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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

Steering complaints

1,299 reports
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30,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesSteering

MY VEHICLE IS A CHEVY COBALT, 2006. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT RANDOMLY SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND IT GOES OUT, TAKES ME BY SURPRISE AND HAVE TO USE MORE STRENGTH TO GO INTO THE TURNS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. DAILY. I WAS TOLD I…

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MY VEHICLE IS A CHEVY COBALT, 2006. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT RANDOMLY SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN AND IT GOES OUT, TAKES ME BY SURPRISE AND HAVE TO USE MORE STRENGTH TO GO INTO THE TURNS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. DAILY. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME OVER $2000 TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING REPLACED, AND I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THAT AND PAY FOR MY CAR, SO NOTHING HAS BEEN FIXED ON IT. THIS SEEMS TO ME TO BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTS BY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET RELATING TO THIS SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. I ALSO AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS, THEY LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL. I CAN BE IN OR OUT OF THE CAR, AND IT CAN BE RUNNING OR NOT. NO RHYME OR REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313722

60,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AT 60,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313599

56,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

N/A. THE FAILURE IS EVERY TIME I TURN MY VEHICLE ON MY POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GO OUT. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE MY POWER STEERING GETS HARD SO I HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I AM ALSO AFRAID TO GO ON HIGHWAYS I JUST DON'T WANT NO ONE TO GET HURT. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I CAN GET A QUOTE. I ALSO KNOW OTHER PEOP…

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N/A. THE FAILURE IS EVERY TIME I TURN MY VEHICLE ON MY POWER STEERING SEEMS TO GO OUT. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE MY POWER STEERING GETS HARD SO I HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I AM ALSO AFRAID TO GO ON HIGHWAYS I JUST DON'T WANT NO ONE TO GET HURT. I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SO I CAN GET A QUOTE. I ALSO KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WITH COBALTS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313551

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING . THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING . THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RE-OCCURRED DURING THE TRAVEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE INTERMITTENT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10313543

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT AND I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. I HAVEN'T HAD A ACCIDENT BUT THE STEERING TIGHTENS UP AND BECOMES VERY HARD TO CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313536

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

I'VE OWNED A 2006 CHEVY COBALT FOR ABOUT 3YRS NOW AND THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHENEVER IT PLEASES FOR THE LAST 2YRS! THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT TEMPORARILY IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK PN AND HOPE THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T GO OUT AGAIN. DRIVING THIS CAR IS A LIFE AND DEATH HAZARD FOR ALL OF ITS OWNERS AND THE PUBL…

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I'VE OWNED A 2006 CHEVY COBALT FOR ABOUT 3YRS NOW AND THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHENEVER IT PLEASES FOR THE LAST 2YRS! THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT TEMPORARILY IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK PN AND HOPE THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T GO OUT AGAIN. DRIVING THIS CAR IS A LIFE AND DEATH HAZARD FOR ALL OF ITS OWNERS AND THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313505

84,723 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering

I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS. IT HAD 83000 MILES ON IT OR CLOSE THERE TO. YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TO POWER STEERING WORD CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN. AT THAT TIME MY CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERE…

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I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS. IT HAD 83000 MILES ON IT OR CLOSE THERE TO. YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN TO POWER STEERING WORD CAME ACROSS THE SCREEN. AT THAT TIME MY CAR LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. IT IS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RECALL. I CHECKED AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313483

49,900 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering

MY CAR LOST TOTAL POWER STEERING 3 WEEKS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING . IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A TURN OR PARK IF IT HAD BEEN MY WIFE OR AN ELDERLY PERSON DRIVING IT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.THE LOST OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPEN 2X THE FIRST TIME WAS 3 WEEKS AGO,BUT AFTER I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING WORKED …

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MY CAR LOST TOTAL POWER STEERING 3 WEEKS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING . IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A TURN OR PARK IF IT HAD BEEN MY WIFE OR AN ELDERLY PERSON DRIVING IT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.THE LOST OF POWER STEERING HAS HAPPEN 2X THE FIRST TIME WAS 3 WEEKS AGO,BUT AFTER I STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING WORKED AGAIN. THEN IT HAPPEN AGAIN 3 DAYS AGO THIS TIME I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I WAS DRIVING 70MPH AGAIN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313446

79,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79000.

NHTSA ODI #10313376

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2010
Steering

UPON THE START OF VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR COMES ON. THE VEHICLE AT THAT POINT IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. I AM HAVING TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED WITH AN OUT OF POCKET COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313112

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.