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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt locks complaints

Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 35 of 35, newest first, as owners wrote them.

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

Filed Feb 2, 2013 · Body, Locks · 80,000 miles · PA

At multiple times, the driver side door will not open from either the inside or the outside latch. This seems to happen mainly when it gets very cold outside. When I pull the latch it doesn't feel like it catches anything inside the door. This problem will go on for a couple weeks, and then suddenly the latch will begin to work again.

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Locks, Transmission · 65,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated the vehicle would shift abnormally hard and would often jump when driving at various speeds. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically attempt to stall. The contact stated that various warning lights would illuminate on the instrument panel when the failure occurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice and each time the dealer stated that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact also stated that the automatic key fob could not be used to lock the doors because the anti-theft alarm could not be disarmed. As a result, the contact had to manually lock and unlock the doors at all times. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 71,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2012 · Body, Locks · 90,000 miles · MS

I was in town with my 5 month old baby and my door handle messed up. I had parked, and exited the car and went around to passenger side of car to open the door and get my son but the door wouldn't open. I locked and unlocked the car door and it was still stuck. It was as though the door handle wasn't latched to anything. It was just there, it wouldn't do anything. I beat and bang on the door for almost an hour until the passenger side door finally opened. The driver side door still won't open, inside or out. This car needs to be recalled. I have read of many others with same problem. My child who is only 5 months old was screaming and I couldn't get to him. This could have been very tragic had it been hot outside. Someone needs to do something about this!!

Filed May 20, 2011 · Body, Locks · 78,000 miles · OR

- sun roof (won't close on one corner) - sun roof switch literally fell out of the socket while driving - power door locks randomly (and rapidly) lock and unlock, whether the car is on or not. It's fun to watch your car lock your keys inside right in front of you. - passenger seat heater button sucked into the dash after being pressed using a normal amount of force. - both seat heaters failed within a few weeks of each other, fuses and connections are good. - heater randomly loses temperature control and won't switch between any of the settings, the heater won't stop blowing hot air in your face, even with the AC on, and the coldest setting. - driver side door randomly won't engage from the inside or outside handle while unlocked, and if it is locked, the key does nothing. In a crash, it may make it impossible to exit the vehicle. - driver's side top corner windshield seal failed. Could lead to water in the electrical system, and fires. - cruise control won't reengage after braking. The fix for this is to push the cc button (turning it off) and pressing the brakes. It resets the cc, and will work again, until it fails later. - passenger side front mudflap came off backing (slowly) over an average-sized speed bump. Luckily, the front fasteners are integrated into the front bumper, so to replace the mudflap would require replacing the entire front bumper. - driver's and passenger's side rear wheel well skirt plastic fasteners have mostly fallen out, causing the foam filler to droop down and rub the tires, or fall out completely. - passenger side rear seat latch in the trunk (that releases the seat to fold down) broke off during normal use. - at highway speeds, the front end shakes violently (also on a completely random schedule) to the point that braking nearly causes the vehicle to go out of control. 2 visits to two different (gm certified) dealerships and all they could tell me was, "we can't reproduce the problem, and don't know what is wrong with it".

Filed May 2, 2011 · Locks · 100,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the driver and passenger side door handles were inoperable and he was unable to enter or exit the vehicle if a crash or fire occurred; therefore, a passenger had to exit through the window. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer of the failure, nor was the failure diagnosed or repaired. The current mileages were 125,741 and the failure mileages were 100,000.

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 Mar 14, 2011 · Locks · 121,000 miles · 00

My 2005 chevrolet cobalt's doors wont open. I get stuck in the car or outside of the car. I have had to climb to the drivers side threw the passenger side and I have had to climb out the window because I have been locked in the car. I have already had my car recalled because I had no powersteering and now this. I cant stand gm - they can't make a safe or reliable car to save their life. I called gm and they said they can do nothing for me - except charge me the 100 diagnostic test fee. When there are 100's of people who are going threw the same thing I am. This is not safe whatsoever. What if I am in an accident and cant get out of my car. I suggest gm does something about this. The car locks unlock and lock but the door wont open. Clearly it is something faulty. Cause it is happening to both doors. I am so angered right now and feel like my life is in danger. I don't feel like climbing out my window one more time. It occurs everyday.

