IllustrationI WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, WHEN MY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND SAID "ENGN PWR REDUCED" IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWED FROM 70 MPH, TO 10 MPH AND WOULDN'T REV PAST 2000 RPM'S. THE SOURCE CANNOT BE FOUND AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE ON THE INTERSTATE.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
28 reportsI'VE PAID OVER $400 DOLLARS INTO THIS CAR FOR BATTERIES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. WHEN I GOT THE CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS A PROBLEM THE FIRST NIGHT, AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, WHERE ALL THEY DID WAS SPRAY SOME WD-40 IN THE HOLE. THAT WAS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS …
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I'VE PAID OVER $400 DOLLARS INTO THIS CAR FOR BATTERIES IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE MANUFACTURER DEFAULT. WHEN I GOT THE CAR, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS A PROBLEM THE FIRST NIGHT, AND WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY, WHERE ALL THEY DID WAS SPRAY SOME WD-40 IN THE HOLE. THAT WAS BEFORE THE RECALL WAS MADE NEWS. ON SEPT, 11, 2015 I WAS LEAVING A STORE, AND TRIED TURNING ON THE CAR AND IT DIDN'T START. I'VE HAD BATTERY PROBLEMS BEFORE (WITH THIS VEHICLE TOO) AND JUST HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 18 M AGO, BUT THERE WAS NO CHECK BATTERY WARNING LIGHT EARLIER OR ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PERFORMANCE. AT THE TIME, I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THE BATTERY BECAUSE THE RADIO, A/C, ETC HAD NO PROBLEM TURNING ON BUT THE ENGINE ITSELF WOULDN'T START. AND USUALLY BATTERIES HAVE NO PROBLEM IN SUMMER WEATHER. AFTER A TOW GETTING TO THE AUTO SHOP, THEY HOOKED UP A CHARGER TO THE BATTERY, AND STARTED IT UP, AND SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY! I SAID NO, THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, I GOT A NEW BATTERY JUST 18 MONTHS AGO. ITS PROBABLY THE IGNITION RECALL THAT IS THE OVERALL PROBLEM BECAUSE UNTIL THIS YEAR (WHEN THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY GOT ME IN) THE IGNITION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF THE OFF POSITION RANDOMLY OVER-NIGHT. OR IT MIGHT BE THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT THE BATTERY IN THE TRUNK WHERE THERE'S NO AIR CIRCULATION! WHAT WAS CHEVY THINKING. IN A RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT, I SHOULD BE ENTITLED COMPENSATION FOR THIS, I MEAN $400 FOR THE SAME PART IN A 18 MONTH SPAN BECAUSE THEY PUT A DANGEROUS PART IN THEIR CARS KNOWINGLY! PS. I'M LOOKING INTO CHEVY ISSUING ME COMPENSATION, BECAUSE I KNOW THE AUTO REPARIMAN WON'T REIMBURSE ME ON THE LABOR COSTS, BUT THEY SAY THE LAST DAY TO FILE A GRIEVANCE WAS IN JAN '15 SO IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME ON WAYS OVER/THROUGH IT I'
ALL MY DOOR HANDLES ARE FALLING OFF AND I'VE HEARD MANY COLBLATS DOING THE SAME AND ALL MY PAINT IS CHIPPING OFF MY CAR I DROVE FROM A TO B AND THAT'S ALL
ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER NO ELECTRICAL CONNECTION THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES DURING OWNERSHIP.
THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION CONSTANTLY AND DRAIN THE BATTERY. IT WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK CHEVY ON SAVVANAH HWY IN CHARLESTON BY A YOUNG WOMAN. THEY REPAIRED IT AND ALLOWED HER TO DRIVE OFF WITH THE VEHICLE KNOWING IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY PUT HER LIFE IN JEOPARDY. *TR
RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT OUT BY GM IN MARCH, 2014 STATING OUR CARS NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT, ALL OWNERS WILL BE GETTING AN ADDITIONAL LETTER IN APRIL TO INFORM US TO CALL OUR LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE OUR CARS FIXED. FINALLY WE DID GET OUR LETTERS ON 4-21-14 AND CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT …
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RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT OUT BY GM IN MARCH, 2014 STATING OUR CARS NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE BUT, ALL OWNERS WILL BE GETTING AN ADDITIONAL LETTER IN APRIL TO INFORM US TO CALL OUR LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE OUR CARS FIXED. FINALLY WE DID GET OUR LETTERS ON 4-21-14 AND CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY RECALL FIX AND WAS TOLD "CHEVY DID NOT SEND US ANY PARTS YET." *TR
FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING), I RECEIVED AN "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING AND MY CAR'S ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS COMPLETING A TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY AND PARK IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE CAR REFUSED TO TURN BACK ON F…
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FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANYTHING), I RECEIVED AN "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" WARNING AND MY CAR'S ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS COMPLETING A TURN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SAFETY AND PARK IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE CAR REFUSED TO TURN BACK ON FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. ONCE IT DID, I DROVE MY CAR TO MY OFFICE AND WAS ABLE TO START IT AND DRIVE IT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THEN. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIMED THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ONLINE, SO I'M NOT CONVINCED OF THEIR HONESTY OR CONCERN REGARDING THIS MATTER. THEY SAY THEY *THINK* THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE MASTER COMPUTER OR AT LEAST THAT IS THEIR "BEST GUESS" (THEIR WORDS, NOT MINE). I WILL BE REPLACING IT LATER THIS WEEK. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M NOT CONFIDENT THE REPAIR WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER GM'S REPEATED AND EXPLICIT DENIAL OF THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM AND HOW LONG IT TOOK THEM TO ADMIT THERE EVEN WAS ONE, I HAVE DECIDED TO APPEAL TO YOU. AT PRESENT, WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR, I AM A DANGER TO MYSELF AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT BE AROUND ME ON THE ROAD...AS ARE ALL OTHER COBALT DRIVERS. PLEASE, INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE HAS THIS HAPPEN AT THE WRONG PLACE AND THE WRONG TIME AND SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR WORSE. GM KNOWS IT CREATED A CAR WITH A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURES AND THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND FIX IT. JUST BECAUSE THEY STOPPED MAKING THE CAR, DOES NOT ABSOLVE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THEM SAFE FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. *TR
MY CAR SHUTTS OFF EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES WHILE IM DRIVING IT ALSO SHUT DOWN ON BIG INTERSECTION AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY THE CAR IN BACK OF ME. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS I WAS SO SCARED THE CAR JUST HONKED AND WAS MAD BECAUSE IT WAS MY FAULT THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. *TT
MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I COULDN'T EVEN BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT JUST FINE. HOWEVER THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE LAST TIME BEING ON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. THE VERY FIRST TIME WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER I …
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MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I COULDN'T EVEN BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE GEAR IN PARK AND RESTART IT JUST FINE. HOWEVER THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE LAST TIME BEING ON THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE. THE VERY FIRST TIME WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS CAR. I ASSUMED IT WAS BECAUSE I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP THAT WAS LARGER THAN NORMAL. THE SECOND TIME I WENT OVER A POTHOLE. THE THIRD TIME WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. SO I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE STATED THAT I COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR. THIS WAS ABOUT 2-3YRS AFTER PURCHASE. HOWEVER MY TIME WAS VERY LIMITED. I LIVE IN MD BUT I WORK IN NEW YORK SO I SPEND A LOT OF TIME THERE AND LEAVE MY CAR AT HOME. SO I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO GET IT FIXED. WITH THIS LAST INCIDENT I DECIDED TO SEARCH THE INTERNET AND IT TURNS OUT THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I FOUND IT FUNNY THAT THERE WERE MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM. I PUT IN A SEARCH FOR "COBALT SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING" AND FOUND A COUPLE OF SITES DESCRIBING SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS LAST INCIDENT REMINDED ME OF HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD BE. I HAD MY 4 YR OLD NIECE IN THE BACKSEAT AND THE EXIT OF THE PARKING LOT WAS ON A HILL. FEELING THE CAR ROLLING BACK AND NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE WOULD SURELY BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. ON A SIDE NOTE I DID HAVE MY CAR EXAMINED FOR THE RECALL I WAS GIVEN NOTICE ABOUT. THIS WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR. NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS REPORTED.
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TT
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
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
1PE10005 · 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.