Chevrolet Cobalt ball joint problems

Filed May 19, 2021 · Fuel system · IA

In mid 2017 I went for a drive in my 2007 Chevy Cobalt. (just over 100,000 miles). When I was approximately 4 blocks from my home the engine began sputtering and died. I was able to pull in a parking lot, put it in park and jumped out of my car. An overwhelming smell of gas was immediately noticed, as well as a huge puddle of fuel on the ground. I began to walk the 4 blocks home and saw a huge continuous trail of gasoline upon the road leading from my car ALL the way to my home! In this 4 block distance my Cobalt leaked out over 3/8ths of a tank of fuel- nearly 5-6 gallons. The fuel vapor in the air was most assuredly at a very dangerous explosive level this entire distance home. I am a self taught mechanic with many engine re-builds and repairs under my belt. Upon inspection I found that the steel fuel line had a major rupture above the driver rear wheel within the foil wrapped "joke" of a heat shield- (just above the exhaust pipe). Upon further inspection this steel fuel line was badly rusted & corroded all the way to under the driver seat. Overall the Cobalt fuel line system is a very poor design, poor quality materials, with bad design & placement. I ordered a complete new fuel & return line set and replaced all the rusty junk fuel lines. My experience with the instantaneous fuel line failure could have had a very bad ending. No warning lights or previous leaks were detected. Then there is the front suspension and front wheel bearing issues. I have installed 2 complete front suspension kits, ball joints, struts, as well as 2 wheel bearing failures- all these replaced with less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. Then there is the bad window switches, bad moon roof seal, bad wiper arm assemblies, front stereo speaker failure at 39,000 miles, on & on. A very poor quality vehicle After purchasing this Cobalt I would be very hesitant to purchase another GM product.

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Suspension · MO

The sway bar, control arms, & bushings were all faulty. The entire front end will have to be rebuilt due to subpar parts being used in manufacturing.

Filed Feb 8, 2020 · Airbags, Steering · 104,000 miles · OH

Steering wheel has excessive play while driving on city streets. Loud grinding sound with alarm. Almost unable to control. When stationary steering play excessive in both directions. Airbag light states airbag is off. Control arms replaced 2 week before incident. Warning light has been on since repairing of control arms. Dealing contacted more than twice regarding problems.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 115,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that there was no safety pre-inspection sticker when the vehicle was purchased from del chevrolet (1644 lancaster ave, paoli, pa 19301, (484) 324-4265). As a result, the vehicle failed inspection. The inspection shop informed the contact that the battery needed replacement, the vehicle needed an alignment, four new tires, and a new lower control arm and ball joint. In addition, the vehicle stalled on more than once occasion. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v171000 (electrical system, 14e021000 (electrical system), and 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed May 29, 2018 · Steering · 149,000 miles · PA

While driving at 40 MPH getting off exit 100 off of route 81, the power steering to the right wasn't working, being very hard to turn. As I turned the steering wheel a little to the left, the steering loosened and allowed me to turn right very slowly. I returned to driving as the steering seemed to be working properly as a few tests in the parking lot indicated that it was working properly. Fortunately, I made it home but as I turned to the street to take me home, I heard a loud clunk from the front. As I turned into the driveway, I heard the clunk again. I let the car sit overnight. When leaving the next morning, the steering wheel, nor the tires themselves, would turn to the right at all! The steering motor had been replaced by a recall and then I had to replace the replacement 3 years later! I had to have the tie rod ends replaced under warranty with only 15,000! Now I don't know if I want to put more money into it. It wasn't a horrible car and it did well, but seeing all these posts makes me think this was a design flaw that they turned a blind to.

Filed Nov 5, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 149,000 miles · FL

The dash message says power steering. As I was excellerating in the on ramp of the highway, the RPM jumped up to 6,000 all on its own and now it will not shift gears, does not read any MPH, and can barely go more than 20mph. This was unexpected and had no warnings prior to. Although it still functions (turns on, runs, has all power available, has reverse) it is ultimately disabled. Also, the fuel lines/ fuel pump failed causing a gas leak, making it a challenge to start the vehicle. I have patched the fuel line as a temporary fix. I have already replaced the lower control arms and the timing chains at my own expense

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 Jan 9, 2016 · Suspension · 86,000 miles · WI

When braking, the tires bounce causing a serious vibration which makes steering difficult when braking hard. There is no visible damage or lose suspension parts but I'm guessing it's either bad struts or control arms? I'm replacing the parts today as a guess and hope it fixes the issue. This is my daughters car and she's afraid to drive the vehicle.

Filed Sep 15, 2015 · Brakes, Steering · 151,565 miles · NY

Wheels- the control arm bushings wear tremendously and rattle making the steering wheel shake uncontrollably. Steering- the steering wheel has a ton of "play" before it engages in a turn. Brakes- the rear drums and shoes wear excessively fast causing severe deterioration and grinding.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · GA

Replaced all of the following components since purchase: both front lower control arms due to bushing failures; both front shock and strut assemblies due to shock failures/leaks; both sway bar links due to failed components; both front sway bar bushings due to dry-rot; both front rotors due to failed/warped components caused by defective brake calipers; harmonic balancer due to defective/weak component; both rear shocks due to failures/leaks. Still need to replace rear coil springs due to weakness, all wheel hub bearings due to unstable driving/steering and the vehicle speed sensor causing high idle and erratic idling after warm-up.