Faults:

On rainy, foggy, and/or overcast days, the headlights are on, the instrument panel lights are not. The body control module is the problem. Chevrolet Customer Service states the "condition" is normal and refuses warranty service (service bulletin Document ID# 1530511).

The shifter has been replaced because you could not remove the ignition key.

Clunk in right rear was traced to a defective rear shock (dealer tightened antenna & said nothing was wrong).

Popping noise in front end required replacing stabilizer bar end links (dealer said nothing was wrong).

Vibration in front end traced to Continental tires (dealer said nothing was wrong) out of round (we replaced with Michelin, a vast improvement in ride and handling).

The brake warning light came on while driving, problem traced to fluid level sensor in master cylinder (dealer said nothing was wrong).

The cruise control would not engage on numerous times, problem traced to leather steering wheel wiring (not switches), replacement cured problem (dealer said nothing was wrong).

Numerous paint issues, pathetic repair work by the dealer. $250 to replace the thermostat, because it's on the back side of the engine between the firewall.

General Comments:

No automatic dipstick; to check the automatic transmission fluid level, the car has to be raised on a level rack and a plug on the backside of the transmission removed. Terrible build quality.

Faults:

I once went over a bump and the ABS and T/C lights decided to stay on. Nothing major. No damage was done to the car and couldn't seem to figure out how to turn it off (even with fuse box.)

Car had regular oil changes and checkups.

Front seats could be a lot more comfortable. Back seats weren't used much, but weren't terribly comfortable either. Headroom was limited.

Extremely disappointed with the poor visibility in both the back window and the thick support column right beside the driver's seat. For these reasons, it made for a horrible first car.

Winter driving (out here in Ontario) isn't great, as the car doesn't boast enough power to get out of icy situations. Got stuck numerous times with a lot of difficulty.

General Comments:

I had nothing but good luck with this very nice car. No disappointments.

Excellent choice for a commuter/city car, but not enough comfort for a long road trip.

It's smooth, comfortable and has near perfect brakes.

Good, yet simple interior features. Great sound system. Standard features, p/l, p/w, key-less entry and sunroof were great additions.

Had I had the car any longer, I'm sure I would have expected normal wear and tear. Parts don't last forever.

Overall, very impressed. As much as I loved this car, the low safety rating drives me away from getting another one.

Faults:

Key refused to release from ignition at 28,000 km. Fixed under warranty by faulty shift-lock in gear shift lever.

Mild clunking noise from front suspension at 30,000km. Fixed under warranty replacing the steering column shaft.

Wheel well lining slightly loose at 30,000km. Fixed under warranty by replacing lost retainer screw.

Slight "crunching" noise from right front suspension in -15C and below weather. Cause undetermined. (Thermal contraction of parts?)

General Comments:

The Cobalt has several strong suits.

The 2.2L Ecotec engine delivers a satisfying amount of low rpm torque and good acceleration and passing power for an entry level compact vehicle.

The 4 speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and quickly.

The lack of interior noise, particularly at highway speeds, is exceptional in its class.

The standard equipment CD stereo provides clear sound quality.

The cruise control maintains a steady speed on the hilliest of roads.

The car has excellent winter traction even with the factory-equipped all season Continental tires. ABS and traction-control combo provide extra security in winter driving.

Fuel economy, while not class leading, is thrifty. I averaged 8.2L/100km in pure city driving (summer), 9.0 L/100 km pure city driving (winter) and 6.2 L/100 km pure highway driving.

The trunk is very generous and will swallow three full-size suit cases.

Forward sightlines are good.

Firm seats prevent fatigue on long-distance drives.

Fit and alignment of interior components is excellent.

However, the Cobalt has several weaknesses.

Perceived quality is low because of the hard plastic surfaces and fabrics used in the interior and particularly the steering wheel.

The suspension is harsh over high frequency road imperfections (e.g. cracks and railway crossing) conveying a sense of structural weakness.

The steering is uncommunicative and therefore feels imprecise. For those who enjoy driving, the Cobalt is likely not a satisfying drive.

The trunk opening is shallow making loading of taller boxes difficult. Also, lift-in height is somewhat high.

The interior could use some additional storage cubbies and pockets.

Rearward visibility is compromised by a slanted speaker shelf.

In conclusion, I don't think the Cobalt is a bad car. It offers excellent value, particularly if purchased pre-owned. It's a perfectly decent runabout for those looking for a comfortable point A to B commuter.

Ultimately, however, I sold the car because I did not have confidence in the long-term reliability of the front suspension components and I did not enjoy driving the car. I wonder if the front-end problems were particular to my car. I drove a later example of the Cobalt's identical sister car, the Pontiac G5, and its suspension felt solid. Perhaps my particular vehicle had first-year production problems.