2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: clunking or noise when steering

Filed Sep 14, 2017 · Steering · 180,000 miles · MI

I had recall 10v073000 performed by the dealer due to noticing my steering was getting tight then sloppy. The dealer replaced the motor and said the slop in the steering was a bad intermediate steering shaft. So I bought that and had it installed, not at the dealer because they where ridiculous in price, and it fixed nothing. There was still slop and wandering while driving. After a while, making left turns I would head a clunk and it would still be difficult to turn. Then while making a slow left turn it was really tight and then a loud clunk then the steering became really loose and the vehicle lost steering until I turned the wheel more and it finally grabbed. It happens more frequently now. I was told the rack is now damaged. The intermediate shaft that was recommended by the dealer was an incorrect diagnosis when I had the recall performed. The failure of the motor put excess stress on the rack which caused the gears to wear is what an independent shop told me. Gm is telling me that I have to spend more money to get a "proper diagnosis" from the dealer when at the time the recall was performed they had diagnosed it incorrectly.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Steering · 80,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. When turning the steering wheel in either direction, a clicking noise was present coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Steering · 103,000 miles · CA

I was stopped in line of traffic and had to move to the right slightly to get out of a firetruck's way (not in a jerking and forceful movement, but normal turning of steering wheel). When I tried to get back into the line of traffic, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to move and I heard electrical motor noises coming from behind the steering wheel. These noises continued for 10-20 seconds and then the power steering message came on the display. This now happens every time I start my car and steering has become very difficult, especially turns at slow speeds. I researched the issue, and was told on the gm hotline that my VIN did not match the recall from 2010 pertaining to the power steering. I took the car to an independent mechanic, who also called gm and was informed about the recall when inquiring about parts. He did not fix or remove any parts, but wrote a note on paper indicating I was having the same issue as that recall. I again called the gm hotline, who again told me my VIN was not covered and that gm would not include my vehicle in the recall. They advised me to take it to a dealer, who I have an appointment with on saturday, 4/11, more than 2 weeks after the problem occurred.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 130,000 miles · NY

Had no issues all day until all of sudden we were leaving a parking lot. I'm at the stop sign when I went to press the gas to go, I hear a chime - no indication lights come on- car acts like it's going to stall (it doesn't), steering is very hard and a clicking noise is coming from the gear shift area. Do not feel safe driving it all, although it's movable but very rough/bogging out. Recently had the ignition recall recently, had a few issues pop up since then but nothing as serious as this. Had to get it towed to my mechanic, he replaced a few sensors, but clicking noise still remains and is undriveable.

Filed Apr 28, 2014 · Steering · 127,000 miles · NC

As I was driving down the road at 57mph the power steering sign came on and a noise then I sudden lost power steering. I slowed down and pulled over and cut off. I then cut the car back on and the power steering light went off. Then I drove on and then the power steering went back out. I contacted the dealership were I got it from and they said it was nothing that they could do. They told me to contact gmc dealer company. Gmc told me they could fix it but I would have to pay out my pocket.

Filed Feb 28, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · MI

This happens to me on different occasions I when I park my car or stop driving I try to shut my car off and I cannot my key will be stuck in the ignition and still running for about up to 30 mins my last time this problem happened to me. My other problem I am having is I can start my car perfectly fine but I try to shift the gear from park to drive and I cannot its like its stuck I put my foot on the gas and try to shift it but all I hear is a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel area sometimes I have to sit with the car running for about 15-20 mins until I can finally get the car in drive.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Steering · 120,000 miles · FL

Vehicle has a rattle and vibration at highways speeds from 50-80. Steering is very loose and rattling sound is loud. Also, at slow speeds and going over bumps there is a clunking sound in the steering column and rattling noise from wheel.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 100,000 miles · MI

My car repeatedly go through times of fits. These fits include losing power steering, power steering chime, traction control chime, clicking behind the radio, spinning speedometer, gas gauge fails, jerking or hiccupping as one person described it, occasional stalling. My car will drive fine for weeks, likes its new even, then all of a sudden it has a fit and this goes on for days. This started when my car was a year or two old. I have taken it to the dealer a total of 8 times. Early on when the car was younger it would seem to be repaired only do start this problem again a year later. Now that the car is older and not under warranty I have quit taking it as I do not believe it will help. They do not seem to know how to correct this problem. They are rude to me.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Steering · 65,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While accelerating from a stop the contact heard a loud banging noise in the steering column. The contact stopped the vehicle and began to turn the steering wheel and heard a popping noise. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v073000 (steering:electric power assist system). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 65,000. Updated 12/19/11

Filed Oct 6, 2010 · Steering · 93,000 miles · FL

Chevy today said that their is nothing wrong with my pwr steering yet both myself and my brother test drove it. Now in aug I had the recall and they fixed it so they claimed in aug but yet it is doing the same thing only worse this past wk. Amazing how chevy will try to use the excuse that it is something else other then the pwr steering when the instrument light chiming pwr steering was a [xxx] good indication that it was the steering. Not to mention I could not turn my steering wheel and when I try to accelerate the car would jolt like it was not going into gear. Let me not forget to mention the clicking noise I get underneath the dash near the steering wheel and the clicking in the shifter. Same problem new day and they tell me it's fine. I guess I have to kill someone on the rd for them to do something about the car. You guys need to step in because I am 2 steps away from calling a lawyer and suing everyone that is involved with knowing and not doing anything about it. I surely do not feel like being scraped off the darn hwy or the guilt of killing someone over something that you guys should have taken care of back in 2005 when all this started happening. We need to recall all cars from 05 to 09 and get them off the street and have chevy reimburse us or give us a safer car. I know it may seem like a lot of money but 1 life being saved makes a difference. I know car dealers have what they call a bean counter and they don't care if 1 or a 12 people die from faulty equipment and you guys can live with that. But to me that is horrible and needs to be stopped immediately....now means now!!!!!!!!! Thank you for your time not so happy with how you guys manage safety and the response time. Ignore the parts section or equipment section because I did not know the manufacturer of the pwr motor replaced. I truly do not feel they even replaced it. I think america has been had once again by the car industry. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 5, 2010 · Steering · 62,000 miles · OH

2005 chevrolet cobalt, had power steering motor fail while driving in november 2009, had it replaced at a chevrolet dealer, dealer stated steering shaft will also fail as a result of bad motor and should be replaced, no money, steering shaft now making noise and vibration, chevrolet dealer said steering shaft is bad and needs replaced, gm representative, after 10 days of dealing with them said until I receive letter from gm they will not reimburse even though I had gm dealer do work. They stated steering shaft not included in recall although car is becoming increasingly difficult to drive. Please help. Thank you

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Steering · 48,418 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 45 MPH the power steering light illuminated and within seconds the power steering failed. The steering wheel did not shake or make a noise. She turned the vehicle off so that the steering wheel would reset and within five minutes the same thing happened. The steering failed a total of three times. She contacted the dealer. The dealer stated that if the motor was electrical and there was a problem they would need to replace the motor. The dealer replaced the power steering motor at the owners expense for $391. The failure mileage was 48,418. The current mileage is 48,847. The dealer informed the consumer the entire electrical power steering motor needed to be replaced at a cost of $391.00. They also stated that the power steering column was also making noise and needed to be replaced. Updated 05/12/10.