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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: battery drain or dead battery

5 of the 1,649 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt describe battery drain or dead battery.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
0%
typical mileage
116,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 134 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Battery drain or dead battery by model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 26, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 174,000 miles · PA

The lights all over the car intermittently work and not work, the battery drains and have replace the battery 4 times.this has been going on since I got the car withe the lights. The steering thing just started, when you make a turn the steering binds up as if the power steering is going out. Also acts as if the car is going to stall. This only happens when you are in drive position. In park it doesn't do this. The power steering fluid levels are perfect. Also, when this issue starts, the speedometer needle bounces up to 40 MPH even though you are at a stop. The radio will suddenly turn full blast sound for about 2 seconds and turn back down. Scares me half to death. There is a major electrical problem in this car for lights to work one time and then next time not. I go through light bulbs like crazy, every couple of months I am changing a different bulb. And the steering issue is unsafe, the car could stall while trying to turn across traffic. Still after having all recalls completed, the car is still not safe.

Filed Oct 15, 2014 · 198,000 miles · SC

The vehicle will move to the accessory position constantly and drain the battery. It was taken to rick hendrick chevy on savvanah hwy in charleston by a young woman. They repaired it and allowed her to drive off with the vehicle knowing it had the same problem. They put her life in jeopardy.

Filed Mar 18, 2011 · Locks · 116,000 miles · MN

Our 2005 chevy cobalt ls has key stuck in ignition. I found countless similar complains online from owners. Is this related to steering issue. If not please have them fix this lemon. It's not save as we are only able to take the keys out in the accessory position, in which case shifter stick is not locked and kids are able to shift it from park. It also drains the battery.

Filed Aug 2, 2008 · Locks · 79,000 miles · WI

When it rains, my car doors do not open. I took my car in to get the door locks replaced after being trapped in my car after the battery died and I was trapped for an hour or so waiting for someone to jumpstarted my car. Due to the battery being dead, I wasn't even able to climb out a window.

Filed May 30, 2006 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · PA

My 2005 chevy cobalt was towed in for the 3rd time in 3 months. It is not even a year old yet. All three times have been exactly the same - I go out to start the car in the morning & the car's electrical system goes haywire and the car will not start. This first 2 times, the dealer said it was an electrical problem & they replaced everything. This last time they said it's just a dead battery. If that is the case, wouldn't they have figured that out the first 2 times? Something clearly is awry in the electrical system and it is draining the battery. I don't want this car - I can't trust it to start & the dealer clearly doesn't know what's wrong. I intend to take legal action.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignitionReported April 10, 2014 · 2,191,014 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt battery drain

Is battery drain or dead battery a common problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?

5 of 1,649 owner complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (0%) mention battery drain or dead battery. The model year with the most reports is 2007.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?

There is 1 recall and 134 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

Power steering loss 417Loss of power 161Stalling 155Check engine light 90Steering lock-up 88Jerking 65Door locks 35Engine failure 33No deployment 28Headlights 28Ball joint 24Harsh shifting 24Fuel leak 23Won't start 23Steering noise 20ABS 19Fuel smell 15Fire or smoke 13Brake failure 12Adaptive cruise 10Knocking 10Warning lights 10Fuel pump 9Hesitation 9Pulling 9Won't shift 9Airbag light 8Slipping 8Grinding brakes 7Fuel gauge 7Misfire 6Sudden acceleration 6Seat belt 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt

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