MY FRONT LEFT AXLE FELL OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING HOME THE TOW MAN SAID THAT SOME THING RUSTED OUT THAT HOLDS THE AXLE UP A METAL BAR IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THREW
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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Owner complaints by model year
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When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1,407 reports with mileage · 242 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 1,143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 323 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
7 reportsSUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD.
WAS DRIVING WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED UP AS I WAS STARTING AROUND A SMALL CURVE IN THE ROAD. COULD NOT STEER AND WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A YARD AND STRUCK A TREE. INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED VEHICLE.
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL RECALL NOTICES. *SMD 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. *JB
I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006 (WAS A RENTAL). UP UNTIL TODAY (2/27/10) I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT EVENTUALLY. NOW HOWEVER, MY CAR WILL NOT START - IT JUST CLICKS, AND MY SHIFTER WON'T MOVE. THE CAR DOESN'T REC…
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I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006 (WAS A RENTAL). UP UNTIL TODAY (2/27/10) I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT EVENTUALLY. NOW HOWEVER, MY CAR WILL NOT START - IT JUST CLICKS, AND MY SHIFTER WON'T MOVE. THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GFB6Y7_ZKX0 THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR: POWER STEERING FAILURE AFTER ABOUT 45,000 BAD WHEEL BEARING AFTER ABOUT 50,000 CD PLAYER REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T EJECT CDS (THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER'S MODEL) FAULTY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I FEEL THIS MODEL OF CAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH IT. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2005 COBALT IN APRIL 2008, STARTED HAVING VIOLENT SHAKING IN FRONT OF CAR WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED A DEFECTIVE STRUT WHICH CHEVY REPLACED EVEN THOUGH WARRANTY HAD JUST RUN OUT. THIS DID NOT CORRECT VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRING ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAD FRONT END, TIRES, WHEELS, ROTORS, A…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 COBALT IN APRIL 2008, STARTED HAVING VIOLENT SHAKING IN FRONT OF CAR WHILE TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED A DEFECTIVE STRUT WHICH CHEVY REPLACED EVEN THOUGH WARRANTY HAD JUST RUN OUT. THIS DID NOT CORRECT VIOLENT SHAKING OCCURRING ON A REGULAR BASIS. HAD FRONT END, TIRES, WHEELS, ROTORS, AXLE CHECKED WITH NO OUTCOME OF FINDING THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE SHAKING OCCURS UNABLE TO STEER AND HAVE TO REDUCE SPEED AND PULL TO SHOULDER OF ROAD, AFTER COMPLETE STOP NORMALLY CAN RESUME DRIVING. SINCE MY DAUGHTER DOES NOT DO ANY LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL I HOPED THAT IT WOULD NOT OCCUR AS OFTEN AS IT DOES WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT TO WORK, HOWEVER IN JANUARY OF 2009 WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING CAR AROUND A CURVE T/C LIGHT CAME ON SHAKING AND INABILITY TO CONTROL THE CAR LEFT HER STRAIGHTENING THE CURVE OUT SPINNING AROUND AND AFTER WEEKS IN A BODY SHOP AND 5000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS, SEVERAL TRIPS BACK AND MORE MONEY, HIGH INSURANCE RATES WE STILL HAVE A CAR THAT HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH NO ANSWERS TO WHAT CAUSES IT AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT IT. NOW THAT SHE IS VENTURING FURTHER FROM HOME I AM IN FEAR FOR HER LIFE BUT I HAVE NO FUNDS TO REPLACE THIS CAR OR IT WOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN GONE ALTHOUGH I AM SURE THAT NOBODY ELSE WOULD WANT IT DUE TO THE PUBLICITY THAT THESE CARS HAVE BEEN GETTING. LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT BUT DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE CHEVROLET STEPS UP TO THE PLATE AND FIXES THESE CARS. I HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY BEEN RESEARCHING TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH I CAN FIND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE PROBLEM NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE THE SOLUTION. THE CARS OR IN WARRANTY OR JUST OUT OF WARRANTY AND WE COULDN'T GET ANSWERS AND AS THE AUTOS GET OLDER THEY DON'T FEEL IT IS THERE PROBLEM. OUR CAR GETS REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH THE SAME MECHANIC EACH TIME SO THEREFORE HE HAS FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF EVERY STEP IT HAS HAD,AND NOW THAT IT HAS HIT THE NEWS I AM SEEING SOME DIRECTION TO TAKE TO GET HELP. *TR
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF THE TIME AND WOULD OCCUR WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FLASHING THAT HELD THE TUMBLER AND THE S HAD COLLAPSED. THE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF THE TIME AND WOULD OCCUR WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FLASHING THAT HELD THE TUMBLER AND THE S HAD COLLAPSED. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE DEALER NOT TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY ORDERED THE PART. *AK (12/01/05) AFTER THE COLUMN WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE WHEEL COVER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RINGS TO HOLD THE RIMS TIGHT AND WOULD RATTLE WHEN GOING OVER LIGHT BUMPS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT PILLAR WAS LOOSE. *SC
Official recalls
514V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
10V073000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Mar 3, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
07V014000 · Structure
Jan 18, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
04V560000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Nov 22, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BULB SHIELDS INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS CAN LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BULB SHIELD CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HEADLAMP INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE, ONCOMING DRIVERS MAY NOTICE ADDITIONAL GLARE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE10005 · Electric Power Steering Failure
Opened Jan 27, 2010 · Closed Jul 19, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System
In a March 1, 2010 letter, General Motors Corporation (GM) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and MY 2007 through 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).The letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur 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 to inform the driver.The letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require 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.GM's letter identifies the root cause of the EPS failure as the EPS motor and indicates that production of a new motor started in December 2009.GM's recall repair procedure instructs dealers to replace the EPS motor in all recalled vehicles. ODI's analysis of all information available related to sudden loss of EPS assist while driving in the MY 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles shows current complaint and warranty rates of 323/100,000 vehicles and 0.4% respectively.In response to ODI's request for information, GM identified 81 complaints where a crash was claimed that may be related to loss of EPS assist.ODI's analysis of all crash claims was based on verifiable factors such as; whether a loss of EPS was indicated at the time of the crash by a chime or malfunction indicator lamp or if a EPS related component malfunction was identified after the crash occurred.With this method ODI identified 36 possible crashes related to EPS failure.GM assessed crash claims based on the available facts and excluded crash claims that indicated that the vehicle was travelling at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater.GM said that it believes if power assist is lost while a vehicle is moving at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater there is a small difference in steering efforts perceived in subjective evaluations at those speeds and it is unlikely to lead to loss of vehicle control. Based on GM's safety recall, this investigation is closed.
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