MYRModel Year Report

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of 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

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Cobalt Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1996: 1 complaints 1996 2000: 1 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2005: 1649 complaints 2006: 2330 complaints 2006 2007: 1564 complaints 2008: 843 complaints 2008 2009: 710 complaints 2010: 573 complaints 2010 2011: 2 complaints 2012: 1 complaints 2012 2016: 1 complaints 2017: 1 complaints 2017
2006: 2330 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19961
20001
20022
20051649
20062330
20071564
2008843
2009710
2010573
20112
20121
20161
20171

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 53%

53% of complaints: steering — 1237 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

strong smell of fuel affraid to drive the igntion get stuck and locks so you cant turn the car on

NHTSA ODI report, 20240222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 365 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

"TAKATA RECALL" ON 3/30/18 I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK. I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED. I STOPPED AND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME WAS DRIVING A LARGE SUV.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190813

I WAS IN THE FOOD FOR LESS MARKET AND MY CAR - BLOW UP OR WHATEVER IT WAS ON FIRE WHEN I CAME OUT AFTER SOMEONE STATE "A CHEVY VOLT WAS ON FIRE, COME TO THE FRONT", THEN HE SAID, "WILL THE PERSON WITH A CHEVY VOLT, COME TO THE FRONT - COLOR PURPLE"...

NHTSA ODI report, 20121107

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 255 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS UNDER MY CAR INSPECTING IT FOR A LEAK FROM SPOTS I SAW ON THE DRIVE WAY. I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY IT WAS A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE GAS TANK WHEN IT DECIDED TO CATCH ON FIRE WITH ME UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121003

strong smell of fuel affraid to drive the igntion get stuck and locks so you cant turn the car on

NHTSA ODI report, 20240222

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 163 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 132 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

"TAKATA RECALL" ON 3/30/18 I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK. I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY CITY STREET WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED. I STOPPED AND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME WAS DRIVING A LARGE SUV.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190813

BRAKES FAILED. HIT ANOTHER CAR AT STOP LIGHT. CAR SLOWED BUT WOULD NOT STOP. FELT ABS KICK IN BUT BRAKES ONLY SLOWED CAR DOWN. LESS THAN 5 MPH. NO AIB BAG INFLATION. CAR WAS A LOANER FROM DEALER, WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING WORKED ON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060127

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2006 — complaint volume: 2330
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 20100204 — fuel system, gasoline

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORI

Campaign 09V419000 — check if this car was fixed

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1237 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (365 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (255 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07V014000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V419000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V073000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E021000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V171000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

◆ 2005 ◆ 2007 ▲ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.