Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
49
Latest Feb 26, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,649 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 49 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
The 25 most recent of 49, in the owner's own words
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ON 23 FEBRUARY 2018. CAR LOST POWER TO POWER STEERING MOTOR, ABS BRAKES, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A TREE DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY. I DROVE THE CAR THE MORNING BEFORE THE CRASH AND NOTICED THE GAUGES AND SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATING MOVING ALL AROUND, POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHING ON DASH, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED CAR IT THEN WENT AWAY. MY WIFE THEN DROVE THE CAR GOING TO HER WORK AND SHE CALLED ME ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING OUR HOUSE SAYING SHE HAS LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES, SHE WAS SCARED AND HYSTERICAL AND SAID SHE HAD CRASHED UNDER A TREE WITH IN 1 MILE OF OUR HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACTING THE TREE. I WENT TO HELP HER, I MISSED SEEING THE CAR ON THE FIRST PASS BY, BECAUSE IT WAS IN A BRIAR PATCH UNDER A TREE AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICTURES AND THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE DONE. SHE IS VERY LUCKY THAT SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR RECALLS FOR POWER STEERING MOTOR(2) AND IGNITION SWITCH (1). IT WAS NOT RAINING THE DAY OF THE CRASH, SHE CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 10:20 AM. I PULLED THE CAR OUT OF THE BRIAR PATCH AND DROVE IT BACK TO OUR HOUSE. I FEEL THAT THIS CRASH WAS DUE TO THE CAR LOSING POWER TO STEERING, BRAKING AND AIR BAGS. MY WIFE SAID THERE WAS A ON COMING CAR, THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO AVOID HITTING, WHEN THE CAR ENTERED THE GRASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD THE SOFT GROUND PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO THE FIELD AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A BRIAR PATCH AND TREE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE MY WIFE OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE DEAD BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS HAD. I FILED A CLAIM WITH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WITH $500 DEDUCTIBLE, SO WE WILL PROBABLY BE WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA ID
11075082
Incident
Feb 23, 2018
Mileage
210,464 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 6, 2017
TAKATA RECALL WHILE I AM DRIVING MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. MY GEAR SHIFT STARTS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, WHEN I PRESS ON GAS WHEN IT GOES TO CHANGE GEARS IT JUMPS INTO THE NEXT GEAR, WHEN I TRY TO STOP IT WON'T LET ME THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO GO FASTER WHEN I'M TRYING TO STOP. I HAVE HAD FHE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND IT'S A ONGOING PROBLEM.
NHTSA ID
11052868
Incident
Dec 5, 2017
Mileage
155,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 27, 2016
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, GEAR SHIFT STARTS CLICKING, STALLING OUT DURING DRIVING AT SPEED. I HAVE RAN OFF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS TO TURN A CURVE BECAUSE OF STEERING LOCKED.
NHTSA ID
10910102
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 26, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH TO MAKE A TURN INTO AN INTERSECTION, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING, AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE FAILURE CODE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND, UPON PARKING, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10005 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,345.
