2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Apr 9, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH up hill, the vehicle stalled and the power steering ceased. The ABS and battery light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle was jump started and the driven to the residence. The contact stated an independent mechanic used a kill switch to drain the battery. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 3, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 130,549 miles · WA

I purchased a 2006 cobalt from a private owner this week. I test drove it 3 times with no problems. After bringing it home, I attempted to turn off the car and remove the key. It would not turn off all the way and the key would not come out. I was very upset and scared. The car would restart so I was able to put it in the driveway and park it next to the garage. Since I could not remove the key I put a car club on it and locked the door. Then I parked another car behind it. I did not think about it but since the key was in the accessory position the battery went dead. The next day I was not able to remove the key and I was not able to start it. I called a local chevrolet dealer. He checked the VIN for recalls and said there was not one on the 2006 cobalt related to the starting solenoid binding up. He did tell me it is common and most cars that have the problem have a recall issued. This problem has caused me major distress and could be very unsafe if the car had experienced this problem somewhere away from home. I found out how to fix it by reading articles on the internet. Many people have reported this problem and chevrolet has not listened to the consumers by issuing a recall and repairing the problem. There is a button in the steering column that needs to be pressed by a rod to tell the car that the car is in park and it is ok to turn it off and remove the key. The cars with problems have a rod that does not depress the button. People have to remove a cover on the steering column and reattach the rod when they can not remove their key. However, over time the rod slips to far that this is no longer a solution and the parts need to be replaced. Why should the consumer have to suffer this stress and worry about getting their car stolen because their key is stuck in it? Chevrolet needs to immediately take care of this ongoing, long standing issue.

Filed May 11, 2011 · Electrical · 98,461 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition. The failure drained the battery until the vehicle shut down completely. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where he was advised that the steering column would need a new key cylinder. The dealer stated that if the key cylinder was not replaced, then the vehicle would continue to shut down in the future. The contact believed that the failure was a known safety issue with the year make and model due to the numerous reports found via the internet. The failure mileage was 98,461.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Airbags, Steering · 36,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

I have had a problem with my 06 cobalt back in early 07 it was under warranty at the 7 times I took it to the dealer for steering concerns. The dealership could not duplicate the hard steering problem or produce computer problem. I was very adamant about this and also got new tires thinking that was the problem. It was not ! I was not aware of any serious problem with the power steering, and was leary to drive my car (a gift from my mom) but had nothing else to drive. In march of this year on the 30th I was coming from a friends home and was on a side road I slowed to make a right turn and I could not get the car to go right, it was very hard to turn, and I went through the light and hit a tree head on and the air bag did not deploy. I was told later I missed the sensor. The car was totaled and g.m. Won't do anything about this. I was told that even though the car sat for 2 months with a dead battery the computer does not loose data. (g.m.) I know of several cobalt owners who have had the power assist replaced on more than one occasion and it still went out. The mechanics (a.s.e.)certified informed me it is not the power assist it is in the steering column, and should be replaced, but g.m. Won't do that it would cost too much money. It is nice to know that g.m. Would rather sacrifice the consumer rather than take care of them. I also understand the computer has a history of not recording properly when there is a problem. The rest of us who have had a crash with and without air bags need some kind of solution. G.m. Is sweeping this under the rug!!!! Thank you for your time. Updated portable 06/22/11

Filed Jan 4, 2010 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · MA

I can't remove the key from the ignition. Some of interior electrical remain on which drains the battery.

Filed Aug 30, 2009 · Transmission · 54 miles · NY

I have a 2006 cobalt and I have had nothing but trouble with it. I have already replaced front end bearings, my most recent problem is the key will not come out of the ignition and the shifting lever can be engaged with the car off. Does someone have to die or be injured before something will be done. My battery has been drained on 3 occasions because my key is stuck in the ignition, my friends child was sitting in my car and he pulled the shifting lever and my car was going down the driveway with the engine off. This is a terrible safety concern. I am a single woman and I do not appreciate having a dead battery and having to ask someone(stranger)for help . I have been driving chevy's since 1978 and my last 2 brand new chevy's have been nothing but nightmares. I only have them 3 years before they are problems. These are not small problems either, they are safety concerns> lucky for us we were able to stop the vehicle before it went into the roadway and injured the child. Chevy should take responsibility for their defects. I cannot keep putting hundreds of $ into a car that is only 3 years old. With 54,000 miles. I also have a pretty steep car payment. Does someone have to die or become injured before they fix the problems.? I cannot afford to fix this problem and it is very concerning, especially if people have little children. I have to park my car with the key in the ignition , which is also a theft concern. I have tried pushing the button under the steering wheel , but that only worked once. I don't think I will ever buy another chevy again, unless they take responsibility for their safety issues. I am also going to call gm and my dealer and see what they can do. I can see that this is a problem with others as well.