general problems of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt - part 2

169 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt based on all problems reported for the 2005 Cobalt.

36 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/03/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. The vehicle was restarted and the power steering returned to normal. The failure occurred on four occasions and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) in 2011. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

37 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to recall repairs to vehicle. The dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available.

38 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/26/2014

Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the vehicle's door locks have malfunctioned. The contact stated the vehicle door lock will independently unlock and lock in a loop which causes the car alarm to function. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was not diagnoised. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle mileage was approximately 65,000. Kh.

39 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2014

I was driving around 55 mph in traffic. I heard a chime and the display on the dash said power steering disabled, the orange indicator for traction control disabled illuminated, the tachometer jumped around and the transmission shifted extremely hard into gear. I struggled to pull over to the sholder and the car slammed into park. I shut the car off and back on. It still shifted hard so I let it stay off for five minute. After that the car was fine. As an experienced mechanic it felt like the car lost communication with one of the computers. No dtcs were stored. There are a lot of complaints about this online as well.

40 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/14/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) and NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). However, the parts to perform the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

41 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/13/2014

Tl - the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v073000 (steering) NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system) the contact stated intermittently the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact mentioned the check engine and the power steering warning lights illuminated. The contact stated randomly was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact mentioned while turning the vehicle off and removing the key the vehicle would not shut off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000. Bt.

42 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/12/2014

Power steering malfunctioning. Engine wants to stall and shut off. Transmission jumps when put into gear, automatic transmission. Instrument panel gauges jumping. Parking lights flashing. Shows low fuel when there is gas in the car.

43 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 14e021000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who took the components apart and indicated that a part was missing. The recall repair was not remedied correctly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,651.

44 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was difficult to remove from the ignition. The failure occurred several times. The contact stated that the part was not available for the repair under NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

45 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle repairs and seeks reimbursement. The consumer stated his daughter was left stranded on four occasions.

46 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/09/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received recall notifications for NHTSA campaign number: 14v047000 (electrical system), NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system), and NHTSA campaign number: 14v153000 (steering). The parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The dealer was unable to provide a specific date for when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

47 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/02/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer write in regards to ignition key and dealership problems. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled on a constant basis. She felt as though the dealer was giving her the run-around.

48 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/30/2014

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the ignition key has continued to get stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system), however this failure has continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however they could not duplicate this failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000. Rg.

49 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/27/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while idling at a traffic stop, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 14v171000 (electrical system), however the remedy part was unavailable to perform the repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.

50 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/24/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) and14v171000 (electrical system) however, the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.

51 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/14/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to a customer reimbursement request form. The consumer was involved in an accident. During the accident,the vehicle shut off. Also, the air bag did not deploy. It was confirmed, the vehicle was included in the current gm recall. The vehicle was totaled.

52 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2014

I wanted to express my frustration over the gm recall regarding my car. Upon receipt of the notice of the recall, I immediately contacted my local chevy dealer. They had no information on when new parts might be available. I was told to call back and did so weekly until they finally said they could order the recalled part. I was then told that it would take at least another month for the part to come in. It has been several months since I received the recall notice. I am disappointed in gm's lack of urgency and blatant disregard for the safety of consumers. I have been very proactive in this process and yet have been continually delayed in getting my car repaired. As a result of gm's mistake I am forced to drive an unsafe vehicle and have no definite time frame on when this issue might be resolved.

53 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to several recall notices. The consumer stated there were always some type of electrical issues with the vehicle, such as the headlights and taillights having to be replaced. Also, the rims bent easily. The consumer had to purchase new ones.

54 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/27/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign id number 14v171000 (electrical system). However, the contact was not able to have the vehicle serviced under the recall because the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.

55 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/26/2014

I am getting upset with the inability of your company to carry out recall repairs. The parts were ordered in March 2014 and I am being told by dealer they are not in yet. I know this dealer is fixing the cars of their regular customers so what is the delay for recall customers who are not the dealers regular customers? if you can not provide me with an acceptable answer I will contact NHTSA. I am tired of trying to use one car for two drivers.

