WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WORKS FINE, BUT WILL GO OUT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MANY COBALT, MALIBU AND OTHER MODELS. *TR
2005 chevrolet Cobalt powertrain problems
moderate 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH 14445 MILES AND THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL ENGAGES. THE VEHICLE HAS ALL WHEEL DRIVE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE UNDER WET CONDITIONS AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER (CURRY CHEVROLET) AND THEY THE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAG…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 chevrolet Cobalt?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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