Chevrolet›Cobalt›2006›Overview/chevrolet/cobalt/2006/base/

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Cobalt.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt is a passenger car with a 5-quart engine oil capacity specified for 5W-30 API viscosity, and it sits at a notable inflection point in the model's long-running complaint record. With 2,330 owner complaints and six recalls, this model year generated more reports than any other in the 1996–2017 span, while steering emerged as the most frequently cited concern. That concentration of feedback makes the 2006 Cobalt a reference point for the generation's durability rather than a typical year, since the same data set bottoms out at a single complaint for 1996.

Model year201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 90 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12580255. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 90 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205/55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12580255 alt 12605566
Engine air filter21999324 alt 15239447
Fuel filter22734980 discontinued
Spark plug12681663 alt 12680075
Battery88866263
Front wiper blades20918023 alt 20918022
Serpentine belt12634322 alt 12634320
Thermostat12622410 alt 03522676
Cabin air filter52493319

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2789 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cobalt of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2006 SS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006SS Sedan 2.4L I-47.10 sec15.60 sec171 hpFWD
2005SS Supercharged Coupe 2.0L Supercharger I-45.90 sec14.40 sec205 hpFWD
2005SS Supercharged Coupe 2.0L Supercharger I-46.00 sec14.50 sec205 hpFWD
2005SS Supercharged Coupe 2.0L Supercharger I-46.10 sec14.40 sec205 hpFWD
2005SS Supercharged Coupe 2.0L Supercharger I-46.10 sec14.70 sec205 hpFWD
2005LS Sedan 2.2L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec145 hpFWD
2005LS Sedan 2.2L I-48.40 sec16.20 sec145 hpFWD
2007SS Supercharged Coupe 2.0L Supercharger I-46.10 sec14.60 sec205 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts10 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts7.3 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub155 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeGM part number 12787099
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-981
Spark Plug Gap0.042 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number90
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number90

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185-205 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum60 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-60

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle85 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.039
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.020
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.933 in / 1.023 in / 0.783 in / 0.551 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.933 in / 1.023 in / 0.783 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 7574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 12574 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees155 degrees
126
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
1bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
2turn 90 an additional 155 degrees; Front cylinder head bolts - 26 ft. lbs.155 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2190 degrees190 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 model year shows a sharp increase in consumer complaints relative to the preceding year, rising from 1,649 in 2005 to 2,330 in 2006 before falling to 1,564 in 2007 and continuing a downward trend through 2010. Recall activity remained steady at six campaigns for 2005‑2007, then dipped to five in 2008 before returning to six in 2009‑2010, indicating that recall frequency did not drive the complaint spike. Investigations were consistently one per year from 2005 through 2007, increased to two in 2008 and three in 2009, then returned to one in 2010, suggesting fluctuating regulatory scrutiny unrelated to the complaint peak. Technical service bulletins grew steadily each year, from 646 in 2005 to 796 in 2006 and further to 1,143 by 2010, reflecting ongoing service documentation. Because the 2006 Cobalt sits at the apex of reported complaints while recall and investigation levels are comparable to neighboring years, it may present a higher likelihood of owner‑reported issues than adjacent model years.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
796
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,330
Owner complaints
164 involved a crash · 14 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’96’00’02’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’16’17

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,330 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering1041
Fuel/Propulsion System216
Fuel System, Gasoline181
Electrical System129
Steering,Electrical System67
Power Train53
Air Bags47
Electrical System,Air Bags39

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V171000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 10/04/2014

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… 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…

14V047000Air BagsReported 10/02/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 796 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5358D2025-02-19Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cobalt. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 90 batteryVehicles taking 5 qtEngine oil filter 12580255Engine air filter 21999324Fuel filter 22734980Spark plug 12681663

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Cobalt take?

5 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Cobalt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.