2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Electrical Problems

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

.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

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

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

NHTSA ID

11501921

Incident

Jan 15, 2023

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

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

CAR SHUTS OFF AND LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THE KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE DOORS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING CONSTANTLY UNTIL IT LOSES POWER AGAIN AFTER CHANGING THE BATTERY

NHTSA ID

11350845

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

144,674 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE FOREARM AND TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS DUE TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WIRING HARNESS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CLOCK SPRING WHICH CAUSED THE HORN AND SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE INOPERABLE. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, CASE NUMBER: XXX. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A $2500 COMPENSATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARDS TO THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75000. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *DL

NHTSA ID

11299227

Incident

Jul 26, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL FOR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, MY CAN HAS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING & I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE., THE STEERING WHEEL IGNITION SYSTEM 'IS THE PROBLEM' MY VEHICLE DOES NOT START ANYMORE AT ALL !! PLEASE SCHEDUAL AN APPOINTMENT AT THE NEAREST DEALER THAT CAN REPAIR THE RECALLED PARTS? NEAR 95838 SACRAMENTO, CA. I BELIEVE THAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN ENDANGERED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE RECALLED PARTS !! " YES" I AM VERY UPSET" !! MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING ON BOTH CITY & FREEWAYS.

NHTSA ID

11292347

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY IF THE KEY WERE REMOVED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. ANOTHER MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO RICKY HENDRICKS CITY CHEVROLET (5101 E INDEPENDENCE BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28212, (980) 242-5621) FOR ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11164519

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

135,000 mi

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 ID

11115262

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

CAR ALARMS POWER STEERING DISPLAY COMES ON, CAR SHAKES, WON'T SHIFT GEARS, WAS LOOKED AT , COMP SAID LOST CONNECTION TO TMC TRANS MODULAR CONTROL. WHILE IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

11032329

Incident

May 26, 2017

Mileage

117,500 mi

ABOUT ONCE A MONTH "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DISPLAY, SOMETIME POWER ASSIST IS GONE, MOST TIMES IT IS STILL THERE BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND STALLS ENGINE WHEN STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. IF POWER STEERING COMES ON RIGHT AWAY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, SMACK PASS SIDE OF CENTER CONSOLE, THEN START, USUALLY OFF THEN, BUT IF VEHICLE IS HOT FROM SITTING IN SUN, OR VERY COLD IN WINTER, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT AND EITHER HEAT IT UP OR COOL IT OFF BEFORE PULLING OVER PARKING AND SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES, THEN HIT IT THEN START IT. TOLD DEALER OF THIS BEFORE P/S RECALL WORK WAS DONE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THEY ASK IF WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION, I SAID YES, THEY SAID OH HAVE A NICE DAY.

NHTSA ID

11030806

Incident

Dec 25, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. GO TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND POP MY TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED AND I CAN NOT GET MY KEY TO TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE OFF POSITION, AS A RESULT I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 30MPH EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED AND WASN'T MOVING. NON OF THE ELECTRONICS WERE WORKING SO I WAS UNABLE TO POP MY TRUNK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WILL START AND WHEN IT DOES THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DASH READS; ENGINE PERFORMANCE LOW. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SURGE AS I AM DRIVING AND I CANNOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. I HAVE EVEN HAD THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER ANYWHERE BETWEEN A FEW HOURS TO A FEW WEEKS THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ACTING UP AND DRIVE NORMAL FOR A WHILE. AGIAN THE NORMAL LASTS ANYWHERE BETWEEN A FEW HOURS TO A FEW MONTHS AS WELL. THE POWER STERING ALSO FLASHES ON THE DASH AND SOMETIMES CUTS COMPLEATLY OUT.

NHTSA ID

11011812

Incident

Jul 29, 2017

Mileage

80,000 mi

I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET COBALT I BOUGHT OFF AN INDIVIDUAL AUGUST 2016 AT FIRST THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NO MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT COULDNT BE FIXED. AS OF MAY 2017 WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR 60 MPH MY GUAGES JUMP FOR EXAMPLE WILL BE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND THE GUAGE WILL JUMP DOWN TO 20 MPH. AS I AM TURNING MY STEERING LOCKS HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MULTIPLE TIMES (NEEDS RECALL FIXED) BUT TO BE CLEAR IT DOES NOT JUMP AT ALL WHILE STATIONARY. HAVING TO FEEL UNSAFE IN ANY VEHICLE SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS. THIS IS MY FIRST GM CAR AND HAVING WORKED FOR GM IM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED

NHTSA ID

11001601

Incident

May 20, 2017

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND (STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEDRICKS CHEVROLET (961 W SHAW AVE, CLOVIS, CA 93612) WHERE IT WAS TENTATIVELY DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,690.

