Brenticus

iTrader: (2)

My problems have all been stupid little things. The passenger airbag sensor in the seat now shorts out. That and the sunroof switch and the seal on my gas cap have really been the only things at 60k.

mkaresh

224 Cobalt and G5 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 59

2008: 67

2007: 53

2006: 62

2005: insufficient responses

All are about average.

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

mkaresh

To provide an additional benefit, I recently enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May.

Car reliability research

DarkCobalt13

had mine since Feb. 2005 and the only issue I have had was after an accident where I was rear ended, the battery took a good jolt and discharged through the car. Also the rotors warping at 15k. I just replaced them with upgraded rotors instead of turning the OEM's. Everything else is routine maintenence

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 68

2008: 62

2007: 58

2006: 77

2005: 35, but very small sample size

All are about average except the 2005, which does not appear accurate.

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and 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

StevoElSupremo

Too much Powar!!! lawl....

I looked at my GM history sheet and there was Bushings and front wheel bearings(both sides) done under warrenty under the previous owner.

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt and G5 to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 54

2008: 63

2007: 61

2006: 55

2005: 51

The 2005 is better than average, but based on a very small sample size. The others are all about average.

Thank you, once again, 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.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability comparisons

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt and G5 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 58

2008: 51

2007: 70

2006: 40

2005: 74, small sample size

The 2006 is better than average, while the others are all about average.

Thank you, once again, 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.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and comparisons

Kahless

i actually still get emails from this site. the quarterly ones are a much better deal than the monthly ones he used to send. i would never fill the damn things out and always got emailed again. im still runnin no problems on my 05 for the last 55k. ill probably put another 8-10k on it before it turns 6 in march.

aethean

06 ss/sc

123xxxKM and needed a new timing chain/guides.

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt and G5 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 57

2008: 47

2007: 63

2006: 47

2005: 73, very small sample size

The 2006 is better than average, while the others are all about average.

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We have updated results for the Cobalt and G5 to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 45, about average

2008: 34, better than average

2007: 63, about average

2006: 31, better than average

2005: 86, about average, very small sample size

The 2007 is out of line with the others, possibly because it's the last year of the factory warranty.

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and comparisons

mkaresh

We have updated our car reliability stats for the Cobalt to include owner experiences through June 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 43, about average

2008: 37, better than average

2007: 69, about average

2006: 31, better than average

2005: 107, about average, very small sample size

The 2007 is out of line with the others, possibly because it's the last year of the factory warranty.

We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and comparisons

Pontiac G5 reliability ratings and comparisons

sick_tight

haha did you ever think about giving it the ransom it asked for?

mkaresh

We have updated our reliability stats for the Cobalt and G5 (on our redesigned site) to include owner experiences through September 30, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 44, about average

2008: 33, better than average

2007: 52, better than average

2006: 33, better than average

2005: 81, about average, very small sample size

Thank you, once again, 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.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and comparisons

steve333

I have to question your methods if these are your results. No way the Cobalt is even average in reliability

mkaresh

The methods aren't the issue. What we measure might be. For a few good reasons we report the average number of successfully completed repair trips. But if people are living with problems, and not having them fixed, then these won't show up in the stats.

Are Cobalt owners more likely than others to live with problems rather than have them repaired? It's possible.

Another possibility, though: many of them don't have any problems. You can't really infer a car's reliability from what you read on forums as people who post on forums are more likely to have problems. People without problems have less to post about.

steve333

Absolutely, because many of them never get repaired properly or keep getting broken over and over again

emiller

Not all of us have problems with ours. I've got 60k miles and the only problem I had was the sunroof needed adjusting the 1st winter because it was whistling. It's got a couple rattles when its cold but nowhere near as bad as my scion tc or the numerous corolla loaners I had when it wasn't running.

mkaresh

We have updated our reliability stats for the Cobalt and G5 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2012.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2009: 53, about average

2008: 34, better than average, small sample size

2007: 45, about average on stricter recalibrated scale

2006: 64, about average, very small sample size

2005: 87, about average, very small sample size

We'll have further updates in February and May. We'd love to provide more precise stats and cover more model years--just a matter of getting more owners involved.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Chevrolet Cobalt reliability ratings and

comparisons

dieGone

iTrader: (2)

Got an 06 Cobalt LS 2.2 on October 11th.

Problems since owned: 0 (been 2 months now)

Only 1 previous owner, problems that happened to him (2006-2012 - 6 years)

- Front door speakers went out (very common problem, cheap fix)
- Clutch went out at around 70k miles and was replaced (he prob learned manual with this car)
- Change of tires.
- Windshield cracked with a GIANT rock of ice while driving in hail.
- Broken passenger door handle (from pulling too hard probably)

I mean, I think the car is PRETTY reliable. It hasn't had any mechanical issues besides the clutch, rest is all cheap fixes and replacements. Love my cobalt! Hopefully it'll stay strong for a few years.

user 72239

iTrader: (4)

On my 06 LSJ I had bought the car at 73k miles.

I replaced Timing Chain Tensioner due to it failing one day.
When I traded it in at 93k miles it needed a new air blower motor and the door tweeters crackled bad. The motor had a wierd tick that sounded like a bad lifter also

Bought my 2008 LNF with 53k miles.

Ive had to replace passenger side air bag sensor at 580 from dealer
Thats the only dealer warranty I've had. however I've repaired...

Oil leak from HPFP/Camshaft Sensor/Camshaft End plate...still leaking minor I think due to HPFP housing needing to be resealed.
Replaced tires at approx 65k miles
Control Arm bushings are shot, and need to be replaced.
I've also replaced both Endlinks.

EtyrnuSS

Roughly 110k miles, Cracked flex pipe at 42k, trans blew up at 102k but that was my fault. Flex pipe cracked again at 107k miles. Original owner.

Just remembered, Fuel tank pressure sensor and purge valve went bad around 93k.

SaberD

went through 3 sets of tires in 25k miles. This car sees severe abuse on a daily basis, and still runs strong without problems. had to replace downpipe, trans mounts, and cabs. clutch replaced at 60k due to slippage. 75k miles currently.

Really though, anyone with a mechanical background should be able to make any car last half a million miles easy (given that it is not abused or modded). These reviews talking about which cars are more reliable are more of a reflection of how well the group of people who drives those cars take care of them or do their own work. They basically have nothing to do with how reliable the car actually is. In the end, they are all pretty much the same.

The life of a car is 95% dependent upon it's owner, not the manufacturer.