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: engine stalls while driving
155 of the 1,649 complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 155
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 77,439
- recalls
- 0
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
ABS light lit, Traction light lit, power steering light lit, car jerking, not shifting. Stalling.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact stated that the transmission shift point failed and caused the vehicle to shift gears incorrectly and causes the vehicle to jerk and stall. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and caused the steering wheel to be difficult to turn. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle speedometer failed to operate as designed while driving, providing speed readings of 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the transmission control module however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also taken to several dealers and independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.
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
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 45 MPH, the "power steering fluid" warning message appeared. In addition, the vehicle decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after the first attempt. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. The VIN was unknown.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the traction control and steering warning indicators randomly illuminated several times, and then the engine stalled. The power steering also randomly shorted out each time the failure occurred. The failure intermittently progressed for over two years. The dealer was notified of the failure several times, but the contact had not yet approved what the dealer mentioned would be an extensive diagnosis and repair. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 10v073000 (steering), 14v047000 (electrical system), and 14e021000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. ..updated 06/08/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the steering wheel was unable to move. The power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after three minutes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,769.
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.
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist...
- Engine
- This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
155 of 1,649 owner complaints about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (9%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2005.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
There are 0 recalls and 94 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 161Check 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 6Battery drain 5Seat belt 5
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