The Cobalt continues to require an average number of repairs, as seen in updated results posted today. Well, we're reporting a low repair rate for the 2005, but that's based on a very small sample size. The results for the 2006 and 2007 are based on larger sample sizes, and are more accurate.

We now have a separate results page that displays each model with its competitors. The page for the Cobalt is here:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

Further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants we could provide full results for more model years.

 

2007 Cobalt s/c

Rear shock seized at 14,000km
---in shop 4 times before they found the problem
New steering shaft at 24,000km
New sunroof button
New HVAC unit

 

through 32,000 miles all i have had go wrong was timing chain tensioner and ebrake cable snapped

 

same here. they turned them and 10k later there warped again.

 

After they're turned, they're thinner and so even more prone to warp.

 

In a few weeks we'll start previewing the next set of results to participants. More always helpful. Especially need 2005s, 2008s, and 2009s.

Car reliability research

 

2006 ss/sc
bought brand new with 5 miles on odometer

current milage: 66,000

times in shop: 1 time - not car related (hit a big-rig tire and knocked out fog lamp)

other then that.. no problems at all.. still using Stock brakes/clutch/etc.

 

Don't know what you're talking about. Everything the dealer did on the car was either wrong from the factory or the dealership screwed up. Nothing on that list was normal wear or tear or my fault.

Noise from right rear strut that is still not fixed. (One more time and it qualifies for the Lemon law). - Known issue with the '05 according to the dealer.
Gas gauge inaccurate. - They reflashed my computer to fix that. TSB for this.
Shifter knob loose. - There was a TSB for this.
Fabric pulling away from both front door handle bezels. TSB for this as well.
Paint peeling on both front door handle bezels. TSB for this one too.
A/C Compressor overcharged from factory. Pretty self explanatory.

Its unreliable when it has to constantly go to the dealership for service so I'm left without a car. Its also unreliable when the front passenger window was stuck in the down position during monsoon season because the switch broke. Just because it will still go from point a to point b doesn't mean it is reliable. I trust that the features on the car will work when they are designed to work. When that doesn't happen, its unreliable. Since this original list was posted my gripes with the car have doubled.

So, normal wear and tear doesn't explain any of this.

 

Most problems owners report on TrueDelta's Car Reliability Survey have nothing to do with how the car was maintained or driven. At least while the cars are fairly new. With older cars, these factors make more of a difference.

As always, more participants in our research would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the Cobalt. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 91, worse than average, but small sample size; actual problem rate probably lower based on earlier model years

2007: 57, about average

2006: 82, about average

2005: 44, better than average, but very small sample size; actual problem rate probably higher based on 2006 and 2007 results

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

 

I would like to point out that my 2006 Chevy Cobalt LS turbo has now 83000 miles on it and still has not had one single problem. Go Cobalt!!!! lol l Love it

Heres my maintance i do for it, if this helps:
-Use ONLY Shell or Cheveron gas
-mobile 1 full synthetic, every 5000 miles I change it on time
-Clean fuel system on time
-Transmission fluid is up to date
-every 10,000 miles I give it octane booster
- and fuel filter is changed out every 30,000

 

196 Cobalt and G5 owners now signed up. A good start, but many more remain needed so we can provide precise results for all model years.

Car reliability research

 

^^I just signed up for that too.

I'm about to turn 40k miles on my 07 ss/sc and I haven't had one single problem with it (bought it Dec/07). The car has been perfect and I love it.

Maintenance I've done is nothing out of the ordinary. Just regular oil changes, 93 octane everytime, don't beat on it, etc.

 

i didn get that many problems with my balt......just my idc was messed

 

2006 Cobalt LT. Still running like a champ. 54,XXX miles on it. Regular maintence done. Nothing outta the ordinary.

 

Updated results next month. Decent participation by Cobalt owners, but more participants needed so we can provide results for all model years.

Car reliability research

 

my 2007 Cobalt SS/SC just flipped 64,000 miles.
still no troubles with it... still got the factory brakes and rotors on it.

 

Do you ever use the brakes?

 

2007 SS/SC with 48k has gone to the dealer 1 time for the stupid sunroof switch.

i did have to change my plugs just a couple hundred miles ago though.

 

All model years through 2009 now in the survey, but in most cases more participants remain needed for a full result.

Car reliability research

 

We have updated results for the Cobalt to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2008: 76, about average

2007: 59, about average

2006: 82, about average

2005: 44, better than average, but very small sample size; actual problem rate probably higher based on 2006 and 2007 results

A big thanks, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

 

Updated results again next month.

We're going to start providing new stats for the odds of requiring no repairs and the odds of getting a lemon. These require larger sample sizes, so additional participants would be helpful.

For the details, and to sign up:

Car reliability research

 

bought an 06 in oct. 2006 and no problems to date

 

We have updated results for the Cobalt to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 87, worse than average; based on earlier years expect improvement to average in future updates

2008: 84, about average

2007: 57, about average

2006: 78, about average

2005: 52, better than average, but very small sample size; actual problem rate probably higher based on 2006 and 2007 results

Or maybe owners of the 2005 live with some problems because their cars are out of warranty.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

 

Updated results next month. As always, the more owners participate the better the information we can provide.

If you haven't already signed up, details here:

Car reliability research