NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,143 reportsClear category filter131,939 miles · Dec 4, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
WHILE DRIVING MY COBALT FROM ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10MPH TO 50MPH MULTIPLE "DING" NOISES OCCUR. THEN ANY NUMBER OF ALERT LIGHTS COME ON INCLUDING; TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, ETC... THERE IS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE THAT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. ALSO, ALONG WITH THESE SYMPTOMS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTO TRANS) BEG…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY COBALT FROM ANYWHERE BETWEEN 10MPH TO 50MPH MULTIPLE "DING" NOISES OCCUR. THEN ANY NUMBER OF ALERT LIGHTS COME ON INCLUDING; TRACTION CONTROL, AIR BAG, CHECK ENGINE, ETC... THERE IS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE THAT COMES FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH. ALSO, ALONG WITH THESE SYMPTOMS THE TRANSMISSION (AUTO TRANS) BEGINS TO SHIFT VERY HARD BOTH UP AND DOWN, CAR SHUDDERS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL WHEN IT COMES TO A NEAR STOP. THE SCARIEST AND MOST DANGEROUS PART IS THAT THE CAR HAS EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT SPEED AND LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL. SOMETIMES I HAVE SPENT 5 MINUTES TRYING TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AS WELL, AND MUST FORCEFULLY MOVE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT KNOB BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE KEY TURNS FREE. THIS CAR IS A DANGER, AND DESPITE HAVING MULTIPLE RECALLS IT IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662297
109,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesSteering
HE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE "POWER STEERING" STARTED FLASHING ON MY DASHBOARD. MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, HAPPENS RANDOMLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10660818
95,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10660047
130,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
HAD NO ISSUES ALL DAY UNTIL ALL OF SUDDEN WE WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I'M AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE GAS TO GO, I HEAR A CHIME - NO INDICATION LIGHTS COME ON- CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL (IT DOESN'T), STEERING IS VERY HARD AND A CLICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING I…
Read full complaint
HAD NO ISSUES ALL DAY UNTIL ALL OF SUDDEN WE WERE LEAVING A PARKING LOT. I'M AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN I WENT TO PRESS THE GAS TO GO, I HEAR A CHIME - NO INDICATION LIGHTS COME ON- CAR ACTS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL (IT DOESN'T), STEERING IS VERY HARD AND A CLICKING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE GEAR SHIFT AREA. DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT ALL, ALTHOUGH IT'S MOVABLE BUT VERY ROUGH/BOGGING OUT. RECENTLY HAD THE IGNITION RECALL RECENTLY, HAD A FEW ISSUES POP UP SINCE THEN BUT NOTHING AS SERIOUS AS THIS. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, HE REPLACED A FEW SENSORS, BUT CLICKING NOISE STILL REMAINS AND IS UNDRIVEABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10658608
65,000 miles · Nov 17, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10655398
180,000 miles · Nov 14, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT EXTREME FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10654985
125,586 miles · Nov 5, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,586.
NHTSA ODI #10652882
86,135 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Steering
I GOT INTO MY CAR AND WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR IT SAID "POWER STEERING" AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I TRIED TO DRIVE HOME AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STIFF AND HARD TO TURN. THE ODOMETER WOULD NOT MOVE FROM 0 TO SHOW ME THE SPEED I WAS GOING AND THE CAR WAS MAKING SOME CLICKING SOUNDS AS I WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10650007
57,063 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,063.
NHTSA ODI #10643912
109,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury
WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON RURAL INTERSTATE EXPRESSWAY, CAME UPON A CURVE, TAPPED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND TRIED TO STEER RIGHT INTO THE CURVE AND COULDN'T GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AT ALL. PUT MORE FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL AND IT JERKED THE CAR TO EXTREME RIGHT. TRIED TO COMPENSATE AND CAR WENT INTO 180 DEGREE SPI…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON RURAL INTERSTATE EXPRESSWAY, CAME UPON A CURVE, TAPPED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND TRIED TO STEER RIGHT INTO THE CURVE AND COULDN'T GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE AT ALL. PUT MORE FORCE ON STEERING WHEEL AND IT JERKED THE CAR TO EXTREME RIGHT. TRIED TO COMPENSATE AND CAR WENT INTO 180 DEGREE SPIN ACROSS THE INTERSTATE, HIT AND FLATTENED TWO ROAD SIGNS, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, THEN WENT AIRBORNE WHILE ROLLING AND HIT A STAND OF PINES TREES. CAR SLID DOWN A TREE AND CAME TO REST ON PASSENGER SIDE. THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD THE INJURIES WERE ONLY CUTS AND BRUISES. X-RAYS WERE TAKEN AND THERE WERE NO BROKEN BONES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW THAT HAD BLOWN OUT IN THE IMPACT AS NO OTHER DOORS WERE ABLE TO BE OPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10643446
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 ↗
Illustration