Gm is not fixing the whole power steering issue in their cobalts. I had the recall fixed, the power steering motor, on 10/10/12 and three days later it failed again. I was exiting i95 in wilmington, de and was very close to hitting the concrete divider on the exit ramp to us 202. The problem with the car is the whole steering column is faulty. Looking around in the internet shows many others that were told they needed to replace the steering column to fix the power steering issue, same as my dealer told me. But all gm is doing is fixing the cheapest part. I have tried their customer service and get nowhere. They say they fixed my power steering problem and get all defensive when I tell them that it still happens. It happens after driving about 200-250 miles. Local trips are fine except that the steering looses feel and shakes and feels bumpy in the steering wheel. For the safety of all people on the road I feel you guys should test some cobalts on a good 300 mile trip and see what happens. I'll even lend mine to you if you want.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt steering complaints
Page 8 of 11: complaints 191 to 220 of 309, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I noticed a slight tapping/rattling noise coming from the front driver side. The noise only occurs between the speeds of 50-60 MPH and only when letting off the gas completely. Then I received in the mail an ignition cylinder recall. My car had problems with locking up and difficulties turning the key. So I took the car to the dealership told them about the noise I was hearing then waited a week with no call from the dealership so I called them. They told me my car would be finished by noon, I arrived at 4 pm. They then told me my car was not yet finished. The dealership had not even put in the new ignition cylinder even after a week. I was told the noise could not be replicated. I waited for the ignition to be put in (about 30 mins) then took one of the dealership mechanics on a test drive to hear the noise. Noise was heard and took it back to the shop. Checked under the car and nothing wrong could be found. The lead mechanic took it for a test drive but due to the heavy downpour of rain nothing was heard. I was asked to bring the car back on monday due to possible severity of the situation. Dropped the car back off at the dealership monday. A test drive and a look under the car and they found the problem, noise coming from rack and pinion while hitting bumps rack worn and needs replacement steering column making noise as well recommend replacement with out replacement the car would eventually have no steering ability at all: cost $1524 no warranty. This car has had the power steering recall replacement (the steering wheel suddenly stopped working while in a parking lot due to broken pinion) in 2010 and a transmission issue (RPM rev when the car hit 40 when the gas was not being applied) that was a worn seal it was fixed and covered by warranty in 2011. This would be the twice now with no steering ability only its a different cause? I feel like I'm being cheated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the key became lodged in the ignition and he was unable to remove it. Also, the contact stated that on a separate occasion while driving 45 MPH the steering wheel seized and the air bag warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times who diagnose that the ignition module, steering wheel column and driver side air bag module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 82,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle became hard to steer and there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact experienced the issue whenever the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who inspected vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a defective rack and pinion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 56,000. The current mileage was 59,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance because the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v073000 (steering:electric power assist system). The failure mileage was 68,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 5 MPH the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the power steering pump had to be replaced. The vehicle was included in the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v073000 (steering:electric power assist system) and was repaired previously. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 50 MPH, the contact stated that the power steering had suddenly stopped functioning, causing the contact to crash into a nearby tree. The contact was not injured during the crash and a police report was filed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and no repairs had been performed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were 71,000.
At approximately 7:55 a.m. On monday, april 16th, I was driving south on state route 605 to work (center village/new albany ohio area). Going on a straight road, and at 50 MPH, I felt the steering wheel become a little spongy as I was driving when I was making a small correction in the steering wheel to ensure I was properly in my lane. When I moved the steering wheel to right a fraction, the car drifted to the right as it should. However, upon making a correction to the left the car's steering wheel became impossible to turn. Because of this the car veered right striking a mailbox and crashing into some trees. The car is severely damaged and the insurance company is looking at it today. I had the electrical steering box replaced last year. The driver side airbag went off as it should but the car ended up on its side.
Purchased 2008 car used in 2010 with approx. 10k miles. Have had several issues with stereo speakers going out. Car now has less than 60k miles. Recently developed knock in front when going over bumps. Took car to dealer to have recalled steering box fixed. Chevrolet says lower control arm bushings, front struts are leaking, and sway bar end links need replaced soon. Almost $1500 dollars. Not covered under warranty though online search shows rampant issues.
While practicing parallel parking power steering disabled itself. Could not get power steering to re engage. Took car to dealership on above stated date. They replaced the recalled internal power assist motor. A few days later the power steering failed again. Upon returning to the dealership we were informed that steering was being over used. Since that time power steering has gone out several times. Some of which the steering has not returned after turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle. Some instances have occurred while driving slowly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering failed without warning while attempting a right turn. The vehicle had not been to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The failure and the current mileages were 43,000.
I got a broken I shaft after multiple time goin to dealer an telling me I was a women and did not know what I was talking about.
2008 chevrolet cobalt. Consumer request information and records for this vehicle. The consumer and his girlfriend were involved in an accident and consumer asserts that there were mechanical defects *tgw the consumer believed the defect was in the power steering motor and air bags. The consumer crashed into a telephone pole and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. The consumers girlfriend owned the vehicle and was killed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact was driving 65 MPH when the vehicle began to shake uncontrollable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the struts, control arm, bushings axle, cv joints, sway bar bushings, brake pads, and the rotors but to no avail. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised that because the contact purchased the vehicle used, they could not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 69,700. ...updated 01/31/12 *bf the axle seal was replaced, due to the vehicle leaking transmission fluid. There was a noise coming from the steering shaft. Updated 02/03/12
1.recalled steering motor replaced 2.replacement motor had to be replaced 3.steering locked , had to be towed in . 4. Researched web an found how widespread this deadly condition is an all chevy wants to do is keep replacing deadly failing part . Steering is steering , not like a mirror !!
