2008 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 Jun 25, 2025TXSteering

   The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was turned off for a while and restarted for the power steering functionality to return. The failure was persistent. The contact stated that the power steering warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that it was a known failure with the power steering. The mechanic…

   NHTSA complaint #11669269 · source
2. Filed May 19, 2025TNElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteering

   The ignition doest work right n want release the key the car dies n stalls while driving we was almost hit by a trooper n he called we spoke to 2 people n they had a gm call us n they said that this has been a big concern of these cars n we tried n tried to get it fixed n they say sorry can't can they when something they built wrong kills me or my family my vin [XXX] 2008 CHEVY COBALT [XXX] IS MY NUMBER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),…

   NHTSA complaint #11661851 · source
3. Filed Sep 7, 2023171,117 miIASteering

   The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Steering Locked" was displayed. The contact stated that the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn; however, he drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the following day, the steering wheel operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be taken apart…

   NHTSA complaint #11543171 · source
4. Filed Aug 3, 2023UTAirbagsElectrical SystemSteering

   My speedometer jumps and shows a message of POWER STEERING. It makes my fuel line jump as well. I've recently gotten my starter fixed because my car wouldn't start. My tire warning stays on and my tires are new and set at the right PSI. My ABS comes and goes ALL THE TIME and nothing needs to be fixed. My car jerks really hard when all of this is going on.

   NHTSA complaint #11536384 · source
5. Filed Feb 2, 2023125,000 miMOSteering

   The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving out of a parking space, the steering wheel became firm, and the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive home. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 125,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11505155 · source
6. Filed Nov 14, 2022PASteering

   My Power Steering failed. I was trying to turn into my drive way and I couldn’t turn my steering wheel. Mine and my children's safety were at risk because It could have caused an accident. There are other Chevy cobalts that are recalled for the same problem as mine but for some reason my VIN is showing that my cobalt isn’t recalled for it. There were no warnings other than the dash saying “POWER STEERING” as my steering wheel stopped turning.

   NHTSA complaint #11493511 · source
7. Filed Aug 21, 2022OKDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemSteering

   I was drivein on high way in my car got hard to trun so i stoped and let my uncle drive cause he is more stronger then from that point it got harder to trun it amost locked up on me who know what would have happen but i was almost to my house so we were ablue to get it here then i called my car lot and i hade to drive it there it was so impossible to do but with the help of my uncle he got it there and im in school and stuck with out a car intell its fixed and i have to pay…

   NHTSA complaint #11480440 · source
8. Filed Jun 7, 202291,000 miINSteering

   The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle the vehicle experienced power steering failure. The contact drove the vehicle to her destination at approximately 30 MPH without a power steering assist. The contact stated that when she returned and started the vehicle the power steering had regained functionality. The contact stated that the failure had recurred twice in the past three months. The contact stated no warning light was…

   NHTSA complaint #11468052 · source
9. Filed Jun 6, 2022MISteering

   Power steering assist goes out randomly. Looked up VIN and said does not affect this vehicle, however, it is malfunctioning.

   NHTSA complaint #11467808 · source
10. Filed Sep 8, 202176,000 miDCSteering

    The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V073000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced…

    NHTSA complaint #11432092 · source
11. Filed Aug 16, 2021114,000 miPAEngineSteering

    The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated before the vehicle lost power. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle regained normal functionality. The failure occurred a total of 4 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…

    NHTSA complaint #11429244 · source
12. Filed May 1, 2021162,000 miIASteering

    Steering was good and had no problems turning either direction and now it is hard steering and turn either direction and sometimes it feels like it's turning free when turning a corner or turning around

    NHTSA complaint #11414746 · 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