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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking and loss motive power. The power steering became inoperable. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
The car idles very low when stopped and sputters/putters like it's going to die. It has now actually died on me twice while driving, luckily when you put it in park and turn the car off and back on it starts right back up but you can see how this is a severe safety hazard. The first time it died I was stopped in the turning lane waiting on traffic to go by so I could turn left (this is the busiest street in town) I go to start turning left the car just shuts off mid turn crossing the other lane of the street, luckily I didn't get hit by oncoming traffic and was able to coast onto the side street that I was turning on and pull over and turn the car off and back on and drive it home. …
The contact's wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
My power steering alert came up and immediately I start having trouble driving as the steering wheel got tight. Almost had a accident and there is other problems with my 2006 chevy cobalt lt that have been on recall and I cannot get any help at local dealership
The problem that sent it to a different mechanic than the chevy dealer where it came from after a month and 900.00 bill for 550.00 ecm and diagnostic test they did without my permission, there labor for the test and ecm was a total of 900.00. Plus claimed it was throwing a code for a peddle that it needed. We just put a brand new peddle and brand new throttle body on it, it was idled to high, so reason for them getting it was to get the old ecm and new throttle sinked up to reduce the idle , at the time of it leaving me it started and ran just idle to high. Throwing no codes. They got it, claim it wouldn't start so did a diagnostic claimed it needed a new peddle. I said I'm coming to get it, they didn't tell me at any time I couldn't drive it home. I left there lot and pulled about 150 feet off the side of road because it wouldn't shift. Called them , botched did no good. …
Before I get into all of it there has never been an accident not yet at least. I do everything I can to try an stop that from happening, (but accidents do happen) only because I know my car could kill on me so I'm extra careful. 1) After I get gas I'm my car the car won't start right away. I have to restart it a couple times an step in the gas an rev up wasting the gas I just put in to get it to start. 2) When I stop an start to pull out of somewhere on to a main road the car will just die on me so I'm stuck pulling out in traffic trying to get my car to start again. It's when I come to a stop an pull out it just kills on me. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle had issues with the engine surging. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that there was a dirty injector, in which they replaced. In January of 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they reprogrammed the computer for the surging issue. In March of 2008, the vehicle was returned to the dealer for a recall on the injectors. In addition to the surging, the vehicle would also shake violently when coming to a stop. The brakes and steering would not function correctly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer in October of 2008 and the powertrain control module was replaced. In November of 2008, the contact took the vehicle to the dealer again in regards to the violent shaking. …
I was stopped at a turn around east of garfield on 16 mile road in clinton township michigan. Proceeded to complete turn and go west on 16 mile road when I felt my vehicle (2006 Chevrolet colbalt) had a loss of power. There was no response when I stepped on the gas pedal. The dashboard lights blinked. Then with in seconds I was struck by a vehicle in my passenger side rear, then I spun around and another vehicle hit me in the driver rear side. None of my air bags deployed. The clinton township police questioned the other two drivers who struck me but never questioned me to explain what happened. The first vehicle that hit me the man had a cut on his leg and refused medical treatment. The second vehicle that hit me the female was able to drive home. I was taken to the hospital by ems because my head, neck, back, hip and leg was hurting me. …
I had become aware of the recall, just the week prior and was planning on making arrangements to have the car fixed, once the parts (3-4 weeks out from what I was explained) arrived. I was also explained via the dealer and what I read on line that the car should be OK to drive so long as there was nothing on the key. So I requested my daughter to only use the key with absolutely nothing on it, when using my car. At approximately 2 pm on a clear sunny day, my daughter was exiting the freeway. As she was slowing down, the car suddenly shut off on her. Before she had time to react she hit another vehicle. She was fortunately not injured, mainly because she was already slowing down and had it been a few minutes earlier, things May have been drastically different. I have had this car for 7 years and I drove it quite a bit and let my daughter do so as well. …
Chev. Cobalt /06, 2.2 l. Ls, loss engine,coolant & oil lubrication systems at night at 73 mi/hr, hit something,passing trucks in right track, engine overheat extremely, before can pull out. 1st.. Mechanic shop, / car insure, decide engine was fixable. 1 week after fix, and run, engine damaged the engine head gasket. 2nd mechanic (general motors serv. Depart. ,took over they claim replace engine head and gasket. (insure paid $2,300) for repair. What they did ? Engine got noise internally & overheat to ease.no more serv. If insure don't pay extra. & complain no good.... 3er mechanic. (my self in house garage) rebuild the engine to the pistons rings, crankshaft bearings,new exhaust camshaft,lifter(damaged previously,also roller ,all news, this damages were view by the last mechanic(the dealer GM.)& also it was never a new engine head installed. …
Engine complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 136 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 6% of the model year's 2,330 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 4 fires and 5 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.