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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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70,899 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT. FOR NO APPARENT REASON I LOST MY POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH CHICAGO. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE. BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE FAULTY STEERING COLUMN. MY FIANCE AND I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS A…

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THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT. FOR NO APPARENT REASON I LOST MY POWER STEERING WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH CHICAGO. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO DRIVE. BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THE FAULTY STEERING COLUMN. MY FIANCE AND I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS AND THE CAR HAD UNDER 80,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES AS I DO NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY I LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND THE WINTER DRIVING ISN'T EASY ESPECIALLY WITHOUT POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304078

88,869 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. NO WARNINGS, STEERING GOES OUT AT ANY SPEED. I RECEIVE A WARNING RING TO READ MY COMPUTER BOARD WHICH READS "POWER STEERING" AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN, UNTIL IT GOES OUT AGAIN, AND AGAIN. THIS…

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POWER STEERING FAILURE IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. NO WARNINGS, STEERING GOES OUT AT ANY SPEED. I RECEIVE A WARNING RING TO READ MY COMPUTER BOARD WHICH READS "POWER STEERING" AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN, UNTIL IT GOES OUT AGAIN, AND AGAIN. THIS IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS, STEERING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304069

76,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

I BROUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW MY POWERSTEERING WENT OUT A LITTLE OVER 75,000 MILES OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE POWERSTEERING KEPT GO OUT UNTIL I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT NUCAR CHEVROLET IN NEW CASTLE DE IT COST ME OVER 800.00 DOLLARS IN NOVEMBER 08. THE DEALER SAID THE POWER STEERING WAS ELECTRIC AND THEY HAVE SIMILAR PR…

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I BROUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW MY POWERSTEERING WENT OUT A LITTLE OVER 75,000 MILES OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE POWERSTEERING KEPT GO OUT UNTIL I HAD TO REPLACE IT AT NUCAR CHEVROLET IN NEW CASTLE DE IT COST ME OVER 800.00 DOLLARS IN NOVEMBER 08. THE DEALER SAID THE POWER STEERING WAS ELECTRIC AND THEY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER COBALT SAME MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304067

60,400 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, I HEARD A DING AND LOOKED AT THE CONSOLE. IT SAID "POWER STEERING". BECAUSE I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD, THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WASN'T INITIALLY A BIG PROBLEM, SO I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PARKED SO I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF TALKING …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, I HEARD A DING AND LOOKED AT THE CONSOLE. IT SAID "POWER STEERING". BECAUSE I WAS ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD, THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WASN'T INITIALLY A BIG PROBLEM, SO I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PARKED SO I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF TALKING TO MY DAD, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT WAS FINE SO I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. TWENTY MINUTES LATER IT DINGED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE AGAIN. I DROVE ABOUT 15 MINUTES LIKE THAT BECAUSE I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO MY DESTINATION UNTIL I REMEMBERED THE RAMP I NEEDED TO TAKE WAS A BIG CURVE AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ATTEMPT IT WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND THEN BACK ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND AROUND THE RAMP BUT AS SOON AS I WAS ON THE NEXT HIGHWAY, IT WENT OUT AGAIN. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT A COUPLE MILES UNTIL I SAW A GM DEALER AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. I NEARLY COLLIDED WITH A STOPPED CAR TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN BUT MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR HAD FRIED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIND OUT IF THE MODULE WAS BAD TOO. THE MOTOR COST ME $411 AND IF THE MODULE HAD GONE TOO IT WOULD HAVE COST $732. THANKFULLY IT WAS JUST THE MOTOR, BUT OF COURSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. I MAINTAINED MY CAR PROPERLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2005 WITH 6 MILES ON IT BUT I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN RIPPED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304060

70,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN MY CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY. SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 5 OR 6 TIMES A DAY. IT MAKES IT SO THERE IS NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF ONCE YOU TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS FINE, SOMETIMES. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS MADE IT SO MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE …

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THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN MY CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY. SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 5 OR 6 TIMES A DAY. IT MAKES IT SO THERE IS NO POWER STEERING UNTIL I PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF ONCE YOU TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKS FINE, SOMETIMES. IT HAS ALMOST CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS MADE IT SO MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF HER LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304058

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT AS A TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JERKING OF THE WHEEL A POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETLY LOCKED UP AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO Q…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR MY STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE LEFT AS A TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JERKING OF THE WHEEL A POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL COMPLETLY LOCKED UP AS I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AWAY FROM TRAFFIC WHERE I RESTARTED MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE WITH NO MORE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304057

57,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I DO AS A DRIVER TO CAUSE IT SO FAR HAS I CAN TELL. IT WILL FAIL AT ANY SPEED AND IN A CURVE OR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS NOW. THE FIRST WEEK IT DID IT ONCE A DAY, THE SECOND WEEK IT ONLY FAIL…

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AT RANDOM TIMES. THERE IS NOTHING THAT I DO AS A DRIVER TO CAUSE IT SO FAR HAS I CAN TELL. IT WILL FAIL AT ANY SPEED AND IN A CURVE OR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT FIVE WEEKS NOW. THE FIRST WEEK IT DID IT ONCE A DAY, THE SECOND WEEK IT ONLY FAILED ONCE. THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS IT WOULD FAIL ANYWHERE FROM TWENTY SECONDS TO ONE HOUR FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FIFTH WEEK I ONLY DROVE IT ONCE AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SHARP CORNER ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR PULLED OUT OF A DITCH. IF I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN. MAYBE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY, MAYBE FOR ONLY FIVE SECONDS. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON FOR THE TIMING OF THE FAILURES. AFTER THE SECOND DAY I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT AND SAID THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED REPLACED WITH A PRICE BETWEEN $1500.00 AND $2200.00. VERY PRICEY! THEN AFTER THE FIRST WEEK I SEARCHED "CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING" ON THE INTERNET, AND WAS SHOCKED BY WHAT I SAW. OVER ONE HUNDRED HITS ON THE ISSUE WITH PAGE AFTER PAGE OF HORROR STORIES OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. SO THIS ISSUE IS HARDLY UNKNOWN. AND WITH TONIGHT'S MENTION OF IT ON THE CBS NIGHTLY NEWS, IT WILL HOPEFULLY GAIN SOME MORE ATTENTION. PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS END UP LIKE THE TOYOTA RECALL AND LET PEOPLE DIE BEFORE IT GETS FIXED, BECAUSE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. I HAVE SINCE STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE THAT I STILL OWE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS ON, AND HAVE BEEN BORROWING RIDES FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY. BEING IN THE SAME POSITION HAS 14.8% OF AMERICA, UNEMPLOYED, THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAN CURRENTLY AFFORD THE COST OF THE REPAIR. AND FROM WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE FROM OTHER VICTIMS, EVEN IF I WAS STILL UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, I WOULD STILL HAVE TO PAY SINCE IT DOESN'T COVER THE STEERING COLUMN. HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304053

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I WILL GET MAYBE 1 TO 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING FAILS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304044

36,500 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

MY POWER STEERING WENT HAS GONE OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHILE I WAS DRIVING MANY TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304030

82,234 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering

CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 POWER STEERING FAILURE. BEGAN FAILING SPORADICALLY THEN FAILED CONSISTENTLY DAILY IN MAY OF 2009.......HAD POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10304029

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.