2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Body, Electrical · LA

My headlight an blinker quit working new bulbs an all new wiring it it still will not work My trunk button also just stopped working an the fuse is not blown. I even replaced it just to make sure still nothing. Door panel clips won’t stay in bought new ones same thing so now my handle is coming apart an my door doesn’t want to shut bc it thinks I’m still holding the handle.. Fuel everytime I get gas I have to crank my car a few times and press on the gas before I can get it to go otherwise it just dies on me I’ve had it looked at they said it was something about how my car does not know when to stop releasing air I think. My blinkers don’t turn off unless I do it manually. The seals on my door is no good anytime it rains it’s coming inside of my car an since the door panel won’t stay on it’s coming straight into my car

Filed May 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Electrical · 180,000 miles · FL

Failure to communicate with TCM/ECM/PCM. This problem has caused several occurances where driving the vehicle has been hazardous. Because of either the wiring or the TCM itself, I, the consumer, have nearly been in 2 accidents. At first I was told that it was the power steering assist module. Replaced that and problem still occurred. When the problem occurs, the gauges jump up and down and completely stop working (speedometer and tachometer), transmission shifts extremely hard when accelerating, power steering illuminates in the data information box which in turn causes loss of power steering (replaced power steering assist motor, issue still happens, 1 occurance of loosing power steering and being able to stop before going off the side a mountain when trying to maneuver a right hand turn), check engine light illuminates, when shifting from park to reverse, reverse to neutral, neutral to drive, the transmission engages very hard and results in an audible "clunk". 1 occurance of vehicle switching gears into neutral from drive, while driving (shift lever still in drive position),passlock light also illuminates in dash. Vehicle consistenly acts as it is going to stall (headlights and dash lights dim). Checked alternator and battery, both in optimal working condition. Presenting diagnostic code include p0700 and u0100. Vehicle maintanence has been performed at 3,000 mile intervals but has been pulled off the road due to the 2 occurances of near accidents. Vehicle has been experiencing issues for several months prior to removing it from opperation. I know for a fact, this cobalt is not the only one having this issue.

Filed May 30, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · NJ

Signal showing airbag needs servicing goes on and off while driving. Headlights, low beam (both of them) just stopped working. New bulbs and new fuses are not the problem. Now, I can't even keep my high beams in "on" position. Only if I hold the switch. I've had this car for under 3 months. Driver's side door lock sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. I have to unlock the door manually (sometimes). I find that odd. My largest problem is obviously headlights. I have 2 children and can't drive at night, even in an emergency.

Filed Nov 3, 2014 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · MI

2006 cobalt that had the 2 recalls "fixed" by a dealership. At the suggestion of the dealership, also had wiring fixed and a new shifter assembly installed at $380+ extreme and dangerous electrical problems: #1 - when driving down the road all gauges go to zero, all lights on the dash turn on and the mileage reads ----------------- (all dashes) #2 - the car does not start consistently. Turn the key and it has power, the lights come on the dash, the headlights come on, but the car will not start. Multiple visits to dealerships and repair facilities and each ones says: they say it is not a bad part, they say there is nothing wrong. They say there is no codes. They say they cannot duplicate it. They say it started every time for them. They say the gauges never drop. They cannot fix it. This car has a major/serious electrical issue that needs to be figured our and repairs paid for my the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 5, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 43,000 miles · MA

Have been told various times I need new struts and shocks. I think this is ridiculous seeing as though I have do not have many miles on my car and the year of my car. Dealerships have told me that it does not make sense that a car a 2006 and with low miles on it should need shocks and struts right now. I have had nothing but problems with this car since I paid it off. Wheel baring, shocks struts, problems getting key out of ignition, headlights and tail lights leaking water into it, slve cylinder and master cylinder, fuel pump. I will never buy a chevy again!

Filed Jun 11, 2013 · Steering · 67,000 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle traveling at about 35mph when a chime was heard, the steering got stiff, and the vehicle jerked to the left. This caused the vehicle to cross the center line of the road into on-coming traffic. The front left (headlamp) area of the vehicle made contact with an on-coming vehicle front left (headlamp) area. The crash caused injury with the insurance company totaling out the vehicle. Gm recall number n100023 applies however this recall was supposedly completed on 12 august 2010 when the vehicle had 39,000 miles. Several days prior to this accident the vehicle exhibited the same signs when driving at about 20 MPH. Vehicle was not brought to a repair facility since it was at that time a isolated incident and the complaint could not be duplicated. I would like to know how I can pursue to have someone perform an engineering analysis of the electric power steering motor to see if any of the following applies: was in fact this part actually changed out by the gm dealership, if so was the correct part number used, and finally after the part (regardless of part number installed) is discovered to be at fault what legal rights do I have. I am the original owner of this vehicle.

