2005 Chevrolet Cobalt: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Suspension · MO

The sway bar, control arms, & bushings were all faulty. The entire front end will have to be rebuilt due to subpar parts being used in manufacturing.

Filed Nov 1, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 103,206 miles · IL

I have a safety complaint I bought my 2005 chevy cobalt and I'm not happy with-it it doesn't, drive safe its drive like the accerlator pedal going to come off its seems loose when I put my foot on it to accelerate and the car seems like its something wrong with the power steering but I have took it to firestones and dealership they said nothings wrong but I just don't seem safe driving this car especially on the expressways it seems like the car is out of control like its trying to run off from me so I stay off the expressways I think this car was in accident before I bought it but the salesman gave me a car fax report and said it hadn't but if you look at the car it look like it has thank god I haven't been in a accident with this car but im very unhappy with the performance of this car I would never buy another american car again now as fair as the ignition my car was cutting it self off with that bas ignition switch I went to several car places that said it didn't qualify for the loaned so I kept calling gmc and they got me in to get the ignition switch but its something else wrong with the power steering connected to the accerlated palpated my car needs to be toughly check out and I don't have any more money to have car dealer check it out I already spend on theirs car this yea over $1500 dollars im retired I'm one fixed income and I just don't have it if you can get my car into a dealership and have them look it over thoroughly free of charge, and I can try to fix whatever needs to be fix because I know I not crazy something is definitely wrong with my cobalt I don't know why nobody cant see that. I have replace ball joints sways bars and ignitions switches and this car still doesn't drive right I want every bit of money I paid for this car back. I will never buy another american car again and will tell my family not to either.

Filed Mar 19, 2014 · Suspension · 31,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger and driver's side front lower control arm was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage was 31,500.

Filed Sep 20, 2013 · Brakes, Steering · 35,000 miles · OH

In aug 2006 purchased a 2005 chevy cobalt ls 4 door sedan. After having for 6 months, needed new front brakes, had replaced and was informed that the rotors were warped; had to replace two other times. Finally got another manufacturers installed. Since getting this car have also had the key stuck in the ignition whereas I couldn't get it out dealership can not reproduce (and it is out of warranty). Am still having this problem to date, more so now because of having to replace the steering column. (see below) in mar 2010 because of recall had steering replaced. In july 2011 it was replaced again, and again (9/13/2013). I lost control of the car while making a turn almost hitting a parked car. Mechanic was able to reproduce this. But because gm is the only place that you can get these parts you therefore have to use them.(no after market parts made) it cost me $792 to get this replace this (out of pocket).. Since getting this car, have had to replace struts, springs, shocks, brakes, control arm bushings most of this as I understand it would normally with higher mileage. When I got the car it had I believe 22k miles on it. Now it has 54200 on it...that's roughly 5k/yr. All maintenance has been performed and the car has not been abused. Gm needs to do something with these cars not just ignore the problems.

Filed Feb 28, 2012 · Suspension · 32,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that a loud knocking noise was heard from the bottom front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered some assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the failure and determined that the front lower control arm was defective. The dealer replaced two control arms but one the failure recurred on one control arm. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 77,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2011 · Body, Suspension · 68,902 miles · 00

I have a 2005 cobalt that has less then 70,000km on it and have recently been hearing a loud clunking coming from the front end of the car. I have just had a licensed mechanic look at the car and was informed that my front rear control arm bushings are completely gone and the car is now a hazard to drive till it can be fixed. With such low kms the mechanic had no reason or idea as to why they would be so far gone. I was advised that if the car was driven any further, the tires could fall of and the car would crash.

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Suspension · 97,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that a loud squeaking noise could be heard coming from the front passenger side, while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact wa sinformed that the front control arm was defective and needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 97,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2011 · Suspension · 26,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated on three occasions that the front control arms fractured. After the first failure the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. After the second and third failures the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. The failure mileage was 26,000 and the current mileage was 84,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2010 · Suspension · 19,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 60 MPH she began to hear a clanking sound coming from the front end. The failure recurred whenever she operated the vehicle at any speed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where she was informed both front lower control arms were popped out and the front tires were worn. The vehicle was repaired and the failure has not recurred. The failure mileage was 19,000 and the current mileage was 20,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2010 · Suspension · IL

Had my wife's 2005 chevrolet cobalt in for the power steering recall. The only problem we had prior to the recall was the failed rear control-arm bushings on both front control arms (both failed within the same month). Now, after having the recall performed, we are having problems with (of all things) loss of power steering. The traction control light comes on, the brake safety interlock clicks (under the automatic gear selector in the center console), and we have no power steering! I cannot let my wife drive this in this condition, as she is small and not strong enough to crank on the steering wheel without the power-assist. I called the dealer and was advised that I could bring it in to see if there is a problem with the part replaced in the recall - but I would have to pay for the diagnostics. Called chevy and got nowhere with them as well. Left the car at our mechanic's shop this morning to get a more reliable diagnosis!!

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 Jun 15, 2010 · Lights, Suspension · OH

Headlight full of moisture has got worse and worse for the last two years almost and gm will not do anything about my headlight. Today 6/15/2010 I took my car for the recall notice got about the power steering assist. And found out that both front lower control arm bushings need replaced, and my right front rim is bent and possible wheel brg might need replaced and I called gm about this and they will not take care of any of these problem they said (sorry about the experience) why is gm not helping!