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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

Steering complaints

1,143 reports
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48,000 miles · Feb 15, 2009
EquipmentSteeringVisibility

ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND IT WENT BACK TO WORKING. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, NO I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOW STOP WORKING AND MY AC IS LEAKIN…

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ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, AND IT WENT BACK TO WORKING. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN, NO I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE ISSUE. MY BACK DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS NOW STOP WORKING AND MY AC IS LEAKING ONTO MY FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD ABOUT 48,000 ON IT WHEN EVERYTHING STARTED TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258728

42,735 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM. INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON AND CAR LOSES POWER STEERING CONTROL.....VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258718

49,550 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Steering

RE:2005 CHEVY COBALT- POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND REVERTS TO MANUAL STEERING AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS STEERING PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN ON AN ICY TURN OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY,ETC. THERE IS NO ADVANCED WARNING THAT THE STEERING WILL FAIL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER UNEXPECTEDLY.THE DEALER SUG…

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RE:2005 CHEVY COBALT- POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND REVERTS TO MANUAL STEERING AT RANDOM INTERVALS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS STEERING PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN ON AN ICY TURN OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY,ETC. THERE IS NO ADVANCED WARNING THAT THE STEERING WILL FAIL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER UNEXPECTEDLY.THE DEALER SUGGESTS A NEW STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AT $800.00 . WE HAVE FOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSB)REGARDING THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE '05 COBALTS ALTHOUGH NO OFFICIAL RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED TBS REFERENCE NO 070232007 AND 070235004. DEALER MAINTAINS THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS , IN MY OPINION, AN "ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258701

34,400 miles · Feb 13, 2009
Steering

THERE WERE NO DEATHS, NO ACCIDENT, BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN IF I WAS MAKING A FAST TURN. AND WE SHOULDN'T WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. DRIVING ALONG, MAKING A TURN ON A QUITE STREET AND POWER STEERING JUST SHUT DOWN, I HEARD A WARNING BEEP AT THE SAME TIME I LOST MY POWER STE…

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THERE WERE NO DEATHS, NO ACCIDENT, BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN IF I WAS MAKING A FAST TURN. AND WE SHOULDN'T WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RECALLED. DRIVING ALONG, MAKING A TURN ON A QUITE STREET AND POWER STEERING JUST SHUT DOWN, I HEARD A WARNING BEEP AT THE SAME TIME I LOST MY POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY HAD TO FIGHT WITH THE CAR TO FINISH MAKING MY TURN. THE WARNING BEEP WAS WHEN THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" APPEARED IN THE DISPLAY WHERE IT SHOULD TEMP, AND MILEAGE. IT HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WARNING BEEP. THE WHOLE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. WAS ALSO TOLD, THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT NO NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258612

37,128 miles · Feb 9, 2009
Steering

THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT CEASES TO FUNCTION IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC OR WHILE MAKING TURNS. THIS CAUSES ME TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258120

47,000 miles · Feb 4, 2009
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH APPROX 45000 MILES. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AND THEN STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO MANEUVER. DID GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND HUGE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR. AFTER WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, IF THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT DISAPPEARS AND …

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2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH APPROX 45000 MILES. POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARS AND THEN STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO MANEUVER. DID GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND HUGE NUMBERS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR. AFTER WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, IF THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT DISAPPEARS AND THE STEERING IS OK AGAIN FOR A WHILE. TOOK CAR TO CHEVROLET DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $800+. HOW CAN SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM OCCUR ON A RELATIVELY NEW CAR AND THERE IS NO RE-CALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257477

49,000 miles · Feb 2, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN GREATER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10257170

34,583 miles · Jan 30, 2009
Steering

A CLUNK IN MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE, WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS WHILE TURNING. ALSO LOOSE STEERING, RATTLING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. GM REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, IT DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. IM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AT 50,000 MILES! THIS WILL COST ABOUT 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS.....…

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A CLUNK IN MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE, WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS WHILE TURNING. ALSO LOOSE STEERING, RATTLING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. GM REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, IT DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. IM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AT 50,000 MILES! THIS WILL COST ABOUT 2 THOUSAND DOLLARS..... PROBLEM NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER. INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN THERE IS A "BACKLASH" FORM THE GEARS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256949

41,212 miles · Jan 29, 2009
Steering

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING JUST TURNED OFF MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON THE STEERING COMES BACK FOR ABOUT A MIN THEN TURNS OFF AGAIN. I AM TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL BE OVER $800. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. I'VE…

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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE POWER STEERING JUST TURNED OFF MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WHEN I TURN MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON THE STEERING COMES BACK FOR ABOUT A MIN THEN TURNS OFF AGAIN. I AM TOLD THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL BE OVER $800. MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 4 YEARS OLD. I'VE ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE COMPUTER UPDATED TWICE DUE TO SAFETY LIGHTS GOING OFF WITH NO REASON. ALONG WITH REPLACING BOTH CONTROL ARMS AT THE REAR OF THE CAR DUE TO BAD BEARINGS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A MOTOR FOR THE HEATING THAT WAS BROKEN. FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS ABOUT 41,000 MILES ON IT THIS SEEMS LIKE TOO MUCH TO GO WRONG WITH A "QUALITY" CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256701

30,250 miles · Jan 27, 2009
Steering

I AM EXPERIENCING A RANDOM LOSS OF POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT APPEARS THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IN MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY QUITE WORKING. IF I SHUT THE CAR DOWN AND RESTART IT THE POWER STEERING WILL FUNCTION AGAIN FOR A TIME, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY GO OUT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256524

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.