NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reports103,000 miles · Apr 7, 2015
Steering
I WAS STOPPED IN LINE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY TO GET OUT OF A FIRETRUCK'S WAY (NOT IN A JERKING AND FORCEFUL MOVEMENT, BUT NORMAL TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL). WHEN I TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND I HEARD ELECTRICAL MOTOR NOISES COMING F…
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I WAS STOPPED IN LINE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT SLIGHTLY TO GET OUT OF A FIRETRUCK'S WAY (NOT IN A JERKING AND FORCEFUL MOVEMENT, BUT NORMAL TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL). WHEN I TRIED TO GET BACK INTO THE LINE OF TRAFFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND I HEARD ELECTRICAL MOTOR NOISES COMING FROM BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE NOISES CONTINUED FOR 10-20 SECONDS AND THEN THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DISPLAY. THIS NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR AND STEERING HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND WAS TOLD ON THE GM HOTLINE THAT MY VIN DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL FROM 2010 PERTAINING TO THE POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ALSO CALLED GM AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL WHEN INQUIRING ABOUT PARTS. HE DID NOT FIX OR REMOVE ANY PARTS, BUT WROTE A NOTE ON PAPER INDICATING I WAS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS THAT RECALL. I AGAIN CALLED THE GM HOTLINE, WHO AGAIN TOLD ME MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED AND THAT GM WOULD NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALL. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, WHO I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ON SATURDAY, 4/11, MORE THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704260
89,000 miles · Mar 31, 2015
EngineSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE GEAR FAILED TO SWITCH AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE GEAR FAILED TO SWITCH AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
NHTSA ODI #10702917
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *SMD THE CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEELS AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE, CAUSING HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. AT THE PRESENT…
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2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION AFTER RECALL WORK WAS DONE. *SMD THE CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEELS AND BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE, CAUSING HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMERS SON WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 21, 2014. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10701597
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN BODY INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN BODY INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN
NHTSA ODI #10695387
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2015
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE DOOR WAS ABLE TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10694491
20,000 miles · Mar 15, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
WHILE DRIVING HOME THE CHEVROLET COBALT (WHICH WE'VE ONLY HAD FOR TWO WEEKS) ENGINE SHUT OFF, LUCKILY WE WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD GOING SLOW WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND PRESSED ON THE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD, NOW ONLY THE REVERSE WORKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694399
150,000 miles · Mar 15, 2015
Power Train
MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT AS IT GETS TO LOWER SPEEDS AND SHIFTING VERY HARD. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE AND THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING. IT HESITATES AND TRIES TO SHUT OFF AT EVERY STOP. LOOSING POWER AND SPEED EVEN DOWN HILL. THE POWER STEERING READING HAS BEEN COMING ON. AND THE DISPLAY FOR GAS MILEAGE…
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MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT AS IT GETS TO LOWER SPEEDS AND SHIFTING VERY HARD. THERE IS A CLICKING IN THE DASH SOMEWHERE AND THE SPEED ODOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING. IT HESITATES AND TRIES TO SHUT OFF AT EVERY STOP. LOOSING POWER AND SPEED EVEN DOWN HILL. THE POWER STEERING READING HAS BEEN COMING ON. AND THE DISPLAY FOR GAS MILEAGE WILL NOW GO TO ALL LINES NO NUMBERS. I AM STARTING TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. THAT ITS GOING TO GET ME REAR ENDED WHEN I AM TURNING AND IT SHUTS OFF. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. I WENT SO FAR AS TO THIS MORNING RECORDING THE DASH AS IT WAS ACTING UP SO I CAN SHOW MY HUSBAND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10694379
100,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN AND CAUSED INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10693470
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2015
Electrical System
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION SHIFTER RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION AND SHE HAD TO JIGGLE THE KEY TO RELEASE IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10672098
179,797 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF MY TRIP HOME THE CAR DASH KEPT FLASHING A POWER STEERING ERROR MESSAGE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD KEPT GETTING DIM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING REALLY TIGHT, THE CAR ALMOST STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DIALS FLUCTUATED. THE CAR ALSO BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I BECAME AFRAID THAT I WOUL…
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THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF MY TRIP HOME THE CAR DASH KEPT FLASHING A POWER STEERING ERROR MESSAGE AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD KEPT GETTING DIM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING REALLY TIGHT, THE CAR ALMOST STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DIALS FLUCTUATED. THE CAR ALSO BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND I BECAME AFRAID THAT I WOULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THEY REFUSE TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR WITHOUT CHARGING ME. THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED TWICE AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE HAD BOTH RECALL REPAIRS DONE I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR I FEAR FOR THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692186
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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