IllustrationON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR . *JS
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
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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
Engine complaints
69 reportsON 01//24/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT ON THE LODGE FREEWAY IN MICHIGAN MY CAR JUST TURN OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ,YES I WAS INJURED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. *JS
THE CAR ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK, THE IGNITION KEY WAS STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS IN "PARK." *TR
I WAS DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SCREEN FLASHED ENGINE POWER REDUCED. I HAD TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT TO KEEP FROM BEING HIT. NOW MY CAR WON'T START ALL . HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. *TR
I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLS ON IT, UNTIL LATER. NOW, I HAVE A CAR PAYMENT AND AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TOWN, ON A PAVED TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AROUND 55MPH. WHEN (FOR NO REASON) MY CAR JUST QUITS/DIES, AS I AM GOING UP A HILL. THERE WERE VEH…
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I HAVE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLS ON IT, UNTIL LATER. NOW, I HAVE A CAR PAYMENT AND AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TOWN, ON A PAVED TWO-LANE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AROUND 55MPH. WHEN (FOR NO REASON) MY CAR JUST QUITS/DIES, AS I AM GOING UP A HILL. THERE WERE VEHICLES BEHIND ME THAT ALMOST HIT ME. WHEN IT QUIT, I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT GET IT COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD. I TURNED MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND BEGAN TRYING TO CRANK MY CAR. IT TOOK MORE THAN 20MINS., TO GET IT STARTED BACK UP, BUT, WHEN IT DID, IT WAS SKIPPING SO BAD, I STILL COULD NOT MOVE IT. I TURNED IT OFF AND BEGAN TRYING TO CRANK IT, ONCE MORE. IT TOOK ANOTHER 15 MINUTES TO GET IT TO RUN WELL ENOUGH TO PULL THE REST OF THE WAY OFF OF THE PAVEMENT. I WAS ALMOST STRUCK/HIT MANY TIMES BY PASSING VEHICLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3 MORE TIMES. NOW, I CAN'T EVEN GET MY CAR TO THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY BEFORE IT QUITS/DIES. THE PARTS I NEED TO FIX MY CAR HAVE BEEN ORDERED THRU MAXIE PRICE CHEVROLET IN LOGANVILLE, GA SINCE JUNE 14, 2014. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD ONLY TAKE 1-2 WEEKS FOR THE PARTS TO GET TO THIS CAR DEALERSHIP, SO THEY COULD BE REPLACED. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE ABOUT MY PARTS AND CANNOT GET ANYONE TO HELP ME. I AM NOT DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS JUST TO DANGEROUS. SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND A CAR THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS TAKING SO LONG TO GET PARTS AND WHY SOMEONE WON'T HELP ME. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT A RECALL WAS TOP PRIORITY. ARE THERE MORE PROBLEMS THAT I AM UNAWARE OF OR IS SOMEONE JUST STALLING??? I NEED A CAR!!! HOW CAN I GET A LOANER UNTIL MY CAR IS FIXED???? *TR
ON JUNE 18, 2014 WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE KEPT CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN TRYING TO GET IT INTO PARK. POWER STEERING LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS APP…
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ON JUNE 18, 2014 WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES PER HOUR I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE KEPT CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN TRYING TO GET IT INTO PARK. POWER STEERING LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT AND SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. . I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE 18, 2014 TO NOTIFY THEM OF MY POWER STEERING GOING OUT AND THE OTHER ISSUES DESCRIBED ABOVE. THEY TOLD ME PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I DID RECEIVE A CALL BACK THAT THEY DID IN FACT HAVE THE PART AND TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE ON JUNE 19, 2014. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE 35 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO POWER STEERING, THE ENGINE WANTED TO DIE EVERY TIME HE CAME TO A STOP AND ACTED ERRATICALLY THE WHOLE DRIVE THERE. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE RECEIVED THE DEALERSHIP MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE WAS 114, 340 AND THEY PERFORMED RECALL 10023 V220 REMOVED AND REPLACED POWER STEERING MOTOR WITH MOTOR KIT 1 19257875 MOTOR KIT. ON JUNE 20, 2014 THE CAR WAS DRIVEN 320 MILES. ON JUNE 21, 2014 I HAD NO POWER STEERING. ON JUNE 23, 2014 I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER SERVICE TOW MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP.. ON JULY 18, 2014 I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE RECEIVED THE DEALER PERFORMED RECALL 13454 (F-CYLINDER KIT ), PERFORMED RECALL 14113 (REMOVED AND REPLACE IGNITION CYLINDER AND PROGRAMMED 2 NEW KEYS PER RECALL 14113). THE MILEAGE THEY SAY WAS ON MY VEHICLE ON THIS INVOICE DATED 7/18/14 WAS 114, 292. DON'T KNOW HOW MY MILEAGE WENT BACKWARDS??? ON JULY 28, 2014 DRIVING TO WORK AT 4:30 AM GOING 60 MPH MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON, THE ENGINE IS CUTTING OUT, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP, THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE IS FLICKERING UNCONTROLLABLY AND I HAVE NO WHERE TO PULL OVER. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME POWER STEERING PROBLEM DUE TO GM RECALL. HELP!!! *TR
ON SATURDAY MARCH 29TH 2014 I HAD MY RECALL FIXED ON THE POWER STEERING AT RYAN CHEVORLET HERE IN MINOT ND. I GET IT FIXED AND PARKED MY CAR AT HOME UNTIL MONDAY APRIL 1ST I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT THEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN MY DASHBOARD THEN A NOTIFICATION POPS UP FOR MY TRACTION CONTR…
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ON SATURDAY MARCH 29TH 2014 I HAD MY RECALL FIXED ON THE POWER STEERING AT RYAN CHEVORLET HERE IN MINOT ND. I GET IT FIXED AND PARKED MY CAR AT HOME UNTIL MONDAY APRIL 1ST I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND COME TO A STOP LIGHT THEN I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN MY DASHBOARD THEN A NOTIFICATION POPS UP FOR MY TRACTION CONTROL. AS I START TO MOVE MY SPEEDOMETER IS MOVING FROM 10 TO 20 BUT IM BARELY GOING 5. MY RPM'S ARE GOING UP ALSO THEN A NOTIFICATION FOR MY POWER STEERING COMES UP THEN IM WORRIED. I GET TO MY DESTINATION AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND I CAN NOT TURN THE VEHICLE AND IT SHUTS COMPLETELY OFF. I TRY TO TURN IT ON AND IT TURNS OVER JUST DOESN'T START. I CALL THE CHEVY DEALER HERE AND THEY SAY THEY WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT. THEY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR A WHILE JUST TO TELL ME MY CAR NEEDED GAS. DOES THIS MAKE SENSE OR AM I BEING FOOLED? I HAVE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO OTHER PEOPLE. COULD SOMEONE HELP ME? *TR
I WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD, THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AND I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. AFTER SEVERAL TIMES RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. *JS
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V171000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS A RESULT REPAIRS WERE UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V171000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS MADE AWARE THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS A RESULT REPAIRS WERE UNABLE TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. ML
CAR SIMPLY STALLED ON I 376 AT HIGHWAY SPEED. CAR WON'T START UNLESS IGNITION KEY IS "JIGGLED". *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.