MYRModel Year Report

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
1,649
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

70% of complaints

Complaints per year

1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2002: 2 complaints 2005: 1,649 complaints 2005 1,649 2006: 2,330 complaints 2007: 1,564 complaints 2008: 845 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2010: 574 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2017: 1 complaint 2017
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints 2005 1,649 2006: 2,330 complaints 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints 2007 2008: 845 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 2010: 574 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2017
1996: 1 complaint 1996 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1,649 complaints 2005 1,649 2006: 2,330 complaints 2006 2007: 1,564 complaints 2007 2008: 845 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2009 2010: 574 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2011 2012: 1 complaint 2012 2016: 1 complaint 2016 2017: 1 complaint 2017

2005: 1,649 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
20022
20051,649
20062,330
20071,564
2008845
2009710
2010574
20112
20121
20161
20171

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

70% · 1,154 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and column.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-02-20

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, 2012-11-13

Dt:the contact owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. This vehicle was rented by the consumer for three days. The vehicle was making a squealing noise, and got into a severe accident. The problem was either in the steering or the tires.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-08-01

Also filed under Tires

Electrical system

20% · 327 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Power train

6% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH

Air bags

4% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-02-26

Also filed under Service brakes

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, 2012-07-31

Dt: consumer bought a 2005 Chevrolet, Cobalt; had an accident which totaled the car out. The air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-24

Engine

4% · 69 reports
CRASHINJURY
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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-06

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-11-17Exterior lighting04V560000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. The recall began on November 17, 2004. Owners should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 1,649 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2007-03-21Structure07V014000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2010-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-07-19 Electric Power Steering Failure
  5. R
    2010-03-29Steering10V073000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-04-04Electrical system14E021000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-04-18Electrical system14V171000 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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2014-04-18Air bags, electrical system14V047000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 1,154 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 327 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 100 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V560000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V014000 · Structure
  • Recall 10V073000 · Steering
  • Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 70% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.