Had to have the shifter replaced (almost immediately after buying the car), like most others who have posted here, as the key kept getting stuck in the ignition and the car wasn't recognizing it was in park. This repair only took two hours and I was back on the road, so no complaints about the dealer on that.
Less than two months later, I had to bring the car back in because the right front low beam and right front blinker were not working. I thought the dealer had actually dealt with the problem so that I would not have to return, but apparently all they did was change the bulb. I say this because less than two months later, I had to bring the car back in for the exact same problem. As of now, they have 'temporarily' fixed it (as they did before) and I am waiting for a part that had to be ordered, as the wiring system has some kind of short in it.
In between the trip back to the dealer for the key problem and the headlight issue, I had to bring the car in because water from the AC was leaking all over the floor on the passenger side.
I'm also noticing the cheap material on the doors is beginning to seperate from the plastic and I've read several other complaints here about that from others.
The car has good handling and hasn't left me stranded, but I can't say I'm not a bit disappointed. It's a little embarassing when you buy a car that's less than one year old, with under 20k on it and have to leave work four times in less than four months to take it in for repairs. This is the newest car I have ever owned and so far, I'm less than impressed. I would have thought the car would have been inspected from top to bottom for minor problems like this before I bought it since I bought the car from a reputable dealer.
I hate that the trunk release button is hidden behind a little door. WHAT is the point of that thing? Why not just put the button there without that annoying little panel having to be dropped down first? I can't tell you the number of times I've accidently hit my leg on that thing when going to get out of the car because I'm so used to just being able to hit the trunk release without dealing with that.
The backseat is very roomy and I like the width of the car. I don't feel like I'm in a tiny little car like I did in my old Nissan Sentra.
The gas mileage in this car is not all that it's cracked up to be. So far I'm averaging around 20.9 mpg and I'm someone who drives on the highway to and from work each day. It's defintely more expensive, gas wise to keep on the road than my Sentra was.
The windshield wipers have a mind of their own, though I haven't taken them in to complain yet. I've just noticed that at times, the speeds tend to either be too fast or slow and at other times, just fine.
My rearview mirror is not as tight as it should be so I am unable to listen to songs with a lot of base in my car unless I want to see the mirror shaking and looking as if it is about to fall off. I am planning to have them adjust it when I bring the car back in for the headlight repair.
I'm terribly worried about how this car will hold up once the 36k warranty expires. I certainly don't want to spend the next five years paying on an unreliable car so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We just traded our 2006 Cobalt in this week. We had already taken it in for warranty work 3 times and we bought the car new. We had the shifter replaced, the starter replaced, the headlight fixed and the material around the doors fixed. My advice is to get rid of this car before your warranty expires!
I am very disappointed with the 2006 Chevy Cobalt. The shifter is not working right and therefore my key is stuck in the ignition. I have seen many complaints about this, and think there should be a recall on this problem. Thank you.
36K, the warranty is up and of course what happens? I have to replace to hub bearings, my CD player won't eject the Cd's and to top all that off, I now have to fix the lower control arm bushings. I also think that there might be a problem with my driver rear strut because my tires are feathering out, and I always rotate and balance so I don't know. I think it might be time to get a different car.
I own a 2006 Chevy Cobalt LS. I am not terribly happy with this vehicle, as I paid cash for it brand new (July 2006) and it's been in the shop over 20 times for electrical component problems in the dash board/speakers/radio (instrument cluster), turn signals; I could go on and on, but I don't have that much space.
Now to top it all off, my rotors are gone! Yeah, I repeat gone. This car is driven mostly highway miles (38000) to be exact since I bought this car in July, 2006 and it doesn't make sense that my rotors be gone, but my brake pads still be like new.
I have had many mechanics suggest that the Chevy dealer be responsiable for repairs on rotors, because it never happens that the rotors go before the brake pads. Anyways, the Chevy dealer says they won't cover it, but will gladly charge me 400 dollars to repair them! That is crappy, and I wish I had not paid full price in cash for this car.
This car has been in the shop I don't know how many times, and it is a brand new car. When I bought a used Dodge Neon in 2001, its only problem out of the whole 5 years was a oil leak, which was covered under warranty!
I suggest not wasting your money on Chevy Cobalt, and gas milege is not what the dealer promises it to be!
2006 Cobalt LS. 42000 miles. Tires worn out first year, squeaks when you turn wheel, (sounds like steering wheel, but is actually under car) rattles and bangs coming from underneath the car too.
Cruise doesn't seem to work right on hills, kicks in too hard.
Good gas mileage.
Too much wind noise, sounds like window or door open.
Good car, tires disappointing (early wear) squeaks and rattles more than it should, started first few months.
Great engine, haven't touch brakes yet. I think I will buyout after the lease ends.
