Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
I already had a recall on the fuel pump or modular and then on the ignition switch. The check engine light has always been on. They couldn't get it to go off even when they did those repairs, then one day the turn signals stopped turning off after making a turn. The newest problem and the scariest one to me is now a gas leak. I went out and started my car, started to reverse and then smelled a strong odor of gas. I stopped and noticed my gas gauge actually going down. So I shut the car off hurried up and got my kids out and then saw the gas pouring on the road from under my car. I can't believe the problems that I've had with this car. Chevy needs to be held accountable for these problems. It's their cheap mistakes. The only reason I have continued to keep the car is because it belonged to my little brother who died in a tragic car cash with his pregnant fianc and my father. …
On September 19th, 2016 I bought a new two pack of sylvania 3157 ll long life lamps from wal-mart and used one to replace my old left rear blinker light which had burned out. The lights are specified as valid replacement lights for the 2006 Chevy Cobalt. On December 26th, 2016 I noticed that the same left rear blinker light was not working again. On December 27th, 2016 I again attempted to replace the blinker light unsuccessfully. On this day I noticed that the plastic on the bulb had burnt and melted at the bulb's connection point onto the metal contacts of the blinker assembly (see attached photos). This seems to be a potential fire hazard for the vehicle. …
I took my car to a repair shop after hearing a strange noise while driving to work. After an analysis, I was informed that the engine had no oil in it and the noise I was hearing was called "engine knock." I was also informed that the engine was completely shot due to lack of oil. My oil light on my dash never came on to alert me of any problems with my oil. When I start my car, the oil light along with all the other emergency lights (I.e. Traction control, check engine...) light up as usual and then go off, so I know the actual light works but I think there May be a sensor issue.
1) when parking my Cobalt, 3 of every 5 times my key becomes stuck in the ignition. I have to do things like--apply the brake off-and-on repeatedly, shift in-and-out of park repeatedly, and sometimes even rock the car back-and-forth with my body until it "clicks" into place and I can take my key out of the ignition. I work late shift at the hospital. It is a very scary situation to be stuck in the dark--in the middle of a parking lot--not able to get the key out of the ignition. 2)periodically, when I start up my Cobalt, the clock on my dashboard will start back at "12:00". It is very frustrating to have to keep resetting my clock. Why is this happening? 3) as I drive my Cobalt, the back windows slowly roll themselves down. I am constantly having to reach back and roll them up. They do not roll themselves down all the way, but they crack themselves enough to hear the air coming in. …
At first my headlight bulbs just kept blowing and I had to keep replacing them. Eventually, one side went out and would only come back on after the bulb shield was adjusted. The bulb shields eventually stopped holding the device together and my headlights completely quit working all together.I also noticed a melted liquid running down from the bulbs themselves inside the shields. It was apparent that the wiring had melted. I took it to Chevrolet dealer in my city and was told that the entire wiring system melted and had to be replaced including the wire that hooks the system to the battery inside the engine. Turn signals are not even working at this point. I was told that I had to replace both head lamps instead of just the one affected one because if I didnt it would just burn out again. I was estimated $700 for the repair which was way too much for my pockets. …
On June seventh, 2010, I was driving on the I-95 expressway. Suddenly, I lost the control of my car which was hit by another car driven for reymy w. Portes (crash report # [redacted]). On February 21th, 2011, my husband, [redacted] had similar accident with his 2008 Chevy Cobalt. The fact that both crashes were so similar made dubious about our responsibility on them. On December 12, 2011 my husband presented a complaint to f. H.s. M. V. D. M. S. (complaint # [redacted]), on December 16, 2011 its answer was: ?your complaints do not fall within its jurisdiction. Dejected, he didn?t any more action. I have just received from GM a warning about a defect which relates to motor vehicles safety exists in 2005-2007 model year (my) Chevrolet Cobalt, then I read on tv news, and internet, that GM issued that it's possible that the air bags might not deploy if there is an accident?. …
My car has been mildly having problems when you would stop at a light or pull into a parking spot it acts like it wants to cutoff. I got the letter on the recall and it definitely gave me anxiety driving the car especially since I have to travel 180 miles quite often for my kids. I had the recall fixed and yet still had the minor problem. I say minor only because it did not cause anything bad to happen at that time. Also noticed that my car was not acting right with the two keys they gave me sometimes it would start and sometimes it locked up. But not every time. About two months after that I went to lunch and my key got locked in the ignition and the car would not start. Figuring I trust be the battery I went bought a new battery but the car still wouldn't start. I had it towed to GM dealership and they told me it coded for the ignition switch and the fuse box. …
I was driving home one rainy day, about 45mph, dash lit up to shift. I looked and I was already in 5th. Next second everything on dash went out. No speedometer, no shift light, no mileage or trip meter, nothing. Only thing on dash that works is tach and digital display says power steering. Already had an appointment for recall work for power steering assist motor, thought that maybe that was what was wrong so I kept appointment. When got back from dealer, they tell me they replaced power steering assist motor and they had noticed the dash display and had done scan and it showed the power steering motor is went out! Bought this car for my daughter, to drive back in forth to school, scared for her to drive it the 90 miles a day she drives to college. Thought this was just an isolated case but after checking online, I see that this is a major defect in these cars. …
I have been calling sutliff Chevy in harrisburg pa a numerous number of times. Since they replaced my key system the car now just shuts off half the time and the other half the auto lights will not shut off causing the battery to die and leaving me stuck. When I call the service dept they blow me off , I have to leave messages and don't get a return call. I never had any problems with this car since I bought it new and one recall and the car is a piece of crap and so it the assistance I am getting. I used to love my Chevy and would never buy anything else and that over,. I realize my car is out of warranty and it to your problem but I will get the work out.
Intermittent power steering failure on 2006 Chevrolet cobolt. Car has 39000 miles with electric steering. Not under warranty. Called 4 Chevy dealers and all service dept told me they seem several. Also headlight fogs up frequently after heavy rain. Dealer told me to drive around and it will go away. It takes about 2 weeks to almost clear up until another heavy rain.went to the dealer about the fogged up lens and another customer who bought their car 2 weeks earlier had the same problem.the electric power steering should not go bad on a 2006 with 38,000 miles. Electric power steering is new technology. No belts, pumps or fluid. Safety issue.
Headlight complaints in other Cobalt years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, 1% of the model year's 2,330 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to lights 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.