2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1,143about this part
- Share
- 69%of 1,649 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 1,143 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 69% of the 1,649 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,000 miles. 52 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“Recall no. N100023 - I was driving up to a stop sign and all of a sudden I couldn't turn the wheel. I was almost at a stop. The power steering was gone. A little later it turned back on. Recall no. 09041 - when I shift there is a clicking sound that is made inside where the shifter is, and then all of my sudden my car jerks. This happens when I am in motion. It jerks to the point I am physically moved.”
NHTSA complaint #11062005, filed 2018-01, 132,000 miles“Takata recall while I am driving my power steering light comes on and my car will lose power steering. My gear shift starts making a clicking noise, when I press on gas when it goes to change gears it jumps into the next gear, when I try to stop it won't let me the engine feels like it is trying to go faster when I'm trying to stop. I have had fhe car for about 2 years and it's a ongoing problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11052868, filed 2017-12, 155,000 miles“I got into my car and when I turned on the car it said power steering and the check engine light was on I tried to drive home and the steering wheel was stiff and hard to turn. The odometer would not move from 0 to show me the speed I was going and the car was making some clicking sounds as I was driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10650007, filed 2014-10, 86,135 miles“I was parked. I returned to vehicle and started vehicle. The power steering light on dash illuminated and my steering was very hard to maneuver. I managed to drive the car back to our hotel, but was fearful of driving any further. Had it towed home.”
NHTSA complaint #10938992, filed 2017-01, 304,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V073000Mar 3, 2010General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 chevrolet cobalt and model year 2007-2010 pontiac g5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering…Covers: Chevrolet Cobalt 2005–2010, Pontiac G5 2007–2010
Related service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
323 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
99 complaintsAir bags
71 complaintsEngine
69 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 29, 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