Comments: 1-15, 16-18
Wheels will not hold the balance weights. I replace them about every month because the dealer tells me they get "thrown" off during deflection (Cornering). Their advice to try a different tire has not remedied the problem.
I have to replace the brake rotors every 2 to 3 months because of warping.
Rattle, shaking and vibration in the steering column. Several issues here, dealer admitted there was a company bulletin concerning this.
Fabric peeling away from arm rests on the front doors.
HVAC line leaks condensation on passenger floor board.
Passenger side, rear door seal leaks a tremendous amount of air above 40 mph, and at 60 or above is very loud. Replacing the rubber seal has not stopped the problem. Appears to be just a flaw in original design.
Windshield wipers have now begun to short. "Mist" feature usually doesn't work. When I change speed from low to high, they stop for several seconds before coming back on, extremely unsettling when driving in bad storms.
A/C blows weakly, even on highest fan speed and set for recirc. According to dealer, it's the same a/c for all Cobalts.
Dealer replaced the Stereo/CD player @ 30,000 miles because of an electrical problem which caused the unit to "fry", as they put. Cause is still undetermined, and my CD was unable to be retrieved from the unit.
Loud rattles from the trunk struts while driving, which the dealer is unable to trace or repair, though admittedly hears it as well, and agrees it is annoying.
The Cobalt has extremely poor handling. When cornering, especially on mountain roads, it is difficult, even for seasoned drivers, to keep the car in your lane, and it feels as if you're going to slide right off the road.
The interior cabin is fairly comfortable for a small inexpensive car, and the ride is actually quite good. As long as you're on a straight road.
Disappointing that Chevy's entry level car is still not up to Toyota, Honda or even Hyundai's fit, finish and reliability.
Bottom line is, you may be getting into a set of wheels for a modest price, but what you save at the time of purchase, you'll more than make up for after your warranty expires.
If you're a person with and eye for details, and you're on a budget, do yourself a favor and consider a Honda, Toyota or even a Kia or Hyundai. Your wallet and your patience will thank you in the long run.
To 20:46, are you new to this site? He is a part of the great percentage of Chevrolet owners that are upset with the poor quality of their vehicles.
In 40 years we've NEVER had a mechanical problem with any American car we've ever owned. GM now has the best build quality of any car maker on the planet. I buy GM and Ford because I know that my family can depend on them to get where they need to go safely and economically.
He may have a Cobalt that is having problems.
As for being able to rely on GM and Ford, good for you! They do build good cars. However, this doesn't mean that Japanese and European makes aren't any good. Indeed, you don't consistently maintain good sales if you can't make good cars beyond just good looks or good quality. On the subject of the Cobalt, the 2006 model I tested out when I was car shopping was close to the build quality and performance of a 2006 Honda Civic I was also checking out. However, the Honda Civic, quite simply, has better fuel economy and looks better with beautifully sharp and sleek lines compared to the Cobalt's somewhat sillier "rentalesque" lines that aren't as well executed than even the previous generation Nissan Sentra (which is pretty bland inof itself) ; the only other compacts that look worse are the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla.
Now, you may pass off what I've said as Honda diatribe from a Honda salesman. In fact, you may believe whatever you want as I don't care. I'm just a consumer that made a choice based on what I've researched, observed, and tested. And, with over 19,000 miles on it in the 8 months that I've owned my car, I've yet to regret that decision. The 2006 Civic is, simply, a very good car. Had Honda not had this particular model year out when I was shopping around, I would've likely went with the Cobalt since I never liked the 2005 Honda Civic and older. - Reinhart.
This is about Chevy Cobalts NOT HONDA CIVICS.
I see that you are having many problems with this vehicle and I believe it could be because of cost cutting that Chevy has to do because of the Union workers being lazy and wanting more pay.
Don't take the review quite so personally. It is simply a statement of facts which have gone wrong with the car, and is certainly not a personal attack to any human being. If you prefer not to read anything negative about a particular automobile you have purchased, or just like a particular car, then simply don't read the review and get yourself all worked up, and reply with remarks based solely on your emotions. :-)
Replacing the rotors every 2 - 3 months? Sounds like you don't know how to drive.
Actually, replacing rotors frequently sounds like a misaligned caliper assembly. I encountered this on one of mine. It's and easy fix. After that I got nearly 100,000 miles out of the brake pads with no problem.
I also have an 05 Cobalt, base model.
I cannot believe all of the problems you are having! I haven't had the slightest problem with mine, except for someone backing into it. (it's white and he claimed he didn't see it because of the snow!).. I've had it for almost 2 years now and couldn't be happier.
I'm sorry that you've had to deal with all of these problems, it's extremely weird that you've had so many and i'd have none, don't you think?
I think you might just have a bad car.. I don't' think the entire line is that bad, you must have gotten a dud..heh.
Again, I feel bad for all of the trouble!
Don't even talk about Honda Civics. I've had mine for 3 weeks and already have a blown head gasket. At least with my Cavalier I had to wait 3 years before having to do any engine work (and I paid $1500 for that vehicle, mind you)
I have 2005 Cobalt LS that just recently ran out of warranty. All of a sudden the tires are bald, my A/c quit blowing cold air last week... (I live in fl.), my key sticks in the ignition, AND my blinker quit resetting itself after a turn...
Anyone else having these problems???
Let me guess, you never rotated the tires and you have 50k miles?
Tires just don't "go bald". Tires wear with mileage... what is so hard to understand, here. BTW, the factory warranty doesn't even cover the tires!
Obviously you are oblivious to REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS.
As for your other problems, compare them to ALL other makes and models. I'll almost assure you that EVERY other make has similar problems, and fixing your Cobalt will cost less than similar Asian and European cars.
NO, every other make doesn't have similar problems, and not nearly as often. Sell that go cart and get yourself a Toyota. Any Toyota.
I agree with the original review; the Cobalt is just a car for those people who still want to hold to the USA automotive history book, and claim it has any value to it. Test driving the car myself, it doesn't even come close to a Kia in interior quality and design, and the Honda Civic and Corolla are light years ahead in technology, fit & finish, and fuel economy.
I mean come on, I got into a Chevy Cobalt, then a G6, then an Aveo, and they ALL have the SAME cheap, cheap, super cheap interior, along with bland and boring exterior, the engine sounds like a tractor, and the car feel like a toy.
I am sorry, but the only good thing about the Cobalt is the marketing department trying to sell the car; the actual product is so bad, that I would not drive this car even if it was given to me for free, I am 100% serious, they would have to PAY me to drive this.
Chevy is in serious trouble if a customer like me would not drive their product, even if I got it for free. They need to change more than their marketing; they need to re-invent cars.
Please backup your statements with facts. How are the Civic and Corolla "light-years" ahead in technology?