Electric Power Assist Steering System problems of the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer request information and records for this vehicle. The consumer and his girlfriend were involved in an accident and consumer asserts that there were mechanical defects the consumer believed the defect was in the power steering motor and air bags. The consumer crashed into a telephone pole and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. The consumers girlfriend owned the vehicle and was killed.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the power steering malfunctioned. It was very difficult to turn and park the vehicle when the power steering malfunctioned. Nhtsa recall 10v073000, steering:electric power assist system was repaired by the dealer. A week after the recall repair the power steering malfunctioned. The contact stated the power steering usually malfunctions in cold weather. The contact stated the dealer needs a new part to repair the steering system before this causes a crash. The failure mileage was 52,000.

The contact owned a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 30 to 35 mph the steering wheel locked. The vehicle became very difficult to control. The contact stated that she was driving toward two parked vehicles and engaged the brakes in order to avoid a crash. She turned the vehicle off and restarted it and the vehicle started as normal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and she was advised that her vehicle was not part of recall 10v073000, steering:electric power assist system which she received two months ago. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she returned the vehicle to the dealer. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. She stated that while driving 20 mph and making a turn, without a warning the power steering locked. She turned the vehicle off and then back on. The vehicle began to function normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 8,000 and the current mileage was 8,338. Updated 04/09/10. The power steering electric motor was replaced. Updated 07/07/10.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The driver received notification of recall (NHTSA campaign id number 10v073000, steering: electric power assists system) and made an appointment with a local dealer. The dealer stated that the parts necessary to perform the recall repairs were not available. The contact was unsatisfied with not being able to have the recall repairs performed on the vehicle within a reasonable time. He confirmed that he had experienced power steering failures several times while traveling at speeds of 5 mph or more. The contact was concerned with the possibility of potentially being involved in a crash as a result of the defective part. He has yet to receive recall repairs to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage was 56,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. While driving approximately 2 mph in a parking lot, the steering wheel suddenly locked when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The driver had to exert greater effort to turn the steering wheel. The failure only occurs when parallel parking in reverse. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The authorized dealer was notified of the failure, but there were no resolutions. The technician stated that the failure was common for her vehicle. The vehicle was not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 21,000. Updated 5/27/09 updated 06/01/09.

2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. Consumer writes to inquire about recalls and complaint regarding the death of a driver the consumer stated the vehicle went airborne and her sister was ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle landed and rolled to a stop at the bottom of a bridge, in which the vehicle was scattered in pieces. The consumer stated her sister lost control after entering the highway. The consumer wanted to know if the accident was the result of the power steering failing.

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds she noticed that the steering was not aligned properly and caused the vehicle to sway to the left and right. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace the electronic steering assists system. The vehicle was repaired for the electronic assists, but the failure had continued to occur. The failure mileage was approximately 900. Updated 02/17/lj updated 05/02/11.