Electric Power Steering Issues(Is This Common?)

[RicerKid15]

I am looking at getting a 06 Cobalt. I was reading on carcomplaints.com on them. The highest problem people were reporting problems was with their power steering and saying that it was locking up on them. I was wondering how typical this really is? I mean this seems a bit scary and was wondering if any of you had heard of this or experienced this. I am starting to doubt getting this car.

[MagicRat]

I would say this is an unusual failure, but obvoiusly one for concern.

Check on the NHTSA website, particularly on the Defects and Recalls section. Look for a recall on this car, for this problem. NHTSA (aka the government) is generally very good at chasing down genuine vehicle defects.

If GM did install a bad batch of racks on these cars, there should be a record of a recall and repairs being done. If so, you may be able to check if the car you are looking for was involved in the recall and if it was actually fixed.

[Blackcrow64]

It is an issue, as I have ran into it twice with my Cobalt. The first time it happened I popped the hood to start checking all the regular stuff and was baffled when I found no power steering components. It was then that I found out/realized it was all electronic which I do not like the idea of... After the car sat for a little bit the problem seemed to resolve itself. I'm not entirely sure if it just needed the ECU to be reset by turning the car off and on or what the deal was, but each time it has quickly been resolved itself... So far...