NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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.
The fuel tank has an evap leak that somehow breaks on top the tank so it leaks the gas vapors and could potentially start a fire but the part that breaks is a non serviceable part so it can’t be fixed without purchasing a whole new gas tank that isn’t cheap. My other concern is the infamous grounding issue with the wires on the ground g105 I believe right next to oil filter that grounds the transmission and engine control modules well it shorts at times when driving and suddenly your car dies while driving how scary it could cause a wreak and kill somebody it’s a very scary issue that constantly comes back even after trying to re ground it needs to be recalled and fixed it’s going to kill somebody and it’s a well known issue for this make and model that should have already gotten attention to be resolved.
I have been experiencing the loss of steering assist. This occurs at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds. Steering control is maintained in manual mode, but requires greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds. In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed. The occurs at speeds in excess of 60mph.
My Power Steering is going out and then coming back in to use. Today is the second time it has happened. It went out just now, I reversed down the road to my house, and turn it off once I crank it again the steering is back. I haven’t gotten any pictures of it as I’m more worried about making it back to my house so I’m not in the road but will be more than happy to get a picture if this happens again. I’m also not sure which ADAS this connects to so I put cruise control.
Was driving home from work on i70 through the canyon when out of no where I wasn't able to steer my car...was able to stop the car, turned it off .waited a minute then started back up that is when power steering came across my dash .nothing was wrong with my car ,drove normal then out of nowhere going the speed limit 75mph. I'm not able to steer my car. This never happened before ,scared the crap out of me with no warning almost crashed cause I could not steer my car.
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. I took it to the mechanic and he can't figure out what's wrong with it so he gives it a tune up and now the check engine light won't turn off...fast forward to today it dies again at a stop sign with my [XXX] in the car. It is ESPECIALLY bad if you have the AC on it seems like it effects the electrical like the car is going to shut off when I am stopped and the ac is running, so I turned off the ac and it was still sputtering when I would stop but didn't die again. There is an entire thread of people with the same issue as me: [XXX] this car needs recalled it is a death trap. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
strong smell of fuel affraid to drive the igntion get stuck and locks so you cant turn the car on
All of these failed again after repair, the car hes been disabled for over 2 years with the same failures. < Dealer Recalls 14115 Dec 5, 2014 Product Safety - Electric Power Steering Assist 14113C Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key 14113 Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key
The vehicle is leaking from the fuel tank
I took the vehicle in for a recall repair to the ignition. After the repair, my key did not open my trunk. This is a huge problem because the battery is located in the trunk. You need power to open the trunk without a key. If your battery fails, you have no way to access it for repairs. I e-mailed the dealer who responded by advising me to contact the service manager. I did this. The service manager told me they only rekey the ignition to the original key during a recall. If this is true, they key should unlock the trunk. We were able to unlock the trunk before the recall repairs. The service manager told me there was nothing he could do. I have e-mailed the dealer again but have recieved no answer.
While driving the car, it will suddenly stall w the engine running but won’t react the use of the brakes, steering or gear shifter. It’ll suddenly jerk and the following lights will appear on dash :ABS, Power steering, no brake fluid warning, low fuel warning and check engine. All of the areas have been check and have all their fluids so this doesn’t make sense. We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and the first time she drive it, a truck almost wrecked into her
It will say power steering on dashboard then doesn’t allow it to shift loses all power
Fuel leaking due to corrosion of fuel lines located near driver side rear wheel.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact became aware that fuel had been puddling underneath the vehicle. The contact had previously noticed an abnormal gasoline odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 59,410.
Fuel line rusted, leaking under car. Smell gas in cabin.
The car was driving completely fine on a routine trip for groceries. After shopping as I'm about to leave however, the steering wheel was very stiff and I noticed the power steering light was on. After some researching I found that this model does not use power steering fluid and is electric. Thankfully this didn't happen to me while driving down a highway or something, I had my kid with me.
Car drove fine during a routine trip for groceries. When about to leave the parking lot, my steering wheel was very hard to turn, almost impossible and I noticed a power steering warning on the dash. Thankfully this didn't happen on a highway or something, I had my kid with me.
Fuel line leaking similar to the recall on 2008-10 Cobalts -- gas puddles or drips from leaking fuel lines near the left rear wheel well, near the exhaust pipe and muffler. The leak is caused by corrosion of the metal fuel lines that are secured to the body of the car by plastic blocks.
