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2008 Pontiac G5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

96 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports2 fire reports13 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

1. Fuel Leak 2. Fuel leaking in driveway, car has potential to catch fire if driven 3. Suspected leak and odor was reported 4 years ago. Dealer said the recall did not apply to my car. After receiving an email reply back from GMLegalUpdate department indicating they would cover the "fuel line" under special coverage, the dealer …

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1. Fuel Leak 2. Fuel leaking in driveway, car has potential to catch fire if driven 3. Suspected leak and odor was reported 4 years ago. Dealer said the recall did not apply to my car. After receiving an email reply back from GMLegalUpdate department indicating they would cover the "fuel line" under special coverage, the dealer looked at the car. Dealer said they couldn't find any leak. Now the leak is very apparent when you start the car. Significant gas leaks onto the ground. After speaking to GM at 866-790-5600, GM says that my VIN No does not apply to the special coverage. Now they won't honor the letter. A service bulletin 12191B has been issued for this problem "regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage" but it seems from numerous posts GM pawns this problem off as the car's Vin No does not apply to their vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11651139

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

LEAKY FUEL LINES TOWARD THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. LARGE PUDDLES OF GASOLINE UNDER THE CAR WHEN PARKED. VISIBLE GAS LEAK

NHTSA ODI #11362577

83,658 miles · May 4, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR LEAKS GAS TOWARD FRONT OF CAR DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING. IT ALSO HAS AN ODOR OF GAS RADIATING AROUND THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN REGIONALLY HOT STATES. GM ALAN ADLER SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR CARS THAT HAS THE PROBLEM OUTSIDE OF THE DESIGNATED STATES, BUT PONTIAC REF…

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CAR LEAKS GAS TOWARD FRONT OF CAR DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING. IT ALSO HAS AN ODOR OF GAS RADIATING AROUND THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN REGIONALLY HOT STATES. GM ALAN ADLER SAID THEY WOULD REPAIR CARS THAT HAS THE PROBLEM OUTSIDE OF THE DESIGNATED STATES, BUT PONTIAC REFUSES. SEE ATT.

NHTSA ODI #11323239

152,190 miles · Apr 23, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherInjury

WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND OTHER VEHICLES NAMELY THOSE WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS AND AT STOP LIGHTS. IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A TON OF PRESSURE INSIDE MY VEHICLE ALMOST LIKE THE THE WINDOWS WERE GOING TO EXPLODE. IM NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN IT MAYBE A GRAVATAIONAL DOWNWARD PULL? ALMOST LIKE A CHEMICAL BURN FROM THE BRIGHTNESS OF OT…

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WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AROUND OTHER VEHICLES NAMELY THOSE WITH BRIGHT LIGHTS AND AT STOP LIGHTS. IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A TON OF PRESSURE INSIDE MY VEHICLE ALMOST LIKE THE THE WINDOWS WERE GOING TO EXPLODE. IM NOT SURE HOW TO EXPLAIN IT MAYBE A GRAVATAIONAL DOWNWARD PULL? ALMOST LIKE A CHEMICAL BURN FROM THE BRIGHTNESS OF OTHER HEADILGHTS AND THE VEHICLE MIRRORS MIXED CHEMICAL NOMENCLATURE WERE HAVING A BAD REACTION. THIS CAUSED ME TO BECOME AWARE OF AN ISSUE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN AND HAD THE BATTERY TESTED NOTICING THE BATTERY WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK WITH NO PROTECTION SURROUNDING THE BATTERY AND WIRES SEMI EXPOSED PLACED NEXT TO FUSES AND SHEET METAL. WHO DESIGNES THINGS LIKE THAT? THATS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. TODAY MY HEAD STILL HURTS AND I WILL BE SEEKING A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

NHTSA ODI #11322036

179,000 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

SERVICE AIR BAGS SHOWS ON DASH ON STARTUP, BOUGHT THIS WAY FROM HOLZ CHEVY IN HALES CORNERS, WI. WAS TOLD IT WAS A NON ISSUE. ELECTRICAL- CHANGES FROM RADIO TO AUX RANDOMLY, THE BACK SPEAKERS WORK CONSTANTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE NEVER WORKS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WORKS ON OCCASION (IF YOU HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH IT'LL GO ON/OFF).…

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SERVICE AIR BAGS SHOWS ON DASH ON STARTUP, BOUGHT THIS WAY FROM HOLZ CHEVY IN HALES CORNERS, WI. WAS TOLD IT WAS A NON ISSUE. ELECTRICAL- CHANGES FROM RADIO TO AUX RANDOMLY, THE BACK SPEAKERS WORK CONSTANTLY, THE DRIVER SIDE NEVER WORKS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WORKS ON OCCASION (IF YOU HIT A POT HOLE HARD ENOUGH IT'LL GO ON/OFF). FUEL- FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING FROM DRIVER SIDE, IN FRONT OF REAR WHEEL. RIGHT BY THE HEAT SHIELD.

