The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction. The contact stated the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems
1,143 complaints (69% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 61,000. 52 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 1,143
- of this car's complaints
- 69%
- typical mileage
- 61,000
- crashes
- 52
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Electric power assist system52
- Column19
- Hydraulic power assist system13
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Rack and pinion: rack1
- Rack and pinion1
- Hydraulic power assist: pump1
- Hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Power steering loss 417Steering lock-up 88Steering noise 20Pulling 9
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V073000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Electric Power Steering Failure
In a March 1, 2010 letter, General Motors Corporation (GM) provided a defect information report to the federal safety agency regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and MY 2007 through 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).The letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.The letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed.GM's letter identifies the root cause of the EPS failure as the EPS motor and indicates that production of a new motor started in December 2009.GM's recall repair procedure instructs dealers to replace the EPS motor in all recalled vehicles. ODI's analysis of all information available related to sudden loss of EPS assist while driving in the MY 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles shows current complaint and warranty rates of 323/100,000 vehicles and 0.4% respectively.In response to ODI's request for information, GM identified 81 complaints where a crash was claimed that may be related to loss of EPS assist.ODI's analysis of all crash claims was based on verifiable factors such as; whether a loss of EPS was indicated at the time of the crash by a chime or malfunction indicator lamp or if a EPS related component malfunction was identified after the crash occurred.With this method ODI identified 36 possible crashes related to EPS failure.GM assessed crash claims based on the available facts and excluded crash claims that indicated that the vehicle was travelling at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater.GM said that it believes if power assist is lost while a vehicle is moving at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater there is a small difference in steering efforts perceived in subjective evaluations at those speeds and it is unlikely to lead to loss of vehicle control. Based on GM's safety recall, this investigation is closed.
PE10005
What 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the left or the right. The contact was able to pull off the roadway, turned off, and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the loss of power steering assist became a recurring failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. Other sources say there has been a recall.
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.
My mother owned this 2005 chevrolet cobalt 4D (vin # stated above). The power steering seemed to have quit working, as it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. On Dec.28, 2021 she (& my 2 daughters) were turning left & her car was hit by another car on the right front (passenger side), front 1/4 panel. The car was spun around several times. My mother was temporarily knocked unconscience & then came to. Car was totalled out. (Doctor ignored to perform a head scan instead he scanned her back). My mother bled on her brain for 3 months & died. It was very devastating
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the electronic power steering failed, causing the steering wheel to become very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. Invalid VIN.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle there was an abnormal dinging sound present. The traction control and power steering warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the transmission made an abnormal clicking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several years prior and the independent mechanic grounded out the traction control module however, the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
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.
Questions about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have steering problems?
Owners have filed 1,143 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 69% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 61,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V073000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Cobalt have bad steering?
The Chevrolet Cobalt model years with the most steering complaints are 2006 (1,299 complaints), 2005 (1,143 complaints) and 2007 (689 complaints).
Other 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Electrical 323Engine 120Transmission 99Airbags 71Fuel system 56Brakes 49Suspension 47Body 46Driver assistance 45Acceleration 40Locks 35Lights 27Visibility 14Tires 9Seat belts 7Wheels 7Seats 2
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