NHTSA has 2,330 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, received from 2005 to 2025. The most-reported system is steering (1,299 complaints, 56%), followed by fuel system (466) and electrical system (412). Owners reported 164 crashes, 14 fires, 196 injuries and 8 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 66,784 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010, with 586 received that year. 5 safety recalls cover this model year.
2,330NHTSA complaints
5safety recalls
164crashes reported
14fires reported
196injuries
8deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Owners report steering problems most often: 1,299 of 2,330 NHTSA complaints (56%), followed by fuel system (466) and electrical system (412).
How many recalls does the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The most recent is 14V171000 (electrical system, 2014-04-10).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 66,784 miles, across 1,950 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
Yes. Owners reported 164 crashes, 14 fires, 196 injuries and 8 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Steering
1,299
56%
78
4
133
60,800
Fuel system
466
20%
5
5
3
85,500
Electrical system
412
18%
36
6
122
80,000
Air bags
146
6%
59
1
47
79,500
Power train
137
6%
12
0
5
67,350
Engine
136
6%
15
4
5
80,000
Service brakes
51
2%
18
2
9
42,918
Structure
51
2%
6
1
4
60,000
Suspension
51
2%
5
0
3
55,000
Speed control
48
2%
6
1
3
87,450
Unknown or other
40
2%
5
0
4
100,000
Latches, locks and linkages
38
2%
1
0
2
60,000
Electronic stability control
29
1%
4
0
2
108,000
Equipment
19
1%
1
1
0
56,958
Exterior lighting
17
1%
3
0
2
82,849
Visibility and wipers
16
1%
2
0
0
58,000
Traction control
14
1%
0
0
0
67,000
Seat belts
8
<1%
5
0
6
59,000
Wheels
7
<1%
2
0
2
40,000
Tires
5
<1%
1
0
0
43,681
Interior lighting
4
<1%
0
0
0
76
Seats
3
<1%
1
0
2
39,002
Child seat
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Forward collision avoidance
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Lane departure
1
<1%
0
0
0
73,058
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: 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.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact…
Defect: 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…
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall…
Defect: 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.
Defect: General motors is recalling certain model year 2006 chevrolet cobalt and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona and nevada; and model year 2007 chevrolet cobalt, pontiac g5 and saturn ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of arizona, california, florida, nevada and texas. The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground and vehicle…
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module free of charge. A special coverage will be implemented in the same time frame for model year 2006 vehicles registered in alabama, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee and texas and model year 2007 vehicles registered in: alabama, arkansas, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, north carolina, new mexico, oklahoma, south carolina and tennessee. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before february 4, 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at…
Defect: 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.'
Risk: In a crash, head impact protection may be inadequate.
Remedy: Dealers will install energy absorbing plastic to the headliner trim to reduce the severity of head impacts in a crash. The recall began on march 21, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
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…
Steering · NHTSA complaint 11688075, received 2025-09-18
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…
Steering · NHTSA complaint 11667876, received 2025-06-19
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…
Fuel system · NHTSA complaint 11676098, received 2025-07-25
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…
Fuel system · NHTSA complaint 11673114, received 2025-07-13
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…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11688075, received 2025-09-18
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…
Electrical system · NHTSA complaint 11673114, received 2025-07-13
Other Chevrolet Cobalt model years
1996 · 1 complaint
2000 · 1 complaint
2002 · 2 complaints
2005 · 1,649 complaints
2007 · 1,564 complaints
2008 · 845 complaints
2009 · 710 complaints
2010 · 574 complaints
2011 · 2 complaints
2012 · 1 complaint
2016 · 1 complaint
2017 · 1 complaint
Source
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.