repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
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…
2006 Chevrolet CobaltProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,330 owner complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, most often about the steering. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-171 the manufacturer reports only 72% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 18, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt has problems
2,330 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,299Steering82 crash/fire/injury
412Electrical system43 crash/fire/injury
255Fuel/propulsion system4 crash/fire/injury
215Fuel system, gasoline6 crash/fire/injury
146Air bags
137Power train
93Engine
51Structure
51Suspension
31021 other systems53 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1299 | 82 |
| Electrical system | 412 | 43 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 255 | 4 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 215 | 6 |
| Air bags | 146 | 59 |
| Power train | 137 | 13 |
| Engine | 93 | 14 |
| Structure | 51 | 7 |
| Suspension | 51 | 6 |
| 21 other systems | 310 | 53 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Air bags
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.
no report yet
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Structure
Risk. IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
61kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 1,122 steering complaints. 81% were reported before 100,000 miles.
106under 30k miles909under 100k miles213100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
129 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $700 – $1,500
Fuel system, gasoline
17 owners mentioned a cost$600median
Middle half: $553 – $760
Electrical system
13 owners mentioned a cost$565median
Middle half: $343 – $790
Fuel/propulsion system
9 owners mentioned a cost$750median
Middle half: $600 – $800
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Cobalt year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cobalt median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt safety ratings
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt 2-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, and the recalls they led to.
- Electric Power Steering FailureLed to recall 10V-073
In owners' words
What Cobalt owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2006 Cobalt?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.