Power steering light came on now I have no speedometer and it will not shift right
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while standing outside the vehicle a fuel odor was detected. The contact also stated that while driving, there was a fuel odor detected inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was contacted and the contact was awaiting an appointment. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the issue. The manufacturer informed the contact of a fuel pump module replacement coverage under Manufacturer Communication Number: 09275. Future Chevrolet (4811 Madison Ave, Sacramento, CA 95841) was contacted and the contact was still awaiting a callback. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V419000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 69,817.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while making a right turn into a parking lot. The contact returned to the vehicle and the failure persisted. After making a second stop, the light disappeared and the steering wheel resumed normal operation. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
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
power steering failure while driving, yes it is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk by losing control of the car and almost hitting other cars while driving. a dealer or service center has not reproduced the problem. Also not inspected by others. unknown if any warning messages appeared, i didnt notice while i was trying to stay alive.
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. Called same tow truck to tow it home. Got here it was idled normal but was throwing a different codes, I turned the car off it wouldn't stop running for about 3 to 4 minutes, then it died. I had it towed to different mechanic for the ignition to be replaced. He said it was throwing a couple codes still ignition not fixed yet, and it ran for about 15 minutes after shutting off the key. At no time here or at the new place did it throw a code for a defective peddle. So now it's be gone for 2 months , new ecm , new throttle body ,new peddle, idle is fixed and car runs but won't shift. Codes its throwing is now are just needing coil on #4 checked and throttle position sensor adjusted. So far that's it. 2 months later. Still not ready for pick up.
Hi. I was driving to go shopping like I normally do speed limit was 45 mph. All of a sudden I noticed I was getting very close to the medium the 8-inch cement medium. I tried to turn the wheel more to the right but it was very hesitant and hard to do I ended up hitting the medium and it damaged the rear rim on that wheel and the tire afterwards just made a loud thumping noise it was a very scary situation. It was then I noticed it said power steering lit up on the dashboard nitro it back home and then the light on off and the steering was okay again which was very scary and strange it happened one more time when I was turning the corner and I almost hit someone because I could not turn the wheel like it normally turned it took a lot of effort this is a very scary situation as this is the only vehicle I have for transportation it's not normal do you have the steering just instantly either stop or is very hard to turn. Thank you
Last year or so, even before than, I noticed suddle fuel odor smell & noticed few drops by left rear wheel area...it has progressingly gotten worse and now puddles and smells of fuel constantly...all which I traced back to fuel lines by rear exhaust heat shield area where it's very rusty, inline elsewhere around car area...seems to be bad design and or manufacturing issue...also very common I noticed with cobalt saturn Pontiac models sharing same design & platform.. Very dangerous and needs to be corrected by gm!
My headlight an blinker quit working new bulbs an all new wiring it it still will not work My trunk button also just stopped working an the fuse is not blown. I even replaced it just to make sure still nothing. Door panel clips won’t stay in bought new ones same thing so now my handle is coming apart an my door doesn’t want to shut bc it thinks I’m still holding the handle.. Fuel everytime I get gas I have to crank my car a few times and press on the gas before I can get it to go otherwise it just dies on me I’ve had it looked at they said it was something about how my car does not know when to stop releasing air I think. My blinkers don’t turn off unless I do it manually. The seals on my door is no good anytime it rains it’s coming inside of my car an since the door panel won’t stay on it’s coming straight into my car
I began noticing a slight drop in fuel mileage at first. Started smelling fuel while parked and only getting 200 miles to a tank. Noticed the supply and return fuel lines where damp. Dropped the tank and the fuel lines at the pump were cracked a little. I temporarily fixed thos with jb weld but dont expect it to last.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power. The power steering warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle for a moment. Then the contact restarted the vehicle and she was able to drive to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle as the OBD reader was unable to read the codes. The contact notified the dealer of the failure and scheduled an appointment for the diagnostic test on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
While driving power steering message showed on dash, lost transmission control, and speedometer stopped working.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the speedometer also failed to operate as needed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The vehicle will often lose power steering and begin to "buck" or "jolt" when braking. The door chime will sound and the display will flash "POWER STEERING" when this occurs. The speedometer and other gauges will go crazy and won't accurately state how fast you are driving. Sometimes when this happens, the steering wheel will become very difficult to move and it is almost impossible to turn. Sometimes the car will just buck when braking, sometimes the steering completely gives out. My car has even stalled and stopped running while driving - I am unsure if this is related to the problem. Any of these issues are extremely dangerous and could cause an accident. There is a recall on this vehicle for the power steering system, but Chevrolets own website claims my vehicle does NOT have any recalls (according to my VIN). I have never brought this car in for repair (for the recall) and to my knowledge, none of the previous owners have either. Upon researching, many others seem to have this problem as well with GM telling them their car does not have a recall. This has been going on for a long time, and no mechanic or anyone I bring it to can tell me what's wrong.