56 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/14/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. He received a recall notice in the mail and he was advised that the parts were not available. He was driving approximately 65 mph and the vehicle shut off he hit a pot hole and his temperature light came on and gm stated they are not responsible. The contact occasionally had difficulty getting the vehicle to start and had to make several attempts with the key. He had to wait until the vehicle cooled down almost two hours and was able to drive very slowly to his residence. He advised them in 2005 that something was wrong with his ignition after he purchased the vehicle in July 2005. The failure occurred in November of 2005. The dealer drove 20 mph to test drive the vehicle and was unable to reproduce the failure. The contact advised them that he was driving 65 mph when the failure occurred. He cannot drive the vehicle because the anti freeze continued to leak out of the vehicle. He was advised that the struts, bushings, timing chain, link and the water pump was leaking because of the failure. The manufacturer made an appointment for him to have the vehicle diagnosed at a dealer and was told that it would take 20 days to a month before the manufacturer could send someone to diagnose the failure. The vehicle is currently at his residence. The dealer notified him today to ask if the manufacturer scheduled an appointment to diagnose the failure. The dealer where the vehicle was purchased and diagnosed are no longer in business. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was over 120,000 miles.

57 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/11/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that she attempted to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number:14v047000 (air bags , electrical system) but was made aware that parts were not available for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.

58 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/09/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and the contact crashed. The contact was unable to recall what he crashed into. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered neck and back injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received the recall notification related to NHTSA campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure of mileage was unknown.

59 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2014

I went to crank my vehicle then proceeded to put it into drive to take off, but I had no power nothing. Turned my key over to recrank and it crank with no problem. This time allowing me to take off and drive. Now if I have the key in the ignation and turn it to the on postion it sputters for atleast 50 to 60 secs before cranking.

60 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/05/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that he was concerned for his safety since the parts were still not available in order to do repairs for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v171000 (electrical system). The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The vehicle had not experienced the failure. The vehicle current mileage was 28,000.

61 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) but was informed that the part needed was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. The approximate current mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

62 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2014

The car will lose power, like it is shifting down, transmission slipping, and either start to stall or will stall. Sometimes, if it has run for a long time the problem temporarily goes away. Not safe to drive however and 3 mechanics have attempted to repair with no success.

63 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/21/2014

Tl - the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without any warnings and immediately after it burst into flames. The fire department was contacted and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 125,000. Pm.

64 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/19/2014

As im driving from a fast rate of speed and I slow down I lose power steering and on multiple times I have come close to hitting vehicles as im parking or almost running into a house for not being able to turn.

65 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/14/2014

Went to start the vehicle and my ignition was locked. Worked an hour trying to do be able to turn key over. This has been just out of nowhere popped up one day. Has happened every time I shut off car and pull keys out of ignition.

66 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/13/2014

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes in regards to ignition key problems. The consumer stated the vehicle has been un-driveable since Feb 13, 2014. The key would not go into the ignition.

67 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2014

This happens to me on different occasions I when I park my car or stop driving I try to shut my car off and I cannot my key will be stuck in the ignition and still running for about up to 30 mins my last time this problem happened to me. My other problem I am having is I can start my car perfectly fine but I try to shift the gear from park to drive and I cannot its like its stuck I put my foot on the gas and try to shift it but all I hear is a clicking noise coming from the steering wheel area sometimes I have to sit with the car running for about 15-20 mins until I can finally get the car in drive.

68 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/07/2014

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 35 mph, the temperature gauge icon illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering lost power. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure recurred several times and was not remedied. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14v171000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

69 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/04/2014

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign id number: 14v047000 (air bags , electrical system). The contact stated that the part was unavailable to do the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

70 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2014

I had the ignition cylinder replaced about a year ago, due to the key not being able to release. This was a common problem with 2005 model year Cobalts. Well, the vehicle is doing this again. The key is not being released from the ignition cylinder. However, this time I believe it is the shifter assembly that has gone bad. There is no reverse lock out. I can freely cycle through the gears without applying the brakes which is a safety hazard. I can put the car in reverse without applying the brakes by simply moving the shift lever. Little to no force is needed, I can accidentally knock the lever into reverse with the littlest of force. I have yet to contact the dealer about the issue since I am sure it will cost a fortune to fix even though it is a documented problem with a few technical service bulletins on the issue.



Fuel Economy of Cobalt Vehicles
Cobalt Service Bulletins
Cobalt Safety Recalls
Cobalt Defect Investigations