IllustrationFUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES LEAVING FUEL PUMP AT GAS TANK. STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. LEAVES WET SPOT ON GROUND UNDER CAR NEAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL ABOUT 18 INCHES IN DIAMETER WHILE PARKED. HARD STARTING. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND A DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED ON A RECALL.
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
38 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE INNER PART OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST, OXYGEN SENSOR, THERMOSTAT AND OTHER UNKNOWN PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AS THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND MOVED 10 FEET, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL POURING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, PLACED HER HAND UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND FELT FUEL POURING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION AND MOVED 10 FEET, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL POURING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, PLACED HER HAND UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND FELT FUEL POURING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,220.
MY CAR IS LEAKING FUEL AT THE GAS TANK. GM RECALLED THE 2006 COBALTS BUT MINE IS A 2005. MY CAR COULD EXPLODE AND GAS IN OUR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM IS A HUGE CONCERN. THIS CAR IS A LEMON!! I HAVE EXTREME ANXIETY OF DYING IN THIS CAR. I NEED SOMEONE TO GET GM TO RECALL MY CAR ASAP BEFORE I DIE!! I CANT AFFORD TO FIX IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL ODOR AND THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ UPDATED 04/30/18*JB
COBALT IS LEAKING FUEL BEHIND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. LEAK WAS NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PARKED FUEL IS VISIBLY DRIPPING AND THE SMELL OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE IS STRONG. FUEL CAN ALSO BE SMELLED IN THE VEHICLE AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR AND A LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,589.
MY CAR TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THREE TIMES I HAVE BEEN ON 45 MPH ROADS, AND HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS. THIS ISN'T THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE MY CAR. BUT FIRST THE DIGITAL DISPLAY READS ENGINE DISABLED OR ENGINE LOSING POWER THEN ENGINE DISABLED AND LOSES ALL FUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL OVER A YEAR AGO FOR THIS MODEL SHUTTING OF…
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MY CAR TURNS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. THREE TIMES I HAVE BEEN ON 45 MPH ROADS, AND HAVE 2 SMALL KIDS. THIS ISN'T THE ONLY MAJOR ISSUE MY CAR. BUT FIRST THE DIGITAL DISPLAY READS ENGINE DISABLED OR ENGINE LOSING POWER THEN ENGINE DISABLED AND LOSES ALL FUNCTION. THERE WAS A RECALL OVER A YEAR AGO FOR THIS MODEL SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING SUPPOSEDLY DUE TO WEIGHT ON THE KEY RING. AFTER THE DEALER FIXED IT THE ISSUE STOPPED UNTIL 3 MNTHS AGO. I CAN ONLY GO A BLOCK BEFORE THE ENGINE DISABLES NOW, IT PROGRESSIVELY HAPPENED SOONER AND SOONER. A FRIEND WHO IS OLD BUDDIES WITH A DIAGNOSTICS SPECIALIST INTRODUCED ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT WAS GOING ON TO FINE DETAILS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT ANY RECALLS AND RELAYED THE INFO HE'D GIVEN ME AND THEY DOWN PLAYED IT LIKE THEY GUY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. THE DEALER THINKS ITS A THROTTLE OR ENGINE PROBLEM. THE GUY I KNOW SAID THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE KEY LIKELY GOT MESSED UP POSSIBLY FROM HAVING MY CELL PHONE NEXT TO IT A LOT, THAT THE PART IN THE IGNITION THAT READS THE SIGNAL FROM THE KEY IS GETTING MIXED INFO AND SIGNALS THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN . HE ALSO SAID THAT ONCE IT HAPPENS, A LOOP IS CREATED TO WHERE EVERY TIME I TURN THEY KEY IT STARTS THE CYCLE OVER WHERE EVERYTHING IS OKAY IN THE BEGINNING BUT THE INFO GETS MISREAD OVER N OVER WHICH IS WHY HE SAID I SHOULD GET A NEW KEY- AND (I THINK THIS IS WHAT HE SAID) TO REPLACE TO WHOLE IGNITION COLUMN SO ALL PARTS INVOLVED WOULD BE NEW. HE ALSO GETS HIS PARTS WHOLESALE AND IS NOT TRYING TO RIP ME OFF. NEXT PROBLEM CAR BURNS OIL! THE LAST TWO TIMES I HAD OIL CHECKED, NOTHING ON THE DIPSTICK, I GET IT DONE EVERY 3000MILES. WALMART MADE ME SIGN A PAPER STATING THERE WAS NO OIL ON DIPSTICK. GAS LINE CORRODED, SMELL OF GAS THROUGHOUT CAR, HAS WHOLE PIECE REPLACED. THESE ARE SERIOUS WHY IS CHEVROLET DOING NOTHING BAD BUSINESS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PATCHED BUT NOT FULLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,250.
THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY JERK/HICCUP AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. ON JANUARY 8, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY SPUTTER/JERK/HICCUP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER, OR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION FROM DASH BOARD ICONS OF ANY MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY VISIBLE WARNINGS SIGNS TO ALERT A FAU…
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THE VEHICLE WILL PERIODICALLY JERK/HICCUP AT RANDOM WHILE DRIVING. ON JANUARY 8, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RANDOMLY SPUTTER/JERK/HICCUP. THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOOSE POWER, OR WAS THERE ANY INDICATION FROM DASH BOARD ICONS OF ANY MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS NOT ANY VISIBLE WARNINGS SIGNS TO ALERT A FAULTY SYSTEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AT SPEEDS OF 25-45 MPH. DURING THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, TRAVELING SPEEDS VARIED FROM 50-70 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING A 60 MILE TRIP AND THIS JERKING OCCURRED 7-10 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS PROBABLY 1.5 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AFTER THE FIRST INSTANCE, WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DETECTED OR A DIAGNOSIS. THE ISSUE IS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY. LAST WEEK, OF THE 4 DAYS OF TRAVEL ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE JERKING OCCURRED 3 OF THOSE DAYS. INITIALLY, I FELT, THIS WAS ASSOCIATED TO THE COLD AND WEATHER/TEMPERATURE, BUT THIS HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN WARMER MONTHS. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT RELATES TO MYSELF, AND OTHERS TRAVELING IN MY VICINITY. *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.