29 of the
2,231 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt are about the
lighting — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
47,931 miles.
THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD MOISTURE BUILDUP INSIDE THE FIXTURE .PLUS THE FIXTURE HAD DISCOLORED AND FADED AND WAS NOT CLEAR. APPARENTLY THE SEALANT AROUND THE HEADLIGHT FIXTURE DID NOT MAKE A PERMANENT TIGHT SEAL THEREFORE WATER ENTERED INSIDE. AS A RESULT THE DAYTIME LIGHT WENT OFF AND ON AND THE SIGNAL LIGHT DID THE SAME. THE SAFETY ISSUE WAS WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET TURNING THE DRIVER FACING ME DID NOT KNOW I WAS SIGNALING AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME SAW FAST SIGNAL LIGHTS FLASHING FROM MY CHEVY COBALT. I HAD MY COMPLETE HEADLIGHT LIGHT ASSEMBLY REPLACED BY A BODY SHOP AND THIS CORRECTED THE WHOLE PROBLEM. IT COST ME $173.52
NHTSA complaint #11172338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarksville, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAKATA RECALL THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR IS THAT THE LOCKS KEEP UNLOCKING AND LOCKING AND WON'T LET MY CAR STARTUP. IT LOCKS ME OUT AND WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE SWITCH IT WON'T CRANK AND THE ONLY WAY THAT I'M ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE SWITCH IS IF I JUMP IT OFF. I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED PARKED.
NHTSA complaint #11115262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,674 milesMargate, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, THAT HAS A PLASTIC FINISH, BROKE AND CRACKED AT THE POINT THAT MEETS THE STEERING COLUMN. MY RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT, WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK GOING TO WORK WHICH IS 10 MILES ON CITY STREETS . THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER WHO I FREQUENTLY BRING FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THE THAT THIS IS FLORIDA AND HEAT DOES TERRIBLE THINGS. MY CAR LIGHTS MAY HAVE ALL GONE OFF AND CREATE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. MY CAR IS NOW AT THE CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIR IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 4 DAYS THEY ARE ORDERING A NEW PART. PLUS LABOR , ESTIMATED COST $400.00 MILEAGE ON MY CAR IS 88,694.
NHTSA complaint #11092040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,400 milesEL Paso, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE HEADLAMP BULB BECAUSE THE BULB SHIELD FELL OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED THE SHIELD WAS MISSING UNTIL HE NOTICED A GLARE IN THE BULB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LIGHT BULBS AFFECTED DUE TO THE REFLECTOR FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A REPAIR MANUAL AND NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V560000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE GLARE COULD AFFECT AN ONCOMING MOTORIST, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,400.
NHTSA complaint #11012025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTampa, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE TAIL LIGHTS AND HEAD LAMPS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10680833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Troy, MI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER, THE TOLD HER TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN AND TAP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE TIMES THROUGH OUT THE YEARS, WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT, THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10585888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,379 milesAmherst, NYCrash2 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED SIGNAL FOR A FEW MINUTES. SUDDENLY, A UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO STUDENT HIT MY CAR FROM THE REAR AT FULL FORCE. HE WAS TEXTING AND WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR HE WAS STILL TEXTING. HE ADMITTED IT WAS HIS FAULT BECAUSE HE WAS NOT LOOKING AT THE ROAD AND WAS TEXTING ON HIS PHONE. I CALLED THE POLICE AND OBTAINED A POLICE REPORT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK. MY MOM AND I WERE JOLTED FORWARD AT FULL FORCE WITH BACK AND NECK TRAUMA. MY CAR STALLED ON IMPACT OF THE OTHER CAR. LUCKILY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO RESTART MY CAR AND I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO NOT BLOCK THE BUSY STREET. I COMPLAINED THAT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK BUT I WAS IGNORED. ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TURNED OFF THE CAR WHICH I THOUGHT WAS STRANGE.
