2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: steering wheel locks up

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Steering · 30,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Nov 7, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 89,590 miles · NC

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

Filed Sep 16, 2020 · Steering · 124,087 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,087.

Filed Jul 27, 2020 · Steering · 153,300 miles · WV

Power steering locks in and out by itself causing the car to shift hard and doesnt want to idle but when steering is working correctly it runs like a new car please help

Filed Aug 8, 2019 · Fuel system, Steering · 120,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at any speed, the power steering seized. The contact had to use excessive strength to turn the vehicle. The vehicle also lost fuel. The failures occurred without warning. The vehicle also hesitated and jerked violently, and "faulty power steering" and "loss of fuel" appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the service engine indicator illuminated and the transmission made an abnormal shifting noise. The contact called anderson chevrolet (31201 auto center dr, lake elsinore, ca 92530, (951) 226-0822) and was informed that the transmission recall was serviced in 2009; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2019 · Steering · 197,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 35 MPH, the steering seized and the power steering assist indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to turn the vehicle off and on approximately four times. Afterwards, the vehicle resumed normal operation. Cable dahmer chevrolet of independence (1834 s noland rd, independence, mo 64055, (866) 650-1809) was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 197,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2019 · Steering · 170,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The contact had to use force to pull over and restart the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Steering · 187,254 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact mentioned that the speedometer was not registering the speed of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,254.

Filed Sep 27, 2018 · Steering · 111,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the electric power steering warning indicator illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven due to the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) and the federal safety agency action number: pe10005 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2018 · Steering · 113,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. On different occasions, while driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2018 · Steering · 145,000 miles · TX · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. As a result, the driver crashed into a concrete traffic barrier. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.