Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems

Steering complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Electric power assist system
  152
• Column
  41
• Hydraulic power assist system
  25
• Rack and pinion
  5
• Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
  2
• Column locking › Anti-theft device
  1
• Gear box › Shaft sector
  1
• Hydraulic power assist › Pump
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3219%
• 25k–50k
  89126%
• 50k–75k
  1,02830%
• 75k–100k
  49615%
• 100k–150k
  44813%
• 150k+
  2156%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the power steering and brakes became inoperable. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was towed to her parent's residence. The vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was due to the ignition switch. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V171000 (Electrical System). The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.

The contact's daughter owns a 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or inspected for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls related to the failure for the VIN. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the power steering failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle was started, and the power steering failure warning light was off. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,824.

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the electric power steering assist failed, and the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The power steering warning message was displayed. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering) that was associated with the VIN. The dealer also informed the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Locked" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn; however, he drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be taken apart to install an unknown switch. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,117.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the vehicle experienced power steering failure. The contact drove the vehicle to her destination at approximately 30 MPH without a power steering assist. The contact stated that when she returned and started the vehicle the power steering had regained functionality. The contact stated that the failure had recurred twice in the past three months. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, the RPM's continuously fluctuated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The ABS warning light was illuminated and the message "Power Steering Failure" was displayed. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to turn the steering wheel. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road using extra effort to steer the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

Related recalls (2)

NHTSA investigations