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2006 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

1,950 reports with mileage · 380 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 1,299 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

164 crash reports14 fire reports81 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

412 reports
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82,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WITH 82,000 MILES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN MY STEERING COMPLETELY GOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 20 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IS GETTING WORSE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A GARAGE THAT SAID THEY DID AN ANALYSIS AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. WHEN THIS OCC…

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IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WITH 82,000 MILES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN MY STEERING COMPLETELY GOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 20 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IS GETTING WORSE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A GARAGE THAT SAID THEY DID AN ANALYSIS AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. WHEN THIS OCCURS I NEED TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN ON BUT THE STEERING WILL GO AGAIN IN TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302024

82,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOOSE POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 6DAYS. I NEED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IN ORDER FOR MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL IT GOES AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT AND THEY DID AN …

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOOSE POWER STEERING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 6DAYS. I NEED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IN ORDER FOR MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING TO WORK AGAIN FOR THE TIME BEING UNTIL IT GOES AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO GET LOOKED AT AND THEY DID AN ANALYSIS REPORT STATING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WHEN MY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES WHILE I AM DRIVING THIS IS DANGEROUS! I HAVE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS CAR DOING THE SAME THING. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302010

45,000 miles · Jan 4, 2010
Electrical System

I CAN'T REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. SOME OF INTERIOR ELECTRICAL REMAIN ON WHICH DRAINS THE BATTERY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297949

39,083 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. I HAVE 39,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR! THE MAIN ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE POWER STEERING. I WAS 4 HOURS FROM HOME AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO STEER. I CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT SEEMED TO CORRECT IT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE…

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. I HAVE 39,000 MILES ON IT AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR! THE MAIN ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE POWER STEERING. I WAS 4 HOURS FROM HOME AND MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WAS HARD TO STEER. I CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT SEEMED TO CORRECT IT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND THEN LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN NUMEROUS COBALTS THAT I HAVE SEEN. I TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THEM AND THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES MINE HAS. THAT GOES TO SHOW THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CHEVY COBALT. MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE KEY STICK IN THE IGNITION (I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED) AND NOW POWER STEERING! PLEASE DO SOMETHING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296537

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

2006 CHEVY COBALT - KEY FREQUENTLY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND POWER STEERING HAS BEGUN TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295871

36,000 miles · Dec 14, 2009
Electrical System

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN THIS OCCURS ALL OF THE INTERIOR ELECTRONIC FEATURES STAY ON AS WELL AS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I DID HAVE THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. PRIOR TO IT BEING REPLACED, IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY BUT THEN STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE …

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN THIS OCCURS ALL OF THE INTERIOR ELECTRONIC FEATURES STAY ON AS WELL AS THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS. I DID HAVE THE SHIFT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. PRIOR TO IT BEING REPLACED, IT OCCURRED RANDOMLY BUT THEN STARTED TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY. THE BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED BY THIS PROBLEM WHICH IN TURN IS CAUSING A SECONDARY ISSUE. THE DEALER WHO REPLACED IT STATED THAT THIS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN ALL CHEVY COBALT'S YET IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I FEEL THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE MATTER TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR ME TO PAY FOR CHEVY'S MISTAKE WHEN THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295681

50,500 miles · Dec 11, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

I HAVE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT: 1. AUG 2009 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE. IT WORKS EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-3 MINUTES AND GOES OUT EVERYTIME IT'S DRIVEN. I'VE BEEN QUOTED THAT IT WILL COST ME $565 JUST FOR THE PART WHICH MU…

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I HAVE TWO ISSUES WITH MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT: 1. AUG 2009 THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NAVIGATE. IT WORKS EVERYTIME I TURN ON THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-3 MINUTES AND GOES OUT EVERYTIME IT'S DRIVEN. I'VE BEEN QUOTED THAT IT WILL COST ME $565 JUST FOR THE PART WHICH MUST BE ORDERED FROM A GM DEALER ONLY SINCE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 50K MILES, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON ME AT AROUND 50500 MILES. JUST PAST THE MARK. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED BY GM FOR I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS WHO DRIVE THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR. 2) THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE KEY LOCKS IN THE IGNITION AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FOR THEY CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE OVER IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295368

42,000 miles · Dec 10, 2009
Electrical System

KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION ON A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295199

70,000 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

I BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY COBALT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO GO OUT. IT DOES NOT TAKE POWER STEERING FLUID THERE IS A PS MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. EVERYT TIME I DRIVE MY CAR IT GOES OUT, IT IS NOT JUST EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE. WHEN I RESTART MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL COME…

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I BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY COBALT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. THREE MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO GO OUT. IT DOES NOT TAKE POWER STEERING FLUID THERE IS A PS MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. EVERYT TIME I DRIVE MY CAR IT GOES OUT, IT IS NOT JUST EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE. WHEN I RESTART MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON. BUT WITHIN 100 YARDS IT WILL GO OUT AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT I WAS GOING AROUND A SHARP CURVE AND I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON THERE BREAKS BECAUSE I STARTED TO FISHTAIL . THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AND SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. THERE IS PAGE AFTER PAGE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL ON IT. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WAS DONE WRONG. IT IS DANGEROUS AND BASICALLY EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR I AM RISKING MY LIFE. ITS NOT WORTH IT AND YOU GUYS BEING A SAFETY ADMINISTRATION SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294394

26,000 miles · Nov 28, 2009
Electrical System

THE CHEVY COBALT 2006'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED TO GET THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. THE BATTERY WAS UNPLUGGED TO RESET COMPUTER CHIP FOR POWER STEERING BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF, THE NEEDLES FOR THE FUEL AND SPEEDOMETE…

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THE CHEVY COBALT 2006'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. THE ENTIRE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED TO GET THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. THE BATTERY WAS UNPLUGGED TO RESET COMPUTER CHIP FOR POWER STEERING BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF, THE NEEDLES FOR THE FUEL AND SPEEDOMETER CONTINUALLY JUMPS AND THE CAR JERKS BACK AND FORTH WHILE CONTINUING NOT TO HAVE POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293796

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.

09V419000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 29, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 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.

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.