Problems · by component
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt engine problems
69 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt cite engine, 4% of all 1,649 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
69
4% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The steering locked up after the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure persisted while driving a short distance. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found, and the failure persisted. The check engine warning light has been illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The exhaust system, fuel lines, brake lines, and the engine had been replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”
“The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business”
“Ignition switch had a previous recall, but now the ignition switch won’t turn the car on on the first 5-10 switches with any keys, or spare keys. Steering wheel shakes/wobbles when exceeding over 50mph.”
“WHEN I GOT THE CAR IN JUNE 2020 I GOT THE KEY I WAS TOLD TO TURN KEY TO ACC WAIT UNTIL LOCK ICON GO OFF MY CAR ALARMS WILL SOUND ANTI THEFT SYSTEM TOOK TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP,AND THEY CHARGED $$$ SAID THEY REPLACED SEVERAL PART'S AND STILL IT'S STALLS,AND LOOSE POWDER STEERING,IT SAYS I HAVE NO FUEL IN CAR BRAKE LIGHT ON DO NOT CHIMES WHEN I GET IN CAR IT MAKES IT LIKE I STEALING THE CAR AND IT SHUTDOWN EVERYTHING BEEN DOING IT SENSE JULY CAN'T DRIVE OUT NO WHERE STALLS WHEN I DID TRY DRIVING IT ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP”
“I GOT THE CAR A FEW YEARS AGO ONLY DROVE IT FOR 5 MONTHS FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO GO NASSAU BAHAMAS. THEY NEVER SHIP IT FOR ME .THEY PAID THE IGNITION REPAIRS NEVER GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR. THEN I CALLED BACK A FEW MONTHS ABOUT A WARRANTY SAY 60,000 MILES OR 5 YEAR THEY TELL ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE SAME THING. SO I STARTED CHECKING COME TO FIND ALL KINDA LAW SUIT ON THAT TYPE MODEL. THEY WANT THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I ASKED THEM TO PAY OUT THE CAR. CAN'T GET A RESPONSE. THEY OPEN BUT THE BAHAMAS OFFICE CLOSED FROM COVID-19. STILL HAVE TO WAIT ON A RESPONSE.*DT*JB *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. RODGERS AUTO GROUP LOCATED AT (2720 S. MICHIGAN AVE CHICAGO, IL) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.”
Showing 6 of 69 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.