NHTSA ODI #11257928

31,903 miles · May 31, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

MY 2008 G5 HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT 2008 G5'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A FUEL LEAK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULE BUT ONLY IN HOTTER STATES. I'M IN SC AND WE CERTAINLY SHOULD QUALIFY AS A HOTTER STATE WITH TEMPS IN THE UPPER 90'S IN THE SPRING. GM RECALLED THE …

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MY 2008 G5 HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND SAW THAT 2008 G5'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR A FUEL LEAK DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULE BUT ONLY IN HOTTER STATES. I'M IN SC AND WE CERTAINLY SHOULD QUALIFY AS A HOTTER STATE WITH TEMPS IN THE UPPER 90'S IN THE SPRING. GM RECALLED THE '06 AND '07 G5'S IN SC FOR FUEL LEAKS SO THEY SHOULD RECALL THE '08 MODEL TOO SINCE IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM (RECALL 09V-419) MY CAR HAS ONLY 31,903 MILES ON IT SO I SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH THE COST OF REPAIRING AN ONGOING FUEL LEAK PROBLEM THAT GM HAS HAD WITH '06-'08 MODELS. MY MOTHER BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND DRIVEN VERY LITTLE. GM SHOULD REPAIR ALL THE 2008 G5'S THAT ARE LEAKING FUEL, NOT JUST THE ONES IN A SELECT FEW STATES. FUEL LEAKS ARE DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN ANY STATE.

NHTSA ODI #11217095

93,000 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

STARTED TO SMELL A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN GARAGE. NOTICED ABOUT A FOOT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE DRIPPING GASOLINE FROM FUEL LINE NEXT TO THE PLASTIC CLIP THERE. THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND VERY DANGEROUS. WENT ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HOW THERE WAS AN ASSOCIATED RECA…

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STARTED TO SMELL A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN GARAGE. NOTICED ABOUT A FOOT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE DRIPPING GASOLINE FROM FUEL LINE NEXT TO THE PLASTIC CLIP THERE. THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST PIPE AND VERY DANGEROUS. WENT ONLINE AND SAW SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND HOW THERE WAS AN ASSOCIATED RECALL BUT ONLY FOR 5-6 STATES. NOT SURE WHY ONLY THESE STATES WERE LISTED BUT IN LINE WITH MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THE PLASTIC CLIP HOLDING THOSE FUEL LINES WAS HOLDING SALT AND BRINE OF THE WINTER MONTHS AND CAUSING CORROSION AT THAT SPOT. TAKING THE CAR IN TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AND AM FULLY EXPECTING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE FUEL LINE AT $600-1000 SIMILARLY TO THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I SAW. IF THIS ISSUE WAS ALREADY RECALLED FOR SOME STATES THEN IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR ALL OF THEM AS IT IS CLEARLY AN ONGOING AND PERSISTENT ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11193270

90,915 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G5. PERIODICALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WENT AWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A FUEL LEAK IN AN UNKNOWN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC G5. PERIODICALLY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR WENT AWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED A FUEL LEAK IN AN UNKNOWN PART OF THE VEHICLE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE FUEL LINES BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,915.

NHTSA ODI #11150375

100 miles · Sep 15, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CAR SPEEDS UP WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PETAL AND IT'S HARD TO STOP IT WHEN IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE IT STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE AND TURNED OFF WITH AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME LIKE TO HAVE KILLED ME GOT CAR IN NEUTRAL FINALLY FORCEFULLY PRAYING THAT JESUS PROTECT ME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD.…

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CAR SPEEDS UP WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PETAL AND IT'S HARD TO STOP IT WHEN IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE IT STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE AND TURNED OFF WITH AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME LIKE TO HAVE KILLED ME GOT CAR IN NEUTRAL FINALLY FORCEFULLY PRAYING THAT JESUS PROTECT ME BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AND PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. DRIVING DOWN ROAD STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP CAUSES ENGINE TO SHAKE WHOLE CAR AND BACKFIRES MY CAR RIDES REALLY ROUGH. MESSED UP POWER STEERING HAS CAUSED MY BLINKERS NOT TO WORK NOW. I'M REALLY SAD. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. THE TRANSMISSION ACTS UP AND WHEN DRIVING MY CAR IT'S LIKE IT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR IT SHOULD BE IN SO IT JERKS REALLY BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11129639

79,000 miles · Jun 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

MY CAR IS LEAKING G FUEL BY DRIVERS DOOR AND TIRE.MY CAR WAS IN THE RECALL BUT NOT MY STATE. MAKES NO SENSE. MY CAR WAS A RENTAL FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE I BOUGHT IT . WHY IS MY VIN# NOT IN RECALL.. IF I BLOW UP SOMEONE WILL LET YOU KNOW. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #11102208

Official recalls

4

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.

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.