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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,649 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, most often about the steering (69% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Cobalt model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Steering
1,143 complaints · 69%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, column, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion.
2005 Cobalt, power steering goes out everytime it moves. The power steering in my car has been out for about 7 months now. I just read several other complaints of the exact same thing so it is nothing I have done and is common with the cobalts. Gm takes no responsibility for this defect and has left the $1,000.00…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 45 MPH, the power steering light illuminated and the power steering failed. The failure occurred approximately three times while driving. The dealer stated that the steering column needed to be replaced and the power steering will need to be reprogrammed at a 50%…
Electrical
323 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, instrument cluster/panel, wiring, horn.
Beginning january 3rd, 2009, the 'power steering' warning has intermittently appeared and power steering assist would fail. This occurred about 3 times, between 30 and about 50 miles per hour. This is clearly a safety hazard. I also own a 2004 malibu. My wife is the primary driver. The same issue happened with her…
I own a 2005 chevy Cobalt which I purchased new in 2005. Tonight while driving home a 'power steering' message displayed on my dash at the same time that my power steering went out. I was able to pull off to the shoulder of the road and turned my car off. I turned my car back on thinking maybe it was just a glitch in…
Engine
120 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 70 MPH on the freeway, the "reduce engine speed" indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle shifted into low gear and the contact could not accelerate beyond 40 MPH, which she considered very dangerous on a highway allowing 70 MPH speeds. The…
Car stalls while driving down the road, pulling out, sitting still. Has been doing it alot I have 95,000 miles I took it to be put on the scoop at the dealership and it didn't read anything. Had it to numerous shops and no one know what the problem is. It is very dangerous and I have children. Chevy should be made to…
Transmission
99 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, driveline, manual transmission.
Driving my 2005 Cobalt is a dangerous option, you can drive it for day's and all of a sudden the steering quits and the transmission starts acting up also lights on the dash panel start flashing the car is still running but the steering does not work anymore, also the shifter will not disengage the steering lock you…
2005 chevy Cobalt power steering failure. We purchased this car a few months ago and it has begun to have major problems. The car is inside of the timeline for power train warranty, but is over miles. The power steering light comes on followed by complete power steering failure, engine stalling, rough shifting…
Air bags
71 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
My daughter was driving her 2005 chevy Cobalt, when a person coming from the opposite side failed to yield right of way and our Cobalt side swiped the ford escort. She hit the car doing about 35 miles per hour and her airbags did not deploy...I have no idea why nothing has been done when I see soooo many other stories…
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…
Fuel system
56 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
Fuel leaking from fuel lines leaving fuel pump at gas tank. Strong odor of fuel inside and outside of car. Leaves wet spot on ground under car near passenger side rear wheel about 18 inches in diameter while parked. Hard starting. Contacted Chevrolet and a dealer and they said it was not covered on a recall.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. When the ignition was turned to the on position and moved 10 feet, the contact observed fuel pouring from the rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact parked the vehicle, placed her hand under the vehicle, and felt fuel pouring out. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Suspension
47 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Three issues with my 2005 chevy Cobalt. One the door latch broke and I can no longer get out the drivers side. If an accident were to occur I would have to crawl out the passenger side to get out of the car. Secondly, my struts keep going bad on my car. I have had them replaced three times now. My third issue is the…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact began hearing a noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The noise intensified as the speed increased. She took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the two front wheel bearings were faulty and the…
Brakes
46 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages, power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 25 MPH the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument control, and then the gears in the transmission began slipping. He had to exert great force to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and shut the engine off. He was able to restart the vehicle and…
My 2005 chevy Cobalt has several issue with traction control, ABS, and emergency brakes. I have taken this car to the chevy dealership for repairs multiple times and the same problem keeps recurring. All the warning light for tc, ABS, and emergency brake are on again and when this sensor fails the car shifts gears and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Fix: General motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact general
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt, 2006-2011 chevrolet hhr, 2007-2010 pontiac g5, 2006-2010 pontiac solstice, 2003-2007 saturn ion, and 2007-2010 saturn sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position.
Air bags
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on march 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on april 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on april 18, 2014. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or saturn at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. Gmâs recall nu
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on february 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 chevrolet cobalt, and 2007 pontiac g5 vehicles. On february 25, 2014, gm increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 chevrolet hhr and pontiac solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 saturn ion vehicles and 2007 saturn sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On march 27, 2014, gm notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have be
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: In a crash, head impact protection may be inadequate.
Fix: Dealers will install energy absorbing plastic to the headliner trim to reduce the severity of head impacts in a crash. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles not equipped with optional roof-mounted side impact air bags fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, 'occupant protection in interior impact.'
Lights: headlights
Risk: The bulb shield can loosen or break because of vibration. If this occurred on a headlamp installed in a vehicle, oncoming drivers may notice additional glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. The recall began on november 17, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the bulb shields inside of the headlamps can loosen due to vibration.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electric power steering failure
Summary
In a march 1, 2010 letter, general motors corporation (gm) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (my) 2005 through 2010 chevrolet cobalt and my 2007 through 2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (eps).the letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the driver information center (dic) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.the letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.i
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (1,143 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); electrical (323 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (120 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Chevrolet Cobalt?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Cobalt model year since 2000, with 1,649 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.