Filed Jan 20, 2011 · Locks · 74,000 miles · ID

I have been locked in my car and locked out of my car due to the locking mechanism on the drivers door. This has happened several times. This morning I had to call a tow truck to come unlock my car at 5:00 in the morning.

Filed Jan 15, 2011 · Locks · 65,000 miles · 00

I have a 2005 cobalt with 80,000 on it .the drivers door locks up all the time, I can't get in or out. Its happening all the time. Its a very dangerous issue if I ever got in a accident. I have times when I had to climb over the seats to get out. I have read many issues on this problem and I think there should be a recall on this issue.

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · NY

I have a 2005 chevy cobalt, the key constantly gets stuck in the ignition, the last time this happened I was unable to turn my car off for over 5 hours. This is a problem for many reasons. Not only will I probably have to replace that part but eventually the battery due to this. I've researched it online and see that it is a common complaint among many chevy's especially my model. I think since it's such a common issue their should be a recall for this. I don't see why I should waste over $800 to get something fixed that is more common than it should be.

Filed Dec 1, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 30,000 miles · AK

Ignition key cannot be removed without using the release button in the hole under the column.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 100 miles · MI

Since this car was new, the car locks and unlocks itself regularly. If you get out of car, then return to car even within seconds, when you open door the alarm goes off. You cant do anything with car, without having keys in hand ready to shut off alarm. Even driving down the road the doors lock and unlock regularly. Have taken to dealer and they say nothing wrong. Car now has just over 100k miles, and am leaning towards never buying gm again.

Filed May 11, 2010 · Electrical, Locks · 60,000 miles · CA

The key is stuck in the ignition.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Locks · 104,000 miles · NJ

The door latches on both my passanger and driver side doors have been getting stuck frequently over the last 2 weeks. When I pull the handle to open the door (from either the inside or the outside) there is no reisitance on the handle. Like the latch is not even attached. I have tried using the remote key locks, using the key in the door lock, and using the buttons inside the car. Nothing works. I have been lock both in and out of my car. This is a huge safety issue.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Brakes, Locks · 45,000 miles · PA

Three issues with my 2005 chevy cobalt. One the door latch broke and I can no longer get out the drivers side. If an accident were to occur I would have to crawl out the passenger side to get out of the car. Secondly, my struts keep going bad on my car. I have had them replaced three times now. My third issue is the brakes. I was told that the cobalt had anitlock brakes when I bought it. However, when I have had to slam on the brakes they lock and a little light comes on with a anti brake symbol on it.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Body, Locks · 45,000 miles · MD

My 2005 cobalt has problems with the doors getting stuck shut. They will not open from the inside or outside . I feel that this is a major safety issue due to the fact that if I need to get out of my car in a hurry that this will not be possible. Something needs to be done about this problem.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Locks, Steering · 40,000 miles · NE

The power steering on my 2005 chevy cobalt went out while I was driving, luckily it didn't result in an accident. I could have just as easily been in an accident due to the fact I couldn't turn my wheel at all. I took the cobalt to a shop, and it turns out it was the motor. Apparently this happens to a ton of chevy cobalts all the time. This is sooo dangerous! Also, occasionally my driver side door won't open from the inside or outside. This could be a huge safety risk if I needed to get out of my vehicle in a hurry.

Filed Feb 27, 2010 · Locks, Steering · 75,090 miles · WI

I am not able to get my key out of the ignition of my 2005 chevy cobalt ls. This has been a persistent problem since I bought the car in 2006 (was a rental). Up until today (2/27/10) I've always been able to get it out eventually. Now however, my car will not start - it just clicks, and my shifter won't move. The car doesn't recognize that it's in park. After doing some research online, it appears many people have had this problem. The conclusion is that there is a defect in the transmission shift cable. Please see this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfb6y7_zkx0 this is not the only problem I've had with this car: power steering failure after about 45,000 bad wheel bearing after about 50,000 cd player replaced because it wouldn't eject cds (this is still a problem even though the dealer replaced it with the same manufacturer's model) faulty glove compartment. I feel this model of car is dangerous and should be recalled after all the problems people are experiencing with it.