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.
Fuel lines are rusted where the heat tape is around them by the exhaust. This has caused them to rust and no is leaking fuel. I am worried that it's going to catch fire. This is my daughter's car and is a very poor design.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion on the rear driver’s side undercarriage of the vehicle. Due to the rust, the fuel lines started leaking. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
There is a recall for some vin numbers on the 2006 Chevy cobalt (recall # 09V419000). My vin number was not included but the exact recalled part was also defective on my car. I wanted to let you know because there are probably several more vins that should be included in this recall, as my car is proof of that.
FUEL LINE LEAK BY LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. HEAT SHIELD SEEMS TO CAPTURE MOISTURE AND HAS RUSTED LINE BY CLIP. RESULTS IN FUEL LEAK BY EXHAUST SYSTEM.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DOSE NOT WORK
HAD TO CHANGE MY FUEL PUMP DUE TO A CRACK ON IT. MY KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH IN ORDER TO TAKE IT OUT I HAVE TO PUSH A BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. I TO CHANGE MY STEERING SHAFT BECAUSE IT DOES A CLACKING NOISE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT, HE HEARD THE VEHICLE CHIME AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BECAME FIRM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. A VIN SEARCH SHOWED NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
My 2006 Chevy Cobalt has a fuel leak which was recently a recall. I have been told by several dealerships that it will not be repaired for free. How can this be? I didn't know recalls expired. It's a safety issue and the manufacturer's responsibility. Please advise me on next steps.
THE COMPANY WRAPPED A HEAT SHIELD FIBER AROUND A BARE METAL FUEL LINE CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE LINE IN THAT SPECIFIC LOCATION DUE TO RUST FROM THE TRAPPED MOISTURE. THE FUEL LINE BURSTS CAUSING A STEADY FLOW OF GASOLINE TO POUR FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THE CAR CONTINUES TO FUNCTION, LEAVING A TRAIL OF GASOLINE EVERYWHERE YOU GO. THE HEAT WRAP DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT THE BRAKE LINE DUE TO IT'S BLACK COATING. THE FUEL LINES SHOULD ALSO BE PROTECTED IN THIS AREA.
The contact's daughter owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering would intermittently fail as the power steering warning message would appear on the instrument panel. The contact stated that his daughter would reset the battery to correct the power steering; however, the failure would always return. The contact had taken the vehicle to several dealers to be repaired; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact then took the vehicle to Mohawk Chevrolet (639 NY-67, Ballston Spa, NY 12020) where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
POWER STEERING WARNING CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AN THE SPEEDOMETER STOP WORKING NOW THE CAR WON'T START I HAVE CHECKED FUSES AN RELAYS UNHOOKED BATTERY TO RESET COMPUTER NOTHING WORKS
VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL STARTED OCCURRING THAT WAS NOTICEABLE EVEN AFTER LONG PERIODS AFTER PARKING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION A FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON THE OUTLET OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. IT APPEARS THERE IS A CRACK OR SOME SORT OF DEFECT CAUSING THE EXTERIOR PIECE ON THAT FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 64,300 MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, HE STARTED TO SMELL A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000.
PLASTIC FUEL TANK CRACKED AND FUEL IS DRIPPING FROM VEHICLE IMPOSING A POTENTIAL FIRE AND HAZARD.
MY VEHICLE, A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LT, LIKE MANY OTHER CHEVY COBALTS I'VE FOUND IN MY RESEARCH, HAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE NOT PINPOINTED THE EXACT LEAK LOCATION BUT I HAVE A PICTURE DISPLAYING THE FUEL LINE COVERED IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN ALUMINUM FOIL TO KEEP THE LINES FROM HEATING UP. CLEARLY THIS DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026