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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

35 reports

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30,000 miles · Dec 1, 2010

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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

NHTSA ODI #10368574

100 miles · Jun 14, 2010

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

SINCE THIS CAR WAS NEW, THE CAR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS ITSELF REGULARLY. IF YOU GET OUT OF CAR, THEN RETURN TO CAR EVEN WITHIN SECONDS, WHEN YOU OPEN DOOR THE ALARM GOES OFF. YOU CANT DO ANYTHING WITH CAR, WITHOUT HAVING KEYS IN HAND READY TO SHUT OFF ALARM. EVEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK REGULARLY. HAVE TAKEN T…

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NHTSA ODI #10336151

60,000 miles · May 11, 2010

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329902

104,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010

Latches/locks/linkages

THE DOOR LATCHES ON BOTH MY PASSANGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS HAVE BEEN GETTING STUCK FREQUENTLY OVER THE LAST 2 WEEKS. WHEN I PULL THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR (FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE) THERE IS NO REISITANCE ON THE HANDLE. LIKE THE LATCH IS NOT EVEN ATTACHED. I HAVE TRIED USING THE REMOTE KEY LOCKS, USING THE KEY IN…

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NHTSA ODI #10322993

45,000 miles · Mar 17, 2010

Latches/locks/linkagesParking BrakeSuspension

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THREE ISSUES WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. ONE THE DOOR LATCH BROKE AND I CAN NO LONGER GET OUT THE DRIVERS SIDE. IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR I WOULD HAVE TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. SECONDLY, MY STRUTS KEEP GOING BAD ON MY CAR. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED THREE TIMES NOW. MY THIRD ISSUE IS THE BRAKES. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COBALT HAD ANITLOCK BRAKES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. HOWEVER, WHEN I HAVE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES THEY LOCK AND A LITTLE LIGHT COMES ON WITH A ANTI BRAKE SYMBOL ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320467

45,000 miles · Mar 17, 2010

Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

MY 2005 COBALT HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS GETTING STUCK SHUT. THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE . I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF I NEED TO GET OUT OF MY CAR IN A HURRY THAT THIS WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320388

40,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010

Latches/locks/linkagesSteering

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THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE FACT I COULDN'T TURN MY WHEEL AT ALL. I TOOK THE COBALT TO A SHOP, AND IT TURNS OUT IT WAS THE MOTOR. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS TO A TON OF CHEVY COBALTS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS SOOO DANGEROUS! ALSO, OCCASIONALLY MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY RISK IF I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE IN A HURRY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318952

75,090 miles · Feb 27, 2010

EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

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I AM NOT ABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2006 (WAS A RENTAL). UP UNTIL TODAY (2/27/10) I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO GET IT OUT EVENTUALLY. NOW HOWEVER, MY CAR WILL NOT START - IT JUST CLICKS, AND MY SHIFTER WON'T MOVE. THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN PARK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT APPEARS MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE. PLEASE SEE THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GFB6Y7_ZKX0 THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR: POWER STEERING FAILURE AFTER ABOUT 45,000 BAD WHEEL BEARING AFTER ABOUT 50,000 CD PLAYER REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T EJECT CDS (THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH THE SAME MANUFACTURER'S MODEL) FAULTY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I FEEL THIS MODEL OF CAR IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AFTER ALL THE PROBLEMS PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314827

62,530 miles · Dec 19, 2009

Latches/locks/linkagesSteeringSuspension

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POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 COBALT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, IT HAD NOT DONE IT FOR TWO MONTHS. BUT RECENTLY, WHILE I WAS TAKING A TURN, IT WENT OUT, AND I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKFULLY NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRESENT IN INTERSECTION, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FRONT END COLLISION. NOW IT WORKS ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON , BUT GOES OUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES CONSTANTLY WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. I CAN NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED BECAUSE IT UNLOCKS ITSELF. I STARTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT IN 2007, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, ITS 63,000 MILES, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IN A CAR LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, AND THE ROADS ARE OFTEN ICY, I AM FEARFUL IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, I HAD THE SHOCKS/STRUTS? REPLACED 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT, AT AROUND 40, 000 MILES, AND THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE DEALER FIXED IT, I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED THEN, BUT I WAS AFRAID TO SHELL OUT MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE THEY WOULD CLAIM WAS WRONG WITH IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296447

37,224 miles · Jul 2, 2009

Latches/locks/linkages

STUCK KEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275679

Official recalls

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. 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

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

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.

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

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.