2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

◆ Worse than typical

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2005: 1649 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1996	1
2000	1
2002	2
2005	1649
2006	2330
2007	1564
2008	843
2009	710
2010	573
2011	2
2012	1
2016	1
2017	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 64%

64% of complaints: steering — 1063 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE TRAFFIC BARRIER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180220

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHING INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121113

Power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. Other sources say there has been a recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 265 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 69 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business

NHTSA ODI report, 20231106

AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ON 23 FEBRUARY 2018. CAR LOST POWER TO POWER STEERING MOTOR, ABS BRAKES, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A TREE DUE TO LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180226

MY SON WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AT 11:30 P.M. ON A DARK DESERT ROAD WHEN HE CAME UPON A MAN FIXING A TIRE AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120731

DT: CONSUMER BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVROLET, COBALT; HAD AN ACCIDENT WHICH TOTALED THE CAR OUT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TT

NHTSA ODI report, 20050524

POWER TRAIN 3%

3% of complaints: power train — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20041117 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Campaign 04V560000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 1649

R 20070321 — structure

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 I

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 1-800-630-2

Campaign 07V014000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100127 — PE (closed 20100719)

Electric Power Steering Failure

R 20100329 — steering

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 O

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

Campaign 10V073000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140404 — electrical system

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for...

Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge.

Campaign 14E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — electrical system

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.

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...

Campaign 14V171000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140418 — air bags, electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V047000 — check if this car was fixed