Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
For the last several years I have been experiencing loss of the power steering and the electrical just going crazy lights flashing horn blowing. I've had a new computer put in and power steering still going out. I looked online and saw there was a recall for power steering motor in cobalt models 2005 through 2010 but when I put in my Vin number, it says my car has no recall. I need to know if there is a power steering motor recall on my car if someone could help me I would greatly appreciate it.
.Engine wire harness/yes . Could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, I fixed the wire for the speed sensor and more
Ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won't turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. Steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph.
This submission is an addendum to the report that I submitted on aug 15, 2011; reference number 10419491 with the attachments that include the police report, May statement and photos. I submitted my report two days after the accident. Now, after reading the news articles and the GM statements regarding the faulty ignition switch, it is apparent that what I thought was a steering malfunction (per the recalls I received and the statements made to me by GM representatives) was clearly the ignition switch. While driving down the freeway at 60 MPH my dash lights turned on, I immediately lost steering control (I could not turn my steering wheel) and swerved had to the left crashing into the guard rail. The accident report shows my skid marks across three traffic lanes that clearly indicate that my ABS system also was not working. …
I was driving home for work last week when the t/c light came on, I pulled over and turned off the car, waited for a couple of minutes and then started finish driving home. On Saturday, April 11, I had went to the store, on my way back from the store the t/c light came on and so did the brake light and another light then the car just shut down by itself. I waited for another few minutes and started the car up and went home. I called a Chevy dealership and told them what had happened, they said as long as the light comes on, I am still OK to drive the car. I left the car alone on Sunday, so Monday morning April 13, 2015, I left the house early to head into work. Not even 5 miles from my house it happened again and the car shut itself down. I had to call a tow truck to come and pick me up and take myself and my car to a mechanic. …
Engine would not turn over no electrical connection this happened several times during ownership. I have lost my job depending on this vehicle. I would try to start it one morning and some times it would and others if wouldn't. When I heard about the recalls on the cars my happens to be a 2005 Chevy Cobalt when I looked it up there were 6 recalls on this one car. I understand things happen and not done to purposely hurt anyone but there was many people hurt. I'm just scared after getting my car back from getting it repaired some other things going to happen and I'm a young mother with 3 small kids and I don't want to put them at danger at all. I know not everything is made perfect because we are only human but I want to know that my kids are safe ridding with me in this car. …
I've paid over $400 dollars into this car for batteries in the last 18 months because of the manufacturer default. When I got the car, the ignition switch was a problem the first night, and we had to take it back to the dealership the next day, where all they did was spray some wd-40 in the hole. That was before the recall was made news. On sept, 11, 2015 I was leaving a store, and tried turning on the car and it didn't start. I've had battery problems before (with this vehicle too) and just had the battery replaced 18 m ago, but there was no check battery warning light earlier or anything wrong with the vehicle performance. At the time, I didn't think it was the battery because the radio, A/C, etc had no problem turning on but the engine itself wouldn't start. And usually batteries have no problem in summer weather. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side frontal air bag deployed independently. The contact sustained burns on the forearm and temporary hearing loss due to the deployment of the air bag. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed by the insurance to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring wiring harness detached and needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated and the mechanic disconnected the clock spring which caused the horn and several other electrical functions on the steering wheel to be inoperable. A local dealer was not contacted or informed of the failure. …
The lights all over the car intermittently work and not work, the battery drains and have replace the battery 4 times.this has been going on since I got the car withe the lights. The steering thing just started, when you make a turn the steering binds up as if the power steering is going out. Also acts as if the car is going to stall. This only happens when you are in drive position. In park it doesn't do this. The power steering fluid levels are perfect. Also, when this issue starts, the speedometer needle bounces up to 40 MPH even though you are at a stop. The radio will suddenly turn full blast sound for about 2 seconds and turn back down. Scares me half to death. There is a major electrical problem in this car for lights to work one time and then next time not. I go through light bulbs like crazy, every couple of months I am changing a different bulb. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the…
Electrical complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 323 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 20% of the model year's 1,649 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-171 (ignition, Apr 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries and 1 death to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.