2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: pulls to one side

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 May 7, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · MI

2005 chevrolet cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall notice. *smd the consumer stated the first week of owning the vehicle, it would not start. When she called the dealer, the told her to move the steering wheel up and down and tap on the accelerator pedal. There were times through out the years, where the vehicle would not start. Also, the vehicle would pull to the left, the oil pan was leaking, the ignition switch was replaced, the left turn signal was inoperable, and the oxygen sensor was replaced.

Filed Jul 10, 2010 · Steering · OH

Both front lower control are bushings are bad needs replaced and gm with not do anything but told me sorry for the experience. In the winter in dec, 2009 my car started to driving funny the steering was act weird had to drive about 15 to 20 MPH then it starting pulling to the right and try to keep the wheel start but it was hard I hit a giant pot hole made a horrible noise under the car. I find out when I took my car for the power steering recall that my passenger rim is bent, maybe wheel bearing is damaged also all on the right front and that both front lower control arm bushings are bad need replaced. Got the steering recall fixed and left the dealership talk to 3 different repair shop and they told me that they have to fix these front lower control arm bushing on several 2005 cobalt and up that this a very on going problem even with cobalt with less miles then mine and I do not even have 50,000 yet. I would say it is a very big problem that gm needs to be responsible for not each car owner.

Filed May 17, 2010 · Steering · 80,000 miles · IL · crash

Tl*the contact owned a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The vehicle was traveling approximately between 45-50 MPH and suddenly wandered into the opposing lane. The driver was involved in a head on fatal crash. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The cause of failure had not been determined at the time of the complaint. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Steering · 45,000 miles · AL

We own a 2005 chevy cobalt and the problem is the power steering light comes on while going down the road and the steering locks up and you can't steer the car. This is a very dangerous situation and just wandering what can be done about it. I have also heard that there have been many others with the same problem from the cobalts, wondering why chevy has not done anything about it? Thanks

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Steering · 65,000 miles · TX

2005 cobalt with 65,000 miles. Came to a stop and could not turn the steering wheel. Drove straight and car pulled to the left. Came to a stop and no problem turning the steering wheel. Took it to a shop where they were familiar with fixing the problem by replacing the electronic system that controls the power steering. This included the entire steering shaft with electric motor and switches attached at a cost of $900.00. Turned the complaint into chevrolet dealer and the complaint was taken to gm where after two weeks sent a letter stating they would not cover the cost due to being 2nd hand car with too many miles on the car. Should someone be making a turn when the power steering decides to stop working an accident will surely happen and could kill or injury someone. My grandchild rides with her mother and I would be devastated if I lost them due to gm not wanting to recognize that there is a problem. At least toyota did the right thing by stopping production until their problems have been resolved. Note that just replacing the part with a new one does not mean the new part will not go out at any time because gm will not investigate the problem.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Steering · 37,500 miles · PA

My steering rack in my cobalt makes a clunking noise when turning left and right. It also wanders and will not drive strait at highway speeds. It has been doing this for quite some time but has recently been getting worse.

Filed Mar 30, 2006 · Suspension · 10,226 miles · DE · crash

12/26/05 at 3:30 p.m. On interstate I-495/wilmington, de bypass. Road straight with no debris and dry. Heading southbound in the far left lane of a three lane divided road. Gaurdrails on both sides. Doing 65 MPH/speed limit. Center lane was a walmart semi tractor trailer doing 62 MPH. In front of my lane near the front of the truck were two cars about 5 car lengths ahead. My car jerked radically to the right and then back to the left twice in rapid succession. The car then jerked violently to the right and the left front of the car impacted the back bumper of the truck. The truck driver felt a bump and started to brake. My car rotated clockwise until I was going down the road backwards about 50-55 MPH in the first lane alongside the stopping truck. The car pulled again to the right and the rear of my car impacted the guardrail. The rear window exploded and I felt cold air. The car rotated again, this time counter-clockwise until I was going down the road backwards again. Speed was about 30-35 MPH at this time. The car again pulled to the right and there was no guardrail. My car came to a stop in the green strip in the center of the interstate at about a 45 degree angle facing southbound. The driver's side door was damaged and I had to force it open to exit the vehicle. It was then that I discovered the left rear tire had come off the vehicle and was about 50 feet away on the inside shoulder of the road. All four lug nuts were still on the tire and it was still inflated. The delaware state police responded and filed a report. The insurance adjuster took pictures of the car at the towing facility yard and the damage was noted. There was damage to the front side of the car and the rear. The right side of the car was basically intact. Left side of car was completely destroyed. The left rear wheel assembly was completely destroyed including the brake drum, shock, spring, axle, housing and all rods and connections. The car was a total loss.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Electrical, Steering · 1,774 miles · PA

Dt: the consumer stated that he heard a snapping noise in steering column and could feel it in the steering wheel. This happened all of the time and would occur with no warning. The steering column shaft was replaced. The ignition switch was replaced because of the flashing that held the tumbler and the s had collapsed. The manufacturer told the dealer not to replace the steering column shaft but the dealer made the repairs because they had already ordered the part. *ak (12/01/05) after the column was replaced, the vehicle was taken back to the dealer twice. The wheel cover did not have enough rings to hold the rims tight and would rattle when going over light bumps, the vehicle pulled to the right and the passenger side front pillar was loose.