2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,649 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 107,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 4% of the 1,649 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 107,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The traction control system light on my Chevrolet Cobalt 2005 stays on and does not turn off until I shut off the engine. The check engine light also stays on as well at the same time the traction control system light is on, so not sure if these two issues are related. I also notice that the vehicle jerks periodically when I am on the road and there is rough shifting of gears.”
NHTSA complaint #11013021, filed 2017-08, 173,450 miles“I was driving down the interstate, when my warning light came on, and said engn pwr reduced it immediately slowed from 70 MPH, to 10 MPH and wouldn't rev past 2000 RPM's. The source cannot be found as to why it happened and almost cost me my life on the interstate.”
NHTSA complaint #10820791, filed 2016-01, 249,000 miles“I was traveling at 40 MPH when the check engine and traction control lights lit up on the dashboard. Steering was extremely hard, the power steering was not working and I pulled into the nearest parking lot. After several times restarting the car, the power steering was working again.”
NHTSA complaint #10598284, filed 2014-06, 112,000 miles“The vehicle shuts off while running. I've stopped at stop lights and when I try to continue driving the car will shut totally off while in drive. The door locks are constantly running up and down and will not stay locked. Many times I've come back to the car thinking it was locked to find it unlocked itself. The electrical problem has created a problem with brand new batteries. I've replaced it twice since purchasing the car in 2010.”
NHTSA complaint #10576522, filed 2014-04, 115,000 miles“After stopping at a light, I proceeded into the intersection and the car just turned off, locking the steering and would not restart. I coasted over the lanes of traffic and attempted to restart the car three times. Eventually I was able to restart it.”
NHTSA complaint #10569168, filed 2014-03, 22,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11007091Aug 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178949Jul 28, 2020This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
1,143 complaintsElectrical system
323 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsAir bags
71 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsEngine cooling
51 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsSuspension
47 complaintsOther or unknown
46 complaintsBody and structure
46 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsEquipment
35 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology