2006 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems

Related recalls

• Recall 10V073000Mar 3, 20101,050,889 vehicles
  STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  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.

  Risk: If power steering assist is lost, it would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners are being notified on a rolling basis between march 29 through november 2010. A copy of the mailing schedule is located in the recall file. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 18, 2025RIElectrical SystemOther / UnknownSteering

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11688075 · source
2. Filed Jun 19, 2025AKSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11667876 · source
3. Filed Sep 26, 2024VADriver Assistance & Safety TechSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11616719 · source
4. Filed Sep 7, 2024COSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11613220 · source
5. Filed Jul 21, 2023TXBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11533628 · source
6. Filed Sep 18, 2022NYSteering

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11485037 · source
7. Filed Sep 18, 2022NYSteering

   The car was driving completely fine on a routine trip for groceries. After shopping as I'm about to leave however, the steering wheel was very stiff and I noticed the power steering light was on. After some researching I found that this model does not use power steering fluid and is electric. Thankfully this didn't happen to me while driving down a highway or something, I had my kid with me.

   NHTSA complaint #11485036 · source
8. Filed Aug 9, 2022MISteering

   power steering failure while driving, yes it is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk by losing control of the car and almost hitting other cars while driving. a dealer or service center has not reproduced the problem. Also not inspected by others. unknown if any warning messages appeared, i didnt notice while i was trying to stay alive.

   NHTSA complaint #11478422 · source
9. Filed Jun 13, 2022189,000 miAZSteering

   The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to reverse, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11469011 · source
10. Filed Mar 5, 2022NCElectrical SystemEngineSteering

    The problem that sent it to a different mechanic than the chevy dealer where it came from after a month and 900.00 bill for 550.00 ecm and diagnostic test they did without my permission, there labor for the test and ecm was a total of 900.00. Plus claimed it was throwing a code for a peddle that it needed. We just put a brand new peddle and brand new throttle body on it, it was idled to high, so reason for them getting it was to get the old ecm and new throttle sinked up to…

    NHTSA complaint #11455292 · source
11. Filed Feb 15, 202289,000 miVASteering

    The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while reversing out of a parking space, the vehicle lost power steering assist functionality. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights were illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering) which he linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11452095 · source
12. Filed Feb 8, 2022132,000 miGASteering

    The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle while making a right turn into a parking lot. The contact returned to the vehicle and the failure persisted. After making a second stop, the light disappeared and the steering wheel resumed normal operation. The dealer nor the manufacturer had…

    NHTSA complaint #11450922 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology