Traction Control complaints by model year
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Was driving at highway speeds going up a incline (hill) when my car chimed and a message read (engine power reduced) was in the outside passing lane with a semi behind me passing a slower moving car. Car power reduced to 30mph and lunged like not getting enough fuel. I barely missed a narrow escape of getting rear ended. Got over in the slow lane the highway become narrow with no shoulder to pull over so I was going to drive till I could pull over but them another chime and my dash read (engine disabled) and motor shut off. Coast to someone's driveway and set there shaking from being scared for about 15 minutes. Decided to try ignition and the car restarted and was able to limp to a pull off and call for a tow home. I realize my car is out of warranty and has 119K miles on it but nobody should be faced with a situation like I was put in. …
When im driving to work and car is in motion all lights dim, all 4 lock flicker off and on while im driving and car is in motion on highway. Sometimes the lock open other times they don't work with the car remote. The headlights will come on by them self even after I shut the car off. The car will unlock even after I lock it either wilth remote or manually. Chevy dealership had a recall on this car and I did take it for updates. I realize this is a 2010, but this has happened to my car since 2011. Once they fixed the problem it was OK, but here we go again. I tell me husband im afraid to get into christine. I would like the dealership to fix this at their expense. I don't think I will buy another Chevy when I see how many electrical problems are written online.
This is the second time this issue has happened. The issue is when turning on an on-ramp that has sharp turning radius the car ABS system turns on and you lose control of the car. This also happens when you are already on a freeway that has a sweeping on ramp to another freeway the ABS starts to brake in the turn. I have reported this issue to the dealership and they have not addressed it.
Multiple recall failures: 2009 Chevy Cobalt lt ignition switch failure, airbags failure to deploy, power steering failure, brake failure, gear box failure. Ignition switch failure cause vehicle to stall, vehicle was then hit in rear by 16 wheel tractor trailer, thus causing driver to be knocked in the back sit of vehicle, injury to head, to inside of mouth, braking of teeth on both sides of mouth, neck injury, right and left shoulder injury, back injury, and never damage to right shoulder plate, driver is in continuous pain since this accident approx 11 months. Driver still in possession of vehicle because he is totaled disable, and does not know what to do about what correct measures to take. Nationwide insurance declared vehicle a totaled loss, request driver to give them power of attorney rights to pay off current lien holder. …
While driving at low speeds (30mph) the power steering light came on. The car stalled, the wheel tightened up, the symbol with a locked car turned on. The speedometer started moving up and down crazyly. Check engine light came on as well. I moved to the side because it was really difficult to control and as I did the car just kept stalling worse and worse. Once I pulled over I turned off the car. I wasnt as freaked out as the first time this occurred since this has happened numerous of times and I've taken it to 3 different mechanics who don't know how to fix it at all. It's very scary it also happened while going at 60mph and all I do is pull over and then call the tow or drive it at low speeds home. I'm sure I fall in the category for a recall but have never gotten a recall letter. …
Battery keeps dying and key is stuck in ignition. Have to keep replacing battery every 8 months which are brand new 5 year battery. Fuel line was replaced but still strong odor of gas and rotting fuel line again. Safety hazard! This has been reported by a large number of people. Why is there not a recall on this?? Vehicle was stationary at the time. This happens all the time so I can only put one date in here. Something is also wrong with my electrical system and the check engine light comes on all the time after diagnosing with my mechanic and having it turned off. Why isn't GM doing anything to help us?
Power steering not fixed on open recall in 2010 power steering rack failure caused an accident in motion 3rd party dealership diagnosed the problem with the power steering rack failure, but was unable to fix.
Im driving and all the gauges go wacko swinging back and forth, anti theft light comes on check engine light ABS light low fuel light traction light. It reads service traction power steering low fuel every light you can think of comes on and the car even jerks when changing into gear. At times the steering even has locked up on me, thank god at those times I was on a residential street and not freeway. At times it wont even start all the lights are just going basurk. Then theres days where its normal like it never even happened. Im afraid its going to lock up on me on the freeway and im going to have a serious accident!! The 2 recalls that my vechicle had have already been replaced but there is still issues!! This car needs to be completely recalled, I researched the issue im having and found out many many other people are having the same issue. Some people have even died!!! …
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have traction control problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (45), 2006 (42), 2007 (24), 2008 (20) and 2009 (13) model years. Traction Control complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cobalt traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control recall for any Chevrolet Cobalt model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cobalt traction control problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
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.