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2007 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

1,276 reports with mileage · 288 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 689 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 283 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 281 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

116 crash reports16 fire reports72 injury reports

Steering complaints

689 reports
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52,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,371.

NHTSA ODI #10285527

46,400 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Steering

MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY ROAD! NOT A GOOD IDEA! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GAIN CONTROL! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AGAIN. I LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM! I'D RATHER NOT CRASH MY CAR BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GM WONT FIX.. …

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MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY ROAD! NOT A GOOD IDEA! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT AGAIN TO GAIN CONTROL! WHAT HAPPENED NEXT THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST AGAIN. I LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM! I'D RATHER NOT CRASH MY CAR BECAUSE OF SOMETHING GM WONT FIX.. MAKE THIS A RECALL! IT'S NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285105

44,000 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Steering

MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE CHILDREN AND THIS IS NOT SAFE. IF YOU ALL WOULD READ ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS AND DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I HAVE TOLD EVERYONE I KNOW TO NEVER BUY A COBALT!!!!!! I THANK GOD THAT THERE WAS BEEN NO INJURIES REPORTED YET. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284598

68,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED. TURNED OFF THE CAR RESTARTED AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284083

39,755 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Steering

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE CHEVY COBALT. SHE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284080

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2009
EquipmentSteering

MY NAME IS CRYSTAL MARIE TORRES, AND I PURCHASED A 2007 CHEVY COBALT AND IT'S BARELY GOING TO BE 2 YEARS IN DECEMBER THAT I'VE PURCHASED IT! THE POWER STEERING IS ALREADY GOING OUT AND THE LIGHT APPEARS. I DON'T BELIEVE IF I'M PAYING FOR PRACTICALLY A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS SO SOON. I'VE ALWAYS DONE MY BEST TO TA…

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MY NAME IS CRYSTAL MARIE TORRES, AND I PURCHASED A 2007 CHEVY COBALT AND IT'S BARELY GOING TO BE 2 YEARS IN DECEMBER THAT I'VE PURCHASED IT! THE POWER STEERING IS ALREADY GOING OUT AND THE LIGHT APPEARS. I DON'T BELIEVE IF I'M PAYING FOR PRACTICALLY A NEW VEHICLE IT SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS SO SOON. I'VE ALWAYS DONE MY BEST TO TAKE CARE OF MY VEHICLE, SO WHY IS THE POWER STEERING FAILING!!! I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION WITH OTHER COBALT CUSTOMERS, THEY TOO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.... SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE LAWSUITS GOING INTO ACTION FOR FALSE ADVERTISEMENT ON SUCH A GREAT CAR! NOT FAIR TO THE PUBLIC WHO HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT LOYAL CUSTOMERS!!! HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE SOON!!! HERE IS THE SIGHT WHERE OTHERS ARE POSTING THEIR ISSUES WITH THE SAME CONFLICT ON THEIR COBALTS! HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284018

79,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Steering

I AM HAVING AN INCIDENT WITH MY POWER STEERING LOCKING UP IN MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT AND I HAVE REPLACED THE GEAR BOX NOV OF 2008 AND IT IS BACK TO DOING IT AGAIN. I AM AFRAID THAT IF IT LOCKS UP ON A CURVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON A CURVE IT MAY NOT STAY ON THE ROAD AND LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO GM…

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I AM HAVING AN INCIDENT WITH MY POWER STEERING LOCKING UP IN MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT AND I HAVE REPLACED THE GEAR BOX NOV OF 2008 AND IT IS BACK TO DOING IT AGAIN. I AM AFRAID THAT IF IT LOCKS UP ON A CURVE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON A CURVE IT MAY NOT STAY ON THE ROAD AND LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO GM AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283951

27,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Steering

I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AND I HAD THE POWER STEERING FAIL ON MY CAR. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPEN. I PULLED OVER AGAIN AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. THIS CONTINUED ABOUT EVERY 10-20 MINUTES ON THE WAY HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283935

93,456 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Steering

MY 2007 COBALT PURCHASED IN AMID MAY 2009 HAS A DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN . I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT OVER 10,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE REPAIR COSTS 649.00 AT AL SIERRA IN GRAND BLANC MI INTERMITTENTLY THE CAR RANDOMLY LOOSES ITS POWER STEERING AND IT CAN OCCUR…

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MY 2007 COBALT PURCHASED IN AMID MAY 2009 HAS A DEFECT IN THE POWER STEERING WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE STEERING COLUMN . I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT OVER 10,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THE REPAIR COSTS 649.00 AT AL SIERRA IN GRAND BLANC MI INTERMITTENTLY THE CAR RANDOMLY LOOSES ITS POWER STEERING AND IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. I PRESUME THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON ICY ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283888

26,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD FOR ABOUT 5 MILES AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN THE CAR'S INFORMATION SCREEN READ "POWER STEERING" AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO MY PLACE OF WORK BUT WITH A LOT DIFFICULTY AS THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS GONE…

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD FOR ABOUT 5 MILES AT ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN THE CAR'S INFORMATION SCREEN READ "POWER STEERING" AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO MY PLACE OF WORK BUT WITH A LOT DIFFICULTY AS THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY GM. HOW MANY ACCIDENTS NEED TO HAPPEN BEFORE GM DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I HAVE AN EARLIER MODEL OF THIS SAME CAR AND HAVE THE SAME ISSUE NOW ONLY GM REFUSES TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS PAST IT'S WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND I NOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. TWO OF THE SAME MODEL CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AT THE SAME HOUSE IS A PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283738

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.

12V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 19, 2012

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.

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.

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.