2010 Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems

Problem with Steering column rattle

NHTSA ID

11696686

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or inspected for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls related to the failure for the VIN. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID

11689350

Incident

Sep 10, 2025

Mileage

54,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the power steering and brakes became inoperable. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to her parent's residence. The vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the ignition switch. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

NHTSA ID

11569973

Incident

Jan 27, 2024

Mileage

260,000 mi

UNKNOWN. My traction and ABS light keeps coming on. My steering is off some. My turning right or left is making ruff popping sounds in the steering. My ABS and Traction lite keeps coming on.

NHTSA ID

11543273

Incident

Aug 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, she attempted to make a right turn and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to stop the vehicle, turn off the vehicle, and after restarting the vehicle, the power steering was functioning as needed. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11455230

Incident

Jan 24, 2022

Mileage

71,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his home. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

NHTSA ID

11441465

Incident

Nov 16, 2021

Mileage

131,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss power steering functionality without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11434210

Incident

Sep 17, 2021

The electrical assisted power steering failed. This causes the vehicle's steering to become very difficult and dangerous not only to the driver but also other vehicles. This problem has been noted as a recall issue for this model/year vehicle but this vin number shows no recall issues. This vehicle was bought new by me and was given to our son about 3 years ago. He has taken very good care of it since he uses it to travel to work. Vehicle currently had 128,842 miles and has had no issues other than the above issue. Vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11419848

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE UNKNOWN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED HOWEVER, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHICH STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FEATURE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAYWAY CHEVROLET (5719 BROADWAY ST, PEARLAND, TX 77581) WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11403136

Incident

Mar 2, 2021

FUEL IS LEAKING NEAR LEFT REAR TIRE -STEERING WHEEL MAKES CRACKLING NOISE WHEN TURNING

NHTSA ID

11402515

Incident

Feb 5, 2021

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. HATED TO TURN ETC. THE CAR WAS GONE THEN JUST WENT BAD.

NHTSA ID

11388940

Incident

Dec 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,532

NHTSA ID

11388878

Incident

Jan 19, 2021

Mileage

30,532 mi

WHEN MY SON WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE STEERING ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO TURN AND STAYED THIS WAY WHILE DRIVING. NOW IT IS HARD TO STEER AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE TO A SHOP TO BE LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ID

11361773

Incident

Sep 26, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAULT MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER TEAM CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT 404 JAKE ALEXANDER BLVD, SALISBURY NC 28147 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. INVALID VIN PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID

11355306

Incident

Sep 15, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING START TO GET STIFF. WHEN YOU STOP THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WANT TO TURN. ONCE YOU GET MOVING IT LOSSSENS UP A LITTLE.

NHTSA ID

11349115

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11338697

Incident

Jun 26, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARS ON DASH RANDOMLY WHEN GOING SLOW SPEEDS AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON THE GET THE POWER STEERING TO COME BACK ON. THIS CAN OFTEN REPEAT ITSELF SEVERAL TIMES. IT HAS NEVER OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEEDS, MOSTLY OCCURS IN PARKING LOTS WHEN TURNING. I AM AWARE OF A RECALL FROM GM REGARDING THIS BUT MY VIN SAYS IT DOES NOT APPLY. THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME GIVEN MY SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME AS WHAT THE RECALL DESCRIBES AND MY YEAR MODEL IS AFFECTED (2010 CHEVY COBALT).

NHTSA ID

11316637

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE, POWER STEERING OFF, AND CHANGE OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES FLUCTUATED. THE OWNER CONNECTED A DIAGNOSTIC READER TO THE VEHICLE WHICH INDICATED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,701.

NHTSA ID

11315660

Incident

Mar 2, 2020

Mileage

187,701 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHILE THE RPM DROPPED TO ZERO. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY, WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ALSO FAILED. THE TPMS PROVIDED INACCURATE TIRE PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11310092

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

LOST STERLING FOR SHORT DISTANCE STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. REGAINED CONTROL AFTER THAT.CAR WAS IN MY DRIVE WAY

NHTSA ID

11309687

Incident

Feb 17, 2020

Mileage

10,030 mi

STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. LOUD GRINDING SOUND WITH ALARM. ALMOST UNABLE TO CONTROL. WHEN STATIONARY STEERING PLAY EXCESSIVE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. AIRBAG LIGHT STATES AIRBAG IS OFF. CONTROL ARMS REPLACED 2 WEEK BEFORE INCIDENT. WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE REPAIRING OF CONTROL ARMS. DEALING CONTACTED MORE THAN TWICE REGARDING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID

11307859

Incident

Feb 7, 2020

Mileage

104,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY GETS TIGHT TO TURN. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND STEERING GOING OUT. I'M AWARE OF A STEERING ISSUE RECALL ON CHEVY COBALT.

NHTSA ID

11307508

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

DRIVING ON HIWAY START TO SHAKING. LOOSING POWER AND SHUTTOFF. AND STEERING WHEEL HARD TO DRIVE OFTEN. DASH BOARD SHOWING ICONOS ALL TIME.

NHTSA ID

11287246

Incident

Nov 23, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE CHECK ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE RPM GAUGE INCREASED ERRATICALLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURES WENT AWAY; HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARSHLY WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS DISPLAYED AS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.

NHTSA ID

11244523

Incident

Aug 15, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE REVERSING IN A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGES DROPPED LOW WHILE IN TRAFFIC. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER A SECOND TIME. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11209449

Incident

May 22, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi