Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The first time this particular problem began, because there have been oh so many others, I turned on the car and a power steering messaged appeared. There was no check engine light or anything else, just the "power steering" message. This happened intermittently for about 2 months. Then one evening while accelerating from a stop light, the car started to hop, the "power steering" message came on with a dinging alarm, the car slowed down to about 5 MPH, and the power steering was gone, along with the breaks. It was extremely difficult to turn or stop the car. We were able to get it off the road, where we turned the engine off and on a few times. Each time with no success in fixing the issue. Finally after letting it rest for about 15 min, we were able to turn it on and it returned to normal. …
The vehicle can mess up from either driving down the highway or trying to accelerate the vehicle on city street or highway that the engine stalls and says "engine power reduced" the check engine light along with the t/c light comes on. It happens multiple times in just 30 minutes of driving, more for longer trips. It will even do it in 10 minutes of driving. You have to pull over and turn vehicle off for a few minutes and then it drives fine for maybe a mile down the road before it does it again, or, you can continue driving it with the pedal all the way to the floor board trying to get speed which if you do the car shifts gear very badly and rides rough but when you're trying to get to work on time you do what you have too. I have taken the vehicle to a mechanic 3 times over this. Throttle body was changed (twice), they replaced the computer and cleaned the wires. …
This vehicle is not safe to drive and was not built right. The manufactures knew for many years that the Chevy Cobalt 2006 would have a leaking gasoline system, and they kept this faulty defect to themselves for many years before bring this issue to the customer. I was driving the vehicle leaking gas for a few years unit the crack was large enough for me to smell it, while not driving, the ignition switch; with the key in it while the car was in park has started the car engine without turning the key. The key wont come out of the ignition switch. The car has turned off on me on the freeway more than 9 times. The car turned off on me going in reverse, couldn't control the brake and steering power to move out of the pole . …
I was driving the car on the highway, going about 38 MPH and the power steering warning beeped and displayed on my dash. The steering tightened up a bit, and the car slowed down, as I was driving (I don't know what the car slowed down to because the speedometer then dropped to zero, but the tachometer continued to rev (I want to say) between 2 & 3 RPM, while the car was still in motion. The locks were clicking up and down too while this was all happening. Then the car bucked and the speedometer began working. The power steering warning light remained lit during the whole time. I was able to pull into a parking lot for safety. This was clearly a driving safety issue due to the vehicle slowing down when the power steering warning light came on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the contact stated that a sulphur odor emitted from the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart after an hour. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic but was unable to diagnose the failure and the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags , electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system) but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be cleaned and reset and the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,113.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway with the cruise control engaged, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle lurched forward without warning. Multiple attempts were made to disengage the cruise control by constantly applying brake pressure, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle suddenly careened through two lanes of traffic, struck a guardrail, and rolled over into an embankment where it finally came to a stop. The contact was wearing a seat belt, but minor injuries were sustained. Due to the extensive body damage, the vehicle was deemed totaled. The police were alerted and a report was taken. The manufacturer was also alerted. Updated 9/20/2006 - the air bags did not deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver when making left or right turns and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the speedometer failed to display the actual speeds. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle would jerk and hesitate to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. When the accelerator pedal was depressed again, the vehicle would accelerate without warning. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl contact owns 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was engaged the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer several times, but was told that there was no code and the vehicle was functioning normally. After leaving the dealer the vehicle started to move forward and accelerate while the contact was sitting at a traffic light with the brake pedal engaged. The vehicle started to pull to the right when this occurred and abruptly made contact with a curb. The vehicle was towed to a different dealer for diagnostic testing to determine what caused the failure. The failure and current mileage was 44,800.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, with the cruise control activated, the brakes seized when depressed and did not deactivate the cruise control function. The contact crashed into a median strip and upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruising, whiplash, and shoulder and neck injuries. The vehicle was neither repaired nor diagnosed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure was approximately 29,000..
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Upon merging to enter the highway, the accelerator pedal became stuck and the brakes failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to switch lanes, place the vehicle in neutral, and coast over to the side of the road. The vehicle stalled and was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 249,900.
Acceleration complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2% of the model year's 2,330 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.