Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt latches/locks/linkages problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt cite latches/locks/linkages, 2% of all 1,649 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
35
2% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the latches/locks/linkages

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while parked, the contact attempted to open the driver's side door; however, the door failed to open. Additionally, the window failed to operate as needed. The contact had to exit the vehicle through the passenger's side door. The contact attempted to unlock the door from the outside however, the door failed to open. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 1, 2023Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11519765
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS INDEPENDENTLY OPENED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BUNGEE CORD THE TWO REAR DOORS TO KEEP THEM FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MANGINO BUICK GMC (1484 SARATOGA RD, BALLSTON SPA, NY 12020, (518) 885-5301), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2018Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11099949
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS CONSTANTLY LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRAWL IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDOW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED HARRY GREEN CHEVROLET AT 304-624-6304 (1858 E PIKE ST, CLARKSBURG, WV 26301) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V014000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2018Steering, Power train, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, EngineODI 11079659
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY UNLOCK AND LOCK IN A LOOP WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE ALARM TO ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2015Electrical system, Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10778211
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2015Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10694491
“THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE DOORS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY, USUALLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO DROP, BUT IT ISN'T ALWAYS THE CASE. THE DOORS EITHER WON'T OPEN OR WON'T CLOSE, AND THE HANDLES DON'T WORK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE LATCH WON'T RELEASE. SOMETIMES BANGING VERY HARD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR AT A CERTAIN LOCATION RELEASES IT AND IT WORKS AGAIN UNTIL THE NEXT TIME YOU NEED TO OPEN IT. I'VE SEEN MANY POSTS ONLINE OF COBALT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, AND SHOULD REQUIRE A RECALL. IF BOTH DOORS STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME I WOULD BE STUCK INSIDE THE CAR, OR STUCK OUTSIDE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IN AND DRIVE MY CAR. AND WHAT IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY? UNFORTUNATELY REPAIR SHOPS HAVE NO CLUE WHAT'S GOING ON OR HOW TO FIX IT, AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE WHO CAN'T GET IT REPAIRED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2014Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10652026

Showing 6 of 35 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.