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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2,329 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Chevrolet dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt owner complaints

Owners have filed 2,329 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt, describing incidents dated January 24, 2005 to July 23, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Steering 1,298 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 466 complaints
  • Electrical System 412 complaints
  • Air Bags 146 complaints
  • Power Train 137 complaints
  • Engine 136 complaints

Of the 2,329 complaints on file, 164 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 2,329 complaints, owners report 196 injuries and 8 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11688075 · Filed

    All of these failed again after repair, the car hes been disabled for over 2 years with the same failures. < Dealer Recalls 14115 Dec 5, 2014 Product Safety - Electric Power Steering Assist 14113C Jul 17, 2014 Product Safety - Replace Ignition Lock Cylinder and Ignition Key 14113 Jul 17, 2014…

  • ODI #11676098 · Filed

    The contact’s wife owns a 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was an oil leak underneath the rear end of the vehicle, and the fuel odor was more evident. There were…

  • ODI #11673114 · Filed

    The fuel tank has an evap leak that somehow breaks on top the tank so it leaks the gas vapors and could potentially start a fire but the part that breaks is a non serviceable part so it can’t be fixed without purchasing a whole new gas tank that isn’t cheap. My other concern is the infamous…

Read all 2,329 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt mileage at failure

1,933 of the 2,329 complaints on file for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
SteeringMedian 60,000 milesMiddle half 45,000–85,000 milesBased on 1,117 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion SystemMedian 85,000 milesMiddle half 60,000–120,000 milesBased on 369 complaints
Electrical SystemMedian 80,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–115,000 milesBased on 291 complaints
Air BagsMedian 80,000 milesMiddle half 35,000–105,000 milesBased on 94 complaints
Power TrainMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 40,000–90,000 milesBased on 116 complaints
EngineMedian 80,000 milesMiddle half 40,000–120,000 milesBased on 110 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Aftermarket Replacement Ignition Switches

NHTSA #14E021000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 30, 2014 · UCI-FRAM Group

Potentially affected: 14,529 vehicles

Repair completion: 35.65% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 4, 2014

Defect description

UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.

Safety consequence

If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Key Can Be Removed when Ignition is not Off

NHTSA #14V171000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported April 10, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,191,014 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14113,14133 · Owners notified April 18, 2014 · Vehicles built April 5, 2005 – June 9, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.

Safety consequence

If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.

Manufacturer remedy

General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V047000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 2,190,934 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.71% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13454/14063/14092 · Owners notified April 18, 2014 · Vehicles built April 5, 2005 – June 9, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.

Safety consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GM’s recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

NHTSA #10V073000 · Steering — Electric Power Assist System · NHTSA notice

Reported March 3, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,050,889 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N100023 · Owners notified March 29, 2010 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

Safety consequence

IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

GM'S RECALL NO. N100023.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PUMP MODULE

NHTSA #09V419000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported October 29, 2009 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 69,139 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 090226 · Owners notified February 4, 2010 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.

Safety consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 090226.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 201/HEADLINER TRIM

NHTSA #07V014000 · Structure · NHTSA notice

Reported January 18, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 98,707 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06217 · Owners notified March 21, 2007 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – March 31, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'

Safety consequence

IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06217. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Chevrolet Cobalt model years

Check your 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Chevrolet Cobalt at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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