NHTSA ID
10838695
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
135,345 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2014
HE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "POWER STEERING" STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10660818
Incident
Sep 16, 2014
Mileage
109,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 4, 2014
WHILE IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE MADE A BUZZING SOUND LIKE ELECTRICAL WIRES BEING FRIED, AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THERE WERE NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING ABILITY- THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY LIFELESS, NO ABILITY TO CONTROL IT AT ALL, STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET. *TR
NHTSA ID
10630735
Incident
Mar 16, 2014
Mileage
118,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 1, 2014
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THE SPRING MECHANISM IN THE REAR DRUM BRAKES OF MY CHEVROLET COBALT HAVE BROKEN CAUSING THE REAR DRUM BRAKE TO LOCK UP THE WHEEL WHILE IN MOTION, MEANING THE BRAKE BECOMES FULLY ENGAGED AND THE WHEEL STOPS ROTATING DRAGGING THE TIRE DOWN THE ROAD. ON THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE 6/25/2014 THE BROKEN SPRING CAUSED OVER $300 IN DAMAGE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM. GM HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BUT REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MECHANICALLY DEFECTIVE SUBPAR SPRING MECHANISM. *TR
NHTSA ID
10607587
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jun 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE RECALLS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ACTION WAS TAKEN TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND ABS SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER AND EACH TIME THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES IT MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT AUTHORIZATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS REQUIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED AGAIN BY A ANOTHER DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,231. PAM
NHTSA ID
10605838
Incident
Apr 11, 2014
Mileage
137,231 mi
Brakes
Filed May 23, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE ROTORS, BRAKES, MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ID
10593751
Incident
Dec 26, 2013
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 31, 2014
WELL DRIVING TO DINNER FOR MY BIRTHDAY AND GOING AROUND A CURVE, I HIT A POTHOLE THAT I COULD NOT AVOID WITHOUT CROSSING THE CENTER LINE OF THE ROAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAUSING MY IGNITION SWITCH TO TURN FROM THE ON POSITION TO THE OFF POSITION, MUCH LIKE THE MOST RECENT RECALL STATES. THOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET THE CAR TO COME TO REST ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, I AM STILL EXTREMELY NERVOUS THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I AM ALSO VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE SINCE THE CAR WAS RELEASED. THIS IS THE THIRD RECALL ON THIS CAR SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT, AND I AM FAR LESS THAN IMPRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS TRULY A DEATH TRAP, MUCH LIKE OTHERS HAVE STATED. MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY WILL BE DRIVING MY CAR AND NOT RETURN, ALL BECAUSE OF THIS GIANT MESS CREATED BY GM. IT IS VERY DEPRESSING TO KNOW THAT I AM STILL PAYING ON AN EXTREMELY FAULTY VEHICLE, IN WHICH THESE ISSUES WERE KNOWN ABOUT LONG BEFORE I HAD ACTUALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS, SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A "SIMPLE" FIX (LIKE ALL THE OTHER RECALLS WITH THIS DEATH TRAP WERE SAID TO BE). IT IS ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR, AND THOUGH SOMETHING SERIOUS HAS YET TO HAPPEN TO ME, I AM CONCERNED FOR THE FUTURE OF OTHERS AND MYSELF. *TR
NHTSA ID
10576033
Incident
Jan 22, 2012
Mileage
106,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Mar 26, 2014
Crash reported
WAS HEADING TO WORK WHEN THE CHEVY COBALT SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER BRAKES, POWER STEERING, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY WHEN I WENT STRAIGHT THREW A STOP SIGN IMPACTING INTO A SNOW BANK. *TR
NHTSA ID
10575007
Incident
Feb 26, 2014
Mileage
138,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 18, 2014
Crash reportedFire reported1 death reported
ON JANUARY 10TH, 2010 OUR DAUGHTER [XXX] 21 YRS. OLD WAS KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM GM IN APRIL 2010 ON THE CAR A 2005 CHEVY COBALT FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE RECALL INVOLVES REMOVING ENTIRE POWER STEERING MECHANISM BUILT BY A PARTIALLY OWNED TOYOTA FACTORY. I KNEW THE MINUTE I GOT THE NEWS THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS KILLED SO VIOLENTLY AND THAT IT DID NOT INVOLVE ANOTHER CAR THAT IT HAD TO BE MECHANICAL FAILURE. IT WAS TOO LATE TO SAVE OUR DAUGHTER [XXX] BUT NOT TOO LATE TO SAVE OTHERS, I CONTACTED GM WHO SENT THREE REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COPARTS SCRAP YARD IN DURYEA WHERE THE COBALT WAS STORED IN JULY TO INVESTIGATE THE CAR ACCIDENT. A PHOTOGRAPHER, AN ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION AND A MECHANICAL ENGINEER THAT FLEW IN FROM DETROIT, THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO REMOVE THE BLACK BOX, COMPUTER FROM THE CAR AND ANALYZE THE DATA. WE WENT TO THE SCRAP YARD AND FOR THE FIRST TIME SAW THE WRECKAGE THAT WAS ONCE A BEAUTIFUL RED SPORTS CAR. ALL THE WINDOWS INCLUDING THE SUN ROOF WERE BLOWN OUT, THE COBALT HAD FLIPPED, ROLLED, EJECTING [XXX] ON TO THE HIGHWAY WHERE SHE WAS RUN OVER. WE ARE NOT SURE IF [XXX] WAS KILLED ON IMPACT. THE COBALT BURST INTO FLAMES MELTING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, SHIFT, UPHOLSTERY. AT THE COPARTS SCRAP YARD IN DURYEA, MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND [XXX] FATHER SAW THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME THE COBALT TOLD THE STORY OF AN EXTREMELY VIOLENT WRECK. I WAS TOLD BY [XXX]THAT I WOULD KNOW THE RESULTS FROM THE BLACK BOX DATA THE NEXT DAY. WHEN I TRIED TO CONTACT GM THROUGH [XXX], MISS PRICE THAT THEY WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE WITH OUR FAMILY. GM HAS MY PROPERTY AND THEY WILL NOT RELEASE THE DATA WITHOUT US PROVIDING PROOF THAT THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE SINCE THEY TOOK THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF INFORMATION FROM THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10564767
Incident
Jan 10, 2010
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 26, 2013
THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS RATTLING BECAUSE IT WAS BROKE I HAD A AUTO REPAIR MAN REPLACE PART THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT BRAKES AGAIN THAT WAS FOR THE FRONT AND BACK IT ALSO HAS ELECTED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THE WINDOWS WORK WHEN THEY WANT AND THE CAR MOSTLY ALWAYS STALLS IT HAS EVEN STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ON HWY WHAT IT DOES IS ACT REAL SLUGGISH AND THE MORE YOU PRESS ON THE GAS THE MORE IT BOGS OUT AND PULLS BACK INSTEAD OF TAKING OFF AS SUPPOSED TO THE TURN SIGNALS IN THE FRONT ALWAYS BLOW EVERYTIME REPLACED THERE IS ALSO INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE INTERIOR LIGHTING WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES WITH WILL UNSET THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM AND ALLOW FOR PROWLERS TO TAKE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10557249
Incident
Dec 10, 2009
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2013
IN AUG 2006 PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS 4 DOOR SEDAN. AFTER HAVING FOR 6 MONTHS, NEEDED NEW FRONT BRAKES, HAD REPLACED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED; HAD TO REPLACE TWO OTHER TIMES. FINALLY GOT ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS INSTALLED. SINCE GETTING THIS CAR HAVE ALSO HAD THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEREAS I COULDN'T GET IT OUT DEALERSHIP CAN NOT REPRODUCE (AND IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY). AM STILL HAVING THIS PROBLEM TO DATE, MORE SO NOW BECAUSE OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. (SEE BELOW) IN MAR 2010 BECAUSE OF RECALL HAD STEERING REPLACED. IN JULY 2011 IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN, AND AGAIN (9/13/2013). I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE MAKING A TURN ALMOST HITTING A PARKED CAR. MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS. BUT BECAUSE GM IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT YOU CAN GET THESE PARTS YOU THEREFORE HAVE TO USE THEM.(NO AFTER MARKET PARTS MADE) IT COST ME $792 TO GET THIS REPLACE THIS (OUT OF POCKET).. SINCE GETTING THIS CAR, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE STRUTS, SPRINGS, SHOCKS, BRAKES, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS MOST OF THIS AS I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD NORMALLY WITH HIGHER MILEAGE. WHEN I GOT THE CAR IT HAD I BELIEVE 22K MILES ON IT. NOW IT HAS 54200 ON IT...THAT'S ROUGHLY 5K/YR. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED. GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THESE CARS NOT JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10544570
Incident
Aug 11, 2009
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 7, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND WOULD HESITATE SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,458. *TR
NHTSA ID
10510970
Incident
Feb 20, 2013
Mileage
122,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Aug 30, 2012
THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE WAS ON AND THE CAR RAN LIKE A DOG AND SHIFTED ROUGHLY AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS LUMINATED AND HAD NO POWER IS SIMILAR TO ALL OTHER ACCOUNTS ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL? I NEED TO KNOW IF GM IS GOING TO FIX IT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN AM I GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR? I UNDERSTAND IT HAS A RECALL ON IT BUT CONSIDERING THE MILES I HAVE ON IT ARE THEY GOING TO HONOR THE RECALL? I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IT SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN? I NEVER SEEN OR HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE AND I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GM PRODUCTS FORM OLDSMOBILE, PONTIAC AND MOSTLY CHEVYS I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTING ON MY JOB PLEASE TELL ME GM MAKE THIS RIGHT BY ME [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
