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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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87,000 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Steering

MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT WOULD GO IN AND OUT UNTIL IT FINALLY GOT TO HARD TO DRIVE. I TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT HAD GONE BAD. I HAD IT REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF $400. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT THAT …

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING. IT WOULD GO IN AND OUT UNTIL IT FINALLY GOT TO HARD TO DRIVE. I TOOK INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT HAD GONE BAD. I HAD IT REPAIRED TO THE TUNE OF $400. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I WENT ON LINE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS VERY PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY AND SAFETY COMMISSION. I WAS REALLY UPSET WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH CHEVROLET BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED FURTHER. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS FOR DEALERSHIPS TO CHARGE US FOR ISSUES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM IS ALSO FAULTY. SOMETIMES IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, RESULTING IN HAVING THE WHOLE MECHANISM REPLACE IN NOVEMBER 2008 AND NOW IT APPEARS THAT IT MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK, IT DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY INTO GEAR AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING THE GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO PARK UNTIL IT RELEASE THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314792

70,000 miles · Feb 27, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILS TO WORK AND MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULT.WHEN CHANGING LANES. IT IS A 2005 COBALT. THIS STARTED AFTER 70,000 MILES AND WARRETY EXPIRED. CONTACTED GM AND THEY DIDNOT HELP. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPARE IS OVER $1200. IT IS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314789

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SUDDENLY GOES OUT. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THEN THE POWER STEERING WILL RETURN FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY REAL ACCIDENT WITH IT TO DATE, BUT I CAN TESTIFY THAT THE POWER STEERING DOES GO OUT IN CHEVY COBALTS. IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT FOR M…

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THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SUDDENLY GOES OUT. I HAVE FOUND THAT IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THEN THE POWER STEERING WILL RETURN FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY REAL ACCIDENT WITH IT TO DATE, BUT I CAN TESTIFY THAT THE POWER STEERING DOES GO OUT IN CHEVY COBALTS. IT'S PRETTY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND I'M A GROWN MAN OF AVERAGE STRENGTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314743

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND I GOT IT TWO YEARS AGO IT HAD 40,500 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND AT AROUND 45,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AND IM AFRAID THAT ONE TIME IT WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I TAKE A TURN OR SOMETHING IT WILL COME BACK AND IT WILL …

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND I GOT IT TWO YEARS AGO IT HAD 40,500 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND AT AROUND 45,000 MILES THE POWER STEERING STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AND IT GOES OUT AND COMES BACK NUMEROUS TIMES AND IM AFRAID THAT ONE TIME IT WILL GO OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN I TAKE A TURN OR SOMETHING IT WILL COME BACK AND IT WILL JERK THE CAR IT HAPPENED TO ME ALREADY ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT THE WALL I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM BEFORE AND FOUND ALOT OF THINGS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THE RESULTS ARE ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM/GWT/X?CT=NP&EI=HRSUS5SJAYENOAEOIMGDAW&SOURCE=M&U=HTTP%3A%2F%2FWWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/CHEVEROLET/COBALT/2005/STEERING/POWER_STEERING_FAILURE.SHTML&WHP=3588&WSC=GH&WSI=C21503F7CAF61233. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314739

94,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

I BOUGHT A CHEVY COBALT LS FOR MY SON TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DEPENDABLE CAR. MY SON INFORMED ME LAST NIGHT (2-25-10) THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND HE HAD A HARD TIME DRIVING CAR. THE LIGHT HAS NOT CAME ON SINCE INCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TODAY (2-26-10). THE …

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I BOUGHT A CHEVY COBALT LS FOR MY SON TO DRIVE BACK AND FORTH TO COLLEGE. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DEPENDABLE CAR. MY SON INFORMED ME LAST NIGHT (2-25-10) THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND HE HAD A HARD TIME DRIVING CAR. THE LIGHT HAS NOT CAME ON SINCE INCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER TODAY (2-26-10). THE SERVICE TECH TRIED TO TALK ME OUT OF HAVING IN HOOKED TO A COMPUTER. SHE VERBALIZED IT PROBABLY WON'T SHOW ANYTHING WHEN HOOKED TO DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. INFORMED HER I WANTED IT DONE ANYWAY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I HAD A MESSAGE ON ANSWERING MACHINE THAT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SO I GOT ON THE WEB. TRIED TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT. APPARENTLY THEY CAN ONLY BE BOUGHT THROUGH A DEALER. WHILE LOOKING ON THE WEB I FOUND OVER 60 COMPLAINTS WITH SAME PROBLEM. JUST READING ABOUT 10 COMPLAINTS, SOMEONE HAD WRECKED AND HAD PICTURES POSTED ON COMPLAINT. FOUND A PARENT ON U TUBE (THAT'S WHERE I GOT THIS WEB SITE) WHO WAS TELLING OTHER OWNERS TO COMPLAIN SO THAT GM WOULD HAVE TO FIX STEERING PROBLEM. I'M NOT A GENIUS, BUT SEEMS LIKE IF THERE ARE THIS MANY COMPLAINTS AND I ONLY STARTED LOOKING TODAY ON INTERNET, THAT GM WOULD HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I GUESS ENOUGH PEOPLE HADN'T DIED OR THEY HAVEN'T HAD ENOUGH BAD PUBLICITY LIKE WITH TOYOTA CARS. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT GM IF THESE ARE THE FACTORS THEY MOTIVATE THEM TO CHANGE. WE OWN 3 OTHER GM VEHICLES. I PLAN TO CONTACT GM HEADQUARTERS MONDAY (3-1-10), WHICH I AM SURE I WILL BE TOLD POOR ME BOO HOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314717

70,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

ABOUT A YEAR AGO OUR FAMILY'S 2005 CHEVY COBALT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND WENT OUT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE. NOW IT IS GOING OUT MORE FREQUENT AND GOES OUT AS SOON AS NOT EVEN GOING 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN IT GOES OUT YOU WILL HEAR A CLICK AND GETS HARD TO STEER NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314700

42,312 miles · Feb 26, 2010
SteeringVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH HER FOOT HER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. SHE THEN LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE STEERING WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WITH HER FOOT HER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. SHE THEN LOST ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE STEERING WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE, DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42312.

NHTSA ODI #10314569

70,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT ON OUR 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT REQUIRES US TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF. WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOES OUT AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE STOP AND RESTART THE CAR IT DOESN'T WORK. WE CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000.00 IT'S GOING…

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POWER STEERING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT ON OUR 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT REQUIRES US TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF. WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOES OUT AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE STOP AND RESTART THE CAR IT DOESN'T WORK. WE CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000.00 IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET IT FIXED BY THE DEALER SHIP AT THIS TIME. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING ITS A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS FROM THE CAR OTHER THAN THE POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314535

40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN JUNE 2008 AND AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR DINGED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND RAN OFF THE ROAD BARELY MISSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A WALK SIGN. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL IT WAS AN $87…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN JUNE 2008 AND AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR DINGED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND RAN OFF THE ROAD BARELY MISSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A WALK SIGN. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL IT WAS AN $875 REPAIR SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED 2 MONTHS PRIOR. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 40K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT REPAIR. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER. NOW FOR OVER A YEAR I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING WORRYING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY KIDS AND PASSENGERS AND ANGRY THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY THE AUTO MAKERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE AFTER I BEGIN DRIVING. I HAVE POWER STEERING WHEN I FIRST BEGIN DRIVING, BUT IT ALWAYS FAILS IN THE FIRST MINUTE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314511

51,432 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SIGNAL COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AND IT MAKES DRIVING VERY HARD TO STEER. IT LOCKS UP AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE MAKES IT HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN TURNING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314494

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.