IllustrationDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION NOR COULD IT BE REMOVED. ALSO THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE STEERING COLUMN IN JANUARY, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES DUE TO INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SUDDENLY TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AT VARIOUS SPEED. THE WHEEL LOCKED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUM…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES DUE TO INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED SUDDENLY TWICE WHILE DRIVING, AT VARIOUS SPEED. THE WHEEL LOCKED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. EACH TIME THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH DURING THE FAILURE. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED FOUR TIMES. THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, ALL THE GAUGES FLUTTERED, THE FUEL GAGE SHOWED AN INACCURATE READING, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. ON ONE OCCASION THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOUSING, BUT THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ON ALL OTHER OCCASIONS THE DEALER COMPLETED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK WAS FULL OF GAS, HOWEVER THE LOW FUEL ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE RADIO MALFUNCTIONED TWICE. UPDATED 04/06/06. *JB
THE 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AS STATED IN THE HAND BOOK IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STOP POSITION YOU MAY LOSE POWER ASSIST, THAT DOES HAPPEN. IN MY OPINION YOU SHOULD NEVER LOSE POWER STEERING. IT OCCURS OFTEN WITH ME BECAUSE I TEACH DRIVER EDUCATION, AND IN PENNSYLVANIA PART OF THE TES…
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THE 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AS STATED IN THE HAND BOOK IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STOP POSITION YOU MAY LOSE POWER ASSIST, THAT DOES HAPPEN. IN MY OPINION YOU SHOULD NEVER LOSE POWER STEERING. IT OCCURS OFTEN WITH ME BECAUSE I TEACH DRIVER EDUCATION, AND IN PENNSYLVANIA PART OF THE TEST REQUIRES PARALLEL PARKING. WHEN TEACHING STUDENTS WE VERY OFTEN LOSE POWER STEERING. IF YOU ARE IN A CITY SITUATION AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE MANY TURNS TO GET INTO A SPOT YOU WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. GENERAL MOTORS CLAIMS THIS IS NOT A BIG ENOUGH PROBLEM TO WARRANT LOOKING INTO. I FEEL IN CAN VERY WELL BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON DECEMBER 27, 2005 W…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO TURN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON DECEMBER 27, 2005 WHILE AT 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AGAIN RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES, THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPDATED 2/13/2006 - *NM
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED , AND THEY STATED THE…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED , AND THEY STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) NHTSA 10017497 THAT DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER THERE WAS NO SOLUTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TS THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING MODULE. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF THE TIME AND WOULD OCCUR WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FLASHING THAT HELD THE TUMBLER AND THE S HAD COLLAPSED. THE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A SNAPPING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN AND COULD FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENED ALL OF THE TIME AND WOULD OCCUR WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE FLASHING THAT HELD THE TUMBLER AND THE S HAD COLLAPSED. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE DEALER NOT TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT BUT THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY ORDERED THE PART. *AK (12/01/05) AFTER THE COLUMN WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE WHEEL COVER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH RINGS TO HOLD THE RIMS TIGHT AND WOULD RATTLE WHEN GOING OVER LIGHT BUMPS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT PILLAR WAS LOOSE. *SC
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WAS HAVING TWO PROBLEM. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED THE ABS LOCKED THE TIRES. THE MAIN ISSUES WITH THE CAR WAS THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TILTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING THE VEHICLE STALL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROUGHT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM WITH FORCE AND THE VEHICLES STALLE…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WAS HAVING TWO PROBLEM. THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED THE ABS LOCKED THE TIRES. THE MAIN ISSUES WITH THE CAR WAS THE STEERING COLUMN. THE TILTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MAKING THE VEHICLE STALL. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROUGHT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM WITH FORCE AND THE VEHICLES STALLED. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AROUND A MONTH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OVER THE ABS , AND THEY DENIED HAVING A PROBLEM.*AK
DT : THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE BUMPED THE KNEE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN THE ENGINE DIED. SHE WAS NOT HITTING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT JUST BUMPING THE UNDERNEATH SIDE OF THE COLUMN. IT DID NOT NEED TO BE HIT VERY HARD TO HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWA,Y AND ONCE TO HE…
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DT : THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE BUMPED THE KNEE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN THE ENGINE DIED. SHE WAS NOT HITTING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT JUST BUMPING THE UNDERNEATH SIDE OF THE COLUMN. IT DID NOT NEED TO BE HIT VERY HARD TO HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWA,Y AND ONCE TO HER SON. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK
DT:THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THIS VEHICLE WAS RENTED BY THE CONSUMER FOR THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE, AND GOT INTO A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WAS EITHER IN THE STEERING OR THE TIRES. AN INVESTIGATOR WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM . CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY …
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DT:THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THIS VEHICLE WAS RENTED BY THE CONSUMER FOR THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE, AND GOT INTO A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM WAS EITHER IN THE STEERING OR THE TIRES. AN INVESTIGATOR WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM . CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THIS NOISE. SHE LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. 2 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT CONTACTS VEHICLE HIT THE LEFT SIDE OF A DIESEL SEMI TRUCK, BUT SHE STATED THAT VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE POLICE REPORT STATED THAT THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE DIESEL TRUCK. THE POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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
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.
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
1PE10005 · 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.