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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical complaints

Page 2 of 12: complaints 11 to 40 of 323, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · 75,000 miles · VA · 1 injury

Tl* 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 towed by the insurance to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring wiring harness detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the mechanic disconnected the clock spring which caused the horn and several other electrical functions on the steering wheel to be inoperable. A local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure, case number: xxx. The contact was offered a $2500 compensation from the manufacturer in regards to the issue with the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 75000. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 31, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 200,000 miles · CA

I know about the recall for 2005 chevrolet cobalt, my can has turned off while driving & I have had problems starting my vehicle., the steering wheel ignition system 'is the problem' my vehicle does not start anymore at all !! Please schedual an appointment at the nearest dealer that can repair the recalled parts? Near 95838 sacramento, ca. I believe that my life has been endangered several times because of the defective recalled parts !! " yes" I am very upset" !! My vehicle has stopped running on both city & freeways.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 135,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition was loose and the vehicle could roll away if the key were removed. Also, the check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine overheated. Another mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch was damaged. The contact planned to take the vehicle to ricky hendricks city chevrolet (5101 e independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28212, (980) 242-5621) for additional diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Aug 1, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

Takata recall the problems I'm having with my car is that the locks keep unlocking and locking and won't let my car startup. It locks me out and when I put the key in the switch it won't crank and the only way that I'm able to get the key out of the switch is if I jump it off. I was at home when it happened parked.

Filed Oct 9, 2017 · Acceleration, Electrical · 117,500 miles · PA

Car alarms power steering display comes on, car shakes, won't shift gears, was looked at , comp said lost connection to tmc trans modular control. While in motion

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 170,000 miles · MI

About once a month "power steering" appears on display, sometime power assist is gone, most times it is still there but transmission shifts very hard and stalls engine when stopped for red light. If power steering comes on right away after starting vehicle, shut off, smack pass side of center console, then start, usually off then, but if vehicle is hot from sitting in sun, or very cold in winter, you have to drive it and either heat it up or cool it off before pulling over parking and shut off for 15 minutes, then hit it then start it. Told dealer of this before p/s recall work was done they said it was not related, when I went to pick it up they ask if we were having trouble with the power steering and transmission, I said yes, they said oh have a nice day.

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · AR

Vehicle wouldn't start. Like the battery was dead, wouldn't even try to turn over. Go to turn the key off and pop my trunk where the battery is located and I can not get my key to turn all the way back to the off position, as a result I cannot remove my key. The speedometer read 30mph even though the vehicle never started and wasn't moving. Non of the electronics were working so I was unable to pop my trunk. This has happened several times before and eventually the vehicle will start and when it does the battery light stays on and the dash reads; engine performance low. The transmission will surge as I am driving and I cannot go faster than 30mph. I have even had the car shut off completly while I was driving down the road. After anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks the vehicle will stop acting up and drive normal for a while. Agian the normal lasts anywhere between a few hours to a few months as well. The power stering also flashes on the dash and sometimes cuts compleatly out.

Filed Jun 27, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · 170,000 miles · TN

I have an 05 chevrolet cobalt I bought off an individual august 2016 at first the car drove perfectly no major problems that couldnt be fixed. As of may 2017 while driving 30 MPH or 60 MPH my guages jump for example will be driving 55 MPH on a city street and the guage will jump down to 20 MPH. As I am turning my steering locks have almost crashed multiple times (needs recall fixed) but to be clear it does not jump at all while stationary. Having to feel unsafe in any vehicle should be unacceptable by any means. This is my first gm car and having worked for gm im highly disappointed

Filed May 30, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 107,690 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and (steering). While driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to hedricks chevrolet (961 w shaw ave, clovis, ca 93612) where it was tentatively diagnosed that the power steering module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist until the vehicle was officially diagnosed for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,690.

Filed Apr 24, 2017 · Electrical · 107,900 miles · MO

4/14/17 vehicle svc-ignition recall 14113 lock cylinder & key 13454 ignition switch the vehicle was performing well prior to the recall service but now it appeared that the ignition was "stiff' to operate following the repair & the key seemed to periodically hang up when inserted. There was a random hesitation when making a u turn-as if the car briefly stalled out- no power, upon turning the wheel. Eve of 4/21/17, after being driven & parked on a city street for about an hr, the vehicle would not start although there was full battery power. The vehicle was secured & left to sit. Morn of 4/22/17 svc ctr was notified. Vehicle still wouldn't start, but, upon insertion of the key & initial crank, the car began experiencing sudden random clicks of the ignition switch, door locks engaging, dashboard panel flashing. Upon removing the key & reinserting it, the key appeared to have deprogrammed & the anti theft light was activated. The key was removed & the car secured. Later, attempt to engage the ignition using the second new key & was unsuccessful-the key would not turn to off position but locked in acc mode position. Later, the vehicle was towed per dealer auth. The tow truck operator noted that the car battery appeared to have drained by their arrival, the key would not disengage from the ignition & the car would not come out of park. 4/24/17 service found codes p0604 & p0606 control module ram failure + internal controller failure- dealer courtesy performed reprogramming, theft relearn & crank variation learn. The vehicle appeared to be operating normal after reprogramming & was set for customer pickup. The dealer svc ctr recommends replacement of the ECM if it reoccurs. There appears to be other vehicle owners that have experienced this ECM failure after having recall svc. Contacted chevy cust assist ctr & initiated a case record. Case pending.

