NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,143 reportsClear category filter49,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49000.
NHTSA ODI #10313737
75,300 miles · Feb 24, 2010
EquipmentSteering
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES " POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT. IF I CYCLE POWER THE PROBLEM RESETS BUT RECURS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EV…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES " POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT. IF I CYCLE POWER THE PROBLEM RESETS BUT RECURS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313556
10,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
IN MARCH OF 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE SHIFTER (WHERE YOU PUT IT IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE). THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD AT RANDOM & THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER…
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IN MARCH OF 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE SHIFTER (WHERE YOU PUT IT IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE). THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD AT RANDOM & THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD & TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON & IT HAD RESET ITSELF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM IMMEDIATELY. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS & WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ACT UP WHILE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I HAD NUMEROUS EPISODES OVER THE NEXT 6 MONTHS INCLUDING MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MILES ON THE FREEWAY. THEY COULD NEVER GET IT TO ACT UP DOING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED GMAC; THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO FIX THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE ONE OF THE COMPUTERS THAT THEY THOUGHT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND & JUST WRITE IT OFF SINCE BY THIS POINT THE MILEAGE WAS AT 31,000 BUT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS AT AROUND 10,000. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WAS OCTOBER 2006. I DID NOT HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE & IT DID THE WHOLE THING AGAIN. I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF & CALLED A DEALERSHIP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY KEPT IT FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. WHILE THEY HAD IT I WAS CALLING GMAC TO TRY & GET WHILE THEY HAD IT I WAS CALLING GMAC SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS AT 94,000. WHILE TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK PARRA DEALERSHIP & GMAC THE COMPUTER WAS NEVER REPLACED; ONLY RELOADED. TO THIS DAY THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED & IT STILL HAPPENS AT RANDOM. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS. THEY LOCK AT RANDOM & TRAP ME IN THE CAR OR WILL NOT LET ME IN. THERE IS A DEFINITE ELECTRONIC ISSUE!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313478
50,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT. THIS COULD BE DEADLY. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH 2005 CHEVY COBALT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313447
80,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
AS MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL, HER POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON AS THE WARNING BELLS IN HER DASH RANG. AT THAT POINT, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING IN HER CAR. SHE SAID THAT IT TOOK ALL OF HER STRENGTH TO MAKE THE REMAINING TURNS TO GET HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313390
50,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
AROUND 50K MILES MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY ON AVERAGE AROUND TWICE A DAY. IT WAS ONLY WHILE IN DRIVE, NEVER IN REVERSE OR PARK. THEN AROUND 60K-70K IT WOULD GO OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE BUT NEVER IN PARK OR REVERSE. THEN AROUND 80K IT STARTED HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. …
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AROUND 50K MILES MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY ON AVERAGE AROUND TWICE A DAY. IT WAS ONLY WHILE IN DRIVE, NEVER IN REVERSE OR PARK. THEN AROUND 60K-70K IT WOULD GO OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE BUT NEVER IN PARK OR REVERSE. THEN AROUND 80K IT STARTED HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. I AM AT 100K AND I AM CONCERNED IT WILL GO OUT MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. I HAVE HAD SOME "NEAR MISSES" WHEN IT GOES OUT WHILE IN A TURN OR BACKING UP. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AND ALSO INTERFERES WITH RESALE OPPORTUNITIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313031
28,880 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR , AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR , AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND STATED THAT IF SHE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN THEY WOULD ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS $1,000. THE REPAIR COST FOR THE MOTOR WAS $375.00. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,880.
NHTSA ODI #10313016
48,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,597.
NHTSA ODI #10313015
28,880 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Steering
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, 28,880 MILES. PURCHASED NEW OFF SHOWROOM FLOOR IN JULY 2006. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT MIGHT BE THE POWER STEERING BOX AND REPLACING IT COST ME $375.00 AND HALF A DAY OFF WORK. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING…
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2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, 28,880 MILES. PURCHASED NEW OFF SHOWROOM FLOOR IN JULY 2006. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT MIGHT BE THE POWER STEERING BOX AND REPLACING IT COST ME $375.00 AND HALF A DAY OFF WORK. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 28,880 MILES! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312974
75,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010
Steering
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES AND CANNOT BE TESTED UNLESS THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR IS ON, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED WHICH RESETS THE COMPUTER AND IT CANNOT BE TESTED. I HAVE NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVIN…
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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES AND CANNOT BE TESTED UNLESS THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR IS ON, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED WHICH RESETS THE COMPUTER AND IT CANNOT BE TESTED. I HAVE NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. I HAVE HAD OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AS MANY AT 15 TIMES IN ONE TRIP WHILE AT OTHER TIMES IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR AS MANY AS 4 DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10312914
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