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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Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2007

Steering

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR LIT UP. WHEN CONTINUE DRIVING, NOTICE RESISTANCE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AS I PROCEEDED FURTHER, WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EVEN HARDER TO TURN. CALL ROADSIDE ASSIST. TO TOW CAR TO NEAREST DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200139

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2007

EquipmentSteering

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING TODAY. I CAME HERE TO RESEARCH IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS. I KEEP FINDING ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND AM NOW WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT SEE WHERE SOMEONE LOST LIFE SO I GUESS YOU DON'T CARE. YOU HAVE …

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NHTSA ODI #10197129

45,000 miles · Jul 14, 2007

Steering

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE POWER STEERING WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING ONLY WORKS FOR THE FIRST 20-40 SECONDS OF DRIVING AND THEN SHUTS OFF. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, HOWEVER A CAR WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196370

45,000 miles · Jun 15, 2007

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193471

37,000 miles · May 27, 2007

EquipmentExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAVE A 2005 COBALT I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS, A.C., SIGNAL LIGHTS ETC. BUT THE NEWEST PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING IT GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT DOES THIS EVERY DAY AT NO CERTAIN TIME. AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN THIS HAPPENS.WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT IT SAYS POWER STEERING ON DASH, MOST OF THE TIME I CAN PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT STEERS FINE FOR AWHILE. THE CAR HAS 37,500 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR A COLLISION. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.....THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191805

50,000 miles · Apr 18, 2007

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BELL RING AND THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING FAILED. HE HAD TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION SO THE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD DIM. AFTER TURNING ON THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING RESUMED AND THE LIGHT DIMMED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. AFTER RESEARCHING THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10188993

17,728 miles · Mar 18, 2007

SteeringCrashInjury

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2005 CHEVY COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, HEADING INTO A RIGHT HAND CURVE, MOTOR SHUT OFF AND STEERING COLUMN LOCKED CAUSING CRASH. CAR SENT TO DEALER TO INVESTIGATE ISSUE AND REPAIR COLISON DAMAGE. THEY STATE THAT NO ERROR CODES SO ACCIDENT MUST HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. I CONTACT MANUFACTURER AND AM TOLD, DEALER FOUND NO ISSUE, AND THEY DONT KNOW OF ANY OTHER SIMILAR ISSUES WITH COBALTS. I REQUEST A SAFETY REVIEW DUE TO MULTIPLE INSTANCES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND ONLINE, AND AM DENIED. EXPLAIN TO DEALER THAT INSTANCES EXCEDE VIRGINIA STATE LEMON LAW, AND THEY ARE NOT COOPERATIVE. SEEKING LEGAL COUCIL.

NHTSA ODI #10185470

82,106 miles · Mar 16, 2007

Steering

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH IT. SOME AREN'T LIFE THREATENING (LIKE THE POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING AND THE BRAKE LIGHT FLASHING), BUT I'VE HAD A MAF SENSOR SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP RUNNING WHILE I WAS DOING 60-65 MPH AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR STARTED BACK UP. I'VE RECENTLY DEALT WITH ANOTHER STEERING ISSUE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN UNEVEN/BUMPY ROAD AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE INFORMATION PANEL AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. THE STEERING BECAME VERY MUSHY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR. I'VE ALSO DEALT WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING AND THE CAB FILLING WITH GAS FUMES. THERE HAS BEEN HESITATION/LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE A/C IS ON, WHICH MAKES IT UNSAFE TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC OR BLIND CURVES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN VERY PROFESSIONAL AND HAVE CORRECTED WHAT PROBLEMS HAVE ARISED, BUT I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE DRIVING THE CAR AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10185360

18,000 miles · Dec 30, 2006

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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#1 I BROUGHT IT BACK BECAUSE STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS WAS TO THE LEFT EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING STRAIGHT. DEALER SAID IT WAS FINE, I COMPLAINED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEN DEALER SAID THEY FIXED IT. WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THE STEERING STILL LOOKS LEFT. #2 AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING, #3 LIQUID COMING OUT OF VENTS #4 CRICKET NOISES OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. I WAS TOLD AIR CONDITIONING WAS FINE, NO CRICKET NOISES AND IT WAS NORMAL FOR FLUID TO COME OUT OF VENTS. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AGAIN SAID A/C IS NOT FINE I ASKED THEM IF IT COULD BE SOME SORT OF FILTER (I AM NO MECHANIC) BUT IT WAS. THEY HAD CAR ALL DAY, WENT TO PICK IT UP BUT THEY SAID DASH WAS APART BECAUSE THEY WERE FIXING THE PROBLEM WITH THE FLUID COMING OUT OF THE DASH (AND I SAID I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM) THEY HAD THE CAR FOR THE WEEKEND. THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE FILTER AND I SAID I WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THAT AC AND DEFROSTER ETC SINCE DAY ONE. THEY TOOK OUT THE FILTER AND PUT IN AN OLD DIRTY FILTER THAT DID NOT COME FROM MY VEHICLE AS THE GUY FROM THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN MALDEN SAID HE FOUND IT IN THE TRASH, (HAS MADE MY DAUGHTER SICK). #5 WHILE DRIVING THE CAR I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY INTO A REST AREA AND THE CAR JUST DIED, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING NO BRAKES ETC. THE KEY WAS IN THE SWITCH AND IT WAS NOT OFF. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN. #6 THE ELECTRICAL DIDNT WORK, THEY FIXED THAT. I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THEY SAY THEY WILL CHECK INTO IT ETC AND CALL ME BACK, BUT THEY NEVER DO. I WANT THEM TO FIX THE STEERING WHEEL, FIX THE CAR STALLING OUT FOR NO REASON (WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED) AND PUT IN A NEW FILTER NOT SOMEONE ELSES DIRTY FILTER. I DON'T TRUST THE MALDEN DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON AT LEAST 7 OCCASIONS MOST OF WHICH THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177403

10,250 miles · Nov 2, 2006

Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED UP UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WAS GRADUAL WORSENING. UPDATED 12/18/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172468

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.