2006 CHEVROLET COBALT Complaints and Recall Information
The 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT has 5 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to loss of power steering assist, fuel leaks with vapor odors inside the cabin, and electrical grounding problems causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly. Some also describe jerking during acceleration and oil leaks.
Common Issues
- Loss of steering assist. Power steering assist cuts out while driving, triggering a warning message and chime. Manual steering remains but requires increased effort, especially at low speeds. The assist usually returns after restarting the vehicle.
- Evaporative fuel leaks. Gas vapors leak from a non-serviceable part on top of the fuel tank, causing fuel odors inside the vehicle and potential fire hazards. Replacing the entire fuel tank is necessary for repairs.
- Electrical grounding faults. Grounding issues near the oil filter affect transmission and engine control modules. These faults cause shorts that can abruptly stall the engine, creating safety risks while driving.
- Fuel odor inside cabin. An abnormal smell of fuel is detected inside the vehicle, sometimes accompanied by oil leaks under the rear end and vehicle jerking during acceleration or from a stationary position.
There are 5 recalls involving key vehicle systems such as the electric power steering, ignition switch, and airbag system. These recalls address risks including sudden loss of power steering, unintended engine shutdown, airbags not deploying, and vehicle rollaway hazards.
Recalls
- Electric power steering motor. (NHTSA Recall 10V073000) Affects 1,050,889 vehicles due to potential sudden loss of power steering assist while driving, increasing crash risk. Dealers replace the electric power steering motor free of charge. Owners were notified between March and November 2010.
- Ignition switch defects. (NHTSA Recall 14E021000) Covers 14,529 vehicles with faulty ignition switches sold as replacement parts. These switches may move out of the run position unexpectedly, causing engine stall and airbag deactivation, raising injury risk. Affected switches must be quarantined and replaced via GM recall 14V-047.
- Ignition cylinder and key. (NHTSA Recall 14V171000) Over 2,191,014 vehicles have ignition cylinders allowing key removal in non-off positions. This defect can cause vehicle rollaway if the transmission or parking brake is not set properly. GM will replace cylinders and keys free of charge. Owners are advised to ensure vehicle is parked securely until repair.
- Ignition switch and airbag system. (NHTSA Recall 14V047000) Affects 2,190,934 vehicles with ignition switches that may move out of run position due to key ring weight or road conditions, turning off engine and disabling airbags. Interim notifications advise owners to remove all items from key rings except the ignition key. Dealers will replace the switch free of charge once parts are available.
Owners facing repeated power steering failures, stalling, or unresolved recall issues involving electrical and safety systems may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting a legal professional to review repair histories and defect reports is recommended.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT Summary
2006
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
5447366
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
2190934 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
2191014 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
14529 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
1050889 vehicles affected
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.
Complaints
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
ID: 2113331ENGINE
The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
ID: 2113330FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was jerking while accelerating and while driving from being stationary. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
ID: 2108957ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
ID: 2108956FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT
ID: 2101460STEERING
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.