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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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55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED OUR CHEVROLET COBALT I NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TWICE TO HAVE THEM IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH THEY DID NOT DO. AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT STARTED FAILING. A M…

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WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED OUR CHEVROLET COBALT I NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL CLICKING NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER TWICE TO HAVE THEM IDENTIFY AND FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH THEY DID NOT DO. AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING IN OUR 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT STARTED FAILING. A MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH WHICH SAID, "POWER STEERING" AND OUR STEERING WHEEL WOULD TIGHTEN SO IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE TURNS. HOWEVER AT FIRST WE COULD SHUT OFF OUR CAR AND THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT COME BACK FOR A FEW DAYS. NOW, HOWEVER IT HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY FAILED. WHEN WE START OUR CAR IT IS A LESS THAN A MINUTE BEFORE THE MESSAGE APPEARS AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND NOT TO MENTION DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IT. WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304173

76,794 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE CONTACT STATED HE ALMOST LANDED UP IN A DITCH BECAUSE HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT LOW SPEED THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING AND THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THE CONTACT STATED HE ALMOST LANDED UP IN A DITCH BECAUSE HE COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR AND INSTALLED AN A F MOTOR KIT AND THE LOST COMMUNICATION CODE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,794.

NHTSA ODI #10304155

41,023 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CUTS OUT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 3-5 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304151

36,233 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL* HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN S…

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TL* HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, FOLLOWED BY AN ENGINE STALL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A SHORTAGE IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND PCM. THE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,233.

NHTSA ODI #10304144

42,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. POWER STEERING RETURNED WHEN I DROVE CAR TO MECHANIC SHOP, BUT WENT OUT AGAIN AS MECHANIC WAS TEST-DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $980. MECHANIC INFORMED ME AT THE TIME THAT THIS WAS A …

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POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. POWER STEERING RETURNED WHEN I DROVE CAR TO MECHANIC SHOP, BUT WENT OUT AGAIN AS MECHANIC WAS TEST-DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $980. MECHANIC INFORMED ME AT THE TIME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH COBALTS, BUT IT HAD NOT BECOME AN OFFICIAL RECALL OR CONCERN YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304137

55,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE COULD ONLY DRIVE STRAIGHT AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER HAD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN SHE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED SHE COULD ONLY DRIVE STRAIGHT AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/09/10 *BF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 07/12/10. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10304131

36,233 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2005 COBALT. ON 8-10-2009 SHE WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH WHEN HER CAR SHUTOFF AND SHE LOST STEERING ABILITY. SHE CROSSED THE ONCOMING LANE ON A BLIND CURVE AND STOPPED IN A DRIVEWAY. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR COMING TOWARD HER IN THE ONCOMING LANE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVEREL…

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MY DAUGHTER DRIVES A 2005 COBALT. ON 8-10-2009 SHE WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH WHEN HER CAR SHUTOFF AND SHE LOST STEERING ABILITY. SHE CROSSED THE ONCOMING LANE ON A BLIND CURVE AND STOPPED IN A DRIVEWAY. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR COMING TOWARD HER IN THE ONCOMING LANE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED AT A MINIMUM. THE CHEVROLET DEALER SAID HE HAD NEVER HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ECM AND PUT THE PCM CAUSED A SHORT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304130

93,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

INTERMITTENT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN GREAT DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OCCURRENCES PROGRESSIVELY BECAME MORE FREQUENT. PROBLEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $8…

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INTERMITTENT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN GREAT DIFFICULTY IN CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE. FAILURE OCCURRENCES PROGRESSIVELY BECAME MORE FREQUENT. PROBLEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP AT A COST OF $800. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304108

65,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Power TrainSteering

DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT IS A DANGEROUS OPTION, YOU CAN DRIVE IT FOR DAY'S AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING QUITS AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS ACTING UP ALSO LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL START FLASHING THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING BUT THE STEERING DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE, ALSO THE SHIFTER WILL NOT DISENGAGE THE STEERING LOCK YOU HAVE TO REMO…

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DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT IS A DANGEROUS OPTION, YOU CAN DRIVE IT FOR DAY'S AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING QUITS AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS ACTING UP ALSO LIGHTS ON THE DASH PANEL START FLASHING THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING BUT THE STEERING DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE, ALSO THE SHIFTER WILL NOT DISENGAGE THE STEERING LOCK YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE PLUG OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND STICK YOUR FINGER UP IN THERE PUSH A SMALL BUTTON LIKE THING TO GET THE KEY TO UNLOCK AND TURN ALL THE WAY OFF OTHER WISE IT WILL NOT LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 1/12 YEARS I CALLED THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE WARRANTY FOR THIS KIND OF THING WAS UP AND THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS, HOWEVER THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM IN OTHER CARS, I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE BRAIN I DID IT DIDN'T WORK I WAS TOLD TO PUT A LARGER CAPACITY (AMPS) BATTERY IN, I DID , IT DIDN'T WORK, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS FIXED. I'M GOING TO PUT THE LAST INCIDENT DATE IN THE BOX BELOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304098

80,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO BE MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAVE A LOG OF EVERY TIME THIS OCCURRED FROM WHEN IT FIRST STARTED TO OCCUR UNTIL JUNE 5, 2009 AND AFTER THAT DATE IT IS A PERMANENT PROBLEM THAT OCCURS SECONDS AFTER START UP AND INITIAL MOVEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304090

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.