCHOOL . I THEN FOUND A MECHANIC THAT PUT THE PART IN FOR A CHEAPER PRICE BUT STILL ENDED UP COSTING ME 450.00. I WAS RELIEVED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TODAY NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD THE SAME BEEPING NOISE AND ON MY SCREEN IT CAME UP POWER STEERING!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS TIME I COULD NOT SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND MYSELF AND MY GIRLFRIEND USED ALL OF OUR STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY EXIT...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY COSTLY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN HOPES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A FAIR DISTANCE BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS. IM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE T HAPPEN EVERY 6 MONTHS AND ONE OF THESE TIMES IM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. IF I HADN'T HAD MY FRIEND IN THE CAR I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SMALL GIRL MY SIZE . NOW THAT IT IS WINTER IM WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN SNOW AND ICE I WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE IM VERY CONCERNED FOR MYSELF AND THE SAFETY OF ALL OTHERS ..I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND SEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS. IF I HAD OF KNOWN THIS I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10296518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS WEAR OUT AND CAUSE BAD STEERING AND CONTROL REPLACED BOTH SIDES WITHIN TWO MONTHS CAR ONLY HAS 70000 MILES ON IT LIVE ON BLACKTOP ROAD DEALER WAS VERY RUDE HAD 15 ON BACK ORDER THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10278817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN AUGUST OF 2005. LESS THEN A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO BE FIXED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PANEL (KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, BUTTON ON STICK SHIFT STICKS, CAN NOT TURN CAR OFF WITHOUT DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY), I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEREO GOING INTO "LOCK" MODE - WHICH IN TURN MAKES ME TURN THE CAR ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO GET THE RADIO TO WORK. I LOOKED INTO THE LEMON LAW AND THEY STATED SINCE IT WAS ALL ELECTRICAL, THEY COULD NOT PIN POINT IT TO BEING THE SAME PROBLEM ALL 5 TIMES OF IT BEING IN. WELL, IT HAS DONE IT AGAIN NOW IN MARCH OF 2009. THEY ARE STATING THAT ME EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH NATIONAL WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THIS THEREFORE I HAVE TO PAY $400 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFAULT ON THIS CAR. IT IS NOT YET 4 YEARS OLD. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I TRIED TRADING IT IN, BUT I WAS LAID OFF LAST YEAR AND MAKE LESS MONEY AND DO NOT HAVE THE BEST CREDIT BECAUSE OF NOT WORKING FOR ALMOST A YEAR. I HATE THIS CAR AND AFTER THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR, I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A CHEVY AGAIN!! THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. I HAVE FOUND ON SEVERAL WEBSITES THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT CHEVY SAYS IT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED ENOUGH TO THEM TO SAY THAT IT IS A RECALL. WOW!
NHTSA complaint #10262046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND IT WENT BACK TO WORKING. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, NO I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOW STOP WORKING AND MY AC IS LEAKING ONTO MY FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD ABOUT 48,000 ON IT WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10258728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND IT WENT BACK TO WORKING. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, NO I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOW STOP WORKING AND MY AC IS LEAKING ONTO MY FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD ABOUT 48,000 ON IT WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10258728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW WAS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. FIRST NOTICED TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON-THE CAR "BUCKS" AND POWER STEERING IS LOST-SEVERAL TIMES CAR WILL LOSE POWER AND HAVE TO BE RESTART. AFTER RESTART WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO AWAY AND POWER STEERING RETURNS. SEEMS TO COME BACK TO NORMAL AFTER RESTART, RUNS OK UNTIL THE PROCESS STARTS AGAIN. