RoadVitals

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
1,143
Latest Jun 4, 2025
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.
69%
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.
59
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
40

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 1,143 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 1,143, in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2025

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
Steering
Filed Aug 9, 2024

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
Steering
Filed Apr 2, 2024

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
Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2023

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
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 11, 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
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 10, 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
Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2022
Crash reported3 injuries reported

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
Steering
Filed Apr 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
Steering
Filed Mar 9, 2021

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
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 19, 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
Steering
Filed Feb 10, 2021

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
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Nov 7, 2020

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
Steering
Filed Sep 16, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,087.

NHTSA ID
11355459
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
124,087 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 27, 2020

POWER STEERING LOCKS IN AND OUT BY ITSELF CAUSING THE CAR TO SHIFT HARD AND DOESNT WANT TO IDLE BUT WHEN STEERING IS WORKING CORRECTLY IT RUNS LIKE A NEW CAR PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
11341718
Incident
Jul 16, 2020
Mileage
153,300 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. NEITHER THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID
11331089
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
134,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT A SLOW SPEED, THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE, WITH THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HER LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11325479
Incident
Mar 15, 2020
EngineSteering
Filed Mar 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. RODGERS AUTO GROUP LOCATED AT (2720 S. MICHIGAN AVE CHICAGO, IL) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID
11316968
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMING OFF THE INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 10 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, STATED THAT AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THE RACK AND PINON WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE RACK AND PINON. THE CONTACT CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID
11299578
Incident
Jan 11, 2020
Mileage
77,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 14, 2020
1 injury reported

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
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 30, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
11277103
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
190,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 29, 2019

ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WILL FLASH ON MY DASH AND MY CAR WILL START TO JERK AGGRESSIVELY. IF I CAN'T PULL OVER AND I DRIVE FOR JUST A WHILE TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO PULL OVER, MY CAR WILL STOP MOVING AND START GOING BACKWARDS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. I HAD AN O2 SENSOR REPLACED WHICH STOPPED THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT FOR A WHILE BUT IT STARTED BACK AGAIN. MY POWER STEERING WILL ALSO GO OUT AS I START THE CAR, FORCING ME TO TURN THE CAR, WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND START IT AGAIN. IT CAN GO ON FOR A WHILE AND MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT THEY CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE TO WAIT 30 SECONDS BEFORE I CAN DRIVE MY CAR, WHICH CAN MAKE ME LATE TO PLACES IF I HAVE TO DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES, IF I DON'T WAIT THEN THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT ON ME AND IT CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. LAST YEAR, IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS GOING 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKY I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11258839
Incident
Sep 29, 2019
Mileage
138,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST FUEL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY, AND "FAULTY POWER STEERING" AND "LOSS OF FUEL" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL SHIFTING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET (31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530, (951) 226-0822) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS SERVICED IN 2009; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11242483
Incident
Jun 16, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2019

TCM MODULE, POWER STEERING AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ID
11221936
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. CABLE DAHMER CHEVROLET OF INDEPENDENCE (1834 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO 64055, (866) 650-1809) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ID
11219261
Incident
Mar 20, 2019
Mileage
197,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 7, 2019

TAKATA RECALL POWER STEERING NEEDS TO BE FIXED IT'S A STRONG DANGERS TURN WHEN PARKING OR DRIVING WHICH SCARES ME A LOT I JUST GOT A RECALL FIXED ON MY IGNITION AND I I THOUGHT THIS WAS APART OF THE RECALL I LOOKED ONLINE NOTICE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS NOTICED MINE ACTING UP I NEED IT FIXED I HAVE A FAMILY AND I DON'T WANT NOTHING CRITICAL HAPPENING

NHTSA ID
11206145
Incident
May 2, 2019

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.

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