The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The steering locked up after the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted while driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The exhaust system, fuel lines, brake lines, and the engine had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Chevrolet Cobalt steering lock-up problems
352 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 352
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,200
- typical mileage
- 74,000
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 152Power steering loss 43Stalling 16Check engine light 15Loss of power 12Jerking 8No deployment 8Steering noise 5
Trouble codes mentioned
U2105 1U2100 1U0075 1P0700 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
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.
While parking my 2009 Chevy Cobalt the power steering became difficult. It was like it stopped working at times. Then it began again and then it completely stopped steering and the steering locked. I turned the car off and checked the vehicles power steering fuses. They were all fine. Then turned the car back on to see if the problem still continued and it started working. I rushed home hoping it would work. Once I pulled into my driveway the power steering completely stopped working again. I see that there was a recall in the past but may not be available any longer but seems like they should still correct the issue.
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, she attempted to make a right turn and the steering wheel seized. The contact was able to stop the vehicle, turn off the vehicle, and after restarting the vehicle, the power steering was functioning as needed. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle and vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated that after resuming driving and at 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized again. The vehicle was taken to paramus chevrolet, inc. (194 new jersey 17, paramus, nj 07652, (201)261-7100) where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure informed the contact to take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
When I got the car in june 2020 I got the key I was told to turn key to acc wait until lock icon go off my car alarms will sound anti theft system took to chevrolet dealership,and they charged $$$ said they replaced several part's and still it's stalls,and loose powder steering,it says I have no fuel in car brake light on do not chimes when I get in car it makes it like I stealing the car and it shutdown everything been doing it sense july can't drive out no where stalls when I did try driving it engine light comes on then my steering wheel locks up
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized with the power steering assist warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the power steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,087.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle, she was informed that the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14e021000(electrical system) and 10v073000(steering) were associated with the VIN. The contact then took the vehicle to jeff johnson chevrolet(2533 carrollton pike, woodlawn, va 24381) where she dropped the vehicle off to have the recalls repaired. While driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked as an unknown warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact drove straight into ditch and the air bags did not deploy upon impact. There were no injuries due to the accident and a police report was not filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to her fianc's house. She immediately called the dealer to inform them of the accident and also informed that she had noticed that the steering wheel was slanted to the right by about one to two inches upon return of the vehicle. The dealer informed her that her vehicle was not apart of the steering wheel recall. The contact called another dealer,flow buick-gmc(1945 skibo rd, fayetteville, nc 28314) where she was informed that since the recall had already been serviced, they could not assist her with the matter. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and was informed that a senior advisor would contact her about the matter. The senior advisor had called her back and informed her that the recall was inactive and that they would contact the initial dealer to get their side of the story. The contact had yet to hear back from the advisor. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
Related recalls
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
- Risk
- If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, Saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, and Pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
Recall number 14V153000 · Recall details
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 Chevrolet Cobalt steering lock-up
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (96 complaints), 2005 (88 complaints) and 2007 (65 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Chevrolet Cobalt?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Cobalt?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history