2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems
Owners have filed 2,231 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 52% of complaints. After that come electrical system (15%) and engine (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,231 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 52% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 150 and 17
- Injuries and deaths
- 115 and 16
- Typical mileage
- 63,000 miles 1,873 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 225 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 238 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 402 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 358 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 233 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 163 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 109 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 45 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 46 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 23 |
| 200k+ miles | 31 |
What the data shows
Among the 1,873 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 63,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 61,000 miles (1,027 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 150 complaints mention a crash; 17 complaints mention a fire; 115 injuries reported; 16 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Chevrolet Cobalt with enough data (1,422 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 5 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
On feb. 10,2006 my little brother was on his way home in my 2005 cobalt it was raining he went around a curve an lost control of the vehicle. He hit a total of 3 trees the car was total. The air bags didn't not deploy an the seat belt didn't catch, bc of this my little brother lost his life. He was 5'11 an weighed about 350 lbs an came up out of his seat and hit the top of the car were the metal meets the windshield. Nothing has been done.
Notice of recall,repairs made by dealership. Crash into tree, approx. Speed 60 MPH. Three passengers, not wearing seat belts,extreme front end damage. Air bags did not deploy. Driver seriously injured. Front passenger killed. Rear passenger killed. Investigation pending..... Updated 03/14/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle was able to resume normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, who diagnosed that the head gasket was blown and caused internal damage to the engine. As a result, the engine required replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I was stopped in line of traffic and had to move to the right slightly to get out of a firetruck's way (not in a jerking and forceful movement, but normal turning of steering wheel). When I tried to get back into the line of traffic, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to move and I heard electrical motor noises coming from behind the steering wheel. These noises continued for 10-20 seconds and then the power steering message came on the display.