general problems of the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt - part 1

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 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 trafiic 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 oncomig 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 12 year old son in the car. It is especially bad if you have the ac on it seems like it effects the elctrical 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. . Read more...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Before I get into all of it there has never been an accident not yet at least. I do everything I can to try an stop that from happening, (but accidents do happen) only because I know my car could kill on me so I’m extra careful. 1) after I get gas I’m my car the car won’t start right away. I have to restart it a couple times an step in the gas an rev up wasting the gas I just put in to get it to start. 2) when I stop an start to pull out of somewhere on to a main road the car will just die on me so I’m stuck pulling out in traffic trying to get my car to start again. It’s when I come to a stop an pull out it just kills on me. So I have to make sure no one else is coming an I have enough time to be able to restart it otherwise I’m worried when I pull out of anywhere or stop an go that another car will smack into me because my car just died on me in the middle of the road/ pulling out an crossing lanes. Super scary! 3) let get into the next issue so anytime I run my ac my car starts to do this jumping thing like it wants to kill on me not to mention it has killed on me with the ac on (I live in louisiana an it’s too hot not to have ac plus I have 3 kids) what’s sad is the ac works fine but if you want the car to maybe not die then turn it off an you have a better chance of it not killing off on you but not always a guarantee. So ill run it for second to try an cool down so I’m not drenched in sweat but I have no other choice to turn it off so the car doesn’t just die on me. This refers back to the 2nd problem I make sure it’s off anytime I pull out of anywhere thinking that would help it from killing on me while trying to get out of anywhere but it doesn’t but I can tell you if the ac is on when I pull out when I start to go it dies right as I’m in the middle of the road every time never fails. Mechanics have replaced parts trying to fix the issue, but it still happens I can’t keep buying/fixing things for nada, ongoing problems since buying.

Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving about 45 mph up and hill the vehicle cut off and the steering wheel locked. The abs and battery light illuminated on the dashboard. The contact stated the vehicle was jump started and the contact was able to drive to their residence. The contact stated an independent mechanic used a kill switch to drain the battery. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Lj.

While driving today door locks unlock and lock again randomly. It was scary. I was driving in town. Also traction control light and engine light came on. Began running rough and lunging. I am afraid to drive my own car.

Tl the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 09v419000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel odor emerging from the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle should have been repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer declined reimbursement of the repair fees. The failure mileage was 28,000.

Tl the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While parking the vehicle in the driveway, the contact forgot to place the shifter into park and removed the key from the ignition switch. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle while in gear, but it failed to start. The contact noticed the vehicle was still in gear and placed the gear shifter into park. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle, but it failed to start. All the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to estle Chevrolet (located at 1515 n clinton st, defiance, OH 43512, (419) 785-8015), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Power steering failure and engine light came on dashboard. Car is drivable but power steering fails often at times when driving. Was almost in bad car accident if I had not pulled off the highway.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving unknown speeds, there was an abnormal fuel odor and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was a fuel leak. The contact called the local dealer (munday Chevrolet, 17800 north fwy houston, TX 77090) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 81,744.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. On several occasions, while driving, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that excessive force on the steering wheel was required in order to maneuver the vehicle. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was able to turn off the engine warning indicator. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recall was associated with the vehicle and to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 128,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving various speeds, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, the specific details of the diagnosis was not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle shook and shut off. The contact smelled fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the ignition fuel coil, spark plug coil, and fuel pump relay. The failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,300.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 30 mph, the check engine and power steering warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,724.

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving 40 mph, the power steering seized and the engine light illuminated without warning. Directly after, the vehicle jerked and accelerated without warning and the speedometer malfunctioned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 182,000.

When driving the car it seems to feel like the brakes are being applied and the car is towing a heavy load and the speed will decrease as I continue to drive forcing me to park the vehicle. I turn the car off for an hour or two and it will drive normally again but if driven to long it will slow down with the same problem. This is a typical city driving, stop and go at stop lights or up and down small hills. The mechanic stated that it maybe the throttle body module but we are not sure.

The engine randomly cuts off while driving at low speeds (under 45 mph). The electrical things like radio, lights, etc remain on. This problem began in 10/2012. The 1st diagnosis of cylinder misfire was repaired by removing & replacing coil pack. The 2nd diagnosis of malfunctioning catalytic converter was repaired by removing & replacing catalytic converter in summer of 2013. The 3rd diagnosis of faulty starter was repaired by removing & replacing starter in July 2014. The 4th diagnosis of bad starter was repaired by removing & replacing the starter October 2015. After every repair the engine would randomly cut off while driving as it had before the repairs. The recalled ignition was removed & replaced in 2015 be the dealer as well. No service department or repair shop had ever been able to definitely diagnose the cause or recreate the problem. Although the engine cuts off during low speeds, it is highly dangerous. The most recent occurrence happened less than 24hrs after the starter was replaced. The engine stopped while driving in the middle of the road & several vehicles narrowly missed the car barely avoiding collision.

Car while it's running gets a security light and engine light on and all gauges read zero besides the rpms jumping to a thousand. An display saying low fuel and power steering and when try to change display it reads ---------- and it did the same thing while driving down the road so I pulled over and turned it off and back on and only the security light stayed on. Very dangerous as the car will not move when it's happening it's like it's disabled.

Keeps losing oil and now the engine wont keep oil now the engine is gone,,we kept the oil checked but one day while driving it lost pressure and wont go. . I think it should be part of the recall. . . This car has had a lot of issues and recalls since being purchased. . .

I was driving on the highway and my traction control came on. I lost steering control and my car started shifting rough and eventually my power deminished. Now comes on periodically for a couple days then will go off and drive fine. Also my airbag light stays on for passenger and shows it to be off. Has done this since I bought it.