Driving off of express way when power steering went out as going around the turn. Was able to drive the vehicle but had a difficult time steering. Will be calling the dealer jan 2nd.
Came out of the store with my three kids in 25 degree weather, when I got into my 2008 cobalt and I couldn't get the key to turn!! There are so many complaints about this and chevy is doing nothing to fix it!! My car is at the shop and it is going to cost me $408.00 to get fixed, right before christmas!
Vehicle was taken to the dealership in oct 2011 at apprx 16,000 miles to check loud noise coming from front suspension area. Dealer replaced power steering motor according to recall and replaced part of steering column. However, that did not fix the issue. This is my elderly mother's car and she did not recognize the noise was not usual or that the repair did not address the problem. Vehicle now has 20,000 miles (nov 2011) and mechanic diagnosed lower control arm bushings are shot. This is apparently a common problem for this model & year. Dealer does not consider this a safety issue. I think it is--possibility of suspension components failing.
Unable to maintain control of steering, wheel control or braking.
Unable to maintain control of steering, speed control or braking. Same problem again today 11/22/2011 while stopping at stop sign under 10 MPH.
As I was backing out of my driveway the power steering suddenly stopped working. The light on the dashboard came up "power steering" so I went to an auto zone where they told me they couldn't find power steering fluid and it was apparently an electronic steering system. I called a dealer in town and they looked up the VIN and told me that it had been serviced under a recall. I then called gm and was told that gm would not cover the service costs again, most likely. I was asked if I had owned other gm vehicles and asked what that had anything to do with it. I was not given an answer but the dealer that I eventually took it to said that it "of course matters, because if you haven't bought gm in the past or will not in the future why would they want to help you?". Obviously they should want to help me because it is a faulty product and potentially deadly. I was told by gm that they will most likely only cover once on a recall whether the problem was fixed or not??? I found out the dealer where the work had been done and went to have it looked at. The dealer tried to tell me that there was no way it could have anything to do with the original problem on the recall. I told him that it would seem to be common sense that it was. He also said that regardless, their service warranty runs out in 12 months and it was past. They eventually fixed it at no charge but I was told there was no guarantee that it was fixed and that it could very possibly go out at any time again. Obviously the recall did not fix all of the problems and this part can fail again at any time causing a very dangerous situation.
The contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact was unable to turn the key to start ignition without pressure holding the steering wheel . The second occasion, the steering wheel could not be turned without calling a mechanic in. Parents bought car for commuting college student . Mileage is approximately 80,000.
Steering column rattles, dealer installed recalled power steering unit and greased intermediate shaft. Noise quit for 10,0000 miles and started again. Dealer said new shafts only last 20,0000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the power steering lamp illuminated. The power steering failed making it impossible to make any turns or change lanes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 67,500. Updated 09/01/2011 *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 25 MPH, the contact stated that the power steering light illuminated when as the power steering failed. The failure recurred intermittently. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was neither inspected or repaired. The current mileage was 46,950. The approximate failure mileage was 46,946.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the power steering failed and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The vehicle was pulled over and stopped. Upon restart, the vehicle continued to drive as normal. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
I bought a new 08 cobalt in sept 08. I have had to have two steering columns put in, a power steering pump, stabilizer bars, front end bushings and bearings, and now a rack pinion (along with multiple other unrelated repairs). I took the car back to the dealer (ron marhoffer stow oh) after each repair and was told that there was nothing wrong with the steering or suspension of the car. The car would pull out of my lane to the left and was very difficult to control. I actually lost control of the car and went into a ditch on one occasion. I do not believe that the dealer knows how to fix the problem and therefor just keeps throwing parts in it. However the problem still exists. It is very dangerous. The dealer also replaced multiple fornt end parts including stabilzer bars, bearing and bushings on oth fron wheels tryng to correct the steering problem. I also have had to replace the tires on the car twice on the front end due to abnormal wear and tear from the car constantly pulling while driving.
Transmission module failure leads to temporary power steering failure. While driving my 2008 chevy cobalt, the instrument cluster started malfunctioning. The speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge all started bouncing around erratically. The driver information center started flashing "power steering". This all took place while I was driving the car on the freeway ay about 60 MPH. As I was trying to pull to the breakdown lane the power steering failed. I thought the power steering pump went out. After getting the car to the side of the road and turning it off I called my mechanic. He told me he heard of this before and told me to restart the car. I did and everything was back to normal. I drove straight to his shop where he plugged in his diagnostic check computer. He told me the problem was with the transmission module and is a well know problem with the chevy cobalt. I have since googled it and found many cobalt owners are experiencing the same problem. I spoke to chevrolet customer service and was told that because my car has 125,000 miles it is out of warranty and not covered. I don't care so much about that as the potential safety hazard. If the power steering fails while on the road again it could lead to an accident. It has happened twice since and I have managed to pull over before the steering shut down. Is this an issue you could look into on these cars?
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering failed making it impossible to control the vehicle. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The contact did not inform the manufacturer nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 53,628 and the failure mileage was 47,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and began vibrating abnormally. The contact shut off the vehicle momentarily and when restarted, the steering resumed normal operation. The failure was experienced numerous times yet the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 44,000.
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