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 on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The steering locked up after the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted while driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The exhaust system, fuel lines, brake lines, and the engine had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems
323 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 59,651. 13 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 323
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 59,651
- crashes
- 13
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Ignition26
- Ignition: switch14
- Instrument cluster/panel11
- Wiring: interior/under dash2
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
- Wiring2
- Ignition: module2
- Software1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- 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 occupant or pedestrian injuries.
- Remedy
- 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 Motors at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Pontiac owners at 1‑800‑762‑2737, and Saturn owners at 1‑800‑553‑6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Recall number 14V171000 · Recall details
What 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
.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
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
I started up my car and it was very hard to turn the wheel easier when I gained speed. The warning said "Power 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 says my car has no recall. I need to know if there is a power steering motor recall on my car if someone could help me I would greatly appreciate it.
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.
ABS light lit, Traction light lit, power steering light lit, car jerking, not shifting. Stalling.
When I got the car in june 2020 I got the key I was told to turn key to acc wait until lock icon go off my car alarms will sound anti theft system took to chevrolet dealership,and they charged $$$ said they replaced several part's and still it's stalls,and loose powder steering,it says I have no fuel in car brake light on do not chimes when I get in car it makes it like I stealing the car and it shutdown everything been doing it sense july can't drive out no where stalls when I did try driving it engine light comes on then my steering wheel locks up
While driving through an intersection car shut off. This loss of power while driving has happened several times over the last few months. I called chevy dealership today and was notified ignition switch was already repaired previously and that I may be charged a diagnostic fee if I bring the car in for repair.
Car shuts off and loses power while driving and the key keeps getting stuck in the ignition and the doors keep locking and unlocking constantly until it loses power again after changing the battery
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 323 complaints about the electrical of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 59,651 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V171000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Cobalt have the most electrical problems?
The Chevrolet Cobalt model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (412 complaints), 2005 (323 complaints) and 2007 (281 complaints).
Other 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Steering 1,143Engine 120Transmission 99Airbags 71Fuel system 56Brakes 49Suspension 47Body 46Driver assistance 45Acceleration 40Locks 35Lights 27Visibility 14Tires 9Seat belts 7Wheels 7Seats 2
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