2009 Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light was off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,824.

NHTSA ID

11694845

Incident

Oct 18, 2025

Mileage

154,824 mi

Steering went out while driving

NHTSA ID

11647813

Incident

Feb 25, 2025

Loosing power steering

NHTSA ID

11568329

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

My car turned off while I was driving and almost caused me to crash into an 18 wheeler. Thank God I turned on my emergency signal and the truck swerved!. I would of died. I was stuck in the middle of the road and luckily some passersby helped me push it into a commercial parking area. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't start. But, when I turn my key into the off position, my car tried starting by itself. It was scary. It was checked by a mechanic, prior to this happening, because the car was hard to start. The mechanic told me to find out if there is a recall. However, I did some research and there was a recall on the ignition switch and fuel pump. The ignition switch was faulty causing the car to turn off while moving and two people died as a result. I entered the VIN # and it didn't show any recalls.

NHTSA ID

11555972

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

steering is going out. when turning slowly it’s hard to turn it back straight.

NHTSA ID

11516458

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist and became difficult to steer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering failure occurred at various speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local 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 had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

NHTSA ID

11472908

Incident

Jun 15, 2022

Mileage

49,000 mi

While parking my 2009 Chevy Cobalt the power steering became difficult. It was like it stopped working at times. Then it began again and then it completely stopped steering and the steering locked. I turned the car off and checked the vehicles power steering fuses. They were all fine. Then turned the car back on to see if the problem still continued and it started working. I rushed home hoping it would work. Once I pulled into my driveway the power steering completely stopped working again. I see that there was a recall in the past but may not be available any longer but seems like they should still correct the issue.

NHTSA ID

11469994

Incident

Jun 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,504.

NHTSA ID

11467725

Incident

Jun 6, 2022

Mileage

67,504 mi

My power steering seemed very loose. I zig zag across the road.Trying not to hit a telephone pole.Slipped into a ditch. Got back on the road for a few seconds but still no control. Finally car went into the woods hit a tree and was totaled.I don't care if vin says no recalls my steering didn't exist that day.

NHTSA ID

11466566

Incident

Apr 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11456214

Incident

Mar 10, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the electric power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering) that was associated with the VIN. The dealer also informed the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ID

11446863

Incident

Jan 6, 2022

Mileage

113,000 mi

whenever i would go to speed up my ecs active light would pop up, now it’s been popping up every time my wheel isn’t straight and randomly. it’s scary because it causes my car to bog down and the steering feels weird and my brakes get really rough

NHTSA ID

11429970

Incident

Jul 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shake, and the vehicle would power off inadvertently. The vehicle would restart however, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA ID

11422791

Incident

Jun 16, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing the steering wheel became inoperable. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to his residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 142,993.

NHTSA ID

11421612

Incident

Jun 19, 2021

Mileage

142,993 mi

THERE'S A WHINING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AND A WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED GOING DOWN A HILL IT MAKES A SHUTTER CLINKING SOUND TOO FROM THE STEERING. ALSO AT TIMES IT WILL GET TIGHT FOR NO REASON. THEIR IS ALSO PLAY LIKE IN THE STEERING. I CAN MOVE BACK AND FORTH AND YOU'LL HEAR CLUNK/CLINK NOISE.

NHTSA ID

11408493

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. DURING THE FAILURE, THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER HAWK CHEVROLET LOCATED 2001 W JEFFERSON ST, JOLIET, IL 60435 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11406653

Incident

Apr 2, 2021

Mileage

115,000 mi

STEERING IS STIFF. GETTING HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ID

11405658

Incident

Mar 30, 2021

Mileage

151,234 mi

LOSE ALL POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA ID

11404140

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

Mileage

154,000 mi

MY CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING TO HEAT UP AND I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK I SAW ON THE MENU SCREEN IT SAID POWER STEERING SO WHEN I WENT TO BACK OUT I COULD NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT IT WAS VERY STIFF I HAD ALSO HEARD A RATTLE IN MY STEERING WHEEL A COUPLE WEEKS PREVIOUS TO THIS HAPPENING

NHTSA ID

11398951

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,780.

NHTSA ID

11390473

Incident

Jan 27, 2021

Mileage

1,780 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RESUMING DRIVING AND AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARAMUS CHEVROLET, INC. (194 NEW JERSEY 17, PARAMUS, NJ 07652, (201)261-7100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

NHTSA ID

11382834

Incident

Nov 17, 2020

Mileage

38,000 mi

I COULD HEAR A LITTLE SOMETHING MOVING AROUND UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. JUST THOUGHT IT WAS THE AGE. THEN FRONT WHEELS WHERE SHAKING JUST A BIT. THIS SHAKING PROCEEDED RAPIDLY AS IF I NEED AN ALIGNMENT OR TIRE BALANCING. THEN MY STEERING WENT OUT!!!!

NHTSA ID

11376946

Incident

Nov 12, 2020

Mileage

64,345 mi

CAR SMELLING LIKE GAS REALLY BAD AND LEAKS, STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBOLY LIKE IF ITS NOT TIGHTENED RIGHT ITS A LITTLE CRICKED. REEKS OF SMELL OF GASOLINE ON THE BACK RIGHT OF MY CAR BY THE TIRE AND I SEE IT LEAKING GASOLINE.

NHTSA ID

11323026

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN AUDIBLE CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING AND STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,927.

NHTSA ID

11322163

Incident

Apr 23, 2020

Mileage

132,927 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11322048

Incident

Apr 23, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi