CarBrief

NHTSA has 2,330 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Cobalt, and steering is the biggest group[1][2]. The car also has five recalls, so check any car you are considering against all of them[3].

2,330owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
23–25MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 2,330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Cobalt[1]. Of those, 164 mention a crash, 14 a fire, and 196 injuries and 8 deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Steering[2] 1,299 60,647
Electrical system[5] 412 80,000
Fuel/propulsion system[6] 255 99,433
Fuel system, gasoline[7] 215 74,000
Air bags[8] 146 78,500
Power train[9] 137 67,350
Engine[10] 136 80,000
Brakes[11] 51 41,336

Steering. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe the power steering suddenly stopping its assist, which makes the car hard to steer. Others describe rattling or knocking from the steering column or front end[2]. The steering group also has 78 crashes and 133 injuries[2].

Electrical system. Some owners in our sample describe the engine shutting off while driving[5]. The group has 36 crashes and 6 fires[5].

Fuel leaks and fuel smell. In the samples we read for the two fuel groups, owners describe a gasoline smell or a leak near the tank and fuel pump[6][7]. Some say a dealer told them their car was not covered by the earlier fuel pump recall[6]. The fuel/propulsion group has 3 fires and the gasoline fuel system group has 2[6][7].

Air bags. The air bag group is small next to steering, but 59 of its 146 complaints mention a crash[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2006 Cobalt. They are below, newest first. Check a specific car by VIN with NHTSA or a Chevrolet dealer, because the fuel pump recall covers only certain states[12].

Fuel economy

EPA lists five engine and transmission setups for the 2006 Cobalt. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from 2006.

Setup City / highway / combined MPG Fuel Annual fuel cost
2.0L, manual 5-speed[17] 20 / 27 / 23 Premium $3,550
2.2L, automatic 4-speed[18] 21 / 29 / 24 Regular $2,800
2.2L, manual 5-speed[4] 22 / 31 / 25 Regular $2,700
2.4L, automatic 4-speed[19] 21 / 29 / 24 Premium $3,400
2.4L, manual 5-speed[20] 22 / 31 / 25 Premium $3,300

All five are front-wheel drive. The 2.2L manual has the lowest annual fuel cost on this list at $2,700[4]. The 2.0L manual has the highest at $3,550 and the lowest combined rating at 23 MPG[17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists its 5-Star Safety Ratings as not rated for the 4-door, the 2-door and the 2-door W/SAB variants[21][22][23]. That means there is no star score to compare with other cars. The recalls above are the better guide to known safety issues.

Engine and size

The EPA lists 2.0L, 2.2L and 2.4L four-cylinder engines for this model year[17][18][19].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications[24].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
LS / LT 4-door sedan[24] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in 2,789 lb
LS/LT 2-door coupe[25] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,734 lb
LTZ / SS 4-door sedan[26] 180 in 68 in 57 in 103 in 2,888 lb
SS 2-door coupe[27] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,815 lb
SS Supercharged 2-door coupe[28] 180 in 68 in 56 in 103 in 2,926 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2005: 1,649 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 2,330 complaints, 5 recalls2,33020062007: 1,564 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 940 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 900 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 583 complaints, 5 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Cobalt model year. The 2006 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051,6495
20062,3305
20071,5645
20089404
20099005
20105835

Among the Cobalt years in our data, 2006 has the most complaints on file at 2,330[3]. The other years are:

2006 also has 5 recalls[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only. Every later year has fewer complaints on file than 2006[3].

Should you buy a used 2006 Cobalt?

The 2006 Cobalt has a long complaint record, led by steering with 1,299 complaints[2]. It also has five recalls, including two ignition recalls and a power steering recall[13][14][15]. If you are considering one, check the VIN for open recalls first and ask for proof that the ignition, steering and fuel pump work was done where it applies. Fuel economy is modest at 23 to 25 MPG combined[17][4][20]. NHTSA has no star ratings for this year[21][22][23], and the data here cannot tell you about price or condition, so a pre-purchase inspection is a sensible step.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt?
NHTSA has 2,330 complaints, and steering is the largest group with 1,299[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe power steering loss, engine shutoffs and fuel leaks[2][5][6][7].
Does the 2006 Cobalt have recalls?
Yes, five: ignition cylinder (14V171), ignition switch and air bags (14V047), electric power steering (10V073), fuel pump (09V419) and headliner (07V014)[13][14][15][12][16].
How many miles per gallon does a 2006 Cobalt get?
EPA combined ratings range from 23 to 25 MPG depending on the engine and transmission[17][18][4][19][20].
Which Cobalt year has the fewest complaints?
Among 2005 to 2010, 2010 has the fewest on file at 583, and 2006 has the most at 2,330[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 2,330 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt (164 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 196 injuries, 8 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 1,299 complaints name the steering component group (78 crashes, 4 fires, 133 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,647). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Cobalt model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 412 complaints name the electrical system component group (36 crashes, 6 fires, 122 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 255 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,433). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 215 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 146 complaints name the air bags component group (59 crashes, 1 fires, 47 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 137 complaints name the power train component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,350). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 136 complaints name the engine component group (15 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 51 complaints name the brakes component group (18 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,336). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 09V419, filed October 29, 2009: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 14V171, filed April 10, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V047, filed February 10, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V073, filed March 3, 2010: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 07V014, filed January 18, 2007: Structure. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Cobalt, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR W/SAB FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2-DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS / LT 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,789 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LS/LT 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,734 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT LTZ / SS 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,888 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,815 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COBALT SS Supercharged 2DR COUPE FWD: length 180 in, width 68 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,926 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.