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED MAY 08 AND FIRST INCIDENT WAS AUG 15 2008-TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, SECOND AND THIRD TIME THE CAR SEEMED OK UNTIL THE 4TH INCIDENT AND RETURNED TO DEALER AGAIN AND RESET AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER CODES WERE SHOWING U2105 AND U2100 U2107 AND CAR RETURNED. THIS LAST INCIDENT (12-11-08) THE CAR WAS DOING THE SAME THING AND DROVE RIGHT TO DEALER TO SHOW SERVICE WHAT THE CAR WAS DOING. THEY CLAIMED THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AND IT DISENGAGES FROM THE COMPUTER AND THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND A COMPUTER MODULE. GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO CORRECT THIS BECAUSE I CAN'T LET MY SON DRIVE A CAR KNOWING AT ANYTIME HE WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. HE HAS BEEN LUCKY HE WAS TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THIS OCCURS. IF HE WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND IN FRONT OF A TRACTOR TRAILER AND LOST POWER HE MIGHT BE KILLED BECAUSE HE WOULD LOSE PS AND STALL. THIS IS A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING COLUMN) WHEN AT ANY TIME WITH NO WARNING YOU CAN LOSE YOUR STEERING, STALL AND/OR BUCK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE 2005 COBALT, I HAVE FOUND 805 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE PROBLEMS OF CONTROLLING THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH THE MALIBU IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH STEERING. GUESS WHAT KIND OF STEERING IS IN THE MALIBU. CHECK "WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM" FOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING STEERING COLUMN. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE DESCRIBED INCIDENTS WHERE THEIR SAFETY WAS COMPROMISED. PLEASE HELP GM REP CLAIMS CAN'T RECALL COLUMN WITHOUT YOU. PLEASE HELP
NHTSA complaint #10251915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT 4 DOOR. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE - FROM IMPROPERLY FITTING AND NOISY HUB CABS TO BROKEN CONTROL ARMS... HOWEVER I AM WRITING ABOUT THE SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. ON 3-17-06 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THEY REPLACED THE FLOOR SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY. NOW, SINCE 10-20-08, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM - AGAIN. AND OF COURSE, THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I FIND IT HARD TO FATHOM THAT THIS PART SHOULD "FAIL" AGAIN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME, IF EVER AGAIN. IT WOULD SEEM THAT INFERIOR PARTS ARE JUST BEING REPLACED WITH MORE INFERIOR PARTS. AFTER READING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE - I SEE GENERAL MOTORS IS CONTENT TO CREATE CHRONIC AND EXPENSIVE HEADACHES FOR CHEVY OWNERS. NEVER AGAIN GM.
NHTSA complaint #10246877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND THE POWER STEERING IS OUT. UNFORTUNATELY THE WARRANTY IS OUT AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT THERE IS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT A COST OF OVER $1000.00 WILL NEED TO BE PAID TOTALLY REPLACE THE STEERING PROBLEM. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HOPING THIS WILL BE RECALLED. I THINK IF THEY COMPANY IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MONEY TO FIX THIS MISTAKE BY THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10246531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
POWER STEERING FAILURE SIGNAL COMES ON AFTER ANY LENGTH OF TIME OF DRIVING, AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY PAVEMENT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND THE CAR HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER FOR THE STEERING TO RESET. FUEL INJECTION FAILURE. KEY WON'T TURN IN IGNITION. CD PLAYER PICKS AND CHOOSES WHEN IT WILL WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10234801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
ON THE DATE LISTED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APP. 40MPH. AT WHICH POINT SHE RAN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO KEEP HER IN THE DRIVER SEAT. THERE WAS ALSO NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. UPON IMPACT SHE FLEW UPWARDS AND FORWARD, HITTING HER FACE ON THE VISOR. SHE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THEY DID SCANS AND FOUND NO BLEEDING ON THE BRAIN, HOWEVER SHE WAS INJURED IN THE FACE TO WHICH SHE STILL HAS A BUMP ON THE BRIDGE OF HER NOSE AND STILL GETS HEADACHES. ALSO, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT SHE HAD TWO BLACK EYES AND A CONCUSSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS DONE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OR THE SEAT BELT, BY THE AUTO BODY SHOP. WE CONTACTED GM A DAY OR TWO AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THEY SENT AN ENGINEER OUT TO GATHER READINGS FROM THE CAR A FEW WEEKS LATER. IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS WEEK THAT WE HEARD SOMETHING BACK FROM GM. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO AND THEY LEFT IT AT THAT. WE ARE STILL DRIVING THE SAME CAR AND ARE VERY WEARY OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF WE ARE INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL DONE AND THE MANUFACTURE HELD LIABLE FOR THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10219174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WENT OUT TO WARM UP MY CAR, AS I DO EVERY MORNING. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN WE GOT IT STARTED , IT SOUNDED LIKE A GO KART OR 4 WHEELER PUTTING. DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO DEALER AND HAD MY HUSBAND FOLLOW. IT MADE IT ABOUT 5 MILES AND STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT DIED AND WOULDN'T START BACK. WE HAD TO CALL IN A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER JUST INFORMED ME THAT IT IS AN IGNITION MODULE. WE WILL SEE IF THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAD PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT. WHEN I GOT HOME WITH IT IN AUGUST 2005, THE TRUNK AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON EVEN THOUGH THE TRUNK WAS NOT OPEN. TOOK IT IN TO A SHOP AND THEY REPLACED A COMPUTER, WHICH IMMEDIATELY BURNT OUT WHILE THERE. I HAD TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL WEEK FOR THEM TO GET ANOTHER ONE IN. ABOUT MAY OF 2006 THE CAR WAS LEAKING FROM THE AIR VENTS AND THE PASSENGER DASHBOARD. TOOK IT IN AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED FOR A WHILE. MAY OF 2007 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEVY DEALERSHIP THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED FOR ONLY 2 DAYS. IT STILL LEAKS TO THIS DAY AND I GET CONDENSATION ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN IT S HOT ENOUGH. MY RADIO HAS SHORTED OUT TWICE FROM THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUNK CONSTANTLY MAKES WEIRD TAPPING NOISES AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE IN MY CAR, THEY THINK SOMEONE IS IN THE TRUNK. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE THIRD LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON ABOUT ITS 6 + VISIT. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS MYSELF, AND WONDER WHY WE ARE ALL PAYING OUT OF POCKET FOR THINGS THAT SHOULD APPARENTLY BE RECALLS. MY GAUGES ALSO WORK BY THEMSELVES, WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND KEYS ARE REMOVED. THE DEALERS CLAIM THIS NEVER HAPPENS IN THEIR VIEW. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE. MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CONCERN FROM THE CHEVY DEALERS TO FIX THE SOLUTIONS FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT.
NHTSA complaint #10215322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE CAR HAS STOPPED WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THIS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 55 MPH AND IT CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP AS I SAID NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BULL! IT HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND IT IS DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10199828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I HAD JUST OVER 25,000 MILES AND MY FIRST MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CAR JUST STARTED STALLING AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, ALSO WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR COMPETELY STALLED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER. MY CAR AGAIN WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY A MONTH TO TWO MONTHS THEN MY WARNIGN CHIMES WERE COMING ON BUT INDICATING NOTHING. AFTER A TOTAL OF A TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO A MIM. SPEED ON NON-HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING, STEERING LOCKED UP AND CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IT WAS FINE FOR THE TIME AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I SENT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATES IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULAR. I AM AFRAID THAT MY LIFE MY BE IN DANGER IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED NOT TO MENTION THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL OTHER CHEVY COBALT OWNERS.
NHTSA complaint #10197320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING TODAY. I CAME HERE TO RESEARCH IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS. I KEEP FINDING ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND AM NOW WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT SEE WHERE SOMEONE LOST LIFE SO I GUESS YOU DON'T CARE. YOU HAVE ALL KINDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME SYSTEM BUT NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. W H Y ??????
