So....tuesday my power steering decided it was going to stop working. Now when i restart the car the steering comes back but dies out after a few mins. So i took it to the dealership yesterday and the cost alone of a diagnostics fee was bull ($83.) He originally tells me he thinks itll just be a simple computer reboot and it should run me 80 bucks. So they run the check and I am then told that they were going to have to replace the steering column because it was fried. This will run me 875 not including the realignment program they would have to run into the comp after the install. So Im really pissed because my cars an 06 and they steering column should not be going up already.

What else should I do, how do I know that they are ripping me off?

 

Do you live near Eaton PA? There's a good gm dealer there (actually saturn) that handles gmpp stuff. I'd assume they mean the power steering motor went...not the WHOLE steering column. If your wipers work they're idiots. Still the new psteering motor costs like 600 bucks from a dealer. Should be covered under warranty but I don't know what you did to your car to know any better. Take it to a different dealer.

 

File a complaint with the NHTSA. It's an obvious defect - Cobalts from 2005 through 2008 have been having this problem. It's a serious safety issue.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

 

Just got my power steering unit replaced Monday. They don't have to do a realignment or anything computer related. Nothing of the sort was done to mine and its perfect. I stood there and watched my tech do it. He pulled the steering column apart pulled the shaft and motor assembly, put a new one in and reassembled everything. My wheel is straight, my car tracks straight, and most importantly the power steering works again. My tech is one of my best friends so I know he wouldn't cut any corners, don't let them con you into **** you don't need.