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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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52,200 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT KEEPS GIVING OUT. IT BECOMES DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STEER. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND WAIT ABOUT 30 MINUTES SO THAT IT CAN RESET ITSELF AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING IT GETS HARD AGAIN. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY LOSE CONTROL AND GET INTO AN ACCIDE…

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THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT KEEPS GIVING OUT. IT BECOMES DIFFICULT FOR ME TO STEER. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND WAIT ABOUT 30 MINUTES SO THAT IT CAN RESET ITSELF AND AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING IT GETS HARD AGAIN. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE AND I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY LOSE CONTROL AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308208

83,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. BEGAN WHILE I WAS JUST DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH IN TRAFFIC AROUND MID DECEMBER AND WOULD GO OFF EVERY FEW MILES. IT IS NOW MUCH MORE FREQUENT GOING OFF AROUND EVERY ONE TO TWO MINUTES OF DRIVING. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS I LOOKED ONLINE AND THE CONSENSUS OF THE MANY PEOPLE WIT…

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2005 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. BEGAN WHILE I WAS JUST DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH IN TRAFFIC AROUND MID DECEMBER AND WOULD GO OFF EVERY FEW MILES. IT IS NOW MUCH MORE FREQUENT GOING OFF AROUND EVERY ONE TO TWO MINUTES OF DRIVING. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS I LOOKED ONLINE AND THE CONSENSUS OF THE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM IS AROUND 2,000 DOLLARS, AND I WORRY ABOUT MY SAFETY BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308085

47,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHEN THE POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT. IT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF UNTIL HE GOT TO WORK. HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME HANDLING THE CAR AND ALMOST WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY'S. IT…

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MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHEN THE POWER STEERING UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT. IT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF UNTIL HE GOT TO WORK. HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME HANDLING THE CAR AND ALMOST WENT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY'S. IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR AND IT IS NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308082

59,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringCrash

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT 2.2 ENGINE. IT STARTED SEPT 8TH 2009 MY POWER STEERING IN MY CAR FAILED CAUSING ME TO STRAIN TO TURN THE WHEEL. I MADE IT WITH MILD DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I REPLACED MY STEERING COLUMN BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE CAR JUMPS LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO SHIFT INTO CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP AND BE ALMO…

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT 2.2 ENGINE. IT STARTED SEPT 8TH 2009 MY POWER STEERING IN MY CAR FAILED CAUSING ME TO STRAIN TO TURN THE WHEEL. I MADE IT WITH MILD DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I REPLACED MY STEERING COLUMN BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE CAR JUMPS LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR TO SHIFT INTO CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP AND BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308076

58,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND RESTARTED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO THE POINT WHERE ONCE THE POWER STEERING FAILED; IT WOULD NOT RESET WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE, TO DATE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10308046

44,250 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND DINGS AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE CAR IS FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THAN THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT LIKE…

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POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND DINGS AND IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IF I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE CAR IS FINE FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THAN THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG, SO I HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT LIKE THIS FOR OVER TWO MONTHS. NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT TO DO NEXT. IT HAPPENS ON SHORT TRIPS AND LONG TRIPS, ALWAYS WHEN I AM DRIVING, NEVER WHEN I AM PARKED OR STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307899

70,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 TO 4 TIMES A WEEK. HE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE FAILURE APPEARED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING AND IT FAILED WITHIN 5…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 3 TO 4 TIMES A WEEK. HE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTED IT; THE FAILURE APPEARED TO RESET THE POWER STEERING AND IT FAILED WITHIN 5 TO 10 MINUTES. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,779. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10307875

45,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

MY POWER STEERING HAS FAILED WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307793

70,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Power TrainSteering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS. I'VE STARTED SEEING ARTICLES CONCERNING THE POWER STEERING AND THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307737

36,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, HEARD A DING DING DING, NOTICED A MESSAGE ON MY DASH "POWER STEERING." I TRIED TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE AND COULD BARELY TURN THE CAR INTO THE SPACE. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE P…

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POWER STEERING FAILURE 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS IDLING IN A PARKING LOT, HEARD A DING DING DING, NOTICED A MESSAGE ON MY DASH "POWER STEERING." I TRIED TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE AND COULD BARELY TURN THE CAR INTO THE SPACE. IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OK. THE SAME THING HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. THE POWER STEERING WOULD OPERATE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN GO OUT AT RANDOM INTERVALS. WHEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD MALFUNCTION, AN ALARM WOULD SOUND AND A MESSAGE POP UP OF THE DASH. TURNING OFF THE CAR SEEMED TO RESET THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE MOTOR IN THE POWER STEERING. THE PART WAS EXPENSIVE, BUT AVAILABLE. IT IS WORKING FINE AGAIN. THEY DENIED ANY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE IN OTHER CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307727

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.