NHTSA Complaint #10304680 — 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. HE STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART AT PARTIAL EXPENSE OF GENERAL MOTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH IN CLEAR CONDITIONS AND MODERATE TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DRIVER OPERATION. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY BY BRAKING LIGHTLY, HOWEVER THE WHEELS WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUN IN A COMPLETE 360 DEGREE TURN AND SIDE GRAZED THE MEDIAN STRIP BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT TOOK NO LIABILITY FOR THE FAILURE. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 47,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER HIT A GUARDRAIL DUE TO THE STEERING MALFUNCTION. UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB