Chevrolet Cobalt jerking problems

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Jul 21, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

While driving the car, it will suddenly stall w the engine running but won’t react the use of the brakes, steering or gear shifter. It’ll suddenly jerk and the following lights will appear on dash :ABS, Power steering, no brake fluid warning, low fuel warning and check engine. All of the areas have been check and have all their fluids so this doesn’t make sense. We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and the first time she drive it, a truck almost wrecked into her

Filed Jan 16, 2023 · Electrical · PA

ABS light lit, Traction light lit, power steering light lit, car jerking, not shifting. Stalling.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Acceleration, Steering · 100,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The contact stated that the transmission shift point failed and caused the vehicle to shift gears incorrectly and causes the vehicle to jerk and stall. The contact also stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and caused the steering wheel to be difficult to turn. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the vehicle speedometer failed to operate as designed while driving, providing speed readings of 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the transmission control module however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was also taken to several dealers and independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Aug 10, 2020 · Fuel system · 95,000 miles · IA

My cobalt has been experiencing a fuel leak. Up until I brought it into service, it had been having issues accelerating. It would sometimes feel as though it would get stuck into a slump, where even depressing the pedal completely would only allow me to slowly accelerate up to around 45-50mph. This would then eventually get unstuck after coming to a stop, or after shutting down and restarting the vehicle. This issue had been starting to occur over the past year. Also within the past 6 months or so, the car's acceleration started becoming rather jerky. It was not a smooth transition during the acceleration and road rather rough during my commutes into town. I had attempted to flush out the fuel system with 2-3 cans of seafoam to no avail. Here recently, the vehicle began to have issues starting. For the past 2-3 weeks it would take about 4-5 seconds to start up rather than instantly, and then within the past week it began not starting at all until I toggled the key on/off multiple times to prime the fuel. It would then usually be good to go for the entire day. I have taken it to a dealership service center down the street, and they informed me this morning that it is a fuel leak. They indicated they do not currently have more information from the mechanic on the precise location besides that it is a 'fuel leak' and they indicated they did not know of any open investigation on the matter, only active recalls. I requested that they please thoroughly document the issue so that I can provide further information on this open investigation as needed. Please let me know if you would like to contact the dealership accordingly to find out further information, or you may contact me for more information as needed.

Filed Jul 12, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 200,000 miles · OH

Yesterday was on way home from work and car just died on city street with no warning. I somehow managed to get the car to a parking lot and out of traffic. I tried to start the car and no the car wont start back up so I had to have the car towed home. Last week I lost power steering while driving on a rural road and then car started acting like it was going to die. I stopped and when I stopped the car jerked into a forward position. I shut the car off and restarted the car and the transmission was shifting really hard going from 1st to 2nd gear when getting ready to slow down it seemed like the car was a manual and I had it in 5th gear because it was seeming like it was going to stall out because the transmission was idling in the wrong gear as I was slowing down. Sometime the key will get stuck in the ignition and I have the steering column cover off so I can push the white button to release the key. When the keys are not in the ignition the speedometer and the RPM and everything electrical in the car jumps back and forth like the car was on.

Filed Jun 26, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 108,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle started to jerk. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. Jeff drennen cadillac chevrolet buick gmc (3625 maple ave, zanesville, oh 43701, (740) 452-3611) was contact and informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed May 4, 2020 · Engine · 72,000 miles · VA

I purchased a 2010 chevrolet cobalt from a used car dealership in july of 2019. 3 months into having the car, as I , my mother and 6yo daughter were driving on the highway at approximately 60mph , the car started to jerk and slow down. The 'engine reduced power ' message came across my dash . We we're almost side swiped and rear ended. Only for the fact that a fellow motorist stopped behind me to help merge traffic to keep us from getting hit , is what kept us from being in an accident and pulling over to the shoulder. This is so dangerous and I can't imagine as a mother how losing her life, or the life of her child would have been devistating because of a manufacturer's error!