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 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 53 powertrain complaints filed for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 53 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Chevrolet Cobalt in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2005 Cobalt is a gamble: owners consistently report recurring electrical and powertrain failures (stalling, hard shifts, power steering cutouts, stuck keys, dashboard light flurries) that dealerships struggle to diagnose or fix permanently, even after multiple repair attempts. If you're buying one, budget for potential costly transmission work, expect diagnostic frustration, and understand that dealer fixes often don't stick.
Owners describe chronic electrical and powertrain glitches in their 2005 Cobalts that often occur together. A common pattern: intermittent warning lights (power steering, check engine, traction control) flash on the dash, the transmission shifts hard or jerks, the engine stalls unexpectedly, and power steering cuts out—sometimes all at once. These events typically last a few moments or minutes, then the car drives normally, making diagnosis difficult. Owners report visit dealerships multiple times; technicians often cannot reproduce the failures and say nothing is wrong. Some transmission failures required valve body replacement (around $2,000) or transmission control module (TCM) swaps, but the symptoms return. Shifter problems run parallel: keys stick in the ignition, shift levers freeze in park or move freely without the key in, and shifting becomes stiff. A few owners report serious safety scares—power steering locking up while merging on highways, engine shutoffs in intersections, transmission slipping while accelerating. Manual transmission owners cite clutch slip at high RPM and on acceleration, despite low mileage. Dealers acknowledge some issues are "known problems" but claim nothing can be fixed, while owners find little factory support.
Same Chevrolet Cobalt powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering cutout and warning light
Power steering fails intermittently while driving, forcing the wheel to jerk or lock. A 'power steering' warning appears on the dashboard. Turning the vehicle off and back on sometimes restores function temporarily.
When: Occurs randomly during highway driving, merging, or turns; can happen at any mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering becomes difficult or locked; Power steering warning light illuminates; Warning chime sounds; Wheel jerks suddenly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often cannot diagnose the root cause. Some owners report having to replace the entire steering column. Power steering systems were checked but technicians found no mechanical faults.
Engine stall while driving
Engine shuts off without warning at random times during normal driving, including on highways, in intersections, and at low speeds. Vehicle becomes difficult to restart or restarts after a few attempts.
When: Random; occurs throughout the life of the vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off abruptly; Loss of power while driving; Difficulty restarting after stall; Vehicle may restart after several attempts or after sitting idle
Repairs/costs cited: Owners have had the ignition switch replaced multiple times, but stalling persists. One owner reported the PCM (powertrain control module) in the transmission was replaced and stalling stopped temporarily. Another had the transmission control module replaced.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner mentioned a recall for ignition switch (campaign reference implied), but it did not fully resolve the stalling issue even after repair at dealership
Transmission shifting hard and jerking
Transmission shifts roughly, jerks, or 'jumps' when accelerating or changing gears, especially into second gear. Some owners report the transmission hunts for the correct gear or slips. Check engine light and traction control light often illuminate.
When: Can occur at low mileage (under 20,000 miles) and continues throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, rough gear shifts; Jerking or bucking motion; Transmission hunting for correct gear; Clicking noise from shifter or gear selector area; Check engine light and/or traction control light illuminates; Speedometer fluctuates or spins wildly
Codes mentioned: P0742, U0101, U2100
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report transmission fluid service (1 quart low was common, ~$500 with towing), transmission valve body replacement (~$2,000), and TCM replacements. Symptoms typically return within days or weeks of repair. One owner reports having to replace TCM four times.
Key stuck in ignition; shifter won't lock in park
The ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even after the vehicle is parked and turned off. Often paired with the shift lever failing to fully engage park, allowing the shifter to move freely or the transmission to slip out of park. Some owners cite the transmission shift cable adjustment clip not being fully engaged.
When: Can occur at low mileage (under 5,000 miles for some) and escalates over time; one owner had issues for ~2 years before it worsened
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition and cannot be removed; Shifter stuck in park or unable to stay in park; Shifter moves freely between gears without key in ignition or foot on brake; No reverse lockout (car can shift into reverse without applying brakes); Battery drains due to key remaining in ignition; Clicking noise when trying to shift
Repairs/costs cited: Common repairs include replacing the shift control assembly, floor shift control assembly, shifter assembly, ignition cylinder, steering column components, and the key switch cylinder. One owner reports the shifter assembly failed again after ~2.5 years, out of warranty. Parts such as the shift cable, shifter linkage, and transmission shift cable adjustment clip are involved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner cited NHTSA Campaign 09V073000 (Power Train) and noted a recall exists for some model years but not for 2005. Another owner was told by GM that the problem is a 'normal condition' and nothing can be fixed. Owners note dealership service managers have claimed some issues are 'known problems' but incurable.
Dashboard warning lights and electrical glitches
Multiple warning lights flash on and off on the dashboard (power steering, check engine, traction control, brake, battery, transmission) often simultaneously, along with clicking sounds in the dash and gauges spinning or freezing. Power door locks cycle randomly. These glitches occur in unpredictable bouts lasting hours to days, then the car drives fine for weeks or months.
When: Intermittent; episodes can last a few hours to several days, then resolve temporarily; more frequent in hot weather according to one owner
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights illuminate and flash; Clicking noise behind radio or in dash; Speedometer spins wildly or stops working; Fuel gauge fails or shows all lines; Power door locks cycle at random; Engine cooling fans stop operating; Instrument panel gauges malfunction or jump around
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report visiting dealerships 6–8 times with little resolution. Some replacement of TCM (transmission control module), ignition modules, and spark plug wires have been attempted. Repairs are often temporary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers have been unable to diagnose or reproduce the failures despite hundreds of similar complaints online according to owners.
Clutch slip and hydraulic clutch failure (manual transmission)
On manual transmission Cobalts, the clutch slips when accelerating quickly, especially in second gear at high RPM, even on low-mileage vehicles. In one case, the clutch pedal went to the floor and locked up, preventing any gear shifting.
When: As early as 10,000 miles; one report at 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch slips during acceleration; Insufficient pressure to hold the clutch disc; Nearly caused rear-end collisions due to inability to accelerate; Clutch pedal goes to floor (one case); Cannot shift gears
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with clutch pedal failure was told the clutch is a sealed hydraulic unit; no repair noted. Other owners with slip did not report repair attempts.
Transmission control module (TCM) communication loss
The transmission fails to communicate with the TCM, causing hesitation during gear shifts, loss of power, rough acceleration, and inability to shift correctly. Vehicle may limit speed to 30 mph or below.
When: Can occur at various mileages; one report at 25,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission hesitates or fails to shift; Jerking during acceleration; Loss of power; Vehicle limited to 30 mph or less; Check engine light illuminates; Rough, limited acceleration
Codes mentioned: U0101, U2100
Repairs/costs cited: TCM replacement is the typical repair, but owners report the same symptoms return shortly after replacement. One owner replaced the TCM and the check engine light came back on within one day.
Shifter cable failure
The transmission shifter cable breaks or comes loose from the shift control, preventing the car from starting or shifting into desired gears. The neutral safety switch may be blocked, preventing engine start.
When: Specific mileage not always reported
Symptoms owners cite: Car will not start; Reverse lights come on unexpectedly; Cannot shift into desired gear; Reverse only works after stall event
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter cable must be reattached or replaced. One case reports the cable simply came off the shift control.
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
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?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 21,610 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 61,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,610; a quarter make it past 100,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chevrolet/Cobalt.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.