2008 Chevrolet Cobalt: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · UT

My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.

Filed Feb 2, 2021 · Fuel system, Steering · 248,000 miles · OK

I have had the power steering pump recall fixed twice now on my car. Last time was october of 2020, and finally in january of 2021 it started acting up again. Normally I can drive it to wherever without too much issue, but that was not the case yesterday. I started my car before leaving for work, got in to leave and the power steering light was on. I attempted to drive it, as it is my only form of transportation, and did not get far. It jerked around violently, would not accelerate and then became hard to steer. After I let it sit all day and tried again, it still was acting up and the steering wheel would not move without excessive pressure, eventually would not even start after that try. I am at a loss and am furious as this is still an issue after being fixed twice.

Filed Nov 26, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 35,000 miles · NE

When driving at a constant rate, with constant accelerator pressure, between approximately 25 to 50 MPH, the rpms jump/fluctuate causing the car to lurch and hesitate. This can be a safety hazard, particularly in icy conditions. The only way to avoid the hesitation is to actively accelerate or decelerate. There are numerous owners that have posted an identical issue on message boards and have stated that their vehicles had similar issues that were remedied by similar repair processes and that chevrolet has altered the process used to make replacement parts as the initial parts were defective. In addition to being a safety hazard, it is also an excessive and costly burden on vehicle owners. My vehicle has only 40,000 miles on it and has been doing this since under 35,000 miles. It cannot be documented without a video. The rpms jumping is a constant and unrelenting issue when driving at a constant rate of speed between approximately 25-50 MPH.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Steering · 120,000 miles · AZ

While driving aprox 40 MPH on a city street the dic states I'm low on fuel (I had 3/4 of a tank) power steering low and the car would jerk when I gave it gas I was able to get it home and when I tried to restart the car it was very difficult to steer. I bought the car used and was never told of these recalls when I called the dealership they told me the power steering motor had been replaced in 2010 and I was to pay for it to get it fixed. Its a very sad thing today that no one wants to really stand behind their products, so now at 70yrs old, on a very tight fixed income I will have to come up with maybe a cost of $2000 to fix this problem

Filed May 10, 2017 · Steering · 150,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 40,000 miles · NV

Start of the problem the gauges will go eratic, my car chimes a few dings then theft light comes on. I don't have a theft system. Ls model. Also effects the transmission(automatic) cause it will shift hard and jerk the car. The AC also shuts off during this issue, it will blow air but it won't be cold. Seems like the issue always comes back when it's extremely hot outside. This is an on going issue for about 5 years and it comes and goes. Every mechanic I went to their car reader can't read my car. Also it has happened while I was driving and again when I'm parked and just started the car. And I have had all the recalls fixed that were reported.

Filed Oct 30, 2014 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle jerked forward and stalled on various occasions. Also, the contact mentioned that all the warning lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact received a notification for recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). However, the parts needed were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded the reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the parts were unavailable for repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 35,000 miles · PA

While traveling, the vehicle started to jerk as if the brakes were being applied. Contacted the dealer and was informed that this is common in the cobalts until the car knows your driving habits. Same occurrence in the 2007 cobalt. The dealer had to adjust the transmission. Dealer will not take action as to date for this issue stating that it hasn't had a chance to adjust to the driving habits. We had the car for more than a few months and put over 3000 miles on it. Car doesn't feel safe to drive on major highways. Dealer is made aware of this. Informed by dealer, not a safety issue.

Filed Mar 18, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 39,000 miles · MO

The very first incident I experienced with my power steering was nothing major. I was trying park my car and it suddenly became very hard to steer. I powered the car off for a minute and then restarted it. Once the car was restarted the problem went away. Shortly after that the doors would not unlock. I was unable to get into my car for hours. After much prying, we were able to get into the car but now the driver's door lock has to be locked manually or unlocked with the key in door. Months down the line the power steering issue came back but only worse. It happened while I was driving. A dinging noise went off, "power steering" flashed across the dashboard, and all the gauges went wiggling. It startled me. Again, I pulled over and cut the engine for a spell and waited. After a few moments I turned the car back on and it was like nothing ever happened. The third time was the worst time thus far. I was exiting the highway and suddenly the noise came back and flashed power steering. It was much worse this time. The car was hard to steer, the car roughly jerked, and I could not exelerate. Thankfully I made it home 5 minutes later, but by then the engine light had come on. I found out that my car was recalled for this very reason. When I called chevrolet they said that the previous owners had to have brought my car in during the recall because my car didn't have any open recalls. If my car was truly brought in for the recall then why is my car not fixed? And more importantly why do they expect me to pay for it? They are endagering my life as well as others'. Passing cars off as though they are fixed when really they are not is criminal and something needs to be done. If need be I will pay for my own car but what about all the other cars that they've "fixed"? A young lady died from her power steering failing and you would think that would be enough to fix their mistake.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Steering · 108,400 miles · 00

The steering in my car all of a sudden became hard to control, hard to turn and you have to pull the steering wheel back after a turn and then the car jerks. This happened after my car was recalled for power steering defects, and after the appropriate work was done to replace the recalled part. I now have a problem with my power steering ( even though I had no previous steering difficulties prior t recall ). That the mechanics at the dealership have been unable to diagnose as apparently it is not the power steering( yet two other mechanics from other shops are reporting to me that it is indeed the power steering at to go back to my dealership as this is on recall ) this is a driving hazard and I am thoroughly disappointed in this car, the amount of maintenance it has required. I have put more work into this 2008 chevy cobalt in the past three years than my ten year old 10 year old mazda ever had. I will never again buy a chevy as this is the second vehicle I have owned that has required a lot of maintenance and, the quality is very poor. I have had to replace the alternator, sway bar (twice ), brakes, shocks, tires, bushel's and my fuses are constantly blowing in my car and now continue to have a problem and a very serious steering and safety issue.