NHTSA ID

10992331

Incident

May 24, 2017

Mileage

107,690 mi

4/14/17 VEHICLE SVC-IGNITION RECALL 14113 LOCK CYLINDER & KEY 13454 IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING WELL PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE BUT NOW IT APPEARED THAT THE IGNITION WAS "STIFF' TO OPERATE FOLLOWING THE REPAIR & THE KEY SEEMED TO PERIODICALLY HANG UP WHEN INSERTED. THERE WAS A RANDOM HESITATION WHEN MAKING A U TURN-AS IF THE CAR BRIEFLY STALLED OUT- NO POWER, UPON TURNING THE WHEEL. EVE OF 4/21/17, AFTER BEING DRIVEN & PARKED ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT AN HR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ALTHOUGH THERE WAS FULL BATTERY POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED & LEFT TO SIT. MORN OF 4/22/17 SVC CTR WAS NOTIFIED. VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T START, BUT, UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY & INITIAL CRANK, THE CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING SUDDEN RANDOM CLICKS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, DOOR LOCKS ENGAGING, DASHBOARD PANEL FLASHING. UPON REMOVING THE KEY & REINSERTING IT, THE KEY APPEARED TO HAVE DEPROGRAMMED & THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. THE KEY WAS REMOVED & THE CAR SECURED. LATER, ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE IGNITION USING THE SECOND NEW KEY & WAS UNSUCCESSFUL-THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION BUT LOCKED IN ACC MODE POSITION. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED PER DEALER AUTH. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTED THAT THE CAR BATTERY APPEARED TO HAVE DRAINED BY THEIR ARRIVAL, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION & THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. 4/24/17 SERVICE FOUND CODES P0604 & P0606 CONTROL MODULE RAM FAILURE + INTERNAL CONTROLLER FAILURE- DEALER COURTESY PERFORMED REPROGRAMMING, THEFT RELEARN & CRANK VARIATION LEARN. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OPERATING NORMAL AFTER REPROGRAMMING & WAS SET FOR CUSTOMER PICKUP. THE DEALER SVC CTR RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM IF IT REOCCURS. THERE APPEARS TO BE OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ECM FAILURE AFTER HAVING RECALL SVC. CONTACTED CHEVY CUST ASSIST CTR & INITIATED A CASE RECORD. CASE PENDING.

NHTSA ID

10980316

Incident

Apr 14, 2017

Mileage

107,900 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10970115

Incident

Feb 7, 2014

VEHICLE LOSING POWER, SPEEDOMETER FLAT, TACHOMETER WORKING, WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY; DISPLAYING: POWER STEERING = CAR HAS STEERING WHEEL PLAY; CAR DOES NOT DRIVE OVER 30 MPH AND REVVING HIGH. THE CAR REGAINS POWER AND LOSES POWER AND REGAINS INTERMITTENTLY. CHEVY COBALT 2005

NHTSA ID

10965944

Incident

Mar 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) IN 2011. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

NHTSA ID

10928807

Incident

Nov 3, 2014

Mileage

99,000 mi

OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS HAD ONGOING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SLAM INTO GEARS GOING WHEN ACCELERATING AND SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE VEHICLE SHAKING. WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES AND WE GET A POWER STEERING WARNING. MY SON HAS LOST THE POWER STEERING ASSIST OCCASIONALLY AND ONE TIME IT ALMOST CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. IF WE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GO AWAY BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY.

NHTSA ID

10924928

Incident

Nov 8, 2016

THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WAS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS.(60 TO 70MPH) THE SECOND, WAS IN CITY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AFTER A 5 MINUTE IDLE. THE FOURTH WAS WHEN MY LAST MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING IT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE'D FIXED IT. DASH LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF, ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, ENGINE COOLING FANS STOP OPERATING, TRANSMISSION HUNTS FOR WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN; RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION SELF DESTRUCTING. ENGINE MANAGEMENT, OTHER THAN THE COOLING FANS, SEEMS TO BE UNAFFECTED. I'VE REPLACED 4 TCM'S SO FAR; AS ALL MECHANICS SAY THAT IS THE PROBLEM. IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK, THEN THE SAME PROBLEM MANIFEST. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH QUITE A FEW GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

10910688

Incident

Feb 10, 2015

Mileage

130,000 mi