2008 Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems

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 ID

11669269

Incident

Apr 25, 2025

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 ID

11661851

Incident

Feb 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Locked" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn; however, he drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be taken apart to install an unknown switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,117.

NHTSA ID

11543171

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

Mileage

171,117 mi

My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.

NHTSA ID

11536384

Incident

Jul 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving out of a parking space, the steering wheel became firm, and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11505155

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

Mileage

125,000 mi

My Power Steering failed. I was trying to turn into my drive way and I couldn’t turn my steering wheel. Mine and my children's safety were at risk because It could have caused an accident. There are other Chevy cobalts that are recalled for the same problem as mine but for some reason my VIN is showing that my cobalt isn’t recalled for it. There were no warnings other than the dash saying “POWER STEERING” as my steering wheel stopped turning.

NHTSA ID

11493511

Incident

Oct 30, 2022

I was drivein on high way in my car got hard to trun so i stoped and let my uncle drive cause he is more stronger then from that point it got harder to trun it amost locked up on me who know what would have happen but i was almost to my house so we were ablue to get it here then i called my car lot and i hade to drive it there it was so impossible to do but with the help of my uncle he got it there and im in school and stuck with out a car intell its fixed and i have to pay laber wait on part to come in thay say etc its just alot and thank god i was not alone

NHTSA ID

11480440

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

Power steering is locking up while driving. Windows won’t go down.

NHTSA ID

11472698

Incident

Jul 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the vehicle experienced power steering failure. The contact drove the vehicle to her destination at approximately 30 MPH without a power steering assist. The contact stated that when she returned and started the vehicle the power steering had regained functionality. The contact stated that the failure had recurred twice in the past three months. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ID

11468052

Incident

Jun 5, 2022

Mileage

91,000 mi

Power steering assist goes out randomly. Looked up VIN and said does not affect this vehicle, however, it is malfunctioning.

NHTSA ID

11467808

Incident

May 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 76,000.

NHTSA ID

11432092

Incident

Sep 3, 2021

Mileage

76,000 mi

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The failure occurred a total of 4 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11429244

Incident

Jun 16, 2021

Mileage

114,000 mi

STEERING WAS GOOD AND HAD NO PROBLEMS TURNING EITHER DIRECTION AND NOW IT IS HARD STEERING AND TURN EITHER DIRECTION AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S TURNING FREE WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR TURNING AROUND

NHTSA ID

11414746

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

Mileage

162,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT YET MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11414081

Incident

Apr 26, 2021

Mileage

170,000 mi

POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT AND I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ON THIS CAR. IT WAS SITTING STILL WHEN I CRANK IT AND I COULD BARELY TURN STEERING WHEEL. I COULD BE KILLED IF IT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT'S A MANUFACTURING DEFAULT AND NEED TO BE RECALLED

NHTSA ID

11399312

Incident

Mar 2, 2021

Mileage

84,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN WHILE PARALLEL PARKING. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FIRST THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, THE TRACTION CONTROL, IGNITION AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NOT SHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR AND THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE TCM WAS GROUNDED TO THE CHASSIS, THE GEAR SHIFTER SHIFTED AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11395557

Incident

Dec 24, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

STEERING GETS STIFF ON AND OFF AFRAID IT'S GOING TO LOCK UP AND GET INTO ACCIDENT JUST PURCHASED FROM LOCAL USED CAR DEALER IN TOWN MID DECEMBER 2020 FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR GRANDDAUGHTERS 1ST CAR WITHIN FIRST 50 MILES TCM FAILED COULDNT SHIFT PAST SECOND GEAR POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON GROUNDED WIRE AND HELPED WITH TRANSMISSION NOW POWER STEERING PROBLEM HARD STEERING ON AND OFF TRYING LEARN HOW TO PARALLEL PARK FOR HER DRIVERS TEST

