2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The steering locked up after the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted while driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The exhaust system, fuel lines, brake lines, and the engine had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11717536

Incident

Nov 12, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

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 ID

11664917

Incident

May 4, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

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 ID

11607602

Incident

Aug 7, 2024

Mileage

200,000 mi

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 ID

11580769

Incident

Apr 2, 2024

Mileage

30,000 mi

.Engine wire harness/yes . Could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, I fixed the wire for the speed sensor and more

NHTSA ID

11558116

Incident

Dec 2, 2023

The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business

NHTSA ID

11553855

Incident

May 15, 2021

Power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. Other sources say there has been a recall.

NHTSA ID

11551471

Incident

Oct 23, 2023

I started up my car and it was very hard to turn the wheel easier when I gained speed. The warning said "Power Steering"

NHTSA ID

11537965

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

For the last several years I have been experiencing loss of the power steering and the electrical just going crazy lights flashing horn blowing. I’ve had a new computer put in and power steering still going out. I looked online and saw there was a recall for power steering motor in cobalt models 2005 through 2010 but when I put in my Vin number, it says my car has no recall. I need to know if there is a power steering motor recall on my car if someone could help me I would greatly appreciate it.

NHTSA ID

11531362

Incident

May 6, 2006

Ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won’t turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. Steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph.

NHTSA ID

11522383

Incident

Feb 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while parked, the contact attempted to open the driver's side door; however, the door failed to open. Additionally, the window failed to operate as needed. The contact had to exit the vehicle through the passenger's side door. The contact attempted to unlock the door from the outside however, the door failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11519765

Incident

Apr 30, 2023

Mileage

68,000 mi

ABS light lit, Traction light lit, power steering light lit, car jerking, not shifting. Stalling.

NHTSA ID

11501921

Incident

Jan 15, 2023

My mother owned this 2005 chevrolet cobalt 4D (vin # stated above). The power steering seemed to have quit working, as it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. On Dec.28, 2021 she (& my 2 daughters) were turning left & her car was hit by another car on the right front (passenger side), front 1/4 panel. The car was spun around several times. My mother was temporarily knocked unconscience & then came to. Car was totalled out. (Doctor ignored to perform a head scan instead he scanned her back). My mother bled on her brain for 3 months & died. It was very devastating

NHTSA ID

11467575

Incident

Dec 28, 2021

My husband was driving and the car suddenly stopped taking gas and said reduced engine power. He got it back home as it was only a few miles but top speed was less than 10 mph. It never did run right anymore and then completely stopped a few days later. Also the key gets stuck in the car if the battery goes dead. I had to leave the key in with the window down because I was scared of getting locked out. When my husband was able to come and charge the battery some it released the key. It never had any issues like these until they suddenly started. These issues showed up in summer 2021. Codes mentioned general electrical failure, throttle control issues with pedal and tac module. High and low voltage to tac module.

NHTSA ID

11458464

Incident

Jun 14, 2021

I have a fuel leak by the left rear tire possibly a corroded fuel line. I smelled gas for two days. The leak was by the exhaust. My children and I could of been killed.

NHTSA ID

11422359

Incident

Jun 23, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. INVALID VIN.

NHTSA ID

11413575

Incident

Apr 21, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL DINGING SOUND PRESENT. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR AND THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC GROUNDED OUT THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

11399901

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

95,000 mi

THE SWAY BAR, CONTROL ARMS, & BUSHINGS WERE ALL FAULTY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT DUE TO SUBPAR PARTS BEING USED IN MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA ID

11399313

Incident

Mar 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS INCORRECTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED WHILE DRIVING, PROVIDING SPEED READINGS OF 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11396948

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE 2013 POWER ASSIST MODULE (DUE TO PROBLEMS AND RECALL) THAT WAS INSTALLED IN MY CAR BACK AT THAT TIME-THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2015--WELL BEFORE I PURCHASED MYCAR WHICH WAS 2018. POWER STEERING PROBLEMS HAVE RETURNED AS I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO LACK OF POWER STEERING-CANNOT DRIVE EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY.. THIS, OBVIOUSLY, IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AND ANOTHER RECALL NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED ESPECIALLY WHEN THOSE OF US CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S AND/OR MANUFACTURERS' FAULT. PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ID

11396588

Incident

Feb 16, 2021

Mileage

179,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WORKED AS DESIGNED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING NOISE DETECTED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11395626

Incident

Feb 7, 2021

Mileage

170,000 mi

WHEN I GOT THE CAR IN JUNE 2020 I GOT THE KEY I WAS TOLD TO TURN KEY TO ACC WAIT UNTIL LOCK ICON GO OFF MY CAR ALARMS WILL SOUND ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP,AND THEY CHARGED $$$ SAID THEY REPLACED SEVERAL PART'S AND STILL IT'S STALLS,AND LOOSE POWDER STEERING,IT SAYS I HAVE NO FUEL IN CAR BRAKE LIGHT ON DO NOT CHIMES WHEN I GET IN CAR IT MAKES IT LIKE I STEALING THE CAR AND IT SHUTDOWN EVERYTHING BEEN DOING IT SENSE JULY CAN'T DRIVE OUT NO WHERE STALLS WHEN I DID TRY DRIVING IT ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP

NHTSA ID

11373607

Incident

Jul 9, 2020

Mileage

89,590 mi

MY 05 CHEVY COBALT STARTED LEAKING FUEL FROM THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK. I HAVE READ ONLINE OF RECALLS ON THE 08 COBALTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11363764

Incident

Oct 8, 2020

FUEL LEAK UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE, JUST IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEEL. LEAK IS NEAR EXHAUST, HEAT SHIELDING FROM FACTORY CAUSED FUEL LINE TO RUST AND LEAK.

NHTSA ID

11363738

Incident

Sep 10, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAR SHUT OFF. THIS LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I CALLED CHEVY DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS NOTIFIED IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY AND THAT I MAY BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE IF I BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11363362

Incident

Oct 8, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi