Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. …
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 issue seems to be a common problem with the 2005 Cobalt. Please research any car complaint websites about this certain vehicle. Even though all the recalls have been taken care of, while in motion, at any time and any speed, the dash lights starts flashing and you get the message power steering on message center, tc light comes on, light that shows padlock symbol comes on, RPM needle jumps up and down, steering wheel locks up, motor surges and shakes, and you hear all types of clicking sounds below gear shifter. This is a very dangerous thing and Chevrolet/GM just cannot seem to fix this issue or even find anything wrong. The 2005 Cobalt needs to be recalled and any other year of Cobalt having this issue. I will give you below the last date this has happened, but this has went on since we got the car in 2008. …
The vehicle will periodically jerk/hiccup at random while driving. On January 8, 2015 while traveling on the expressway, the vehicle began to randomly sputter/jerk/hiccup. The vehicle did not loose power, or was there any indication from dash board icons of any malfunction. There was not any visible warnings signs to alert a faulty system. This has occurred previously, while traveling throughout the city at speeds of 25-45 MPH. During the most recent incident, traveling speeds varied from 50-70 MPH on the expressway. This particular instance I was driving a 60 mile trip and this jerking occurred 7-10 times. The first time this occurred was probably 1.5 years ago. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic after the first instance, without anything being detected or a diagnosis. The issue is progressively worsening. It is beginning to happen more frequently. …
Vehicle wouldn't start. Like the battery was dead, wouldn't even try to turn over. Go to turn the key off and pop my trunk where the battery is located and I can not get my key to turn all the way back to the off position, as a result I cannot remove my key. The speedometer read 30mph even though the vehicle never started and wasn't moving. Non of the electronics were working so I was unable to pop my trunk. This has happened several times before and eventually the vehicle will start and when it does the battery light stays on and the dash reads; engine performance low. The transmission will surge as I am driving and I cannot go faster than 30mph. I have even had the car shut off completly while I was driving down the road. After anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks the vehicle will stop acting up and drive normal for a while. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle's doors constantly locked independently. The contact had to crawl in and out of the vehicle through the window. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power and the power steering and check engine indicators illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and powered off. The vehicle was later restarted and driven to the contact's residence. The contact called harry green Chevrolet at [phone] (1858 e pike st, clarksburg, wv 26301) and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact about NHTSA campaign number: 07V014000 (structure). The contact had not received a recall notice. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the contact noticed fuel fumes emitting from the inner part of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after some time. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust, oxygen sensor, thermostat and other unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted as the contact noticed fuel leaking from underneath the rear of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition was loose and the vehicle could roll away if the key were removed. Also, the check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine overheated. Another mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch was damaged. The contact planned to take the vehicle to ricky hendricks city Chevrolet (5101 e independence blvd, charlotte, nc 28212, [phone]) for additional diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the temperature gauge malfunctioned and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact spoke with several dealers, including gray Chevrolet (1245 n 9th st, stroudsburg, pa 18360, [phone]), ray price mt pocono Chevrolet (2969 pa-940, mt pocono, pa 18344, [phone]), and abeloff Buick GMC (1167 n 9th st, stroudsburg, pa 18360, [phone]) and was informed that the parts were discontinued and no longer available to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the part had been discontinued. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I purchased a Chevy Cobalt brand new in 2005. From the moment it left dealership I have had one recall issue after another. The main issue is stalling while driving caused by the ignition switch. This had been fixed at schumacer Chevrolet several times. My vehicle continues to stall and I am terrified of causing an accident due to this recall which GM refuses to fix. I feel I was sold a lemon and all I get from GM and the local dealers is nothing. My vehicle is worse with the stalling. I don't know where to turn to. Please help. I don't want monetary compensation from GM if I or any passenger in my vehicle dies in an accident due to a malfunction due to GM.
Engine complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 7% of the model year's 1,649 complaints. The component named most often is engine (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 3 fires and 4 injuries to engine & cooling 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.