Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have owned a 2010 Chevy Cobalt since 2012. Shortly after purchasing, the check engine light turned on. The power locks erratically lock and unlock. The windows will become jammed and suddenly will not roll back up. Cruise control will randomly stop working. I had issues with the transmission which cost me over $3,000 to fix. Then, there was the ignition switch recall which the dealer fixed at no cost. But now I am having problems with the power steering. I have to turn my ignition off and on for the power steering warning message to turn off but then it turns back on a few minutes later. I am aware that there was a recall for the power steering but yet the dealer refuses to address this issue with my car because they say that recall was performed by a previous owner. The NHTSA website states bulletin 14115 regarding power steering recall began July 17, 2014. …
Problem with the transmissionwill not shift into any gears, after having a hole in transmission pan,so replace the pan and filter and gasket and put new transmission fluid in,now car will not shift into any gears. Its like it locked me out of the transmission all together. This makes the 2nd transmission that was put into my car I had it done a couple years ago and it's back to the same problem again, it's cost me 2,000 last time for a rebuilt transmission that should last at least 4-5 years only lasted for 2 years,the auto place said it had something to do with the pump solenoid and the shift solenoid,that they are riged to burn out these components. And it's parked in front of my house. It happen on highway and on city streets. Very scary, I am disabled and depen on my car to go to lung doctor. I am on a very tight fixed income and can't afford another 2,000. For this problem. …
Chevy Cobalt 2009. Two incidents involving the same model but different cars. Both rented from enterprise. Don't know what category to put the complaint in. Steering? Braking? Or something else? This model handles terribly on wet pavement. Doesn't brake well on wet pavement, and tires spin when starting from a stopped position. Incident 1. Changing lanes on i270 md. Going about 50 MPH. And slowed down to move one lane to the right. Going from a less used wetter lane to lane to the right, which wasn't quite as wet. Car spun out twice and hit the jersey wall twice. Then I was able to stop the car. Fairly heavy traffic, and no other vehicles involved, thank god. State police were on the shoulder for traffic going in the other direction across from me but did not come to the car. Incident 2. Rented another of the same model. Whenever the street was wet, the car did not brake well. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition, a passenger haphazardly struck the automatic gear shifter into reverse. The vehicle rolled backward from the residential driveway and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised that they would contact her at a later date to resolve the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 6/12/12
Car rolled down slight hill after turning off and exiting vehicle, transmission shifter appeared to be in park but obviously not as car rolled after leaving alone on slight slope. After accident, I placed key in ignition, started car but will not back up or change position of gear from neutral or drive. Will not go back into park. Key will not come out of ignition now. Bumper and radiator are damaged after crash.
I've given this car regularly by the book maintenance and now I'm being told the transmission is bad and needs replacing. There are no repair mechanics that want to replace it either. They all state it is too complicated to get too. They tell me its cheaper to buy a new car. With the amount of car I've given this car, there should be no reason the transmission should go bad. Anything small with it should be easy to repair. It is as if the engineers set the consumer up to fail. I have a great car that is only an 08 with a nice body, starts instantly, and no one will touch the transmission! When I start off with this vehicle and I slowly start to take off from 0-20 it takes it a strange amount of time to get to 20mph than its fine. It also happens at stop signs and some lights. Occasionally, if I turn off the car and restart it its fine. …
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the anti-theft warning light illuminated. Additionally, the low fuel warning light was illuminated; however, there was fuel in the tank. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel became firm. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 155,000.
I purchased a 2007 Chevy cobalt and was told by an independent shop that their computer was reading codes for the ignition switch and the air bag lights are on. On top of it the power steering feels like it goes in and out. I know there's recalls on the 2007 Chevy cobalts for the exact reasoning. Faulty ignition switch and the airbags not deploying because of it. Along with like 4 other recalls GM announced. I just purchased the car not even two weeks ago so I was told to come on here and file a complaint to see if I can get the recall letter so the dealership can fix the car.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
General motors is recalling 276,729 my 2009 Buick enclave, Chevrolet cobalt, hhr, malibu, traverse, GMC acadia, Pontiac g5, g6 and Saturn aura and outlook passenger vehicles. These vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicles safety standard 102, "transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure that the shift cable adjustment clip is fully engaged. In the event that the clip does not engage, the shift cable will be replaced free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Cobalt years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (137), 2005 (99), 2007 (43), 2009 (32) and 2010 (31) model years. Transmission complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Cobalt transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 09V-073 (column shift, Mar 6, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Cobalt transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (74 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (18).
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.