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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

51 reports
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80,000 miles · Jan 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH, WHICH SHE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY ALLOWING 70 MPH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE "REDUCE ENGINE SPEED" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 40 MPH, WHICH SHE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY ALLOWING 70 MPH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BEGAN OPERATING NORMALLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING WHEN SHE WOULD SLOW DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. OCCASIONALLY, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT IT COULD PERFORM CORRECTLY. ON THREE OCCASIONS, A MECHANIC STATED THAT MULTIPLE CODES WERE PRESENT AFTER DIAGNOSING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/27/09*JB

NHTSA ODI #10256412

59,083 miles · Sep 12, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingTiresFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, A MECHANIC LEFT A RAG ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AFTER THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE RAG BEING LEFT ON THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. WHILE REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, A MECHANIC LEFT A RAG ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. AFTER THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE RAG BEING LEFT ON THE ENGINE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO BREAK DOWN. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,059 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,083.

NHTSA ODI #10242023

49,862 miles · Jan 21, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE JULY 2005. AT 800 MILES I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND A FIX. NEXT WAS THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THEN THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW SO IT WAS IN THE…

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I HAVE HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT SINCE JULY 2005. AT 800 MILES I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A LEAK IN THE PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. IT WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THEY FOUND A FIX. NEXT WAS THE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD, SPECIFICALLY THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE AND HIGH BEAM LIGHTS. THEN THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW SO IT WAS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THAT FIXED. THEN THE REVERSE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLIGHTS. NOW, TWO DAYS AGO, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I COULDN'T TURN FAST ENOUGH. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF IT WORKS AGAIN TEMPORARILY. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN, BUT AT THIS POINT IT HAS 50,000 MILES AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10215512

22,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10214196

24,420 miles · Dec 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS A HISTORY CODE AND NOT A BIG DEAL, SO THEY RESET IT. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT CAME BACK ON SO I WENT TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THE SAME THING AND SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS COMING BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212661

3,000 miles · Oct 3, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT 3,000 MILES NOW THE CAR HAS 45K AND ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN;T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT BANK ONE LEAN CODE. THE DEALERS STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR RUNS ROUGH AND IT MAY RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR OTHER PROBLEMS OR SAFETY PROBLEMS IF SITUA…

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ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AT 3,000 MILES NOW THE CAR HAS 45K AND ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY CAN;T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHT BANK ONE LEAN CODE. THE DEALERS STILL CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. CAR RUNS ROUGH AND IT MAY RESULT IN ENGINE DAMAGE OR OTHER PROBLEMS OR SAFETY PROBLEMS IF SITUATION PERSISTS. TO MUCH AIR NOT ENOUGH FUEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204794

17,000 miles · Sep 25, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10204042

20,536 miles · Aug 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,536. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,636. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,536. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,636.

NHTSA ODI #10200915

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE CAR HAS STOPPED WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THIS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 55 MPH AND IT CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP AS I SAID NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM.…

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THE CAR HAS STOPPED WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THIS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 55 MPH AND IT CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP AS I SAID NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BULL! IT HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND IT IS DANGEROUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10199828

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

SAME THING BRAND NEW 2005 AND IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW AND STRANDED ME AT NIGHT EVEN FOR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY FIXED IT AND LAST TIME THEY SAY THEY REPROGRAMMED IT EVEN BUT IT JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN LATE LAST NIGHT ... POWER STEERING BECOMES HARD AND SERVICE …

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SAME THING BRAND NEW 2005 AND IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW AND STRANDED ME AT NIGHT EVEN FOR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY FIXED IT AND LAST TIME THEY SAY THEY REPROGRAMMED IT EVEN BUT IT JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN LATE LAST NIGHT ... POWER STEERING BECOMES HARD AND SERVICE LIGHT POPS ON AS THE ENGINE STALLS OUT ON THE FREEWAY THEN IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR A BIT THEN IT SEEMS OK BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING AGAIN TO ME ANOTHER TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193408

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.