2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Feb 29, 2016 · Brakes, Steering · IL · crash

Ever since I purchased car it'seems been nothing but problems. First it was both control arm bushing after 1 month of purchasing my 06 chevy colbalt. I've since had to replace the entire front end all except for the steering column.which makes a loud unsettling rattling noise when I go over the slightest bump or when I turn my wheel left to right while in the park position. But now even more scary my car has been stalling out randomly and I've seen other complaint's about this issue. I've had oil changes and tunes up and a diagnostic test and I've been told the car is okay.it's not okay! Today it stalled out while accelerating at a green turn arrow and I got hit from the back by the car behind me turning as well. No huge damage but I'm afraid and would like to know what is the real issue.

Filed Jun 20, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 102,000 miles · WI

First I had the control arm bushing replaced twice within the first year of owning it, the car was bought brand new. The last two years the car started to chug at stops display would read reduced power mil light would come on I had to stop the car, disconnect the battery then it would go away and could drive it. This last year the car will now upon starting the display will read power steering, security system locked this car does not have a security system, the gauges go haywire car dings low fuel, when trying to move the car shifts very hard, brake pedal hard to push, car surges and chugs when stopped.

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · NY

The automobile went in for an inspection and it was found that both front lower control arms needed to be replaced which had also affected the brakes, rotors and the two front tires also being replaced. I have had cars with over two times more mileage and had no problems like this. Doing a little research on the internet this seems to be a wide spread problem, one that it seems gm is ignoring. Which resulted in a $1,300.00 repair bill..

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Fuel system, Suspension · MI

2006 chevrolet cobalt. Customer got car fixed because of gas leak but consumer paid for parts and labor and wants money back. *ta after having the lower control arm replaced, it was noted on the invoice, the vehicle had a gas leak. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where the gas line had to be ordered, because it had rusted. The consumer stated after waiting weeks, the parts still had not arrived.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 96,000 miles · NY

I own a 2006 chevy cobalt that yes is involved in the ignition switch recall. Just putting the key in the ignition I am sure helps a bit. But I have been checking the ignition position when I stop at lights and stop signs and a few times the key has slipped a little not enough to bounce it into the off position. But enough that if I did not push it back into position and I hit a bump it would have. However it has not been recalled in the steering column recall. I have for months off and on had a whining noise in the steering wheel and when it does this the car is hard to steer. On the way home from work the other day the steering wheel started to whine when I was turning onto the highway and steering got harder. When I hit the highway the warning light came on and car started to ding at me. I pulled over and turned car off for a minute and turned it back on and car was fine. When I got home I looked to see if there were other cobalt owners having this issue. And there are hundreds of 2006 owners and even more for 2005 having the issue. That is when I found they were recalling cars for this issue but only 2010 cobalt's which they had recalled in 2010 for the same issue. But the rest of us are not included in the recall but are having the same problem. There is also another problem with the 2006 cobalt's front end. I brought my car in a couple months ago because it was making a banging noise in the front end. And found that the lower tie rods and the bearing were bad on both sides of the car. I again hit the internet to see if other owners where having this issue and I found again hundreds of 2006 cobalt owners where having this same issue. And many of them stated that they contacted chevy to talk to them about the issue and they were told that it was not a safety issue so therefore chevy was not going to recall the car and fix the problem it was our issue.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would drift to the left. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the front passenger side control arm bushing was defective. The bushing was replaced. The contact also indicated that a popping noise was present from the front of the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the stabilizing bushing that was connected to the engine sub frame was damaged. The vehicle was repaired and the defect was remedied. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · CA · crash

Letter from constituents regarding problems their son experienced with his 2006 chevy cobalt; considers it to be a lemon, seeking reimbursement (full document not imaged). *smd the consumer stated his son was making a right turn, when the vehicle suddenly stalled, leaving him without steering capabilities. The vehicle darted to the left, across the opposite lane of traffic, where he crashed into a curb. The left control arm collapsed, he hit his head on the door post and the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed, the consumers residence. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled again on the freeway, and again steering capabilities were lost. There was no accident, but the vehicle would not re-start, and it had to be towed to the dealer. Their testing could not locate the problem. The same problem happened 6 more times, resulting in a tow to the dealership. Each time, the problem was blamed on the power control module. The third incident happened while his son was driving on a curvy mountain, the vehicle lost power and there was no steering ability. His son was traveling at a low speed and he steered the vehicle into a ditch damaging the radiator, the engine pan and the front bumper cover. The last accident totaled the vehicle, when the vehicle stalled in traffic, the anti- lock brakes failed and the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Mar 20, 2013 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · WI

Since this vehicle reached 60000mi I have replaced the control arm bushings twice. When these bushings go bad they cause steering issues, braking issues and handling issues. These bushings are poorly engineered and I think that all vehicles with this control arm design should be covered under a recall. I have a 2006 chevy hhr with the same problem. These bushings are mounted horizontally and are supposed to flex horizontally with a vertical bolt through them. Impossible to do efficiently. I would not be surprised by any number of accidents that could be stemmed from this.

Filed Mar 7, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · IL

I bought the car in november of 2011. Nit even 3 months later, a very loud. Clunky noise started every time I go over a bump no matter how big or small. I've been to multiple mechanics and have been told my sway bar links, as well as my outer tie rod ends are bad. Then another said it was my bushings. I just want the noise to stop and want to know why is the car sound like its falling apart? Very disappointed with chevrolet for. Not the best 1st car.

Filed May 5, 2012 · Suspension · 34,000 miles · KS

Loud clunking noise from front suspension, replaced control arm bushings and noise went away temporarily but came back.

Filed Feb 27, 2012 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel began to vibrate excessively. The contact stated the failure usually occurred when driving over 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technicians stated that the upper control arms on the front driver's side would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but to no avail. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · 40,000 miles · OH

My 2006 chevy cobalt had wheel bearing issues starting at 40,000 miles. At 50,000 miles my front end suspension (lower control arm and bushings), struts, and doors locks started acting up. My door locks will jam and I will be trapped in my car until they (door locks) decide to work again. Fortunately for me usually only one stops working at a time. The dealer says that it just needs greasing; I have tried every grease under the sun and none has fixed the problem. This is a serious safety issue and this car should have a recall to at least fix the doors!!!.the dealer wants to charge over $1,000 per door for repairs. I have heard of some peoples doors never opening again and the door having to be cut off to be repaired. If something were to happen you need to be able to quickly and safely get out of the car. Please please please recall this door issue on the cobalt!