Tl-the contact owns 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle speed drop, the vehicle could not accelerated. The steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ignition switch and two keys was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,417. Aw.

Chevrolet Cobalt had a ignition switch recall which I did and now a couple months later I can hear the ignition switch click on and off repeatedly,the anti theft system is now on and engaged,the symbol is constantly on,it thinks that my car is stolen,even when I drive it'll be on it'll disable my gauges, my gauges will not work and if they do they work for a second and go off repeatedly,the car will flash dash icons like if it was a christmas tree show, it looks like if an alien race came in and keep messing with it. . Sometimes the car won't even start, it won't kick over, on the digital display of my dash I get dash marks cause of a computer error cause of a another faulty ignition switch. The cars gauges as I try to drive will not work, the icons on the dash will keep rotating from other icons, this car is dangerous in my own opinion. When I drive the gauges won't work and it's so dangerous, I can't see the speed or my rpms, I can't see how much gas I have, my radio is no good, the leather they used for the seats was garbage, the paint was done by an amateur, the paint is coming off the car, rust is developing, my doors will open and close themselves, I never had this problem before doing the recall. The ignition switch turns off my airbags,my radio does not work, my wheels hubs have broke cause they used cheap wheel hubs on a sports car, the ignition coil packs are garbage. The car is defective, I spent close to $22,000 to $24,000,in 2006 for my 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt 2. 4 ss which has less than 71,000 miles. They pushed a cheap crappy parts car with cheap paint and no rust prevention,also the wiring of electronics in the car was complete [xxx], the wiring harnesses on all the wires is crumbling,the wiring to the battery in the rear trunk of the car is a fail,Chevrolet pushed a car out that was no ready for market,they pushed a car out that was defective and dangerous. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Tl-the contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly decelerated. The contact mentioned that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as the tracking control and check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. Pam.

Starting on Sunday I was driving down the highway and my car suddenly shut off. The power steering light flashed and then the service air bag light as well. I pulled over, stopped completely, and turned my car back on and took the back roads home. After turning the car back on the warning lights on the display were gone. The next day I was on a different highway and the same thing happened except when I turned my car back on the service air bag light stayed on until I returned home. I had the recall on the ignition switch replaced last year.

Traction control light came on. Car started running very rough and then lost all traction and shut off.

We were driving down the road in oct when all of sudden dash lights up flashing dinging going crazy the car keeps jerking forward like its trying to shift into a gear for the whole 40 min drive it drove fine on the way home . It has done this maybe three times since the other day I was driving my grand children to school when the car started to jerk forward then just stopped running and lost power steering , in a three way intersection , my car finally started up after about 10 mins. In oct when the car started having problems I called our dealer they said the car had all the recalls done that it would cost 90 to check it out and that they wouldn't be able to find anything unless it was having the issues at the time they had the vehicle I ended up calling gm about the problem only to be told I am sorry that you had a stressful morning we can give you a case number and will get back to you within 24 to 48 hours may car now sets at my daughters house I will not be driving this car for fear I may injury or kill my grandchildren or others this vehicle id a death trap gm needs to own up and buy out these vehicles so upset right now shame on them how many lives need to be lost before they do something this time?.

While driving, the door locks went up and down and immediately after, the engine raced and rpm gage went up significantly.

I was driving down the road . I just reached 55 mph. My ignition shut off and I lost steering and brakes. I went to the right into the ditch and hit a telephone pole.

I had become aware of the recall, just the week prior and was planning on making arrangements to have the car fixed, once the parts (3-4 weeks out from what I was explained) arrived. I was also explained via the dealer and what I read on line that the car should be ok to drive so long as there was nothing on the key. So I requested my daughter to only use the key with absolutely nothing on it, when using my car. At approximately 2pm on a clear sunny day, my daughter was exiting the freeway. As she was slowing down, the car suddenly shut off on her. Before she had time to react she hit another vehicle. She was fortunately not injured, mainly because she was already slowing down and had it been a few minutes earlier, things may have been drastically different. I have had this car for 7 years and I drove it quite a bit and let my daughter do so as well. I am angry that gm has allowed my daughter and I to be at risk for such a long period of time and even as I am writing this (2 weeks later) the only answers I have really been given from gm are answers I have had to call and press them on, which for the most part is almost no information at all. I am sure they are being inundated with complaints and having to deal with the media, congress, NHTSA, but I cannot feel any empathy or sympathy for that matter, when they have had years to deal with this and simply swept this under the rug. Harsh and swift action must be taken to punish them and set an example to all others. Enough with the bail outs. Time to start being accountable.

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer seeks reimbursement for recall repairs. The oxygen sensor, throttle body spacer and ignition coil were all replaced.

I was driving east on us hwy 2 at 55 mph when my car suddenly dropped speed to 35 mph and the engine light came on and the dash read red eng pwr. It was a very scary experience, I was able to coast to a side road as I live in northern wisconsin and there is not a shoulder to pull on to due to the high snow banks. I parked the car and shut it off and it had no power no speed control. I let it sit for 1 hour and when I turned it back on the engine light was off along with the dash reading and the car was normal. This is awful! this car is awful!.

I was driving east on us hwy 2 at 35 mph when my car suddenly shut off. I was in the middle lane and was able to pull to the right lane with no traffic coming. This happened 3 more times in a 2 mile distance. I parked the car and immediately notified chevy and my local chevy dealer. Chevy told me my car had a recall that would not be available until April 1. Von holzen chevy dealer said unless they knew what was wrong and I paid 600 they would not fix it.