The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Avoid · most complaints: steering
571 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Honda Civic 2022006 Toyota Corolla 422006 Hyundai Elantra 48
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
- Steering rack / power steering469 complaintsmostly at 44,000–82,000 miles (71,000–132,000 km)
- Fuel pump254 complaintsmostly at 61,000–103,000 miles (98,000–166,000 km)
- Engine stalling140 complaintsmostly at 50,000–106,000 miles (80,000–171,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 2,330 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 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 32,000 and 64,000 miles (52,000–102,000 km) (the middle half of the 507 complaints, of all 571 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (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?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Chevy sent dealers 796 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 571 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 32K to 63K miles (52K to 102K km) on the car (507 of all 571 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
2006 chevy Cobalt steering is going out while driving. Very concerned. Why has this not been a recall.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt owner · NHTSA complaint 10279736
More owner reports
The key can be removed from the ignition at any time no matter what gear the shift lever is in.
NHTSA complaint 10234842
My 2006 chevy Cobalt's power steering went out around the 42,000 mark.
NHTSA complaint 10277501
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 2006 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 796 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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2009
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 G…
- 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.'.
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, 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Chevrolet Cobalt year. 2006 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 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/chevrolet-cobalt/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Chevrolet Cobalt reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 428; 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (71%), electrical (12%) and transmission & drivetrain (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt get?
23 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 32,000 and 64,000 miles (52,000–102,000 km) (the middle half of the 507 complaints, of all 571 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2006 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 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 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Chevrolet Cobalt year is better than the 2006?
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