NHTSA Complaint #10221602 — 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND ROLLS TO A STOP. THE CONTACT LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL OF THE WIRING AND FUSES IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SHIFTER LOCKS IN POSITION AND THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSES THE BATTERY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE CONNECTED TO A CHARGER ALL NIGHT IN ORDER TO BE DRIVEN THE NEXT DAY. IN MAY OF 2006, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE FAILURE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2007, AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL THE WIRING IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE CHARGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,600.