2006 Chevrolet Cobalt: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Apr 27, 2020 · Engine, Steering · 100,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she heard a clunking sound. The power steering warning light illuminated and the rpms reeved up. The vehicle slowed down and the contact pulled off to side of the road. The contact was able to drive home very slowly and parked the vehicle in her driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Jan 9, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 134,000 miles · DE

Takata recall. I have a 2006 chevy cobalt 2.2. The traction control light is on and the power steering is on the dash. When driving it has a hard shift to it and power steering at all. It all start with the traction control light come on. I cant not get it off.

Filed Nov 16, 2016 · Acceleration, Steering · 136,000 miles · MO

My problems are came about with the electronic power steering on this vehicle as I have searched and found the problem too be very common. Found that it has been widely recalled including my model year with numerous complaints too the federal safety agency. The first time it happened I was getting ready too go to a doctors appointment, the power steering message came on the dashboard, everything seemed too be working except the speedometer and it drove fine. On the way back home however the car would no shift past first gear. I took it too a mechanic that lives next too me. He said the wiring harness was bad, replaced it, got it back. Drove fine with no problems for three weeks, even the driver front blinker was working which had never worked since I got the car back in march of this year. Then after the three weeks the power steering message came back on and all the same symptoms are back, no speedometer, hard shifting if any, it even caused the engine light too come on this time which an auto parts store determined too be a random misfire. I changed the spark plugs and it went off. My theory is that the TCM is not grounded correctly too handle this and shorts out as I have found that others have grounded the TCM and it has fixed all the problems too their claim. I searched recalls on my car using the VIN and my car is not listed on it and since this has been recurring and I've had all the problems everyone else has noted I feel that is a great concern. The message and all the effects happen as soon as I start the car if it's going too happen (so far). It first happened on the date indicated and then again on 11/15/2016.

Filed Nov 1, 2015 · Driver assistance, Steering · 85 miles · WA

Traction control light and power steering light came on while driving straight at about 80. The car became jerky while taking a slight left (almost like a delay in the steering wheel). Came to a light and the idle starting flirting. Drove forward it lurched a bit went and pulled in. While stopped I shifted between drive, park rev, the transmission would slam into gear. Idle fluttered. Shut off vehicle for 20 seconds lights and issue went away. Car is at 117,000km

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 35,251 miles · OR

My wife was driving her car a 2006 chevy cobalt ls all of the sudden the dash board lights turned on as if it was being turned on from a cold start. The car started to buckle in the message board started to say power steering. She lost power steering and had to make an emergency stop. I checked the car that afternoon and nothing seemed fine then on a saturday afternoon it did the same thing to me. I took it to a mechanic to be scanned and the code u0073 popped up which is the control module bus ( communication buss was off). The transmission has not been shifting right, hard, rough shifts are being done. The idle drops and raises automatically. My door lock for he driver side does not open as well. This is really unsafe.

Filed Dec 4, 2014 · Steering · 66,450 miles · CO

When driving the vehicle and going over bumps, there is a clunking noise from the steering column. Overall, the steering column appears loose, the steering wheel is hard to turn left or right and clunks as well. Took it to two different ase certified mechanics and was told that the steering is loose inside the column itself. Steering is not responsive to turns as it should be.

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 Oct 8, 2011 · Steering · 60,000 miles · FL

A gear somewhere within the steering column is cheaply made and wears out. There is slack between the teeth on the gear's. In result as you go over small bumps and big there is a clunk noise from the steering column. As well as the car does not track straight down the road because of the slack in the gear teeth the tires slightly wobble as driving because the steering wheel is not controlling the tires for the amount of slack between the gap in the gear teeth. I believe this needs to be a safety recall based on the severity of being a steering issue, and as a result, loss of steering could be possible if the gears completely strip out. It is not an uncommon problem, considering almost everyone who owns a cobalt experiences this same exact problem. Please look into this. Chevy refuses to recognize!!!

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Steering · 24,000 miles · WA

In the fall of 2006, my 2006 chevrolet cobalt, with 24,000 miles on it, was clunking when turning left or right. I took it to the dealership, where it was diagnosed as having a flawed intermediate steering shaft. The shaft was replaced under the general motors factory 3year 36,000-mile warranty. Today is october 5th 2011 and my cobalt has roughly 40,000 miles on it, and once again, I am hearing that same noise all over again.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Steering · 75,000 miles · PA

2006 chevy cobalt steering column is falling apart and making all kinds of clunking noises while driving, chevy already replaced the power steering motor because of a recall but refuses to do anything about the actual steering column which is falling apart and destined for failure with less than 80,000 miles