Filed Apr 3, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · NY

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the temperature gauge icon illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering lost power. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred several times and was not remedied. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14v171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 14, 2017 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Vehicle losing power, speedometer flat, tachometer working, while in motion and stationary; displaying: power steering = car has steering wheel play; car does not drive over 30 MPH and revving high. The car regains power and loses power and regains intermittently. Chevy cobalt 2005

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 99,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering returned to normal. The failure occurred on four occasions and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) in 2011. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · IL

Our 2005 chevrolet cobalt has had ongoing intermittent electrical problems that cause the vehicle to slam into gears going when accelerating and slowing down. This is accompanied by the vehicle shaking. While this is going on, the speedometer fluctuates and we get a power steering warning. My son has lost the power steering assist occasionally and one time it almost caused and accident. If we shut the vehicle off, the problem seems to go away but only temporarily.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 130,000 miles · MO

The first time it happened, was at interstate speeds.(60 to 70mph) the second, was in city stop and go traffic. The third was backing out of my driveway after a 5 minute idle. The fourth was when my last mechanic was test driving it because he thought he'd fixed it. Dash lights blink on and off, all warning lights come on, engine cooling fans stop operating, transmission hunts for what gear it should be in; resulting in the transmission self destructing. Engine management, other than the cooling fans, seems to be unaffected. I've replaced 4 TCM's so far; as all mechanics say that is the problem. It works for a few days or a week, then the same problem manifest. This seems to be a problem with quite a few gm vehicles.

Filed Sep 27, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

While driving vehicle power steering light comes on, steering wheel locks up, gear shift starts clicking, stalling out during driving at speed. I have ran off road several times and have to use both hands to turn a curve because of steering locked.

Filed Sep 27, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 158,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While the vehicle was stationary, the ignition key became stuck in the vehicle. On another occasion, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the reverse gear. In addition, the vehicle would not start when prompted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 29,693 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the key fob failed to release from the ignition switch. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,693.

Filed Sep 3, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 85,290 miles · TX

Power steering motor is out, lose of power steering on dash board no recalls when there should be

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 108,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While at a stop, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 174,440 miles · NV

While driving in town shortly after turning onto a 45 MPH road my vehicle, automatic, started hesitating while shifting into the next gear. It would shift but not like normal. Brought it into a repair shop to have a diagnostic ran to be informed it is a failure to communicate with TCM. Code u0101 and also u2100. After doing research there has been multiple complaints about this. So first things first replaced the TCM with a new one at the dealership. After replacement the vehicle is still not shifting correctly.

Filed Jun 6, 2016 · Electrical · 77,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled as the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch that was replaced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e021000 (electrical system) failed and would need replacing a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed May 24, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 77,439 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted, and all the instrument panel lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,439. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 12, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 410,000 miles · LA

The power steering on my vehicle cuts off and the speedometer remains rested at 0 when driving. The doors also lock and unlock on their own while driving. The car does not automatically shift while driving making it hard to accelerate and the vehicle will also decelerate on its own while driving it is very dangerous and very scary to drive with these problems. The dealership claims that the problem with steering has already been fixed but I am still having these problems.

Filed Apr 11, 2016 · Electrical · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred numerous times at any given speed. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Jan 28, 2016 · Electrical · 112,314 miles · VT

Engine shut down while driving. Twice while stopped and 4 times while city driving in the process of making a turn. Car shuts down with key in the on position. I have to put the car in park, turn the key into the off position. I can then turn the key and the car turns back on. I was almost rear- ended. This is the same thing that happened when my car was part of the safety recall 13454. I called general motors at 1 800 222 1020. I told the guy that the same thing was happening that happened when they had the recall for the ignition switch. He told me they were having other customer complaints about the same thing happening. I asked him how come they weren't having a recall on the recall? It is very scary driving this car. I was told that nothing would be covered and I would have to take it to the local chevy dealer (which is 30 miles away)

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 Jan 6, 2016 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 10 miles · FL · 1 injury

Made left turn and my airbag went off. Mechanic said that the clock spring shorted out internally in the coil and deployed the airbag. Gm has not contacted me over this matter and have been trying to get them to reimburse me for since 2010.

Filed Dec 14, 2015 · Body, Electrical · 12,800 miles · SC

When I unlock the driver door with the fob, the door would not open. I was driving one day and the relay electrical wiring started burning. When I took it back to the car dealer they told me there was nothing wrong. Myself and four other people smelled the burning. I gave the car back and nothing was done to satisfy the situation. I was told by an auto zone mechanic to park the car before it catches on fire.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 160,550 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact also stated that the tachometer gauges would fluctuate whenever the failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,550.

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