10473084
Incident
Aug 29, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 2012
I EXPERIENCED "CATASTROPHIC" BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LT SEDAN W/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO MAKE A SUDDEN EMERGENCY STOP FROM APPROX 45MPH TO 0. THE ABS SYSTEM WORKED PERFECTLY AS THE ROADS WERE WET AND I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL RESULTING FROM MY SUDDEN STOP, WITH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL INSTRUMENT LITES ILLUMINATING. HOWEVER UPON QUICKLY TRYING TO RESUME TRAVEL (SINCE I WAS STRADDLING 2 LANES ON THE HIGHWAY) THE BRAKES WOULD NOT "RELEASE" AND FEARING A REAR END COLLISION FROM APPROACHING TRAFFIC, I SHIFTED INTO 1ST GEAR AND SIMPLY DROVE 15' TO THE SHOULDER, FIGHTING AGAINST THE "GRIP" OF THE BRAKES. ON THE SHOULDER, WITH THE ABS & TC LITES STILL ON, I WAS SAFELY ABLE TO REPEATEDLY SHIFT IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REPEATEDLY PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL FINALLY AFTER APPROX 1MIN THEY RELEASED THEIR GRIP AND THE ABS & TC LITES TURNED OFF ALLOWING ME TO RESUME TRAVEL. I TRAVELED FOR APPROX 10 MIN AT 65MPH W/CRUISE CONTROL, WHEN SUDDENLY AN ALARM SOUNDED WITH THE ABS & TC LITES ILLUMINATING AGAIN. I TRAVELED APPROX 1MI BEFORE EXITING THE HIGHWAY TO INVESTIGATE THE ALARMS AND THEIR MEANING. I ENTERED THE OFF RAMP AT APPROX 60MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SIMPLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE! I QUICKLY REPEATED THE ACTION WITH THE SAME RESULT. FEARING A HYDRAULIC LOSS, I BEGAN PUMPING THE BRAKES WITH NO SUCCESS. SIMULTANEOUSLY I DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND HOWEVER DUE TO THE NEAR 60MPH SPEED THIS HAD NO EFFECT AS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT UNTIL REACHING A SAFE RPM LEVEL FOR THAT GEAR. MY FINAL RESORT WAS USING THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH ONLY SLOWED THE CAR TO APPROX 25MPH UNTIL THEY ALSO BECAME INOPERATIVE WITH SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I RAN THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, FINALLY STOPPING 1/2 WAY UP THE OPPOSING ON-RAMP, THANKFULLY DUE TO THE SLIGHT INCLINE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10448486
Incident
Feb 11, 2012
Mileage
142,368 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 13, 2011
I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO JERK AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM); BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THERE NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE, APPARENTLY THEY WAS BASE ON THE VEHICLE VIN # INSTEAD OF MODEL/MADE/YEAR OF THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEED TO REPLACE STEERING COLUMN WHICH WILL COST ME CLOSE TO $1000 W/PART, LABOR & TAXES. PICKUP MY CAR ON THE SAME DAY LATE AFTERNOON, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME WITH NO INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY, AGAIN TOWED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP, IN THE MEANTIME I'M DRIVING THE RENTAL THAT WAS PROVIDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS MFG DEFECTED PROBLEM, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAID TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10430130
Incident
Oct 10, 2011
Mileage
41,022 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 12, 2011
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD NO MILEAGE OR SPEEDOMETER READING. I TOOK IT TO MR. TIRE WHICH WAS ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. THEY PUT THE CAR ON A MACHINE AND FOUND MIL CODE U0101. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND TOOK IT RIGHT OVER TO THEM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND FINALLY CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE TCM AND REPROGRAM IT, CLEAR THE CODES AND RETEST. THIS WAS GOING TO COST $500. I HAD TAKEN THIS CAR TO BOB BELL LAST JUNE WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. IT WAS REPAIRED. AFTER A FEW MONTHS I NOTICED THAT THREE OR FOUR TIMES THE SIGNAL CAME ON ABOUT BRAKES BUT THEN DISAPPEARED AND EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THEN THIS MONDAY THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA ID
10406608
Incident
Jun 6, 2011
Mileage
32,700 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Apr 19, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT 4 DR SEDAN. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE SERVICE ROAD ON I-35 I STARTED TO COUGH, I BLACKED OUT FOR A SPLIT SECOND. AFTER COMING TO I REALIZED THERE WAS A SHARP TURN IN THE ROAD. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD, THE ABS DID NOT WORK. I WENT THROUGH A SIGN, IT TORE UP THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR THEN HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT END.I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR. WITH THE ABS LOCKING UP IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SKID APPROX 300 FEET, WITHOUT SAFELY SLOWING DOWN. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10396868
Incident
Apr 16, 2011
Mileage
