UNKNOWN. My traction and ABS light keeps coming on. My steering is off some. My turning right or left is making ruff popping sounds in the steering. My ABS and Traction lite keeps coming on.
Chevrolet Cobalt steering noise problems
69 of the 7,681 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Cobalt describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 69
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical repair cost reported
- $800
- typical mileage
- 64,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 17Jerking 9Stalling 6Harsh shifting 6Grinding brakes 6Steering lock-up 5Knocking 5Loss of power 4
What owners say
Fuel is leaking near left rear tire -steering wheel makes crackling noise when turning
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. The contact stated while turning the steering wheel a loud clanking noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehcile was taken to the local dealer mike raisor buick gmc cadillac located at 2912 east main st, lafayette, in 47904, who diagnosed that the front struts and suspension needed to be replaced. The struts were replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that a front wheel alignment was needed. After performing the front wheel alignment, the failure persisted. The vehcile was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the driveshaft and steering column were defective. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 chevrolet cobalt. While driving 25 MPH and making a right turn, the steering wheel seized and an abnormal noise was detected. The contact also mentioned that the steering wheel turned all the way around, but the front wheels did not move. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chevrolet cobalt. While driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel made an abnormal clicking noise. The contact stated that the steering wheel also seized, which made it extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the electric power steering failed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
The steering gives out and locks up while vehicle is in motion when turning either left or right. There is also play in the steering wheel when vehicle is in motion or sitting stationary. The steering makes popping and rattling noises when turning either direction when vehicle is in motion or when sitting stationary. This is a very dangerous known issue with the chevy cobalt and I have lost control of my vehicle as a result of these issues went off the road into the ditch and barley avoided a head on collision.
Key ignition jammed. Steering column clunking, know tsb issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel made abnormal noises. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) by an unknown dealer, but the repair failed and the steering wheel continued to make abnormal noises. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that it was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to an unknown chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
I had recall 10v073000 performed by the dealer due to noticing my steering was getting tight then sloppy. The dealer replaced the motor and said the slop in the steering was a bad intermediate steering shaft. So I bought that and had it installed, not at the dealer because they where ridiculous in price, and it fixed nothing. There was still slop and wandering while driving. After a while, making left turns I would head a clunk and it would still be difficult to turn. Then while making a slow left turn it was really tight and then a loud clunk then the steering became really loose and the vehicle lost steering until I turned the wheel more and it finally grabbed. It happens more frequently now. I was told the rack is now damaged. The intermediate shaft that was recommended by the dealer was an incorrect diagnosis when I had the recall performed. The failure of the motor put excess stress on the rack which caused the gears to wear is what an independent shop told me. Gm is telling me that I have to spend more money to get a "proper diagnosis" from the dealer when at the time the recall was performed they had diagnosed it incorrectly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the power steering made a rattling noise and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering failed and needed to be repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,330.
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 noise
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (20 complaints), 2006 (19 complaints) and 2007 (12 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Chevrolet Cobalt?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $800 (median of 6 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