Filed Dec 19, 2009 · Locks, Steering · 62,530 miles · MN

Power steering on my 2005 cobalt goes out intermittently, it had not done it for two months. But recently, while I was taking a turn, it went out, and I was unable to keep the car in my lane and hit the curb on the opposite side of the road, thankfully no other vehicle was present in intersection, or it would have been a front end collision. Now it works only for a few minutes when I turn my car on , but goes out every time I drive it. I also have problems with the power locks locking and unlocking themselves constantly while I'm driving, and even after the vehicle is parked. I can not leave it unattended because it unlocks itself. I started to have the problem shortly after purchasing it in 2007, but the warranty expired, its 63,000 miles, and cannot afford to fix it. This should not be an issue in a car less than 5 years old. I live in minnesota, and the roads are often icy, I am fearful it will happen again, and I may not be so lucky again. I have also had problems with the front suspension, I had the shocks/struts? Replaced 2 months after buying it, at around 40, 000 miles, and they still have the same problem after the dealer fixed it, I should have complained then, but I was afraid to shell out more money for something else they would claim was wrong with it.

Filed Jul 2, 2009 · Locks · 37,224 miles · NY

Stuck key.

Filed May 27, 2009 · Electrical, Locks · 34,423 miles · NY

Ignition key sticks in the "acc" position at shut down about 80% of the time. Restarting the car or pushing up under the key cylinder sometimes releases it. I've gone to two dealers so far and all I get is yup its stuck...maybe its the shifter maybe its the ignition. That's not a great response to hear. This is on 05 chevy cobalt ls coupe.

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Locks, Steering · 80,000 miles · FL

The power steering on the 2005 and later cobalts quits either intermittently or continuously. In my case, the ps only works for 2/10 of a mile before quitting. After that point it is only manual drive. There are websites and blogs that are dedicated just to this problem including http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/chevrolet-cobalt/t8fmsuqb7v2dth5jh. This site has 335 instances of this problem as of today. Gm has failed to step up and fix this. In fact, they insist that the entire steering column must be replaced. However, this site http://www.carcomplaints.com/chevrolet/cobalt/2005/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml shows that it is usually only one component but that component cannot be purchased separately. The entire column replacement runs from $800 to $2000 whereas the component alone has to be much cheaper and is actually simple to replace. I tried the remedy listed by wayne from zion il #318 on the first website listed here and while it didn't work for me, there was so much black powder coming out of it I couldn't believe it. No wonder it doesn't work! This part is basically sealed so it must be made in unclean conditions. I believe it is made in japan (one of the posts mentions it). I believe that power steering issues are a major defect and why nothing has been done by this organization or gm is beyond me. While it may be safe to drive in manual steering, having it change in the middle of a turn (as is reported in the posts) is not safe! Another problem that seems to be related is the key not coming out of the ignition. I say related because most cars with the first issue seem to have the second issue too. Lastly, these cars also have the A/C leak directly into the passenger compartment causing mold and mildew and therefore unsafe breathing conditions in the car. Check the posts, dealers "can't find anything wrong" with them. How do I force your organization to do something about this as I know I'm not the only one to complain?

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 Jun 13, 2008 · Electrical, Locks · 24,500 miles · KS

2005 chevy cobalt power steering goes out at random, car locks you inside, you have to go out the window, car dies while driving. These are all common problems with this car. Chevy does not make redesigned parts to replace its current stock of bad parts. Someone is going to get hurt, if chevy is not forced to take action.

Filed Jul 8, 2005 · Locks · NY

The placement of the door locks on the 2 door is poor .you must reach back over your sholder to unlock the door, either power door locks should be standed or the lock location should be changed to the door handel 2005 chevy cobalt 2 door

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