NHTSA complaint #10576910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesHuntsville, ALCrash1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIDING AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THEN, SLIDE ALONGSIDE IT. THAT IMPACT PROPELLED MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET AND IT COLLIDED WITH A GUARD-WALL, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET, TOTALING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10564315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesEssex, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS AND ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10482010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesMonett, MO
INTERIOR LIGHTING
POWER STEERING WAS RECALLED IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT...BUT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I WILL NEVER BY A CHEVY AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10365819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT FULL OF MOISTURE HAS GOT WORSE AND WORSE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS ALMOST AND GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MY HEADLIGHT. TODAY 6/15/2010 I TOOK MY CAR FOR THE RECALL NOTICE GOT ABOUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. AND FOUND OUT THAT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, AND MY RIGHT FRONT RIM IS BENT AND POSSIBLE WHEEL BRG MIGHT NEED REPLACED AND I CALLED GM ABOUT THIS AND THEY WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF ANY OF THESE PROBLEM THEY SAID (SORRY ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE) WHY IS GM NOT HELPING!
NHTSA complaint #10336541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
POWER DOOR LOCKS AND REMOTE WILL NOT WORK REPLACE BATTERY STILL NOT WORKING, CAN NOT DRIVE OVER 40 MPH BECAUSE CAR JUMPS AND STEERING IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND MADE ME HIT A GIANT POT HOLE AND CAUSE DAMAGE UNDER THE CAR AND I THINK IT BENT BY RIM ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND FOUR ABOUT A YEAR OR MORE DRIVERS HEADLIGHT LIGHT IS PULL OF MOISTURE AND HAS A BAD GLARE IN IT. CALLED CHEVY AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT ALL OF IT.
NHTSA complaint #10332549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY. CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FULL OF WATER.
NHTSA complaint #10328497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,000 milesGlen Burnie, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MY POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SEDAN GOES OUT EVERY SO OFTEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER ONCE OR TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER 2 GRAND TO GET IT FIXED. WITH THE RECALL OUT I DON'T KNOW IF MINE IS COVERED OR NOT I CAN PROVIDE THE VIN AND OTHER INFO. PROBLEM STARTED RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THAT SUMMER HAD NO STEERING WHAT SO EVER. IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE FOR TWO YEARS NOW IT HAPPENS MAINLY WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OVER 80 DEGREES. AND ALSO ONE OF THE BULBS IN THE HIGH MOUNT THIRD BREAK LIGHT DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE AFTER BEING REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE TO SEE IF IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BULB. FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE GONE THREW MORE TURN SIGNAL BULBS TO COUNT.
NHTSA complaint #10328203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD HOLD MOISTURE IN THE INSIDE THEN THE BULBS WOULD MILDEW AND GO OUTDURING THE 2ND YEAR AND 3RD YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH HEADLIGHT STRUCTURES WITHIN A YEARS TIME. NOW THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL GOES IN AND OUT. THE BULB HAS MELTED IN THE SOCKET. ALL PARTS REPLACED SINCE NOT UNDER WARRANTY NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10304630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesRockville, MD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (~65 MPH) THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF 4 TIMES. EACH TIME CAR BEHAVED THE SAME WAY, AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED: THE ENGINE STOPPED, INSTRUMENT PANEL DIALS WENT TO 0, LIGHTS TURNED OFF. RADIO STAYED ON (AS IT WOULD IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF). THE SHUT OFFS WERE SUDDEN: THERE WERE NO WARNINGS (LIGHTS, SOUNDS, VIBRATIONS) BEFORE SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO COAST/BRAKE AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFT TO PARK AND RESTART THE CAR EACH TIME. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN JULY 2008 APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES INTO A TRIP. THE SECOND THREE INCIDENTS HAPPENED IN ABOUT A 30 MINUTE TIME SPAN ON THE SAME TRIP IN MID OCTOBER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AFTER THE OCTOBER INCIDENTS AND THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. THEY PERFORMED A COMPUTER UPDATE. I HAD THEM CHECK THE WIRING IN JANUARY 2009 AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE CLOCK RADIO RESETS TO 12:00 (WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR, NOT DURING DRIVING) ABOUT ONCE EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005 - I'M NOT SURE IF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC 2005 COBALT, 4 DOORS WITH ABOUT 35000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10258721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBeaufort, SC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LEFT BLINKER RANDOMLY WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE BULB AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. STARTED WITH JUST THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. WORKED AFTER JIGGLING THE WIRES ONE DAY WHEN I WAS BORED BUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP ONE TIME WHEN RIGHT BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING THE FLASHERS ON TO FIX IT BUT DOES NOT WORK. ALL THE FUSES AND EVERYTHING ARE GOOD. LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR CHEVROLETS AND 05 COBALTS IN GENERAL.
