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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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54,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

2005 CHEVY COBALT CAR. POWER STEERING FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM NEEDLES JUMP UP AND DOWN LIKE CRAZY, ENGINE STALLS, WHEN PRESS GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, CAR JERKS FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS GO ON AND OFF. WHEN STEERING WHEEL FAILURE HAPPENS, VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ALMOST LOCKED UP. THIS H…

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2005 CHEVY COBALT CAR. POWER STEERING FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM NEEDLES JUMP UP AND DOWN LIKE CRAZY, ENGINE STALLS, WHEN PRESS GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, CAR JERKS FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS GO ON AND OFF. WHEN STEERING WHEEL FAILURE HAPPENS, VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ALMOST LOCKED UP. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY NOW AND IT'S ALMOST UNDRIVABLE. ONLY 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314450

66,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

1) DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED 2) POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. 3) RESTARTED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314447

45,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T STEER THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JUST WANDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THE COBALT…

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WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T STEER THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JUST WANDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THE COBALTS, WONDERING WHY CHEVY HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314429

50,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
SteeringCrash

2005, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED DOING ABOUT 45MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING MY CAR TO RUN INTO A DITCH; RESULTING IN BODY AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314424

59,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

OWN A 2205 CHEVY COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING KEEP GOING OUT. HAVE TO TURN OFF CAR AND THEN RESTART AND SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, MOST TIMES NOT. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314380

73,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER A WHILE, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN, BUT LATER THAT SAME DAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ONCE AGAIN. AS WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINANT, SHE WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED, THANK GOODNESS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314262

50,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

1. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. POWER STEERING FAILURE RANDOMLY OCCURS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. 3. SHUTTING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING ALLOWS FOR TEMPORARY RESOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314156

38,198 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering

POWERSTEERING FAILURE ON 2005 CHEVY COBALT . STEERING FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO NEWMIDDLETOWN OHIO ON DEC. 20,2009 WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FOR XMAS BREAK. IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT 11:30 P.M. AND SHE HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314115

69,606 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOME ON FEB. 8, 2010. THE "POWER STEERING " LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT …

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOME ON FEB. 8, 2010. THE "POWER STEERING " LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THIS IS VERY SCARY TO ME , AS I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME WHEN TRAVELING SOME DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313975

45,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Steering

MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT FROM A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 45K MILES WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SAFETY IS AN ISSUE. …

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MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT FROM A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 45K MILES WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SAFETY IS AN ISSUE. CHEVY WILL DO NOTHING AS THERE IS NOT RECALL AT THIS TIME. WHY DO WE GO AFTER FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURERS AND DO NOTHING TO AMERICAN COMPANIES? IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 1500 AND 2K TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313958

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.