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

Clear category filter

64,000 miles · Aug 25, 2008

Steering

WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL I HEAR METAL CLUNKING KIND OF LIKE A BALL JOINT COMING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239637

49,500 miles · Aug 23, 2008

Electrical SystemSteering

Read full complaint

THE TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WAS WHEN WE WERE ON OUR WAY (MY WIFE AND I) TO CANADA FOR A WEDDING, WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION AND THE ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE CAR LITERALLY STARTS HOPING DOWN THE ROAD, THEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IT COMPLETELY STALLED. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE LOOKED IN THE MANUAL, BECAUSE WE HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A MONTH AND FOUND THE POWER STEERING PIECE TO CONTACT GMC. WELL BEING IN THE CITY AND ALL DEALERSHIPS CLOSED WE COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. WE SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND TRIED TO RESTART, THE SAME THING OCCURRED- WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC NEAR BY (WHEN FINALLY IT WAS WORKING) AND THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. WE GAVE UP AND FINALLY WENT HOME TO MY MOTHER IN LAWS HOUSE. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND THEN I CAME ONTO NOT ONE BUT MANY WEBSITES VIA GOOGLE ON HOW MUCH TROUBLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THEIR COBALTS. WE ARE VERY UNFORTUNATE AND DO NOT HAVE WARRANTY LEFT OVER. SO WHEN IT COMERS TO REPLACING THE 2000.00 PART WE CAN NOT. I REALLY NEED MY CAR TO RUN PROPERLY -MY WIFE AND I LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES AND ITS A LONG WAY HOME!!! I REALLY HOPE WE DO NOT GET INTO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT ALONG THE WAY DUE TO THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION, OTHERWISE OUR LAWYER AND GMC WILL BE TALKING. AT THIS TIME I WANT A RESOLUTION FROM SOMEONE! HOW CAN GMC PRODUCE A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE KNOWN ISSUES AND CONTINUE TO SELL IT WITHOUT NOTIFYING PEOPLE HOW DEADLY IT IS. I AM VERY UPSET AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GMC PRODUCT AGAIN. IF ANYONE AT THIS COMPANY CAN DO SOME EASY RESEARCH AND FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE KNOW ISSUE OF POWER STEERING OUT THERE. I WANT A RESOLUTION AND SOMEONE TO PAY FOR THE CONSEQUENCE. I NEED TO BE CONTACTED ASAP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239496

50,359 miles · Aug 22, 2008

Steering

Read full complaint

AFTER PICKING UP THE CHILDREN I TAKE CARE OF, I TOOK THEM HOME AS USUAL. TO MY SURPRISE, AS I TURN ONTO THEIR STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS TURNING SLIGHTLY RIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH AND THE LIGHT ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED "POWER STEERING." I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, WAIT A FEW MINUTES, PUT IT IN DRIVE AGAIN, AND STILL NO POWER STEERING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON AGAIN, THINGS WERE BACK TO NORMAL. AS I LEAVE WORK, POWER STEERING IS BACK TO WORKING, UNTIL I MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY ENTRY WAY. I MANAGED TO HOLD MY CAR STEADY TO GET TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, BUT TO DO SO I HAD TO CROSS ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AGAIN INDICATED "POWER STEERING." I TURNED THE CAR OFF, BACK ON AGAIN AND IT WAS NORMAL. DRIVING A VEHICLE AND HAVING NO INDICATION THAT THE POWER STEERING IS OUT,UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE, IS UNACCEPTABLE. GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND YET THEY DO NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND THAT IS ALSO UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239247

35,051 miles · Aug 21, 2008

Steering

Read full complaint

HIGHWAY DRIVING TO VISIT FRIENDS AT THE BEACH. "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON THE DASH AND THE STEERING WHEEL GOES STIFF. WE MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY; UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, THE MESSAGE WAS NOT PRESENT. THE SAME MESSAGE AND POWER STEERING FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES THAT SAME DAY. THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD AS ANY SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING IN A CRITICAL MOMENT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN THE CAR TO BE REPAIRED YET BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSIS SEEMS CLEAR FROM MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE (SEE HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-COBALT/T8FMSUQB7V2DTH5JH FOR OVER 110 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS) THE STANDARD RESPONSE FROM GM APPEARS TO BE TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC POWER ASSIST ASSEMBLY AT CUSTOMER COST GREATER THAN $600. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH A COMMON FAILURE AND FOR SUCH A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS CAR IS ONLY THREE MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. ALSO PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WAS AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION (PE07023) OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT OF THE 2005 PONTIAC G6 WHICH MAY BE THE SAME SYSTEM FAILING IN THE SAME WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239143

29,500 miles · Aug 18, 2008

Steering

Read full complaint

2005 COBALT 2.2L 5-SPEED 30,000 MILES I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN I RECEIVED A POWER STEERING MESSAGE ON MY CARS DASHBOARD DISPLAY BUT BEING ON A STRAIGHT ROAD DIDN'T REALLY NOTICE THAT THERE WASN'T ACTUALLY ANY POWER STEERING I WANTED TO PULL OFF AT A REST STOP TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD BUT WHEN I CAME TO THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP FOR THE REST AREA I COULD BARELY STEER THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER NOW THE STEERING CUTS IN AND OUT USUALLY ABOUT 2-10 MIN AFTER STARTING THE CAR I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THE REPAIR CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM 600-2000 DOLLARS NOT HAVING THAT KIND OF MONEY RIGHT NOW I AM DRIVING W/OUT POWER STEERING AWAITING A RECALL FROM GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238752

28,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008

Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SHUTS OFF AT RANDOM INTERVALS. IN ORDER TO REGAIN EPS FUNCTION, THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 4-6 TIMES DURING A 30 MINUTE TRIP. CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER TO SUBSTANTIAL COST TO FIX THE EPS SYSTEM IF IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. RESEA…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10237813

31,600 miles · Aug 8, 2008

Steering

Read full complaint

RECENTLY, AFTER HITTING THE 30,000 MILE MARK ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS, THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN FAILING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. I WILL BE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR IN A TURN AND EITHER ONE WILL CAUSE THE FAILURE TO HAPPEN JUST THE SAME. IT HAS BEEN FAILING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY, STARTING AT ABOUT TWICE A WEEK TO NOW 4 TO 5 TIMES A DAY AND MAKES DRIVING INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. I REFUSE TO TAKE THIS CAR THROUGH ANY MOUNTAINOUS AREAS FOR FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL AND HURTING MY LOVED ONES BESIDE ME. THIS ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY, FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, NOT JUST THOSE IN THE COBALT. PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AS I'VE READ MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ACROSS MANY MESSAGE BOARDS DESCRIBING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CHEVY COBALTS. STACY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237508

43,000 miles · Aug 6, 2008

Steering

05 CHEVY COBALT WITH POWER STEERING LIGHT GOING ON RANDOMLY. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AND I AM LOSING CONTROL OVER IT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237211

81,000 miles · Aug 2, 2008

Steering

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THEN AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE AND WAS ABLE TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AGAIN. I DROVE FOR ANOTHER 30 SECONDS OR SO BEFORE THE STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN. THE STEERING CONTINUED TO GO OUT AFTER DRIVING A SHO…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10236747

39,000 miles · Aug 2, 2008

Steering

MY DAUGHTER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON THE CAR, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE PROBLEM IS RANDOM. HER WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT $2000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10236701

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.