2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Airbags, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · SC

The car says service airbag the steering is hard to turn and it makes a good knocking noise when you go out low-speed a high-speed make it difficult to leave on the road and make you swear it pulls to the left and it's horrible and gas

Filed Aug 28, 2018 · Steering · 199,890 miles · VA

Vehicle developed at rattling noise in the steering column when driving over rough road surfaces. I believe it is related to a plastic gear inside the column that others on the internet have described. Recently it has developed into a very loud rattle accompanied by a loud knocking noise that is heard and felt in the steering wheel only when braking moderately. Light or heavy braking seem to not cause this, so far. I am concerned that the problem may eventually result in the failure completely of the steering column. This would result in the inability for the electronic power steering motor to assist in turning the wheel, and thus the loss of control of the car. Or I am afraid it could result in the complete loss of steering all together.

Filed Feb 12, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 148,686 miles · MD

I took my car to a repair shop after hearing a strange noise while driving to work. After an analysis, I was informed that the engine had no oil in it and the noise I was hearing was called "engine knock." I was also informed that the engine was completely shot due to lack of oil. My oil light on my dash never came on to alert me of any problems with my oil. When I start my car, the oil light along with all the other emergency lights (I.e. Traction control, check engine...) light up as usual and then go off, so I know the actual light works but I think there may be a sensor issue.

Filed Oct 21, 2010 · Steering · 32,000 miles · OH

My daughter owns a 2006 chevy cobalt, (which I provided much of the $$ for) it has approx 32k miles. It recently developed an issue with a knocking sound from under the dashboard that continues for 10-15 seconds almost every time the car is started. She took the car to a local trusted repair shop, and it was determined to be a power steering problem that the mechanic felt should /could be a recall item and suggested that she take it to the dealership; charged $48. Dealership checked out car free of charge (that is suspicious) for 2 hours, and determined that it was a problem with the intermediate steering shaft part # 15800140. They referred to bulletin # 04-03-08-006d.the approx cost to repair it would be $1100, but it was deemed safe to drive although the knocking sound would be a nuisance. Soon after I researched the internet and easily found numerous complaints, injuries, and accidents from cobalt steering problems for 2005-2009 vehicles, yet it was not a recall item. I know that my daughter's current issue will only get much worse and the value of the car is very diminished. The odds of selling it are slim. Please! Make chevrolet recall cobalt for their steering defects a.s.a.p. We work hard and can't afford to repair this vehicle. But, I will pay to have it repaired to save my daughter's life, what choice do we have?

Filed Jan 21, 2010 · Steering, Transmission · 21,000 miles · NJ

I purchased a 2006 chevrolet cobalt, at the end of august 09. Since then, it has been in the shop for knocking sounds in the front end that altered the brake from functioning properly over 4 times. The dealer could not always replicate it, therefore it was not fixed. Eventually the noise stopped, then a few months ago the key got stuck in the ignition several times, and finally the shifter had to be replaced. At this point I haven't even owned the vehicle for 5 months, and now a few days ago the power steering shut off in the middle of driving. I pulled over the best I could shut the vehicle off and restarted it. Everything reset and it was fine. Yesterday the event occurred on an exit ramp of a high way and nearly killed me. Once again its back in the shop. This car is a death trap, I'm lucky I was not killed. This is a serious problem and forums all over have people with the same problem. I bought this car because I believed it was safe, and now I'm terrified to drive it by any means. The dealerships aren't any help, they assure the problems are fixed when they really are not.

Filed Sep 25, 2008 · Transmission · 28,900 miles · OH

For the past three weeks, my 2006 cobalt has been shifting hard, giving me a "power steering" message in the dash, security light on, total power steering failure, and a knocking noise in the gear shifter. I've had it to the dealership on numerous occasions for these problems. They replaced the ignition switch and said it was fixed, and a week later it started doing it again. Now they are telling me that they can't find the problem and treating me like I have no idea what I'm talking about. I've only had the car for two years, and my warranty expires next year. It went from happening once a week to happening daily. Sometimes I'll drive it, and nothing will happen. Other times all I have to do is start the car and it starts doing it.

Filed Aug 23, 2008 · Steering, Transmission · CA

My 2006 chevy cobalt keeps having power steering issues. I've taken it back to the shop only for them to say there was a computer error. They get the check engine light to come off, but two weeks later it does it again. My power steering goes completely out with my transmission knocking. I took it in back in july and the problem keeps coming back. I've researched this online, and seen that there are a lot of other people who has had this done to them as well.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · WI

Knocking noise on front suspension when going over rough roads, or entering and exiting driveways, roadways, etc.

Filed Jun 3, 2008 · Suspension · 5,000 miles · NY

Knocking noises in the suspension. Rattling in the steering.

Filed Aug 27, 2007 · Steering · 14,210 miles · WV

This is in documentation of my 2006 chevy cobalt. Replaced the steering column, replaced steering shaft, rubbing and grinding, knocking on steering column and floor pan area, when coming to a stop car RPM's will drop so low that the car will almost die, speakers have a rattle like they are going to quit working, lost power assist while in a turn once documented has now happened twice, when using turn signal with high beams on lights will shut off,passenger side bumper was pulled away from headlamp.

Filed Mar 26, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 3,400 miles · VA · fire

Events that lead to failure: 2006 chevrolet cobalt randomly shut off, instrument gauge needles randomly flicker/twitch, bad smell that in my opinion resembled a burnt food/sulfur combination. It started out lightly and randomly for a few weeks, but became heavier and constant over a week. A knocking noise came from the rear of the car, idle surged, and cruise control failed to disengage. Failure & consequences: fire! Component that failed was a canister/sending unit rear of the gas tank with the consequence of a fire and the total loss of my 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The evening prior I contacted my local dealer about the smell and I told them I have no warning lights on. The next day driving to the dealership the smell/odder intensified. My thoughts were, we'll at least they can't say they don't smell it or give me the "can't duplicate it" decision. I only made it halfway when my car had a major electrical/mechanical failure. I was assisted by cars traveling behind me as one pointed out my car was on fire and the car shut down, all without any warning lights! The fire severely burned the entire back half of the car. After being inspected by a very well seasoned fire inspector the fire was diagnosed to come from a canister/sending unit malfunction. Again no warning lights gm! In my opinion the random shutting down of the car, the gauges twitching/flickering, the strange knocking noise and the smell/odder was all part of the same problem. Corrected failures: in reference to the fire, that will be up to gm however, after reading the federal safety agency alarming number of 2005-2007 chevrolet cobalt complaints and technical service bulletins one would be LED to believe that there should be more than just a couple of recalls.