Problems · by component

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

1,299 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt cite steering, 56% of all 2,330 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
1,299
56% of all complaints
Crashes
78
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
133
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I have been experiencing the loss of steering assist. This occurs at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds. Steering control is maintained in manual mode, but requires greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds. In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed. The occurs at speeds in excess of 60mph.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2025SteeringODI 11667876
“My Power Steering is going out and then coming back in to use. Today is the second time it has happened. It went out just now, I reversed down the road to my house, and turn it off once I crank it again the steering is back. I haven’t gotten any pictures of it as I’m more worried about making it back to my house so I’m not in the road but will be more than happy to get a picture if this happens again. I’m also not sure which ADAS this connects to so I put cruise control.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2024Steering, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11616719
“Was driving home from work on i70 through the canyon when out of no where I wasn't able to steer my car...was able to stop the car, turned it off .waited a minute then started back up that is when power steering came across my dash .nothing was wrong with my car ,drove normal then out of nowhere going the speed limit 75mph. I'm not able to steer my car. This never happened before ,scared the crap out of me with no warning almost crashed cause I could not steer my car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2024SteeringODI 11613220
“While driving the car, it will suddenly stall w the engine running but won’t react the use of the brakes, steering or gear shifter. It’ll suddenly jerk and the following lights will appear on dash :ABS, Power steering, no brake fluid warning, low fuel warning and check engine. All of the areas have been check and have all their fluids so this doesn’t make sense. We bought this car for our 16 year old daughter and the first time she drive it, a truck almost wrecked into her”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2023Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11533628
“Car drove fine during a routine trip for groceries. When about to leave the parking lot, my steering wheel was very hard to turn, almost impossible and I noticed a power steering warning on the dash. Thankfully this didn't happen on a highway or something, I had my kid with me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2022SteeringODI 11485037

Showing 6 of 1,299 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: electric power assist system

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

SteeringReported Mar 3, 2010NHTSA 10V073000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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