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2005 Chevrolet Cobalt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,407 reports with mileage · 242 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 1,143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 323 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

97 crash reports12 fire reports57 injury reports

Steering complaints

1,143 reports
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88,213 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Steering

05 CHEVY COBALT - POWER STEERING GOES OUT. BOUGHT THE CAR TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE STEERING COMES AND GOES. READING THE WEB IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT GM HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308810

80,000 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Steering

WHILE OPERATING HER 05 CHEVY COBALT, MY WIFE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE, CAUSING HER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND BLOW A TIRE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 4 OTHER INSTANCES WITH THIS VEHICLE WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT, CAUSING ME TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES …

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WHILE OPERATING HER 05 CHEVY COBALT, MY WIFE LOST POWER STEERING WHILE EXITING THE INTERSTATE, CAUSING HER TO RUN OFF THE ROAD AND BLOW A TIRE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 4 OTHER INSTANCES WITH THIS VEHICLE WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT, CAUSING ME TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN AT MY OWN EXPENSE. THIS VEHICLE HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE PART FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308710

37,149 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Steering

ON JAN.9TH WHILE I WAS DRIVING, POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY. ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER STEERING. COULD NOT CONTROL CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED CALL OFF. RESTARTED IT AND WHILE DRIVING IT AGAIN IT WAS HARD TO STEER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. THEY FIXED IT. THEY REPLACED PS ELECTRIC…

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ON JAN.9TH WHILE I WAS DRIVING, POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY. ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER STEERING. COULD NOT CONTROL CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED CALL OFF. RESTARTED IT AND WHILE DRIVING IT AGAIN IT WAS HARD TO STEER. TOOK CAR TO DEALER. THEY FIXED IT. THEY REPLACED PS ELECTRIC ASSIST MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308648

35,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

POWER STEERING FAILS IN 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING SO ODOMETER NO LONGER REGISTERS. DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN STEERING QUIT. THIS ALMOST CREATED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THE COMPUTER WON'T GIVE OUT ANY INPUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308602

80,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering

I RECEIVED A CALL FROM GM TELLING ME THAT MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT ISN'T AND MAY NEVER BE ON THE RECALL LIST. MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT FREQUENTLY AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT SAFELY ANYMORE. THE STEERING IS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO …

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I RECEIVED A CALL FROM GM TELLING ME THAT MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT ISN'T AND MAY NEVER BE ON THE RECALL LIST. MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT FREQUENTLY AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT SAFELY ANYMORE. THE STEERING IS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVEN TO TAKE MY GRANDCHILDREN TO SEE THEIR DOCTORS. I PLEADED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF GM AND HE KEPT TELLING ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. I ALREADY HAVE A CASE NUMBER BUT I FEAR THAT NOTHING WILL EVER GET DONE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE! I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO MAKES THIS RIGHT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308525

45,500 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT AS GONE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308478

70,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT THIS CAR HAS POWERSTEERING FAILURE. THE POWERSTEERING WILL FAIL ON WHAT SEEMS TO BE ONLY 10 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. IT WILL RESET IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. BUT ONLY TO FAIL 10 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. BEFORE IT WASN'T AS OFTEN AS IT IS NOW. DRIVING IT IS A RISK BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT IT TAK…

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2005 CHEVY COBALT THIS CAR HAS POWERSTEERING FAILURE. THE POWERSTEERING WILL FAIL ON WHAT SEEMS TO BE ONLY 10 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD. IT WILL RESET IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. BUT ONLY TO FAIL 10 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AGAIN. BEFORE IT WASN'T AS OFTEN AS IT IS NOW. DRIVING IT IS A RISK BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT IT TAKES TO CONTROL THE STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308417

35,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308397

116,369 miles · Feb 10, 2010
SteeringSuspension

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT- THE POWER STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AT TIMES- THE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF- SHOWING A PROBLEM IS PRESENT- I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE CAR NORMALLY- MAKING ME USE TWO HANDS-ALSO, THERE IS A RATTLE IN THE BACK- LEFT- VERY NOTICEABLE- TO ALL IN VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308372

56,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering

PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY COBALT..CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO CHARGE PEOPLE ANYWHERE FROM 400-900 TO FIX. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS. I KNOW THERE IS CURRENTLY AN INVESTIGATION BUT HOW…

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PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVY COBALT..CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES. THE POWER STEERING HAS COMPLETELY GONE OUT. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO CHARGE PEOPLE ANYWHERE FROM 400-900 TO FIX. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS. I KNOW THERE IS CURRENTLY AN INVESTIGATION BUT HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE? THIS IS RIDICULOUS! I AM NOT PAYING THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR A CAR THAT IS BARELY 4 YEARS OLD AND IS A CONSISTENT PROBLEM FOR ALL THOSE THAT HAVE PURCHASED THIS SAME CAR. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND IS A NUISANCE TO TRY TO OPERATE A CAR THAT IS BARELY DRIVABLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308345

Official recalls

5

14V171000 · Electrical System:ignition

Apr 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.

14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch

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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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.

10V073000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

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.

07V014000 · Structure

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.

04V560000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE10005 · Electric Power Steering Failure

Opened Jan 27, 2010 · Closed Jul 19, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering:electric Power Assist System

In a March 1, 2010 letter, General Motors Corporation (GM) provided a defect information report to NHTSA regarding a problem that could result in sudden loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and MY 2007 through 2010 Pontiac G5 vehicles equipped with electric power steering (EPS).The letter indicates that the loss of steering assist could occur at any time while driving and that, once assist is lost, a message is displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and a chime sounds to inform the driver.The letter further states that steering control is maintained in manual mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds.In the next ignition cycle, power assist is typically regained and the DIC message is no longer displayed.GM's letter identifies the root cause of the EPS failure as the EPS motor and indicates that production of a new motor started in December 2009.GM's recall repair procedure instructs dealers to replace the EPS motor in all recalled vehicles. ODI's analysis of all information available related to sudden loss of EPS assist while driving in the MY 2005 through 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles shows current complaint and warranty rates of 323/100,000 vehicles and 0.4% respectively.In response to ODI's request for information, GM identified 81 complaints where a crash was claimed that may be related to loss of EPS assist.ODI's analysis of all crash claims was based on verifiable factors such as; whether a loss of EPS was indicated at the time of the crash by a chime or malfunction indicator lamp or if a EPS related component malfunction was identified after the crash occurred.With this method ODI identified 36 possible crashes related to EPS failure.GM assessed crash claims based on the available facts and excluded crash claims that indicated that the vehicle was travelling at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater.GM said that it believes if power assist is lost while a vehicle is moving at speeds in the range of 30 mph or greater there is a small difference in steering efforts perceived in subjective evaluations at those speeds and it is unlikely to lead to loss of vehicle control. Based on GM's safety recall, this investigation is closed.