NHTSA complaint #10253520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesST Charles, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT IS THE FRONT LEFT LAMP ASSEMBLY OF MY 2005 CHEVY COBOLT IS THAT IS HAS CONDENSATION IN IT AND GM WILL NOT FIX IT FREE. IT'S A DEFECT IN THE PARTS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BULLETIN NO 01-08-42-001E HAS BEEN WRITTEN UP.
NHTSA complaint #10229137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,862 milesDriftwood, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE JULY 2005. AT 800 MILES I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND A FIX. NEXT WAS THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THEN THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW SO IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THAT FIXED. THEN THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. NOW, TWO DAYS AGO, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I COULDN'T TURN FAST ENOUGH. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WORKS AGAIN TEMPORARILY. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN, BUT AT THIS POINT IT HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR!!
NHTSA complaint #10215512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,862 milesDriftwood, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE JULY 2005. AT 800 MILES I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND A FIX. NEXT WAS THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THEN THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW SO IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THAT FIXED. THEN THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. NOW, TWO DAYS AGO, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I COULDN'T TURN FAST ENOUGH. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WORKS AGAIN TEMPORARILY. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN, BUT AT THIS POINT IT HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR!!
NHTSA complaint #10215512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesWise, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
at 37,000 milesWise, VA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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.
RIO Rancho, NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED TWO RECALLS 04560000 CONCERNING EXTERIR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS AND 07V014000 CONCERNING STRUCTURE ON THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2006. HE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WILL NOT GIVE HIM A LOANER VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND/OR WILL NOT GIVE HIM A RIDE TO WORK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURES TO DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10186213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesBrazil, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
at 17,645 milesBedford, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEMS BUT THEY REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10156606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST OF 2005. IN DECEMBER OF 05 THE CAR WAS HAVING A PROBLEM RELATED TO THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER AND WAS IN FOR SERVICE. THE SHIFTING UNIT WAS REPLACED, ALSO THE RADIO WAS REPROGRAMMED FOR FLASHING AN ERROR MESSAGE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE. BY FEBRUARY OF 06 THE SHIFTER WAS AGAIN VERY STIFF TO MOVE AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE GARAGE ADJUSTED THE SHIFTER LINKAGE AND LUBED THE CABLE ASSEMBLY, AT THIS TIME I ALSO HAD A CONCERN WITH THE OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS, CHANGING THEM FROM LOW BEAM TO HIGH BEAM. THE PROBLEM BEING THAT WHEN YOU SWITCH THE LIGHTS THEY GO OUT FOR A BRIEF TIME. THE GARAGE ORDERED A NEW MULTI-CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE CAR. A FEW DAYS AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED FOR THESE PROBLEMS THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY AGAIN FROM THE SWITCH CAUSING THE BATTERY TO GO DEAD, AND THE SHIFTER WAS VERY STIFF. THE GARAGE ORDERED AND REPLACED THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY AND DEFECTIVE CYLINDER FOR THE KEY SWITCH. AS OF THE 7TH OF MARCH, 06, I WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LIGHTS GOING OUT WHEN CHANGING FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAMS, THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP. I HAVE CONTACTED GM ABOUT MY CONCERNS WITH THE SHIFTER AND THE LIGHTS. AFTER I DID THIS, I RECIEVED A CALL FROM THE GM REPRESENTITIVE THAT I HAD SPOKEN WITH ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER FROM THE GARAGE TOLD HIM THAT THIS IS A NORMAL CONDITION FOR THE VEHICLE AND THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10152740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesOconto, WI
