2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
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.
- Complaints
- 2,330
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Steering
Campaigns on file for 2006
Opened by NHTSA
56% of complaints
Complaints per year
2006: 2,330 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1,649 |
| 2006 | 2,330 |
| 2007 | 1,564 |
| 2008 | 845 |
| 2009 | 710 |
| 2010 | 574 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Steering
56% · 1,308 reportsMost commonly citing electric power assist system and hydraulic power assist system.
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, 2024-02-22
Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system
Electrical system
18% · 424 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
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, 2019-08-13
Also filed under Air bags and power train
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, 2012-11-07
Also filed under Engine
Fuel/propulsion system
11% · 255 reportsShow 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, 2012-10-03
Fuel system, gasoline
10% · 227 reportsMost commonly citing fuel pump and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
Air bags
6% · 148 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show complaint excerpts
Dt*: the contact stated while attempting to apply brake pressure at 40 MPH the vehicle hit another vehicle from behind and the airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed at the scene and there were no injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 2006-03-08
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, 2006-01-27
Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2006Complaint volume 2,330 complaints filed for this model year.
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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…
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I
2010-01-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-07-19 Electric Power Steering Failure
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2010-02-04Fuel system, gasoline09V419000 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…
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…
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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…
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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.
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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...
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Steering: 1,308 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 424 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 255 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 07V014000 · Structure
- Recall 09V419000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 10V073000 · Steering
- Recall 14E021000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V171000 · Electrical system
- Recall 14V047000 · Air bags, electrical system
Other years of this model
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 56% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2006 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.