WAS GOING TO WORK AND AS I WAS BACKING UP FROM MY DRIVE, I HAD NO ABILITY TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND MY NOTIFICATION ON DASH WENT OFF, I CAN NOT TURN MY WHEEL TO DRIVE AND TODAY I LOST A DAY OF WORK.
2006 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
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.
Steering complaints
1,299 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE EPS. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED FOR THE EPS. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM A RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SMITHS CHEVROLET IN HAMMOND, INDIANA DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SMITHS CHEVROLET IN HAMMOND, INDIANA DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT 2.2. THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS ON THE DASH. WHEN DRIVING IT HAS A HARD SHIFT TO IT AND POWER STEERING AT ALL. IT ALL START WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON. I CANT NOT GET IT OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
TAKATA RECALL: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE (PRIVATE OWNER) AND AS THE TAGS WILL SOON EXPIRE SO I DECIDE TO GET WHAT NEEDS MAINTENANCE DONE TO TURN THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF. I GOT A FREE ESTIMATE FROM O' REILLY'S AND TOLD ME TO GO TO CHEVY AND GET THE MAINTENANCE DONE TO MY SAFETY RECALLS. NEXT MORNING I DRIVE …
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TAKATA RECALL: I RECENTLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE (PRIVATE OWNER) AND AS THE TAGS WILL SOON EXPIRE SO I DECIDE TO GET WHAT NEEDS MAINTENANCE DONE TO TURN THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF. I GOT A FREE ESTIMATE FROM O' REILLY'S AND TOLD ME TO GO TO CHEVY AND GET THE MAINTENANCE DONE TO MY SAFETY RECALLS. NEXT MORNING I DRIVE OVER TO CHEVY'S DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS DENIED ANY RECALL BEING DONE BY AN EMPLOYEE NAMED SEAN POPPLEWELL. I TOLD HIM TO PRINT ME OUT A PAPER OF WHAT HAD BEEN DONE, NEEDING TO BE DONE AND ALSO TOOK IT UP WITH THE MANAGER. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMS I CANNOT BE DENIED FOR A MAINTENANCE BUT SEES THAT THE ONLY MAINTENANCE OPEN ONLINE IS A SERVICE UPDATE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SALVAGED OR NOT. AS I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I AM BEING DENIED MY RIGHT TO A SAFETY RECALL, NOT ONLY BEING DENIED WHILE DRIVING MY 1 AND A HALF YEAR OLD SON, IN A VEHICLE WHO'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THE SAFETY RECALLS THAT I AM BEING DENIED TO. I AM WITHIN MY RIGHT TO 10 YEARS AFTER THE RECALL IS DISTRIBUTED TO GET THE RECALL DONE WITHIN THAT TIME, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWING ME TOO. THE CAR IS 100% DRIVEABLE BUT I NEED TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF SO I AM NOT DENIED IN MY SMOG TEST. I WAS ALSO NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE LAW STATES THAT I AM NOT HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A PREVIOUS OWNERS LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY, I WAS NOT AWARE, I'VE NEVER HAD RECEIVED PROPER NOTIFICATION I SHOULD NOT BE DENIED SERVICE. IT'S SAD TO KNOW THEY HAVE DENIED ME THESE RIGHTS IN FRONT OF MYSELF AND MY 1 AND A HALF YEAR OLD WHO IS IN THE CAR 24.7.
STARTED CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING 25 DEGREES OUT. NOTICE THAT SAYS "POWER STEERING " CAME ON ON THE DISPLAY. PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DIDN'T NOTICE ANY TROUBLE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL (NO POWER STEERING) . IT STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. THEN DISPLAY WAS GONE AND CAR DROVE FINE. I DROVE…
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STARTED CAR EARLY IN THE MORNING 25 DEGREES OUT. NOTICE THAT SAYS "POWER STEERING " CAME ON ON THE DISPLAY. PULLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DIDN'T NOTICE ANY TROUBLE UNTIL I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL (NO POWER STEERING) . IT STAYED ON FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. THEN DISPLAY WAS GONE AND CAR DROVE FINE. I DROVE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF, ON HIGHWAY ,AND PARKED FOR 6 HOURS. AGAIN, STARTED THE CAR AND "POWER STEERING " DISPLAYED AGAIN. NO POWER STEERING AGAIN. I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING STRUCTURE AND AFTER A COUPLE OF CORNERS THE DISPLAY WAS GONE. DROVE HOME ON FREEWAY, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. STOPPED A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH NO PROBLEM. PARKED. A COUPLE HOURS LATER HUSBAND DROVE TO THE GAS STATION THE ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. " POWER STEERING " DISPLAYED AGAIN, IT DID NOT SHOT OFF. GAS STATION WAS ONLY MILE ROUND TRIP. CAR STAYED PARKED FROM 5PM 12/10 TILL 12PM 12/11. NO POWER STEERING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 6 BLOCKS ON NEIGHBORHOOD ST.. WENT INTO STORE, LEFT NO POWER STEERING AGAIN. POWER STEERING CAME BACK JUST AFTER A BLOCK. NEIGHBORHOOD STREET.
POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT POWER STEERING FAILS OFTEN AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING. WAS ALMOST IN BAD CAR ACCIDENT IF I HAD NOT PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY.
MY RACK AND PINION WHICH IS PART OF THE POWER STEERING HAS SEPARATED AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE STEERING. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED RECENTLY AND THEY MECHANICS AT MIDAS GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE SAYING I NEED TO HAVE MY RACK AND PINION REPLACED. MY RACK AND PINION IS CLANGING TOGETHER WHERE IT SEPARATED WHEN I DRIVE. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME M…
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MY RACK AND PINION WHICH IS PART OF THE POWER STEERING HAS SEPARATED AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE STEERING. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED RECENTLY AND THEY MECHANICS AT MIDAS GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE SAYING I NEED TO HAVE MY RACK AND PINION REPLACED. MY RACK AND PINION IS CLANGING TOGETHER WHERE IT SEPARATED WHEN I DRIVE. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME MY STEERING COULD GO OUT AT ANY TIME
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.
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
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.
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