Problems · by component

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt structure problems

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

Complaints
51
2% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My headlight an blinker quit working new bulbs an all new wiring it it still will not work My trunk button also just stopped working an the fuse is not blown. I even replaced it just to make sure still nothing. Door panel clips won’t stay in bought new ones same thing so now my handle is coming apart an my door doesn’t want to shut bc it thinks I’m still holding the handle.. Fuel everytime I get gas I have to crank my car a few times and press on the gas before I can get it to go otherwise it just dies on me I’ve had it looked at they said it was something about how my car does not know when to stop releasing air I think. My blinkers don’t turn off unless I do it manually. The seals on my door is no good anytime it rains it’s coming inside of my car an since the door panel won’t stay on it’s coming straight into my car”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2021Electrical system, Structure, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11438524
“The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after turning off the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor coming from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered severe corrosion on the rear driver’s side undercarriage of the vehicle. Due to the rust, the fuel lines started leaking. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2021Fuel system, gasoline, StructureODI 11420860
“THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPS LOCKING. THERE ARE TIMES THAT I GET STRANDED AND HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE PICK ME UP BECAUSE O CANNOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT AS LONG AS I OWNED THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS IN STATIONARY POSITION. THE PAINT OF THE CAR IS PEELING I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS AND THE PAINT HAS NEVER PEELED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2020Steering, StructureODI 11328104
“DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT OPEN, STUCK SHUT. HANDLE FEELS LIKE NOTHING IS THERE . CANT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF WAS IN A WRECK OR FIRE. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AS THESE ARE POWER LOCKS AND YOU CAN HEAR THE UNLOCKING SOUND HOWEVER DOOR DOESNT OPEN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2017StructureODI 10945411
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR GETS STUCK CLOSED - SOMETIMES IF I 'SNAP' THE OUTSIDE HANDLE IT WILL EVENTUALLY OPEN, BUT IT FEELS LIKE I'M GOING TO BREAK IT DOING THIS. BY 'SNAP' I MEAN TO PULL ON THE HANDLE AND LET IT SNAP BACK INTO POSITION. I'VE BEEN STUCK INSIDE THE CAR AND HAD TO HAVE SOMEONE 'SNAP' THE OUTSIDE HANDLE TO GET THE DOOR OPENED FOR ME. I'VE HAD INCIDENTS WHERE I'VE HAD TO CRAWL ACROSS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT. THIS IS NOT EASY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LIFT THE CONSOLE UP IN ORDER TO GET BY... AND THE CONSOLE DOESN'T LATCH AND EVERYTHING FALLS OUT... NOT TO MENTION I'M A LITTLE CHUBBY AND IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ME TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS TO POTENTIALLY BE LOCKED IN YOUR CAR - WHAT IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT?! WHAT IF I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN A HURRY FOR WHAT EVER REASON!? I HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN 5 TIMES AND AND LOCKED OUT AT LEAST ONCE DAILY FOR THE LAST MONTH. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF PRETTY MUCH SINCE I GOT THE CAR IN 2007, AND EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT, THE CAR DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY'VE NEVER HEAR SUCH A THING (I'VE BROUGHT IT AT LEAST 3 TIMES FOR THIS REASON), AND THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2016StructureODI 10924506
“UPON ENTERING MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED BUT WOULD NOT LATCH WHEN CLOSED. AFTER EXAMINING THE DOOR LOCKS, LOCK BUTTONS, HANDLES BOTH INSIDE AND OUT AS WELL AS THE STRICKER AND LATCH, I FOUND THAT THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WAS STUCK OPEN. I FUNCTIONED THE LOCKS AND HANDLES IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE LATCH. THEY WOULD RELEASE BUT ONCE PRESSED AGAINST THE STRICKER THEY WOULD AGAIN STICK. I APPLIED SOME LUB AND PENETRATING OIL AND THIS TEMPORARILY CORRECTED ISSUE. I HAD IDENTICAL ISSUE WITH PASSENGER DOOR AND ALSO ISSUES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN BOTH DOORS. ONE YEAR AFTER INITIAL ISSUE, THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. HAD TO REMOVE DOOR PANEL TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE LATCH FROM INSIDE THE DOOR. LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2015StructureODI 10704534

Showing 6 of 51 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

Structure

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'

StructureReported Jan 18, 2007NHTSA 07V014000
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.