2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LS from North America

Summary:

Garbage

Faults:

The car was OK at the beginning. Purchased for my daughter who was in high school. After about a year, things started going wrong, starting with the check engine light. It would go intermittent for a while. My mechanic looked at it and said that it appeared to be a problem with a cylinder, but since it was intermittent, it could be a problem with the electrical system.

The next problem was the stereo only operated the right speakers. In addition, at the same time the blinker for the turn signals stopped working. Unable to trace the problem for this to the electrical system, so who knows what's up. There are no service bulletins on this problem.

This weekend, brought it back to my mechanic for the check engine light. Turns out it has one bad cylinder and one on the way out. Got it back from the mechanic while we decide what to do, and now the windshield wipers don't work. My mechanic told me this is basically a "throw away" car like the old Saturns. Problem is, we are still making payments on it.

Piece of junk...wouldn't recommend this car to my worst enemy.

General Comments:

Major piece of garbage. Now I know why they discontinued the model, and why they almost went out of business.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st August, 2010

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LS 2.2 from North America

Summary:

Sharp looking coupe that is economical with excellent MPG

Faults:

Steering column needed to be replaced at 30K miles. Fixed under warranty.

Suspension bushings at 25K miles. Fixed under warranty.

FM radio would cut out for a few seconds and come back on later at 25K. Fixed under warranty.

Has a wind noise / rattle in the dash when driving on highway. Did not have an issue when purchased; just happened recently.

Floor shifter is locked, even when having your foot on brake and pressing the shifter button. This only happens when I have not driven the car for a while. I have to pump the brake in order for it to go into reverse from park.

General Comments:

I average 30 to 31 MPG driving 60% highway 40% Stop & Go. Doing 100% Highway I average 35 to 36 MPG. I usually drive 70 to 75 MPH on the highway.

I love the way the Cobalt Coupe looks from the side and rear, but do not care for the styling of the front grille; it looks like a 1998-2004 Malibu from the front.

I like the Driver's Information Center (DIC) with the information on fuel range and average MPG.

I would buy another Cobalt coupe, but I would buy new Cobalt LT instead of buying a two year old off lease vehicle, because I think the first owner was hard on the car with the steering/suspension issues.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2010

8th Apr 2010, 20:30

The previous owner had nothing to do with the suspension issues. Cobalts are well known for all of the issues you listed.

In reply to 8th Apr 2010, 20:30

23rd Jan 2013, 20:19

Same problem with mine; changed bushings 4 times within 100,000 miles.

14th Feb 2013, 16:27

I am the original poster of the review for the 2007 Cobalt LS.

This is the second time I had the suspension bushings replaced at 66K, and the second time I had steering column replaced at 66K.

Transaxle seal on the driver side replaced at 34K.

One of the speakers was blown and was replaced at 66K.

The ignition cylinder was worn out at 66K, and was replaced along with a new key.

I bought an GM factory extended warranty with all of the issues I had under the original warranty that is good till the end of 2013 or 94K miles, and it has paid off with all the work done at 66K. I have other issues that I'll probably get repaired in August since they are not major issues. I am still getting the same gas mileage as in 2010.

I'll probably buy a new Ford Focus or a Honda Civic coupe for my next car. I have owned previous GMs that have had more miles on them than the Cobalt, and have had way less problems, such as a 1995 Camaro V6 70K-111K miles, 1995 Camaro Z28 40K miles - 60K miles, 1995 Corvette 8K miles - 27K miles. I also owned a 90 Sunbird with 90K-150K that only need a head gasket and that was it; that was my winter car.