Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Subcompact Cars

2006 Chevrolet CobaltRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 2,330 owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. Most complaints involve steering (1,299) and electrical system (412). The EPA rates it 23–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–25mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Apr 2014
Owner complaints
2,330
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: switch

Free remedy

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Electrical systemReported Apr 30, 2014NHTSA 14E021000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Electrical systemReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V171000

Air bags

Remedy pending

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2014NHTSA 14V047000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,330 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2005 – Sep 2025
  1. Steering1,299
  2. Electrical system412
  3. Fuel/propulsion system255
  4. Fuel system, gasoline215
  5. Air bags146
  6. Power train137
  7. Engine93
  8. Structure51
  9. Suspension51

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cobalt model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20051,649
20062,330
20071,564
2008940
2009900
2010583
Crashes reported
164
Fires reported
14
Injuries reported
196
Deaths reported
8
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1,299 reports78 crashes4 fires
“All of these failed again after repair, the car hes been disabled for over 2 years with the same failures. < Dealer Recalls 14115 Dec 5, 2014 Product Safety - Electric Power Steering Assist 14113C Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key 14113 Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2025Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11688075

Electrical system

412 reports36 crashes6 fires
“The fuel tank has an evap leak that somehow breaks on top the tank so it leaks the gas vapors and could potentially start a fire but the part that breaks is a non serviceable part so it can’t be fixed without purchasing a whole new gas tank that isn’t cheap. My other concern is the infamous grounding issue with the wires on the ground g105 I believe right next to oil filter that grounds the transmission and engine control modules well it shorts at times when driving and suddenly your car dies while driving how scary it could cause a wreak and kill somebody it’s a very scary issue that constantly comes back even after trying to re ground it needs to be recalled and fixed it’s going to kill somebody and it’s a well known issue for this make and model that should have already gotten attention to be resolved.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2025Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11673114

Fuel/propulsion system

255 reports1 crash3 fires
“Before I get into all of it there has never been an accident not yet at least. I do everything I can to try an stop that from happening, (but accidents do happen) only because I know my car could kill on me so I’m extra careful. 1) After I get gas I’m my car the car won’t start right away. I have to restart it a couple times an step in the gas an rev up wasting the gas I just put in to get it to start. 2) When I stop an start to pull out of somewhere on to a main road the car will just die on me so I’m stuck pulling out in traffic trying to get my car to start again. It’s when I come to a stop an pull out it just kills on me. So I have to make sure no one else is coming an I have enough time to be able to restart it otherwise I’m worried when I pull out of anywhere or stop an go that another car will smack into me because my car just died on me in the middle of the road/ pulling out an crossing lanes. SUPER SCARY! 3) Let get into the next issue so anytime I run my ac my car starts to do this jumping thing like it wants to kill on me not to mention it has killed on me with the ac on (I live in Louisiana an it’s too hot not to have ac plus I have 3 kids) what’s…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2022Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11477531
All 2006 Cobalt problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500355
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$3,100355
Cobalt
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600370
Cobalt
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Cobalt
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350386
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cobalt
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Sup Charg
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2006Vehicle 1856Vehicle 1693
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Cobalt questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?

Owners filed 2,330 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1,299), electrical system (412), fuel/propulsion system (255). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt at 23–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026