NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
27 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Dec 31, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL FOR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, MY CAN HAS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING & I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE., THE STEERING WHEEL IGNITION SYSTEM 'IS THE PROBLEM' MY VEHICLE DOES NOT START ANYMORE AT ALL !! PLEASE SCHEDUAL AN APPOINTMENT AT THE NEAREST DEALER THAT CAN REPAIR THE RECALLED PARTS? NEAR 95838…
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I KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL FOR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, MY CAN HAS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING & I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS STARTING MY VEHICLE., THE STEERING WHEEL IGNITION SYSTEM 'IS THE PROBLEM' MY VEHICLE DOES NOT START ANYMORE AT ALL !! PLEASE SCHEDUAL AN APPOINTMENT AT THE NEAREST DEALER THAT CAN REPAIR THE RECALLED PARTS? NEAR 95838 SACRAMENTO, CA. I BELIEVE THAT MY LIFE HAS BEEN ENDANGERED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE RECALLED PARTS !! " YES" I AM VERY UPSET" !! MY VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING ON BOTH CITY & FREEWAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11292347
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
TAKATA RECALL THE PROBLEMS I'M HAVING WITH MY CAR IS THAT THE LOCKS KEEP UNLOCKING AND LOCKING AND WON'T LET MY CAR STARTUP. IT LOCKS ME OUT AND WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE SWITCH IT WON'T CRANK AND THE ONLY WAY THAT I'M ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE SWITCH IS IF I JUMP IT OFF. I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT HAPPENED PARKED.
NHTSA ODI #11115262
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SuspensionWheels
SUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD.
NHTSA ODI #11034473
173,450 miles · Aug 5, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ON MY CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 STAYS ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, SO NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS PERIODICALLY WHEN I A…
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THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ON MY CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 STAYS ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, SO NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS PERIODICALLY WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD AND THERE IS ROUGH SHIFTING OF GEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11013021
132,000 miles · Jun 25, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I SIMPLY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY CAR, ALL IT DOES IS CLICK WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND SLOWLY EDGED TO THE FRONT OF MY HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11001263
130,000 miles · Sep 29, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WAS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS.(60 TO 70MPH) THE SECOND, WAS IN CITY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AFTER A 5 MINUTE IDLE. THE FOURTH WAS WHEN MY LAST MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING IT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE'D FIXED IT. DASH LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF, ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, EN…
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THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, WAS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS.(60 TO 70MPH) THE SECOND, WAS IN CITY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE THIRD WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AFTER A 5 MINUTE IDLE. THE FOURTH WAS WHEN MY LAST MECHANIC WAS TEST DRIVING IT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT HE'D FIXED IT. DASH LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF, ALL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, ENGINE COOLING FANS STOP OPERATING, TRANSMISSION HUNTS FOR WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN; RESULTING IN THE TRANSMISSION SELF DESTRUCTING. ENGINE MANAGEMENT, OTHER THAN THE COOLING FANS, SEEMS TO BE UNAFFECTED. I'VE REPLACED 4 TCM'S SO FAR; AS ALL MECHANICS SAY THAT IS THE PROBLEM. IT WORKS FOR A FEW DAYS OR A WEEK, THEN THE SAME PROBLEM MANIFEST. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH QUITE A FEW GM VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #10910688
169,785 miles · Mar 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND FOR NO REASON MY CHEVY COBALT THEFT LOCK CAME ON (ABS) LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRACTIONS CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OFF THEN IN MY DASH BOARD IT SAID POWER STEERING FAILURE THEN IT WAS ROUGH IDLING AND FUEL GOES UP AND DOWN THEN IT GIVES ROUGH GEARS THIS IS T…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND FOR NO REASON MY CHEVY COBALT THEFT LOCK CAME ON (ABS) LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRACTIONS CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS OFF THEN IN MY DASH BOARD IT SAID POWER STEERING FAILURE THEN IT WAS ROUGH IDLING AND FUEL GOES UP AND DOWN THEN IT GIVES ROUGH GEARS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS IS NOT SAFE
NHTSA ODI #10839335
10 miles · Jan 6, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Injury
MADE LEFT TURN AND MY AIRBAG WENT OFF. MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CLOCK SPRING SHORTED OUT INTERNALLY IN THE COIL AND DEPLOYED THE AIRBAG. GM HAS NOT CONTACTED ME OVER THIS MATTER AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR SINCE 2010.
NHTSA ODI #10818309
100,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING USE AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS CAUSING THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE COLLISION WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AND CHEVROLET NOR GENERAL MOTORS WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I URGE YOU PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AS ON…
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VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING USE AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME VERY DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY AT LOWER SPEEDS CAUSING THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE COLLISION WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AND CHEVROLET NOR GENERAL MOTORS WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, I URGE YOU PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE AS ONCE AGAIN THEY HAVE SHOWN THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE LIVES OF THERE CUSTOMERS
NHTSA ODI #10725908
20,000 miles · Mar 15, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CHEVROLET COBALT (WHICH WE'VE ONLY HAD FOR TWO WEEKS) ENGINE SHUT OFF, LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOING SLOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND PRESSED ON THE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, NOW ONLY THE REVERSE WORKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694399
Official recalls
5Apr 10, 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 the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Feb 10, 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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
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 also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Mar 3, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Jan 18, 2007
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Nov 22, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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