NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reports171,654 miles · Jan 12, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY JERK/HICCUP AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. ON JANUARY 8, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY SPUTTER/JERK/HICCUP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER, OR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION FROM DASH BOARD ICONS OF ANY MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY VISIBLE WARNINGS SIGNS TO ALERT A FAU…
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THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY JERK/HICCUP AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. ON JANUARY 8, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY SPUTTER/JERK/HICCUP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER, OR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION FROM DASH BOARD ICONS OF ANY MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY VISIBLE WARNINGS SIGNS TO ALERT A FAULTY SYSTEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AT SPEEDS OF 25-45 MPH. DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, TRAVELING SPEEDS VARIED FROM 50-70 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING A 60 MILE TRIP AND THIS JERKING OCCURRED 7-10 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS PROBABLY 1.5 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE, WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DETECTED OR A DIAGNOSIS. THE ISSUE IS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY. LAST WEEK, OF THE 4 DAYS OF TRAVEL ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE JERKING OCCURRED 3 OF THOSE DAYS. INITIALLY, I FELT, THIS WAS ASSOCIATED TO THE COLD AND WEATHER/TEMPERATURE, BUT THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN WARMER MONTHS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT RELATES TO MYSELF, AND OTHERS TRAVELING IN MY VICINITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671873
80 miles · Jan 12, 2015
EnginePower Train
I PURCHASED A CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW IN 2005. FROM THE MOMENT IT LEFT DEALERSHIP I HAVE HAD ONE RECALL ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER. THE MAIN ISSUE IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AT SCHUMACER CHEVROLET SEVERAL TIMES. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL AND I AM TERRIFIED OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT…
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I PURCHASED A CHEVY COBALT BRAND NEW IN 2005. FROM THE MOMENT IT LEFT DEALERSHIP I HAVE HAD ONE RECALL ISSUE AFTER ANOTHER. THE MAIN ISSUE IS STALLING WHILE DRIVING CAUSED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS HAD BEEN FIXED AT SCHUMACER CHEVROLET SEVERAL TIMES. MY VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL AND I AM TERRIFIED OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS RECALL WHICH GM REFUSES TO FIX. I FEEL I WAS SOLD A LEMON AND ALL I GET FROM GM AND THE LOCAL DEALERS IS NOTHING. MY VEHICLE IS WORSE WITH THE STALLING. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO. PLEASE HELP. I DON'T WANT MONETARY COMPENSATION FROM GM IF I OR ANY PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A MALFUNCTION DUE TO GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10671822
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE IN DRIVE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10670207
5,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, DOO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE, DOOR LOCKS, FUSES, ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK MECHANISM, AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10670082
45,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical System
I BROUGHT MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT TO MULTI CHEVROLET IN UNION TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL COMPLETED. THEY CALLED ME AND ASKED "WAS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON"? I ASSURED THEM IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. EVERY SINCE THEN I HAVE OCCASIONALLY HAD THE POWER …
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I BROUGHT MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT TO MULTI CHEVROLET IN UNION TO HAVE THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL COMPLETED. THEY CALLED ME AND ASKED "WAS YOUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON"? I ASSURED THEM IF MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. EVERY SINCE THEN I HAVE OCCASIONALLY HAD THE POWER STEERING & TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK THE CAR FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT STOPPED. I HAVE NOW HAD A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED AND 4 NEW TIRES AND YESTERDAY JANUARY 4, 2015 THE CAR RINGS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I THINK GENERAL MOTORS SOLD THESE CARS KNOWING FULL WELL THEY WERE LEMONS AND DANGEROUS AND THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY MONETARY DAMAGE TO EVERYONE THEY STUCK WITH THIS DEATH TRAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10670026
152,860 miles · Jan 3, 2015
Steering
MY POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT STILL ASSIST RANDOMLY BUT HAS DEAD SPOTS AS YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND IS VERY INCONSISTENT EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR IT ACTS DIFFERENTLY THIS MAKES THE CAR EVEN MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEEL DOESN'T RETURN TO CENTER AND ALSO HAS EASY AND HARD SPOTS A…
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MY POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT STILL ASSIST RANDOMLY BUT HAS DEAD SPOTS AS YOU TURN THE WHEEL AND IS VERY INCONSISTENT EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR IT ACTS DIFFERENTLY THIS MAKES THE CAR EVEN MORE UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEEL DOESN'T RETURN TO CENTER AND ALSO HAS EASY AND HARD SPOTS AS YOU TURN THE WHEELS TO STEER THEY RECALLED 1 MILLION CARS OF THE SAME MAKE FOR POWER STEERING LOSS WHY IS MINE NOT RECALLED IF IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE GM HAS BEEN CAUGHT HIDING PROBLEMS WHY ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME ENDANGERING THEIR OWN LIVES BECAUSE GM CANT BE HONEST AND OPEN ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS I FEEL LIKE IM IN A DEATH TRAP I AM STILL WAITING ON THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PART TO COME IN ITS BEEN WELL OVER A MONTH SINCE THE DEALER SAID THE PARTS WOULD BE A FEW WEEKS IM JUST HOPING I DON'T HAVE A TAKATA AIRBAG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669845
212,668 miles · Dec 30, 2014
EngineStructureCrashInjury
ON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR . *JS
NHTSA ODI #10669107
202,668 miles · Dec 30, 2014
EngineStructureCrashInjury
ON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10669105
33,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN "PARK." *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668530
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL IS AUTOMATICALLY TURNING ON IT'S OWN, AND IT IS VERY HARD TO MOVE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY LIFE. WHAT IF ONE DAY I START DRIVING AND THE WHEEL STARTS TURNING AND I CRASH? I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY COBALT NOW, AND HOPING IT CAN BE FIXED SO I WON'T HAVE ANY CRASHES IN THE FUTURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668489
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 ↗