3,925 of the 10,115 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Cobalt are about the steering — 39% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
3,925
Complaints
39%
Share of all complaints
277
Crashes
21
Fires
STEERING
Fuel Leak it smells and leaks it seems to be coming from the gas tank and sometimes I get random electric failure when I'm driving I lose power steering and My brakes get stiff and hard to push down and my dash will go Off and then go crazy and show that i have no gas
NHTSA complaint #11748103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11702992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Problem with Steering column rattle
NHTSA complaint #11696686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light was off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,824.
NHTSA complaint #11694845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I was in a crash on 9/19/25 and at the incident none of my airbags deployed. My daily driver for my children and I. I was lucky I was the only passenger at the time. I never expected my airbags not to deploy in a head on crash. The car still sits in my driveway and I have and identical one just like it that I drive! I’d like them evaluated.
NHTSA complaint #11689938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or inspected for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls related to the failure for the VIN. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #11689350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
All of these failed again after repair, the car hes been disabled for over 2 years with the same failures. < Dealer Recalls 14115 Dec 5, 2014 Product Safety - Electric Power Steering Assist 14113C Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key 14113 Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key
NHTSA complaint #11688075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Hard to Turn Brand New front suspension
NHTSA complaint #11682157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was turned off for a while and restarted for the power steering functionality to return. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the power steering warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that it was a known failure with the power steering. The mechanic confirmed the power steering failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11669269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
I have been experiencing the loss of steering assist. This occurs at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds. Steering control is maintained in manual mode, but requires greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds. In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed. The occurs at speeds in excess of 60mph.
NHTSA complaint #11667876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction. The contact stated the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11664917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The ignition doest work right n want release the key the car dies n stalls while driving we was almost hit by a trooper n he called we spoke to 2 people n they had a gm call us n they said that this has been a big concern of these cars n we tried n tried to get it fixed n they say sorry can't can they when something they built wrong kills me or my family my vin [XXX] 2008 CHEVY COBALT [XXX] IS MY NUMBER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11661851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the contact had to manually steer the vehicle. The contact continued to drive the vehicle without power steering functionality. The contact stated that additional electrical failures had occurred. The contact also stated that the ABS activated and deactivated independently, and the traction control became inoperable. The instrument panel also became inoperable, and the contact was unable to see the speedometer and fuel gauge functions on the instrument panel. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11656377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Steering went out while driving
NHTSA complaint #11647813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
My Power Steering is going out and then coming back in to use. Today is the second time it has happened. It went out just now, I reversed down the road to my house, and turn it off once I crank it again the steering is back. I haven’t gotten any pictures of it as I’m more worried about making it back to my house so I’m not in the road but will be more than happy to get a picture if this happens again. I’m also not sure which ADAS this connects to so I put cruise control.
NHTSA complaint #11616719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
Was driving home from work on i70 through the canyon when out of no where I wasn't able to steer my car...was able to stop the car, turned it off .waited a minute then started back up that is when power steering came across my dash .nothing was wrong with my car ,drove normal then out of nowhere going the speed limit 75mph. I'm not able to steer my car. This never happened before ,scared the crap out of me with no warning almost crashed cause I could not steer my car.
NHTSA complaint #11613220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to pull off the roadway, turned off, and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the loss of power steering assist became a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11607602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a loud noise coming from the steering wheel. After the failure, while attempting to park the vehicle, the contact became aware of a crunchy sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated that due to the failure result, the steering wheel became abnormally stiff and difficult to maneuver. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11586366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11580769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
strong smell of fuel affraid to drive the igntion get stuck and locks so you cant turn the car on
NHTSA complaint #11573304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.