IllustrationPOWER STEERING FAILS IN 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING SO ODOMETER NO LONGER REGISTERS. DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN STEERING QUIT. THIS ALMOST CREATED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THE COMPUTER WON'T GIVE OUT ANY INPUT. *TR
2005 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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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 reports2005 COBALT CHEVROLET POWER STERRING GOES OUT
THIS SCENARIO HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES: START ENGINE, ENGAGE IN DRIVING AFTER GIVING TIME FOR ENGINE TO IDLE DOWN, BEGIN TO DRIVE, ALL GAUGES GO TO 0 OR BLANK OUT, POWER STEERING IS LOST, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN DRIVING WITH A FULL TANK OR LESS, RPM GAUGE STATES 0 WHEN ENGINE IS STILL NOTICEABLY RUNNING, CID DISPLAYS "PW…
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THIS SCENARIO HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES: START ENGINE, ENGAGE IN DRIVING AFTER GIVING TIME FOR ENGINE TO IDLE DOWN, BEGIN TO DRIVE, ALL GAUGES GO TO 0 OR BLANK OUT, POWER STEERING IS LOST, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN DRIVING WITH A FULL TANK OR LESS, RPM GAUGE STATES 0 WHEN ENGINE IS STILL NOTICEABLY RUNNING, CID DISPLAYS "PWR STEERING" INDICATING IT IS OUT. THE ONLY FIX? TURN OFF CAR, UNPLUG BATTERY TERMINAL, WAIT 5 MINUTES, ATTACH TERMINAL, DRIVE AGAIN. BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON FOR A DAY OR TWO. THIS NORMALLY HAPPENS ONCE A WEEK AND NO DEALERS SAY THERE'S A PROBLEM READING ON MY ECU/PCM. I'M SO FED UP WITH THIS. MY CAR IS A 2005 MODEL AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN CORRECTED.
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT (11/09). THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING COMES ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I AM DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL MY STEERING AND JERKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND/OR CHANGE GEARS. IT ALSO BECOMES A LITTLE HARDER TO COME TO A …
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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT (11/09). THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING COMES ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I AM DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL MY STEERING AND JERKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND/OR CHANGE GEARS. IT ALSO BECOMES A LITTLE HARDER TO COME TO A COMPETE STOP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY GREASED THE WIRES THINKING THAT IT WAS A CONNECTION PROBLEM. IT WORKED ALRIGHT FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF BUT THEN THE LIGHT FLASHED ON AGAIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAS FLASHED ON RANDOMLY EVER SINCE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
KEY IGNITION LOCKS UP, CAN'T GET THE KEY OUT, HAVE TO PLAY AND PLAY WITH IT UNTIL IT UNLOCKS, OH AND THE RADIO LOCKS UP PERIODICALLY TOO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE KEY OUT. AFTER A FEW TIMES OF JIGGLING IT THE KEY IT WILL FINALLY COME OUT. THIS HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF, THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET THE KEY OUT. AFTER A FEW TIMES OF JIGGLING IT THE KEY IT WILL FINALLY COME OUT. THIS HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49086. UPDATED 03/12/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/12/10*JB
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING STARTING WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TO FIX THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT HAD SNAPPED AND SPOKE TO ADVISOR ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM BUT AT THAT TIME IT HAD OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEY CHECKED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. FOLLOWING ANOTHE…
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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING STARTING WHEN THE CAR WAS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD. HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN TO FIX THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT HAD SNAPPED AND SPOKE TO ADVISOR ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM BUT AT THAT TIME IT HAD OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEY CHECKED AND FOUND NO PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. FOLLOWING ANOTHER BROKEN EMERGENCY BRAKE (THAT STILL DOES NOT HOLD) I AGAIN EXPLAINED THE STEERING PROBLEM THAT WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT 1200.00 AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY LEFT (CAR HAD 36,000). THERE IS NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT HAPPENS, IT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME AND MAY REMAIN OUT FOR DAYS. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREVENT IT THAT I HAVE FOUND. WHILE DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL, I HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY STOP THE CAR TO AVOID MISSING OR NOT MAKING A TURN OR AVOID ANOTHER CAR THEN WHILE YOU'RE STRUGGLING TO TURN THE WHEEL THE STEERING HAS COME BACK ON AND THE CAR MOVES ERRATICALLY. THE CARS GAUGES WILL STOP WORKING (ALMOST LIKE A SURGE) WHILE THE STEERING IS OUT AND I WILL HAVE NO SPEEDOMETER. THE CAR IS DRIVEN, WE HAVE NO CHOICE AT TIMES BUT WE TRY NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE WE CANNOT RELY ON THE STEERING. WE HAVE NOT FIXED THE CAR BECAUSE WE CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR. *TR
FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I WOULD HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SHIFTER BY MOVING IT BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE KEY TO COME OUT. WELL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE SHIFTER BROKE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL. I LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND TO MY SURPRISE FOUND IT TO BE A VERY CO…
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FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS MY KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION. I WOULD HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SHIFTER BY MOVING IT BACK AND FORTH TO GET THE KEY TO COME OUT. WELL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE SHIFTER BROKE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT AT ALL. I LOOKED THIS PROBLEM UP ON THE INTERNET AND TO MY SURPRISE FOUND IT TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT. I NOW HAVE TO PUSH THE RELEASE BUTTON TO GET MY KEY OUT. *TR
MY WIFE OWNS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SHE WAS TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN HER ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED HER TO BE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. LUCKILY THE DRIVER BEHIND HER WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND WAS ABLE TO …
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MY WIFE OWNS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SHE WAS TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN HER ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED HER TO BE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. LUCKILY THE DRIVER BEHIND HER WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MODULE AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT IF IT EVENTUALLY FAILED AGAIN (WHICH THEY STATED MAY BE ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR) THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. *TR
SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING STEERING OF 2005 COBALT 2-DOOR. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 55 TO 65 MPH. FRONT END OF VEHICLE "JUMPED" SIDE TO SIDE AND STEERING WHEEL RESPONDED ONLY WITH CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. LAST OCCURRENCE WAS WITNESSED BY HIGHWAY PATROL WHO ESCORTED ME FROM THE FREEWAY WITH …
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SEVERAL INCIDENTS INVOLVING STEERING OF 2005 COBALT 2-DOOR. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT AT 55 TO 65 MPH. FRONT END OF VEHICLE "JUMPED" SIDE TO SIDE AND STEERING WHEEL RESPONDED ONLY WITH CONSIDERABLE EFFORT. LAST OCCURRENCE WAS WITNESSED BY HIGHWAY PATROL WHO ESCORTED ME FROM THE FREEWAY WITH LIGHTS FLASHING. EVENTUALLY, DEALER DID REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM (2006) AND PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. ALSO HAVE HAD TO HAVE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED AS WELL AS COMPONENTS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *TR
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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. GMs 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. GMs 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. GMs 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
1PE10005 · 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.