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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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30,000 miles · Dec 2, 2008
Steering

WITH LITTLE WARNING, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY; I BARELY COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL; WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; MY STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW I CONTINUE TO…

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WITH LITTLE WARNING, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY; I BARELY COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL; WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE AND THEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; MY STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW I CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END, WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON!!!! I THOUGHT CHEVY COBALT HAD GOOD CONSUMER REPORTS. WHAT HAPPENED CHEVROLET??? DID YOU ALL DECIDE THAT QUALITY JUST ISN'T WORTH A [XXX]! HOW ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY!!! I AM AN RN AND AM OUTRAGED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND YET NO PUBLIC RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250450

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2008
Steering

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME WHEN (WITH LITTLE WARNING), THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. THANK GOD HE WAS DRIVING SLOW (IN CITY LIMITS) AND NOT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY! A LOCAL DEALERSHIP DID THE REPAIR WORK WHICH MEANT THE STEERING COLUMN IN QUESTION WAS F…

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THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS BEING DRIVEN AT THE TIME WHEN (WITH LITTLE WARNING), THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO ALMOST HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT. THANK GOD HE WAS DRIVING SLOW (IN CITY LIMITS) AND NOT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY! A LOCAL DEALERSHIP DID THE REPAIR WORK WHICH MEANT THE STEERING COLUMN IN QUESTION WAS FIXED WITH THE SAME KIND OF STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT. I HAVE RECEIVED INFORMATION THAT NOT ONLY THIS MAKE AND MODEL HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT, BUT ALSO ANOTHER CHEVY MAKE AND MODEL AS WELL. OUR CONCERN IS THAT THIS "SHOULD" BE A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLES IN QUESTION. WE FEEL IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN TO US OR ANYONE ELSE. GOD FORBID THERE BE A TRAGIC ACCIDENT AND/OR FATALITY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249505

55,000 miles · Nov 20, 2008
Steering

I ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLIGHT BEND CAUSING ME TO ALMOST SIDE-SWIPE ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS YOU HEAR A CLICKING SOUND & THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING. I THINK TH…

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I ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR 2 WEEKS AGO BECAUSE MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLIGHT BEND CAUSING ME TO ALMOST SIDE-SWIPE ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS WHEN YOU START THE CAR, WITHIN A FEW SECONDS YOU HEAR A CLICKING SOUND & THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING. I THINK THERE'S A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN JANUARY BUT IT WAS ONLY A 30 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO OUR LOCAL DEALER & THEY STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS REPLACED BUT I WOULD COST ME $800 PLUS TAX. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN TOUCH WITH GM IN ORDER TO GET THIS FIXED UNDER A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT HAVE BEEN GETTING NOWHERE WITH THEM. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT MEANWHILE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED GM & GM HAS TOLD THEM THE SAME THING. "THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM." I HAVE REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT IS UNSAFE, SO MY HUSBAND HAS TO BE UNCONVINCED BY TAKING ME WHERE I NEED TO GO BECAUSE I CANNOT STEER IT. IT'S NOT SAFE FOR US OR OTHER PEOPLE, WHILE THIS CAR IS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249399

Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2008
Steering

I'VE HAD MY COBALT FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER 3 YEARS AND MY 'POWER STEERING' WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON. IF I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT WOULD GO AWAY FOR A BIT BUT THE WARNING WOULD COME BACK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND OF COURSE MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT SO I HAVE …

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I'VE HAD MY COBALT FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER 3 YEARS AND MY 'POWER STEERING' WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON. IF I STOPPED AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT WOULD GO AWAY FOR A BIT BUT THE WARNING WOULD COME BACK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND OF COURSE MY WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT SO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. MY DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE HAD TO REPAIR IT ON OTHER COBALTS. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248487

97,000 miles · Nov 10, 2008
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DIC WILL COME ON AND POWER STEERING WILL BE LOST. YOU CAN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR 5 MINUTES, 5 HOURS OR A DAY BEFORE OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. TH…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON THE DIC WILL COME ON AND POWER STEERING WILL BE LOST. YOU CAN PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY FOR 5 MINUTES, 5 HOURS OR A DAY BEFORE OCCURRING AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. THE DEALER HAS SAID THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248238

48,000 miles · Nov 7, 2008
Steering

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING FAILING IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THERE WERE REALLY NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE THAT I SEE AS POSSIBLY HAVING AN EFFECT ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS QUITE RANDOMLY. SOME DAYS IT WILL FAIL UP TO 4 TIMES, AND THEN IT MAY GO A WEEK OR TWO WITHOUT FAILING. IT DOES SEEM…

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I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY POWER STEERING FAILING IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THERE WERE REALLY NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE THAT I SEE AS POSSIBLY HAVING AN EFFECT ON THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURS QUITE RANDOMLY. SOME DAYS IT WILL FAIL UP TO 4 TIMES, AND THEN IT MAY GO A WEEK OR TWO WITHOUT FAILING. IT DOES SEEM TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN WARMER WEATHER. I AM OBVIOUSLY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OF POWER STEERING IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS COULD CERTAINLY BE FATAL FOR NOT ONLY MYSELF BUT ANY OTHER DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS INVOLVED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET BY THE FACT THAT CHEVY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS ELECTRONIC PART AT NO COST TO ME SINCE I DO NOT CONSIDER IT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAR. I FIND THIS TO BE MORE AN ISSUE OF CHEVROLET USING A LESS THAN SATISFACTORY PART FOR THE CAR. THEY HAVE RESPONDED THAT MY WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. I'VE RESEARCHED NUMEROUS FORUMS AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM IN MY 2005 COBALT BUT ONE FACED BY AT LEAST 100-200 OTHERS. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CHEVY DEALER, BUT FOR THE $1000 REPAIR COST THEY QUOTED ME I HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR UNTIL I CAN FIND A MORE REASONABLE PRICE OR CHEVY ISSUES A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247943

53,741 miles · Nov 4, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2005. TONIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME A 'POWER STEERING' MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY DASH AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON THINKING MAYBE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH IN MY COMPU…

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2005. TONIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME A 'POWER STEERING' MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON MY DASH AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TURNED MY CAR OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON THINKING MAYBE IT WAS JUST A GLITCH IN MY COMPUTER AND IT DROVE FINE FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES THEN THE MESSAGE POPPED UP AGAIN AND AGAIN I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION TO ATTEMPT TO SEE IF I WAS LOW OF FLUID BUT FOUND OUT ITS ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. SINCE I WAS ONLY A FEW MORE MILES FROM HOME I WAS ABLE TO, WITH HAZARDS FLASHING, DRIVE THE REST OF THE WAY HOME HAVING TO STOP ONCE MORE TO TURN OFF AND ON MY CAR TO REMOVE THE WARNING AND TO RE-ENGAGE MY POWER STEERING. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT MULTIPLE OTHER COBALT OWNERS HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE AND I THINK IT IS DEPLORABLE OF CHEVROLET TO NOT HAVE RECALLED THIS BY NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247705

30,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Steering

POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT GOES AND ON OFF. SOMETIMES LOSE POWER STEERING DURING DRIVING. WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RE-STARTED PROBLEM GOES AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247468

28,000 miles · Oct 30, 2008
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE I WAS ON A CURVE GOING AT A HIGH SPEED. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED! IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247220

67,000 miles · Oct 28, 2008
Steering

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE POWER STEERING WHEN OUT, LUCKILY I WAS PAYING ATTENTION AND DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES OCCURRED. THE CAR IS BEING LOOKED AT NOW BY THE DEALERSHIP. I RESEARCHED THIS TOPIC ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246951

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.