2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1003) · Electrical System (97) · Steering:electric Power Assist System (50)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Cobalt model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,404 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Electrical System:ignition:switch 2014-04-30 · campaign 14E021000 · 14,529 vehicles
Defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
Electrical System:ignition 2014-04-10 · campaign 14V171000 · 2,191,014 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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 occup
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
Air Bags 2014-02-10 · campaign 14V047000 · 2,190,934 vehicles
Defect: 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 748,0
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
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2010-03-03 · campaign 10V073000 · 1,050,889 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (646)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-07 · PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. the j-35616-64b is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. the test probe
Showing the 6 most recent of 646 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-02-12 · Engine · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. the contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. the contact stated that …”
2025-06-04 · Steering · 200,000 mi“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;…”
2024-08-09 · Steering · 200,000 mi“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 v…”
2024-04-02 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid · 30,000 mi“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 w…”
2023-12-02 · Electrical System“.engine wire harness/yes . could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, i fixed the wire for the speed sensor and more …”
2023-11-06 · Vehicle Speed Control“the tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly i've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business …”
2023-10-23 · Steering“power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. other sources say there has been a recall. …”
2023-08-11 · Unknown Or Other“i started up my car and it was very hard to turn the wheel easier when i gained speed. the warning said "power steering"…”
2023-07-10 · Steering“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…”
2023-05-16 · Engine“ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won’t turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.