NHTSA complaint #10197129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE A 2005 COBALT I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS, A.C., SIGNAL LIGHTS ETC. BUT THE NEWEST PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING IT GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT DOES THIS EVERY DAY AT NO CERTAIN TIME. AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN THIS HAPPENS.WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT IT SAYS POWER STEERING ON DASH, MOST OF THE TIME I CAN PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT STEERS FINE FOR AWHILE. THE CAR HAS 37,500 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR A COLLISION. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.....THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10191805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
#1 I BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS WAS TO THE LEFT EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE, I COMPLAINED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEN DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT. WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THE STEERING STILL LOOKS LEFT. #2 AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING, #3 LIQUID COMING OUT OF VENTS #4 CRICKET NOISES OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. I WAS TOLD AIR CONDITIONING WAS FINE, NO CRICKET NOISES AND IT WAS NORMAL FOR FLUID TO COME OUT OF VENTS. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AGAIN SAID A/C IS NOT FINE I ASKED THEM IF IT COULD BE SOME SORT OF FILTER (I AM NO MECHANIC) BUT IT WAS. THEY HAD CAR ALL DAY, WENT TO PICK IT UP BUT THEY SAID DASH WAS APART BECAUSE THEY WERE FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH THE FLUID COMING OUT OF THE DASH (AND I SAID I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM) THEY HAD THE CAR FOR THE WEEKEND. THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE FILTER AND I SAID I WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THAT AC AND DEFROSTER ETC SINCE DAY ONE. THEY TOOK OUT THE FILTER AND PUT IN AN OLD DIRTY FILTER THAT DID NOT COME FROM MY VEHICLE AS THE GUY FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN MALDEN SAID HE FOUND IT IN THE TRASH, (HAS MADE MY DAUGHTER SICK). #5 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A REST AREA AND THE CAR JUST DIED, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING NO BRAKES ETC. THE KEY WAS IN THE SWITCH AND IT WAS NOT OFF. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN. #6 THE ELECTRICAL DIDNT WORK, THEY FIXED THAT. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THEY WILL CHECK INTO IT ETC AND CALL ME BACK, BUT THEY NEVER DO. I WANT THEM TO FIX THE STEERING WHEEL, FIX THE CAR STALLING OUT FOR NO REASON (WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED) AND PUT IN A NEW FILTER NOT SOMEONE ELSES DIRTY FILTER. I DON'T TRUST THE MALDEN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 7 OCCASIONS MOST OF WHICH THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10177403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
MY COBALT HAS BEEN IN REPAIR THE CENTER AT 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS FOR A TOTAL OF 17 VISITS. THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKS EXCESSIVELY INTO THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. MY HEADLIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON REPEATEDLY, MY TEMPERATURE CONTROLS DO NOT ALWAYS WORK, MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COMES WHEN THE BRAKE IS NOT ON, MOST RECENTLY MY GAUGES HAVE BEEN QUITTING AS I AM DRIVING AND MY LEFT BLINKER HAS STOPPED WORKING. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN A SHOP FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 60 DAYS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN SEPT. 2005. I HAVE CONTACTED GM/CHEVROLET IN AN ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY WILL NOT ASSIST ME. MY WARRANTY WILL EXPIRE IN LESS THAN 8000 MILES. GM/CHEVROLET - MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIPS- WILL NOT ASSIST ME. I AM VERY UNSATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE, GM DELIVERED A DEFECTIVE CAR AND THEY WILL NOT STAND BY THEIR REPUTATION.
NHTSA complaint #10175512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
NOTICE OF RECALL,REPAIRS MADE BY DEALERSHIP. CRASH INTO TREE, APPROX. SPEED 60 MPH. THREE PASSENGERS, NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS,EXTREME FRONT END DAMAGE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED. FRONT PASSENGER KILLED. REAR PASSENGER KILLED. INVESTIGATION PENDING.....*NM UPDATED 03/14/14
NHTSA complaint #10173621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE CONDENSATION ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #10165422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JULY 2005. SINCE THIS TIME, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES FOR VARIOUS REASONS. MAINLY THE STEERING. GOING OVER BUMPS, IT RATTLES VERY LOUDLY. THE STEERING COLUMN, STRUTS, MOUNTS, AND ALMOST EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE STEERING HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE!! STILL RATTLES LOUDLY. GM TELLS US THAT IS NOT A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS A FIX IN PROGRESS BUT MAY TAKE 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR! I PAY A LOT OF MONEY A MONTH FOR A RATTLE TRAP! OTHER ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR IS THE RADIO, THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT, ALL 4 DOOR BEZELS, ALL 4 DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING DUE TO WIND NOISE, THE SHIFTING COLUMN BECAUSE I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST NEW CAR PURCHASE I HAVE EVER MADE. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE BBB ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10160755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES DUE TO INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SUDDENLY TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AT VARIOUS SPEED. THE WHEEL LOCKED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH DURING THE FAILURE. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED FOUR TIMES. THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, ALL THE GAUGES FLUTTERED, THE FUEL GAGE SHOWED AN INACCURATE READING, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOUSING, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ON ALL OTHER OCCASIONS THE DEALER COMPLETED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK WAS FULL OF GAS, HOWEVER THE LOW FUEL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED TWICE. UPDATED 04/06/06.
NHTSA complaint #10152839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.