Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,649 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 899 | 55% |
| Electrical system | 112 | 7% |
| Steering | 57 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 30 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 2% |
| Power train | 25 | 2% |
| Suspension | 21 | 1% |
| Steering | 19 | 1% |
| Air bags | 17 | 1% |
| Steering | 16 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated that the key was stuck in the ignition. The contact had to use the key release to remove the key manually. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction. The contact stated the power steering warning light illumina
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the l
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH and making a turn, the steering wheel seized and created a loss of the power steering functionality. The vehicle was not dia
NHTSA complaint: Steering
.Engine wire harness/yes . Could of started a fire/ cause multiple safty problems .no professionals confirmed .multiple problems with the new trans solenoids (new) problems with gas, tcm, I fixed the wire for the speed
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The tcm in my 5 cobalt is not working properly I've tested and replaced everything els and had the tcm reprogrammed still getting problems aiming back to the tcm it wasn't looked at by a business
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Power steering was lost while driving, speedometer stopped working and will not shift from low. Other sources say there has been a recall.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I started up my car and it was very hard to turn the wheel easier when I gained speed. The warning said "Power Steering"
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio
Risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" pos
Fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers w
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the s
UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year
Risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of c
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Risk: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED
| Reliability raw | 46 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,649 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 899 of them (55%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 46/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.