153,000 mi
BrakesSteeringVisibility
Filed Nov 15, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AT 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING CAPABILITIES. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND UPON RESTART, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING: ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM) SEVEN MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED TO THE CONTACT NOVEMBER 12, 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM SOUNDED AND THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. ALSO, THE DEFROSTER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA ID
10365851
Incident
Nov 11, 2010
Mileage
124,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 14, 2010
TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DAUGHTERS' CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY AT TIMES AND SHE HAS TROUBLE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF HER CAR , (2005 CHEVY COBALT). THIS PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED HER TO LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF HER CAR THIS PAST SPRING , COMING TOO CLOSE TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY , NO SET TIME SPAN , IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 OR 8 TIMES SINCE LAST SPRING. OUR GM DEALER SAID SHE SHOULD BRING THE CAR IN WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON SO THEY CAN PULL THE CODE. UNFORTUNATELY , WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PUT INTO PARK , THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. AND ALL OF THESE TIMES EXCEPT ONE , THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AFTER THE DEALERSHIP IS CLOSED OR WELL BEFORE THEY OPEN , OR SHE IS NOWHERE NEAR ANY GM OR CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED , I HAVE READ OF OTHER COBALT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE SAME RESULTS OR RESULTS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM MY DAUGHTERS CAR. THE POINT BEING (AT LEAST IN THIS CASE) I BELIEVE THAT GM OR CHEVY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM , BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSES SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH . I READ ABOUT ALL THE OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE "REPAIR PAL" WEBSITE. THE MODEL YEARS SEEM TO BE BETWEEN "04" AND "07". THE ONE TIME MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET HER CAR INTO THE GM DEALER WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON , SHE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK SO SHE COULD GO IN TO GET SOMEONE TO HOOK UP THEIR COMPUTER AND PULL THE CODE. WHEN THEY CAME BACK OUT , THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS OUT , AS I STATED EARLIER ABOUT PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THEREFORE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ERGO , NO CODE TO PULL. *TR
NHTSA ID
10360539
Incident
Apr 9, 2010
Mileage
87,233 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 29, 2010
Crash reported
CHEVROLET COBALT VIN [XXX] IS INVOLVED IN SAFETY RECALL 10023 BY GM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ID
10358175
Incident
Jun 11, 2010
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 12, 2010
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS SEVERAL ISSUE WITH TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. ALL THE WARNING LIGHT FOR TC, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ARE ON AGAIN AND WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS AND LOSES TRACTION CONTROL. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE HEARD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPES OF CHEVY CARS. SO WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL! A FATALITY? SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10355074
Incident
Apr 17, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 10, 2010
APPROXIMATELY 15 OCCURRENCES OF WARNINGS LIGHTS RANDOMLY GOING OFF. SUCH AS THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL. THE POWER STEERING HAD BEEN REPAIRED OVER A YEAR AGO SO, IT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED TO THE RECALL THAT JUST NOW WAS ISSUED. AFTER THAT IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND MORE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD LIGHT UP -- FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THEN EVERYTHING WENT "HAYWIRE" ONE NIGHT COMING HOME FROM WORK AT 1 AM. DIALS AND LIGHTS WENT WILD AND THE CAR WAS HESITATING, THE GEAR SHIFT WAS CLICKING AND THE CAR WAS "SLAMMING" IN AND OUT OF GEAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEY TOLD ME MAYBE MY FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED CLEANING!!!! ONE MONTH LATER AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS MY BODY CONTROL MODULE. QUOTED A PRICE OF $619 AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE $729!!!! I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE COMMENTS FROM OTHER COBALT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IF VERY DANGEROUS AND CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL THE PART!!!! *TR
NHTSA ID
10335664
Incident
May 26, 2010
Mileage
60,500 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
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