Filed Jan 11, 2012 · Lights · 96,000 miles · FL

At first my headlight bulbs just kept blowing and I had to keep replacing them. Eventually, one side went out and would only come back on after the bulb shield was adjusted. The bulb shields eventually stopped holding the device together and my headlights completely quit working all together.I also noticed a melted liquid running down from the bulbs themselves inside the shields. It was apparent that the wiring had melted. I took it to chevrolet dealer in my city and was told that the entire wiring system melted and had to be replaced including the wire that hooks the system to the battery inside the engine. Turn signals are not even working at this point. I was told that I had to replace both head lamps instead of just the one affected one because if I didnt it would just burn out again. I was estimated $700 for the repair which was way too much for my pockets. I have already submitted this same vehicle for the power steering issues which I paid for and then was reimbursed 9 months later after the recall finally went through and the fuel pump issues that had a recall as well. I recently had to replace a fuel injector as well. I know that the 2005 model had a recall on head lights and I am sure that my vehicle has been affected by the same defective parts. I have been without headlights for 4 months now.

Filed Apr 16, 2011 · Electrical · 98,000 miles · FL

Second 2006 chevy cobalt owned. The first had an electrical issue and burned to the ground within a month of purchasing it. The air had gone out on it and we had returned it to dealer where it was serviced. Within a week it caught fire in traffic. We assumed the dealer did something incorrect when reconnecting the battery cables. Partly because the fire had started in trunk where battery was. We thought it was human error so we purchased another 2006 cobalt. It started dying in traffic at intersections when stopped or when you allow it to idle. Took it to several auto stores and had put on machine. Answer was rapid misfire. Bought new sparkplugs and wires. Replaced those to no avail, tried gas treatments for the shuttering engine, to no avail. Took it to mechanics twice. They replaced the cooling sensor. Still cutting out and wouldn't idle properly. Took back to mechanic. He couldn't find anything. Noticed one headlight off when we picked it up. Took it home to investigate and headlight back on. We believe its a short somewhere in system. Doesn't die when lights are off. Approximately 98,000 miles. Had a minor issue with a gas leak. Took it to local dealer and was addressed immediately. No other major issues.

Filed Sep 16, 2010 · Electrical, Steering · 70,000 miles · IL

All of my electrical components go crazy including the gauges, radio, headlights, power breaks/ steering. The car also stalls upon stopping and in traffic(usually going over 40mph). It has stalled several times in traffic causing other cars to swerve or slam on their brakes. Im shocked I haven't been hit yet. Then the car will also overaccelarate. On one occasion I barely touched the gas to pull away from a stop sign and the car accelerated very quickly through the intersection and into the park across the street. After all this happens the battery will die and the key will get stuck in the ignition. The same basic cycle occurs every few months. I have had it to the dealership four times this week alone and each time it acts up again within hours. They do not seem to have any idea how to fix it either.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Steering · 72,200 miles · OR · crash

I was driving down a dirt road traveling between 15 and 20 MPH. I had made it safely up the road and down the road till I started to turn a corner. It was a blind corner and as I started to turn I noticed the steering was really tough to control. I had lost power steering, the change was so sudden and it caused the steering wheel to jerk that I lost control of the car and slide across the road and into a very deep ditch. The angle I impacted caused damage to my front driver side bumper, fender, driver side front and rear door panels and rear bumper. It also cracked my bumper in two places and broke part of the driver side splash guard loose. There looked to be damage to the driver side headlight as well. I have contacted the dealership where I bought the car and they have order a replacement motor for the car and referred me to the gm customer service to find out whether the other repairs that need to be done will be taken care of by gm. On a side note I received a letter from gm issuing the recall and stating that I will be sent a letter when parts become available.

Filed Jan 5, 2010 · Lights, Steering · 38,500 miles · MD

Intermittent power steering failure on 2006 chevrolet cobolt. Car has 39000 miles with electric steering. Not under warranty. Called 4 chevy dealers and all service dept told me they seem several. Also headlight fogs up frequently after heavy rain. Dealer told me to drive around and it will go away. It takes about 2 weeks to almost clear up until another heavy rain.went to the dealer about the fogged up lens and another customer who bought their car 2 weeks earlier had the same problem.the electric power steering should not go bad on a 2006 with 38,000 miles. Electric power steering is new technology. No belts, pumps or fluid. Safety issue.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Electrical · 7,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact and another passenger were locked inside the vehicle for over two hours. The driver thought that the lever on the right side of the steering column (under the steering wheel) was supposed to activate the windshield washer or headlights. Once she touched the lever, all of the doors and windows locked, and the key was locked in the ignition. The vehicle was unable to be started and the key would not release from the ignition. Hours after being locked in the vehicle, the contact was able to turn the key in the ignition and unlock the door. The dealer stated that the vehicle was working as designed. The contact traded in the vehicle for another model. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was unknown.