DRIVING OFF OF EXPRESS WAY WHEN POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS GOING AROUND THE TURN. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STEERING. WILL BE CALLING THE DEALER JAN 2ND. *KB
2008 Chevrolet Cobalt steering problems
critical 310 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
310
Recalls
0
Crashes
36
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING TOWARD TWO PARKED VEHICLES AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEAL…
"TAKATA RECALL" I AM BUYING THIS VEHICLE FROM A BUY HERE PAY HERE LOT.DURING MY EXPERIERNCE DRIVING THIS CAR. I'VE HAD TROUBLE STEERING THE WHEEL.I BROUGHT IN IN TO TIRE DISCOUNTERS FOR INSPECTION TESTING. THE RESULT THE AUTO TECH EXPLAINED TO ME IN WRITING THAT I HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE CAR.ALSO THE TIRES WAS PLACED ON BACKWARDS AND THE CAR NEEDS NEW TIRES.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON IN …
THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THE CAR. THEY WENT SO BAD THE CAR SWERVED AND CLANKED AND CHATTERED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. LESS THAN 8000 MILES ON THE CAR??? THIS IS A JOKE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SAME COMPLAINTS. WHY NO RECALL? *TR
ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING ASSIST LOST WHILE DRIVING. REQUIRED GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS TO STEER AND TURN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. FOUND RECALLS FOR 2010 CHEVY COBALT FOR ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, BUT NOT FOR MODEL YEAR 2008, PLEASE HELP.
POWER STEERING FAILED. CHAPMAN CHEVROLET IN TEMPE AZ SAID THAT STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHARGED $970 TO REPLACE IT. MAY 26 THE POWER STEERING AGAIN FAILED AND THIS TIME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS UNDER RECALL AND PARTS UNAVAILABLE. ABOUT A MONTH AND 1/2 LATE REPAIRS WERE MADE. AUGUST 2,2014 AGAIN FAILED AND .AGAIN POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. …
ELECTRIC ASSISTED STEERING STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. NHTSA RECALL 10V073000, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. A WEEK AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THE…
"TAKATA RECALL" WHEN GOING SLOW IN DRIVE AND REVERSE MY CAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE STEERING. IT PHYSICALLY GO TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS MANUALLY TURNING IT MY SELF WITH NO HELP FROM THE POWER STEERING. THE DASH LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT, NONE OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY WORKING....I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A FLASH LIGHT SECURED TO MY DASH JUST TO SEE MY GAUGES. I AM UNABLE TO SEE ANY THING ELSE THAT COMES UP ON …
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt?
It's a serious issue. 310 complaints have been filed, including 36 reports involving a crash and 6 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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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