The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Locked" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn; however, he drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be taken apart to install an unknown switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,117.
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: steering wheel locks up
46 of the 845 complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 46
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- recalls
- 1
Steering wheel locks up by model year
What owners say
I was driving home from gas station/ city rd and my keys came out of my ignition and I felt them hit my knee while driving! I slowly put them back in, then I turned down an ally after I had my key back in and got back home to park it. It's been parked since june 13th 2020. Because I know that can make my steering wheel lock up! I drive out of town a lot. And my 4 year old daughter is always with me!! So I'm not taking the chance of me driving 70mph and my steering wheel locking up!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 15 MPH out of a parking lot, the steering wheel seized and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact attempted to drive home, but could not steer the vehicle. An independent towing company was contacted and towed the vehicle to the contact's home. Tim lally chevrolet (24999 miles rd, warrensville heights, oh 44128, (440) 359-8781) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 128,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 20 MPH and attempting to switch over to the right lane, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact continued to drive home without power steering and had difficulty turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,087.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 65 MPH, the power steering and steering wheel seized. The contact could not regain control of the steering. As a result, the vehicle veered into the left lane, flipped over, rolled five times, and crashed into the shoulder spacing. The contact was ejected from the vehicle and lost consciousness. The air bags deployed, but the contact had no recollection of the deployment. The contact sustained bruises, headaches, back and neck pain, and muscle spasms. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The contact's insurance company deemed the vehicle totaled. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The cause of the steering failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that when attempting to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel seized as the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced and was instructed to take the vehicle to a chevrolet dealer. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure and informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning and the vehicle jerked independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the eps failed constantly and the steering wheel seized without warning, which made the vehicle extremely difficult to turn left or right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While the contact's daughter was driving 10 MPH, the power steering seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,226.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While straightening the steering wheel from turning near a curb, the steering wheel became tight and seized. The contact was able to pull into a store parking lot and, upon reversing, the steering wheel seized again. The contact turned the vehicle off and back on to reset the computer. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked due to the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at any speed, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. There were no recalls. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to eliminate a power steering noise due to extremely low...
- Steering
- Steering
- This engineering informational bulletin is ending the need of information from the field on vehicles with...
- Steering
- This technical bulletin provides a revision for 12-02-32-002 to add the 2013-2014 model years, add noise...
- Diagnostic tips for power steering inoperative/steering wheel hard to turn, power steering message...
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering. The driver may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V073000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
46 of 845 owner complaints about the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt (5%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
There is 1 recall and 8 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
Fuel leak 114Power steering loss 99Fuel smell 98Fuel pump 74Airbag light 32Engine failure 31Loss of power 31Check engine light 30Stalling 29No deployment 27Won't start 24Ball joint 15Grinding brakes 15Door locks 15Fire or smoke 12Headlights 11Hesitation 10Jerking 10Steering noise 8ABS 6Fuel gauge 6Harsh shifting 6Seat belt 6Pulling 5Warning lights 5
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