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2005 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

1,407 reports with mileage · 242 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 1,143 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 323 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 99 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

97 crash reports12 fire reports57 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

323 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

*PLEASE NOTE...THE INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. WE HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SEDAN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, WE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WIT…

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*PLEASE NOTE...THE INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. WE HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SEDAN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, WE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE - PLUS ADDITIONAL FAILURES. UPON START-UP, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NO POWER STEERING, AND HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RETRY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. IN ADDITION TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATING RANDOM CLICKING OF THE BRAKE SAFETY INTERLOCK RELAY / ACTUATOR (WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRANSMISSION GOING INTO "LIMP MODE"..."SLAMMING" INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK - OR IMPROPER SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING. RANDOM DASH GAUGE FAILURE RANDOM FAILURES OF THE "DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER" - FLASHING, ETC. THIS WAS INITIALLY HAPPENING ONLY UPON START-UP...BUT STARTED HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AS WELL - NEARLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY URBAN STREET. SHE WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO DRIFT INTO THE TURN LANE AND COME TO A STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION AND LIKELY SERIOUS INJURY TO HERSELF AND OTHERS, AS IT WAS VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING (WHILE DRIVING), THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", CAUSING VERY HARD SHIFTING AND MUCH DIFFICULTY IN DRIVABILITY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I AM 6'3", 260LBS., AND I WAS STRUGGLING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER COBALT OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME SET OF "SYMPTOMS". IT IS CLEAR THAT THE MOTOR REPLACEMENT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, AND - IN SOME CASES - MAY BE LEADING TO FURTHER PROBLEMS AS IN OUR CASE. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373202

30,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED WITHOUT USING THE RELEASE BUTTON IN THE HOLE UNDER THE COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368574

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE TOWING COMPANY ATTEMPTED START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE TOWING COMPANY ATTEMPTED START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10363919

30,500 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SPORADICALLY. THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY, ALLOWING THE GEAR TO MOVE AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,500.

NHTSA ODI #10363668

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2010
Electrical System

THE EVENT LEADING UP TO THIS I WOULD TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE TO LET FAMILY MEMBERS IN AND I NOTICED THAT THEY UNLOCK BUTTON DID NOT WORK SO I WAS LIKE MAYBE ITS A FUSE WELL MY BOYFRIEND CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE. SO THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY LOCKS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN UP AND DOWN BY THEI…

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THE EVENT LEADING UP TO THIS I WOULD TRY TO UNLOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE TO LET FAMILY MEMBERS IN AND I NOTICED THAT THEY UNLOCK BUTTON DID NOT WORK SO I WAS LIKE MAYBE ITS A FUSE WELL MY BOYFRIEND CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE. SO THEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT MY LOCKS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN UP AND DOWN BY THEIRSELVES SO I CHECKED THE FUSE ONCE AGAIN SAME THING GREAT SHAPE SO IT KEPT ON DOING THIS AND FINALLY I SAID IM TAKING THE FUSE OUT SO I DID AND NOW I HAVE TO HAND LOCK ALL MY DOORS I DISLIKE THAT. THIS IS WHAT CUTS THE CAKE I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE HILL MY CARS LIGHTS START TO DIM I WAS LIKE WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON SO THEN THE CAR STARTED TO GO HAYWIRE ON ME THE CARS GAUGES STARTED TO MOVE UP AND DOWN BY THEIRSELVES MY WHOLE CAR WENT PITCH BLACK I DID NOT HAVE ANY LIGHTS BACK OR FRONT ITS LIKE MY CARS WAS JUST A BLACK BALL I HAD NO LIGHTS MY BLINKERS DID NOT WORK MY FLASHERS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE LIKE 10 OTHER CARS BEHIND ME I WAS PRAYING TO GOD THAT NOBODY WOULD HIT ME SO I PULLED OVER MY SYMBOLS WAS COMING ON AND GOING DOWN ON MY GAUGES WAS STUCK IN DOWNWARD MODE GAS HAND MPH HAND MY CD PLAYER (FACTORY INSTALLED WITH CAR) QUIT WORKING IT STILL DOES NOT WORK AND IM STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM......BUT BEFORE ALL THIS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD THEM PUT IT ON THEIR MACHINE AND HE TOLD ME THAT IT WONT READ IT SO HE SAID THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND YOU BETTER GET THAT FIX BEFORE YOUR CAR CATCHES FIRE YEA HE SCARED ME BUT HEY MY CAR IS ALL I GOT AND I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION SO COULD YOU PLEAS TELL ME WHAT THE HECK WENT WRONG. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362852

75,000 miles · Sep 30, 2010
Electrical System

LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH 2005 CHEVY COBALT, POWER STEERING FAILS (RECALL PART REPLACED ALREADY), CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING (DANGEROUS), TRANSMISSION JERKS, CHECK ENGINE AND POWER STEERING LIGHTS COME ON. ALL PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT ,OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING, AND HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358400

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, ElectricCrash

CHEVROLET COBALT VIN [XXX] IS INVOLVED IN SAFETY RECALL 10023 BY GM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ODI #10358175

54,575 miles · Sep 26, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE AND POWER STEERING COMES ACROSS THE SCREEN AND THEN MY CAR JERKS. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I COULD JUST SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT AWHILE AND START IT BACK UP AND THEN BE FINE. NOW WHEN I START THE CAR AND LET IT WARM UP BEF…

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE GAUGES GO HAYWIRE AND POWER STEERING COMES ACROSS THE SCREEN AND THEN MY CAR JERKS. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED I COULD JUST SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT AWHILE AND START IT BACK UP AND THEN BE FINE. NOW WHEN I START THE CAR AND LET IT WARM UP BEFORE I EVEN DRIVE IT THE SCREEN SAYS POWER STEERING AND GAUGES ARE GOING HAYWIRE AGAIN. NOW MY CAR JUST SITS THERE AND I CAN'T DRIVE IT AND STILL MAKING PAYMENTS. I WENT FROM A 1998 CAVALIER TO THIS 2005 COBALT AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH A NEWER VEHICLE. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I NEED A BODY CONTROL MODULE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357659

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2010
Electrical System

ONGOING OBVIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH AN '05 CHEVY COBALT -- KEY WON'T COME OUT OF IGNITION, LIGHTS & RADIO GO OFF AT WILL, NEW BATTERY DIES EVERY 3RD DAY IN ALL WEATHER. BOUGHT CAR USED IN '08 WITH 45,000 MILES. PROBLEMS STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT EVERY SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352233

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. HE REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000, STEERING ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL 2010. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN WITHIN THREE WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-12 MPH THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. HE REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V073000, STEERING ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED IN APRIL 2010. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN WITHIN THREE WEEKS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-12 MPH THE POWER STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. HE ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED THE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AND THE FUEL SENSOR NO LONGER MADE A BEEPING SOUND. WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS DISPLAYED, THEN THE MILEAGE AND NOW THE SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ASKED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,309.

NHTSA ODI #10349261

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.

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.

04V560000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Nov 22, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BULB SHIELDS INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS CAN LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BULB SHIELD CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HEADLAMP INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE, ONCOMING DRIVERS MAY NOTICE ADDITIONAL GLARE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD 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.