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Chevrolet Cobalt grinding brakes problems

53 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
53
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
27,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

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 Mar 1, 2019 · Airbags, Steering · 141,152 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at low speeds, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The contact also mentioned that the air bag warning indicator illuminated periodically. The steering wheel was unable to be turned. When the vehicle was restarted, it functioned normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the passenger side air bag sensor and the electric motor power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,152.

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Steering · 94,000 miles · FL

Steering is not working especially a slower speeds. Very hard to turn at times and is making sort of grinding noise or clunking noise when attempting to steer the vehicle. This is very unsafe and am concerned that the steering may fail all together. Have seen many cobalt's recalled for steering defects. I looked up my VIN #, but it is not listed for recall. How can this issue be addressed so that my 2010 colbalt is included in the recall. This is serious. Thank you.

Filed Apr 16, 2018 · Steering · 90,621 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 35 MPH and attempting to make a turn, a grinding noise was heard. The contact was afraid the steering ability may seize in the middle of the road or a busy highway. The contact also stated that the failure began approximately one and a half months ago. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,621.

Filed Feb 3, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · MI

Everytime I start my car the svc light stays on all the time , my tires are always wobbly while slowing down and driving. My passenger air bag constantly stays off it's also a rattling inside my wheel and a squeak sometimes when im breaking. Im un sure whats going on my engine light comes on wen the car is half way turned on I don't know what that means but I just brought this car and im finding out problems my aux part on my car is messed up n150075

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 1, 2015 · Engine · 122,701 miles · NV

Was driving to san diego, first stop of several on a vacation. Stopped at a stop light. Went to proceed as light turned green, heard a scraping and grinding sound; there was little to no power for the car. It couldn't go above 30 MPH, and made a "loud noise" (as stated on paperwork from dealership). Got to city (by the bay) chevrolet. I ended up spending $1334.21 for a new catalytic converter and two gaskets. I was also out $111.26 for a rental as I was going to disneyland and knott's berry farm after a stop to san diego. I had to have the rental from thursday to saturday or I would have missed time at disneyland. I picked the day for knott's berry farm. According to chevrolet, the 2005-2007 cobalts in nevada (where I bought the car and live) are affected by a catalytic converter issue; however after contacting chevrolet and advising them of my issue -- they tell me (despite the identical issue) -- my model is not affected. I am looking for $1445.47 in compensation for actual losses. I would like compensatory damages since chevrolet is refusing to do the right thing and investigate or reimburse me and it affected my vacation. Also, I want the recall extended to the 2008 models. Updated 09/15/15*lj updated 11/03/2017

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · MI

I purchased the car brand new in 2007. The front suspension started to make lots of clunking noises and rattling whenever I went over bumps in the road. It continued to get worse. Took the car into the chevy dealer and they said nothing was wrong with the car. I've taken the car to a mechanic and he replaced l front control arm twice. The mechanic said the car should not be having those problems with the cars current mileage. I also have very dangerous sound in steering column every time I turn the steering wheel. I have complained about this to dealership. Of course, they initially did not hear anything. I had my steering lock on me and couldn't get the key out, thus I had the car towed to the dealership in april 2011. They fixed the ignition switch. The noise in the steering column has only got worse since that time. December 16, 2014, I took car in for the recall on the ignition. The dealer told me that the steering column was falling apart and wanted to charge me $1100.00 to fix. They insisted that this has nothing to do with the ignition switch. The car sounds like it is barely holding together like on squeaky hinges.

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Steering · 53,725 miles · NC

Gm dealer recalled car to fix electric power steering assist. Took car in and had part replaced but when car was driven home it had a grinding noise and was difficult to steer, which was not a problem before recall. Returned to dealer who replaced said motor again, with same results. Returned vehicle to dealer again on 12/30/2014 to do diagnostic on problem with steering, realer said there is no danger to drive vehicle but needs steering column which dealer refuses to replace unless I absorb the cost there was no problems with steering before dealer exchanged the electric power steering assist.

Filed Apr 14, 2014 · Steering · 67,000 miles · OR

Steering wheel makes a lot squeaking noises and crunching sounds when I turn or am going over rough pavment.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Chevrolet Cobalt grinding brakes

Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (15 complaints), 2006 (11 complaints) and 2010 (9 complaints).

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