2005 Chevrolet Cobalt Electrical System Problems
NHTSA has 341 owner complaints about electrical problems in the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 21% of all 1,649 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest electrical complaint count among 10 Cobalt model years. These complaints report 14 crashes, 2 fires, and 10 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 60,000 miles.
- Electrical System complaints
- 341
- 21% of 1,649
- Crashes reported
- 14
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 10
- Median mileage
- 60,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
When 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 22, 2005, latest Feb 12, 2026.
Electrical System recalls for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
- NHTSA 14V171000Apr 10, 2014Electrical System2,191,014 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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 ignition is not in the "Off" position.
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" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: 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 will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
- NHTSA 04V560000Nov 22, 2004Electrical System1,378 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the bulb shields inside of the headlamps can loosen due to vibration.
Risk: The bulb shield can loosen or break because of vibration. If this occurred on a headlamp installed in a vehicle, oncoming drivers may notice additional glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. The recall began on november 17, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
Electrical System complaints by Cobalt model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt have electrical problems?
- NHTSA has 341 owner complaints about the electrical in the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt, 21% of all complaints for this model year, including 14 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 60,000 miles.
- Which Chevrolet Cobalt year has the most electrical complaints?
- The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt has the most electrical complaints (424), compared with 341 for the 2005.
- Is there a electrical recall for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt?
- Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt concern the electrical: 14V171000 and 04V560000.