Cobalts Were Seen as Lemons From Start, State Data Shows

[FarCenter]

Long before the Chevrolet Cobalt became known for having a deadly ignition defect, it was already seen as a lemon. Owners complained about power steering failures, locks inexplicably opening and closing, doors jamming shut in the rain — even windows falling out.

In more than 120 instances, General Motors was forced under state lemon laws to buy back faulty Cobalts, pay settlements to owners or let them trade in the cars, an analysis by The New York Times of state databases and court records shows. The buybacks came as dozens of claims were filed separately at G.M. from 2005 to 2009 that fit a specific pattern — moving cars, sometimes traveling at high speeds, would suddenly stop working.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/business/cobalts-were-seen-as-lemons-from-start-state-data-shows.html

[exboyfil]

1. It is a shame

My 2002 Cavalier has been a dream car so far. Only one significant repair (around $250) since I purchased it new in 2002. How could its replacement go so wrong? My 1985 Cavalier was not quite so durable but still a nice car that gave me 10+ years of service and 180,000 miles. Can't say the same for my wife's 1998 Escort or our 1994 Lumina. Juries still out on the 2009 HHR but so far not bad.