← New search

2007 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 →

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
Clear category filter
67,000 miles · Aug 8, 2009
Steering

I RECENTLY GOT MY WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ON MY 07 CHEVY COBALT LT. A DAY LATER MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. IT COMES ON EVERY DAY AND CONTINUES TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING EVERY 5 MINUTES BECAUSE WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF IT RESETS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE PLACE WHERE I GOT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FIXED AND THEY CANT FIND THE PROBL…

Read full complaint

I RECENTLY GOT MY WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED ON MY 07 CHEVY COBALT LT. A DAY LATER MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON. IT COMES ON EVERY DAY AND CONTINUES TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING EVERY 5 MINUTES BECAUSE WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF IT RESETS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE PLACE WHERE I GOT THE WHEEL BEARINGS FIXED AND THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279753

50,000 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Steering

I HAVE HAD MY 07' CHEVY COBALT FOR A YR NOW AND ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON MAKING MY WHEEL REALLY HARD ALOT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE DONE RECENT SEARCHES AND HAVE REALIZED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALOT OF THE CHEVY COBALT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279620

41,162 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Steering

THE CHEVY COBALT HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. AROUND 41-44,000 MILES THE MOTOR FAILS. IT IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST STOPS WORKING AND YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING TO THE CAR. THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS THAT CAN BE FOUND BY SIMPLY GOGGLING CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING. THE MOTOR HAS TO …

Read full complaint

THE CHEVY COBALT HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. AROUND 41-44,000 MILES THE MOTOR FAILS. IT IS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST STOPS WORKING AND YOU LOOSE POWER STEERING TO THE CAR. THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS THAT CAN BE FOUND BY SIMPLY GOGGLING CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING. THE MOTOR HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IT CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE A 2007 BUT I'VE HEARD OF IT ON 2005'S ALSO. PLEASE DO SOMETHING SOON TO PROTECT WOULD BE CONSUMERS FROM THE DANGER OF THIS HAPPENING TO THEM. WHEN IT HAPPENED TO ME I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279546

104,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Steering

I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OF MY 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A BUSY STREET. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THIS CAUSED ME TO DRIFT INTO THE ON COMING LANE. IF I HADN'T ACTED QUICKLY ENOUGH I WOULD HAVE…

Read full complaint

I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION DUE TO THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OF MY 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT LT. I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A BUSY STREET. THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING" WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THIS CAUSED ME TO DRIFT INTO THE ON COMING LANE. IF I HADN'T ACTED QUICKLY ENOUGH I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT TO TURN THE WHEEL AND SAVE MY OWN LIFE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM ON ALL CHEVROLET COBALTS DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING ASSIST. FROM WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID, THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY. PLEASE HELP AND SAVE OTHERS. THIS WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE SOMEONE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279444

27,890 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Steering

2007 CHEVY COBALT STEERING IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS! I PURCHASED A 2007 COBALT IN MAY OF 2009 AND HAVE HAD IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES SINCE. POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279436

30,500 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Steering

DRIVING AND POWER STEERING GOES OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279427

85,126 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING - 'POWER STEERING' INDICATOR LIGHTS UP ON DASH. ONLY WAY TO GET POWER STEERING BACK IS TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RE-START. THERE IS NO WARNING OR ANY APPARENT WAY OF PREDICTING WHEN THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING MODULE STOPS WORKING. POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SP…

Read full complaint

POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING - 'POWER STEERING' INDICATOR LIGHTS UP ON DASH. ONLY WAY TO GET POWER STEERING BACK IS TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RE-START. THERE IS NO WARNING OR ANY APPARENT WAY OF PREDICTING WHEN THE POWER ASSISTED STEERING MODULE STOPS WORKING. POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279281

53,900 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING IS RANDOMLY FAILING ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT. MY TEENAGER DRIVES THIS CAR, VERY SCARY FOR HER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE COBALT, A VERY DANGEROUS COMMON PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE BY GM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE CARS ARE GENERALLY USED BY CO…

Read full complaint

POWER STEERING IS RANDOMLY FAILING ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT. MY TEENAGER DRIVES THIS CAR, VERY SCARY FOR HER TO LOSE POWER STEERING. RESEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE COBALT, A VERY DANGEROUS COMMON PROBLEM. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE BY GM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE CARS ARE GENERALLY USED BY COMMUTERS AND TEENAGERS. JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH GM, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE PART FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279224

65,000 miles · Jul 28, 2009
Steering

MY CHEVROLET COBALT STARTED TO FAIL WHEN I WAS DRIVING , , I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. ITS GOING TO COST ME 1000 DLLS TO FIX IT I THINK THIS IS TO MUCH. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON. WITH THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENT…

Read full complaint

MY CHEVROLET COBALT STARTED TO FAIL WHEN I WAS DRIVING , , I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. ITS GOING TO COST ME 1000 DLLS TO FIX IT I THINK THIS IS TO MUCH. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON. WITH THIS PROBLEM, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS. THIS SOMETHING THAT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN IM DRIVING . PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO TALK TO CHEVROLET SO THIS CAN BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278543

60,000 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Steering

MY POWER STEERING IS OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHES AND IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT GOES AWAY, ONLY TO COME BACK ON A FEW MILES DOWNT HE ROAD. IT NORMALLY OCCURS MOST WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE CAR I…

Read full complaint

MY POWER STEERING IS OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHES AND IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT GOES AWAY, ONLY TO COME BACK ON A FEW MILES DOWNT HE ROAD. IT NORMALLY OCCURS MOST WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE CAR IS BARELY ABLE TO TURN AT ALL. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN. I WOULD HATE FOR ANYTHING TO HAPPEN. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, HOWEVER WITH THIS MANY PROBLEM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, I THINK THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING SOMEONE CAN DO?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278421

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.