NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
99 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Feb 19, 2021
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS INCORRECTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAUSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT POINT FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT GEARS INCORRECTLY AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA EFFORT WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED WHILE DRIVING, PROVIDING SPEED READINGS OF 40 MPH, 20 MPH, 50 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11396948
200,000 miles · Oct 8, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAR SHUT OFF. THIS LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I CALLED CHEVY DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS NOTIFIED IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALREADY REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY AND THAT I MAY BE CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE IF I BRING THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11363362
120,000 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST FUEL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY, AND "FAULTY POWER STEERING" AND "LOSS OF FUEL" APP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE STRENGTH TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST FUEL. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ALSO HESITATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY, AND "FAULTY POWER STEERING" AND "LOSS OF FUEL" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMAL SHIFTING NOISE. THE CONTACT CALLED ANDERSON CHEVROLET (31201 AUTO CENTER DR, LAKE ELSINORE, CA 92530, (951) 226-0822) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION RECALL WAS SERVICED IN 2009; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11242483
120,000 miles · Jun 22, 2019
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control
TCM MODULE, POWER STEERING AND ODOMETER NOT WORKING PROPERLY
NHTSA ODI #11221936
117,000 miles · Jul 12, 2018
Power Train
TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. SHIFTED FROM P TO R AND THE SHIFT WAS HARD. SHIFTED TO D AND A CLUNK OCCURRED. VEHICLE DID NOT DRIVE CORRECTLY. SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND STARTED IT AGAIN. PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED.
NHTSA ODI #11111091
80,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
EngineLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS CONSTANTLY LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRAWL IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDOW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DOORS CONSTANTLY LOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CRAWL IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDOW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED HARRY GREEN CHEVROLET AT 304-624-6304 (1858 E PIKE ST, CLARKSBURG, WV 26301) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V014000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11079659
132,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Power TrainSteering
RECALL NO. N100023 - I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ALMOST AT A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. A LITTLE LATER IT TURNED BACK ON. RECALL NO. 09041 - WHEN I SHIFT THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND THAT IS MADE INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFTER IS, AND THEN ALL OF MY SUDDEN MY CAR JE…
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RECALL NO. N100023 - I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ALMOST AT A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. A LITTLE LATER IT TURNED BACK ON. RECALL NO. 09041 - WHEN I SHIFT THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND THAT IS MADE INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFTER IS, AND THEN ALL OF MY SUDDEN MY CAR JERKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN MOTION. IT JERKS TO THE POINT I AM PHYSICALLY MOVED.
NHTSA ODI #11062005
117,500 miles · Oct 9, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR ALARMS POWER STEERING DISPLAY COMES ON, CAR SHAKES, WON'T SHIFT GEARS, WAS LOOKED AT , COMP SAID LOST CONNECTION TO TMC TRANS MODULAR CONTROL. WHILE IN MOTION
NHTSA ODI #11032329
170,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
ABOUT ONCE A MONTH "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DISPLAY, SOMETIME POWER ASSIST IS GONE, MOST TIMES IT IS STILL THERE BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND STALLS ENGINE WHEN STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. IF POWER STEERING COMES ON RIGHT AWAY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, SMACK PASS SIDE OF CENTER CONSOLE, THEN START, USUALLY OFF THE…
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ABOUT ONCE A MONTH "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DISPLAY, SOMETIME POWER ASSIST IS GONE, MOST TIMES IT IS STILL THERE BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND STALLS ENGINE WHEN STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. IF POWER STEERING COMES ON RIGHT AWAY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, SMACK PASS SIDE OF CENTER CONSOLE, THEN START, USUALLY OFF THEN, BUT IF VEHICLE IS HOT FROM SITTING IN SUN, OR VERY COLD IN WINTER, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT AND EITHER HEAT IT UP OR COOL IT OFF BEFORE PULLING OVER PARKING AND SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES, THEN HIT IT THEN START IT. TOLD DEALER OF THIS BEFORE P/S RECALL WORK WAS DONE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THEY ASK IF WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION, I SAID YES, THEY SAID OH HAVE A NICE DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11030806
99,000 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Power TrainSteering
POWER STEERING ALARM APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND TRANSMISSION BEGINS VERY HARD SHIFTING, CAUSING CAR TO 'BUCK' EACH TIME IT SHIFTS. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN IN MOTION. IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW OCCURS DAILY.
NHTSA ODI #11030108
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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