I can't believe you people are getting less than 29 mpg. You must all have leadfeet and get stuck in traffic a lot. I drive my Cobalt with nice smooth accelerations and get 30-32 mpg.
First month I got my new 2006 Cobalt broke down with an electrical problem.
Third month same problem again. In addition to the electrical I had to have the rotors and brakes replaced just past the 15,000 mile warranty.
The struts had to be replaced shortly after my brake visit.
I paid $500.00 to have the upholstery and carpets scotch guarded and along comes a water leak that can't be found and with as rainy as it has been the last two months my car smells just awful!!!
Can't wait to get rid of it!!!
I purchased my 2006 Chevy cobalt LT used in 07 with 33,000 miles on it and I was excited. I traded in my 1995 Toyota Avalon that I loved but needed something newer. I have had my cobalt for a year now and my key has been stuck a couple of times and my steering wheel shakes out of control and just recently my power steering went out while I was turning. Thank goodness there was no car in the turning lane cause I had to keep straight. My speakers go in and out when I turn and I hate that I purchased this car. I thought trading in my old car with a newer one I wouldn't have to worry about it giving me problems. My warranty is out so they want me to pay to get it fixed so instead im taking my car back to the dealer and leaving it there and i hope they don't expect me to pay anything cause I'm not, I have to now find me another reliable car. I really do think they should do a recall on all these cars.
I bought my 2006 Cobalt SS new in July 2006. I have had numerous problem with it. First thing that went out was the gear shift just as everyone else has written about. Later it was the motor on the sunroof burned out leaving my roof open to rain damage. I sealed it with duct tape until it was repaired. A short time after that, the wheel bearing went out on the car. All this with less than 18, 000 miles on the car. A few months later the gear shift went out again and the dealer refused to replace it under warranty stating I had spilled a drink on the gear shift and that was why it was sticking again. I have never spilled anything and I repeat never spilled anything on this gear shift. I took the car to another dealership and they stated they did not find any such substance and replaced it under warranty. Today at 30,000 miles the engine light would not go off. I found out the fuel injector bolts came loose. I am afraid what next on this car before the warranty expires. NEVER AGAIN, would I buy a cobalt! I cannot understand why GM quit making the Grand AMs.
I own a 2006 Cobalt LS that I bought in 2006 with 4km on it. I now have over 94000km on it and has only been in the shop twice for the evap vent valve on the fuel system. Other than that I have had zero problems with it. I have a 1800 watt sound system in it and nothing has fallen off because of the vibrations. I was in a very hard rollover with it back in the beginning of 2007 because of road conditions and walked away with minor cuts. They are very safe cars and WHEN TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY (oil changes, air filters, tire pressure, battery load test, etc...) they can last a long time.
I've got a 2006 Cobalt LS, base base model, Great car so far 37000 miles bought it brand new, oil change every 3k miles, Came with crap tires so I got different ones, Only problem so far is I hit a pothole and had one bushing replaced under warranty. Maine roads aren't so great but Its been good to me so far.
I have a 2006 Chevy Cobalt. I get about 26mpg. It is weird to hear all these different mpg's. Sad to say my key gets stuck too. They never fixed the problem. There was a vibration in the front driver wheel well it was fixed but doing it again. The paint came off around the window buttons I guess from your finger nails but who is scratching like a dog at the buttons. The paint should not come off the plastic? Finally today I locked my key in the car with the engine off. Came out at the end of the day and could not get in with the keyless or even pop the trunk. I could not get my key out either it was stuck. It has been stuck many of times but this time it was stuck. Windows and locks would not work either. Remember the car was only sitting there maybe 3 hours with nothing running but the key in it. Now the battery is dead. After attempts to hot shot the car the motor just clicks and clicks. Called the dealer and he said the battery must be totally dead and does not have enough cranking amps. I am waiting for my wife to pick me up from work now. Sad to see all the complaints on the internet about this exact problem and other problems with this car since I have nothing else to do but wait for a ride home. Recommend not buying this car for a family since not enough room in the back seats for growing children 7-10 years of age either.
I own a 2006 Cobalt LS, 5 speed, with 29K miles and I love it. Other than not being able to grab the seatbelt without opening the door and having a light gray interior, it's perfect and meets all my needs. It gets about 29 mpg when I'm not beating on it. I've never had any problems with my key getting stuck or anything else like that.
I have a 2007 Cobalt and I've never had a problem with the key sticking in the ignition either. I'm wondering if all the key sticking problems are taking place in cars with automatic transmissions? Maybe it has something to do with the auto transmission/steering lock?
I got an idea for you people that claim your key is stuck. Have you tried moving the steering wheel back and forth while turning the key back? My old car was like that and I couldn't figure out how to get it out.