The Lemon Index
20061st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: steering
236 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Honda Civic 402005 Toyota Corolla 382005 Hyundai Elantra 62
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
- Steering rack / power steering454 complaintsmostly at 46,000–79,000 miles (74,000–128,000 km)
- Engine stalling154 complaintsmostly at 35,000–108,000 miles (56,000–174,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power67 complaintsmostly at 46,000–87,000 miles (74,000–140,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,649 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 45,000 miles (13,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 186 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14E021000 (electrical), 14V171000 (electrical) and 14V047000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Chevy sent dealers 646 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Ei05093 - clunk noise in steering system at slow speeds while turning and/or driving over bumps”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Chevy's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 236 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 45K miles (13K to 72K km) on the car (186 of all 236 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Power steering goes out and electrical panel fluctuates. This happens at all speeds and at a standstill. Car has been in the shop 8 times for this defect.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt owner · NHTSA complaint 10169968
More owner reports
2005 cobolt power steering blew fuses. Now light comes on car jumps tries to die on me. Power steering light comes on.
NHTSA complaint 10242355
Power steering warning light goes and on off. Sometimes lose power steering during driving. When car is turned off and re-started problem goes away.
NHTSA complaint 10247468
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 13.4M views · 2005–2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
Most-watched topics
- Intake, EGR & engine sensors832K views
2009 Chevy Cobalt Camshaft Position Sensor Error Code and ReplacementWeekend Automotive · 169K views · 13 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical607K views
How to Replace Starter 2005-2010 Chevy CobaltTRQ · 120K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service458K views
OIL CHANGE (2005-2010 CHEVY COBALT 2.2L)BARRICADE GARAGE · 219K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt | AQ1085Filterheads · 128K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter341K views
2006-08 Chevy Cobalt Transmission Control Module FIX - UPDATED*Zach Tyler · 166K views · 5 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank258K views
Fuel filter replacement 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Install Remove Replace How to changeFixing cars and stuff · 117K views · 3 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition257K views
2007 cobalt -The solution for lock symbol won't start problemRandom but Lively · 120K views · 5 videos - Timing chain & engine231K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt 2.2L Timing Chain ReplacementJoseph Vollmar · 98K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Chevy Cobalt Coupe 1st Generation 2005-101A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 275K views
2006 Chevy Cobalt AC ProblemsGearmo Auto · 120K views
2005 Chevy Cobalt Electrical Problems *Fixed* See Descriptionjacobaaron11 · 102K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2005 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 646 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ei05093 - clunk noise in steering system at slow speeds while turning and/or driving over bumps
- Steering column pop/rattle concerns
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
- Airbags · recall issued 2014
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 vehicle.
Show all 6 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
- Body structure · recall issued 2007
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.'.
- Lights · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BULB SHIELDS INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS CAN LOOSEN…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Chevrolet Cobalt recall, all years · All Chevrolet recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cobalt year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Chevrolet Cobalt years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/?y=2005" title="Chevrolet Cobalt reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Chevrolet Cobalt reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 160; 100 is average, lower is better). The Chevrolet Cobalt year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (48%), electrical (23%) and equipment & accessories (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt get?
23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,300 and 45,000 miles (13,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 186 complaints, of all 236 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cobalt year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works