Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Cobalt power train problems

99 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt cite power train, 6% of all 1,649 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
99
6% 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 power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS INCORRECTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED WHILE DRIVING, PROVIDING SPEED READINGS OF 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2021Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11396948
“WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAR SHUT OFF. THIS LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I CALLED CHEVY DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS NOTIFIED IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY AND THAT I MAY BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE IF I BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2020Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11363362
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST FUEL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY, AND "FAULTY POWER STEERING" AND "LOSS OF FUEL" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL SHIFTING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET (31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530, (951) 226-0822) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS SERVICED IN 2009; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2019Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11242483
“TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. SHIFTED FROM P TO R AND THE SHIFT WAS HARD. SHIFTED TO D AND A CLUNK OCCURRED. VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE CORRECTLY. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND STARTED IT AGAIN. PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2018Power trainODI 11111091
“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
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2018Steering, Power trainODI 11062005

Showing 6 of 99 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.