INTERIOR LIGHTING
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 6/05. MY CAR'S PARKING LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, AND DASH LAMPS WERE NOT WORKING. I BROUGHT IT IN TWICE BEFORE IT WAS FIXED, ABOUT 7/05. THEN EVERYTHING WORKED PROPERLY FOR ABOUT A MONTH. WHENEVER I TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS ON MANUALLY, THE DASH PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE. HOWEVER, ONE DAY IT BEGAN TO FLICKER AND NOW THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ONLY ILLUMINATES WHEN THE AUTO LIGHT SENSOR DEEMS IT DARK ENOUGH TO WARRANT ILLUMINATION. I HAVE DRIVEN IN THE RAIN AND TODAY IN A SNOW STORM AND WHEN I MANUALLY TURNED MY HEADLIGHTS ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINED DARK. OR, AT TIMES, IT WILL ILLUMINATE FOR A FEW MINUTES, GO DARK AGAIN, ILLUMINATE, DARK, AND SO ON. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AUTO LIGHT SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO OVERRIDE ME MANUALLY TURNING MY HEADLIGHTS ON, HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE WHEN MY CAR WAS WORKING PROPERLY BETWEEN 7/05 AND 8/05. DURING THAT MONTH MY DASH LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER I TURNED MY HEADLIGHTS ON, EVEN DURING BROAD DAYLIGHT. ALSO, MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF ON THE DASH MAYBE ABOUT ONCE A WEEK AS DOES MY 'BRIGHT' HEADLIGHT BEAM ICON ON THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #10142932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48 milesPittsburgh, PA
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CAR PURCHASED 2/21/05. WINDSHIELD FLUID NOT IN THE CAR. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MUD WAS SPLASH ON WINDOW TRIED TO WASH IT OFF, NO FLUID, MUD SMEARED ON WINDOW HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY TO MANUALLY WIPE OFF-2/05. HORN NOT WORKING OR WAS NEVER PUT IN, HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR REPLACEMENT-3/05. BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON WHETHER CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT. FIRST REPORTED 3/05 THEN AGAIN IN 4/05. TOLD THAT THE FUSE MAY BE GOING OUT. STILL DOES THIS AS OF 9/05. RADIO/CD PLAYER LOCKS IF YOU START THE CAR AN IMMEDIATELY ADJUST THE VOLUME HAVE TO RESTART CAR TO UNLOCK- 5/05. BACK LIGHTING FOR CONSOLE DOES NOT COME ON ALL THE TIME WHILE IN AUTOMATIC MODE. UNABLE TO SEE SPEED IF DRIVING THROUGH A TUNNEL NOT WELL LIT. DRIVER SIDE TIRE MAKING SQUEAKY NOISES AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN PARKING IN REVERSE. FIRST REPORTED 5/05 TOLD MAY BE BRAKE DUST STILL DOING THIS AS OF 9/05. APPT PENDING. HEADLIGHT BLEW OUT 9/05. BACK WINDOW PASSENGER SIDE NOT SEALED PROPERLY YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE WIND COMING IN WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY ITS A PAIN. ALL OF THESE THING WERE REPORTED TO DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS ON SURVEY.
NHTSA complaint #10137277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 290 milesAnkeny, IA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER NEW (LESS THAN 300 MILES ON IT) COBALT LATE SATURDAY EVENING WITH OUR FOUR-YEAR OLD GRANDSON IN THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT WARNING, THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS WENT OFF AS THE ENGINE DIED. THE DIRECTIONALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WOULD NOT WORK. SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY, BUT WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED BY A LARGER VEHICLE THAT WAS FOLLOWING HER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT SHE WILL PURSUED THE MATTER WITH THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10114509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.