NHTSA ID

11395007

Incident

Jan 25, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP RECALL FIXED TWICE NOW ON MY CAR. LAST TIME WAS OCTOBER OF 2020, AND FINALLY IN JANUARY OF 2021 IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. NORMALLY I CAN DRIVE IT TO WHEREVER WITHOUT TOO MUCH ISSUE, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE YESTERDAY. I STARTED MY CAR BEFORE LEAVING FOR WORK, GOT IN TO LEAVE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT, AS IT IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION, AND DID NOT GET FAR. IT JERKED AROUND VIOLENTLY, WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN BECAME HARD TO STEER. AFTER I LET IT SIT ALL DAY AND TRIED AGAIN, IT STILL WAS ACTING UP AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE WITHOUT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE, EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT EVEN START AFTER THAT TRY. I AM AT A LOSS AND AM FURIOUS AS THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE AFTER BEING FIXED TWICE.

NHTSA ID

11391187

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

248,000 mi

POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF, THEN RESTARTED CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. I WAS LUCKY, I WAS DRIVING SLOW ON A BACK STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IF I HAD BEEN ON A HIGHWAY IT COULD HAD GONE VERY BAD. I FOUND NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR.

NHTSA ID

11390126

Incident

Jan 27, 2021

Mileage

174,061 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING, AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID

11375911

Incident

Nov 11, 2020

Mileage

83,000 mi

I HAD RECALLS FIXED IN 2015. AND THEN SUDDENLY POWER STEERING TURNS ON AND OFF. NEVER BEFORE THEY TOUCHED IT WAS THERE AN ISSUE. IT HAPPENS HERE AND THERE AND STOPS. THIS YEAR IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY AND WON'T GO AWAY. MY POWER STEERING TURNS OFF IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO OFF AND CAR STARTS CRANKING. GOES SUPER SLOW . I'M SCARED ITA GOING TO EXPLODE. I CAN'T DRIVE ON FREEWAY . AND NOW BESIDES THE LOCK ON SCREEN COMING ON MY ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON NOW . NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH IT. CAR SHOPS CAN'T HELP. WHEN I 1ST HAD THE ISSUE I CALLED THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY FIXED THE RECALL AND THEY SAID NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY FIXED THE RECALL

NHTSA ID

11360824

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT CONTACTED DAVID HOFFMAN AUTO MALL (198 BUFFALO RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14611; (585) 527-9500) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS INFORMED THAT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ID

11360663

Incident

Jul 2, 2020

Mileage

146,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL ALL LIGHT UP THEN THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT HARD. THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK AT TIMES AND WHEN THIS HAPPENS ITS A GUARANTEE THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT HARD. THE EVAP SENSOR IS FAULTING BECAUSE WHEN I PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE SEEMS LIKE IT DOES NOT WANT TO CRANK. THE EVAP PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RELATED TO A POSSIBLE COMPUTER MALFUNCTION. WE HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY A LOCAL LICENSED MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID

11354087

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

212,000 mi

I SMELLED GAS. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS LEAKING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, WHY NOT? I'M HAVING THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED, WHICH IS COVERED. PLUS, MY CAR IS LOSING POWER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. I SEE THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST IS UNDER RECALL, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY CAR, WHY NOT? IN MOTION, ON THE INTERSTATE. RECALL NO. 10V073000.

NHTSA ID

11340210

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

Mileage

152,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM GAS STATION/ CITY RD AND MY KEYS CAME OUT OF MY IGNITION AND I FELT THEM HIT MY KNEE WHILE DRIVING! I SLOWLY PUT THEM BACK IN, THEN I TURNED DOWN AN ALLY AFTER I HAD MY KEY BACK IN AND GOT BACK HOME TO PARK IT. IT'S BEEN PARKED SINCE JUNE 13TH 2020. BECAUSE I KNOW THAT CAN MAKE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP! I DRIVE OUT OF TOWN A LOT. AND MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS ALWAYS WITH ME!! SO I'M NOT TAKING THE CHANCE OF ME DRIVING 70MPH AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP! *TR

NHTSA ID

11330598

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

Mileage

145,033 mi