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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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69,800 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON. AT 300 YARDS THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING LOCKED AGAIN AND THE DUPLICATE FAILURE RECU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN ON. AT 300 YARDS THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING LOCKED AGAIN AND THE DUPLICATE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WILL BE CONTACTED TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY TIME HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,025.

NHTSA ODI #10312196

31,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT - POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312176

60,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Steering

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT 4 DOOR SEDAN HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING JUST CUTS OUT AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC AND CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IF YOU PULL OFF THE ROAD AND SH…

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT 4 DOOR SEDAN HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING JUST CUTS OUT AND IT CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR IS EXTREMELY HARD TO MANEUVER IN TRAFFIC AND CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND IF YOU PULL OFF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE THE ISSUE CORRECTS ITSELF. IT DOES NOT OCCUR IN COLD WEATHER AND OCCURS MORE OFTEN AS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INCREASES. FAILURES OF STEERING ARE CRITICAL COMPLAINTS AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312002

80,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

I DRIVE A 05 CHEVY COBALT.....MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT.....IT IS ELECTRONIC SO I TURN THE CAR OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP AND IT WILL COME BACK ON...MAY LAST 5 MILES OR 50.....HAD TO PAY 100 TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR....651.00.....TRYING TO GET A LOAN FROM THE BANK NOW TO RE…

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I DRIVE A 05 CHEVY COBALT.....MY POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT.....IT IS ELECTRONIC SO I TURN THE CAR OFF AND CRANK IT BACK UP AND IT WILL COME BACK ON...MAY LAST 5 MILES OR 50.....HAD TO PAY 100 TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON MY CAR AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR....651.00.....TRYING TO GET A LOAN FROM THE BANK NOW TO REPAIR....THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN TO...IVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR APROX A YEAR... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311891

61,200 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

1.) I FIRST HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED MY FRONT END CONTROL BUSHINGS REPLACED. UPON SUCCESSFUL REPLACEMENT OF SAID PARTS - WHICH SOLVED THE CLUNKING PROBLEM - I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO HEAR A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM …

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1.) I FIRST HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED MY FRONT END CONTROL BUSHINGS REPLACED. UPON SUCCESSFUL REPLACEMENT OF SAID PARTS - WHICH SOLVED THE CLUNKING PROBLEM - I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO HEAR A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN OF MY VEHICLE UPON DRIVING OVER ANY UNEVEN SURFACE (GRAVEL ROADS, SNOW/ICE COVERED ROADS, ETC). 2.) A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, THE RATTLING NOISE GREW WORSE, AND I ALSO NOTICED THE STEERING PULLING MUCH HARDER THAN USUAL WHEN TURNING AT SPEEDS OF 5-15 MPH. 3.) I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE LOCAL GM DEALER TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM AFTER I CONCLUDED SOME PERSONAL RESEARCH OF WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT I HAD BEEN INFORMED OF A POWER STEERING FAILURE AND POSSIBLE STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL/YEAR, AND REQUESTED THAT THEY LOOK INTO ANY CAUSE THAT MAY BE INFLUENCING SAID PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE RATTLING WAS SIMPLY A PROBLEM INSIDE THE DASHBOARD, AND TO COME BACK LATER IN THE SPRING SO HE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT (THERE WAS A FOOT OF SNOW ON THE GROUND AT THE TIME). HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM "WAS NOT THAT SERIOUS." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311785

50,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

SUDDEN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK CAUSES LOSS OF ABILITY TO STEER CAR EFFECTIVELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311771

25,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

IN 2008, MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WOULD LOOSE THE POWER STEERING AT RANDOM. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS WAS TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN AND IT ONLY HAS APPROX 45,000 MILES ON IT NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311663

70,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Steering

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN ONTO TRAFFIC FROM A GAS STATION. POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON VEHICLE, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER. ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS A WHOLE. OLD UNIT IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311617

46,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT 2.0. CUSTOMER LOST COMPLETE ASSIST IN POWER STEERING RENDERING VEHICLE UNSTABLE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES DASH WARNING FOR POWER STEERING, MULTIPLE TIMES PER TRIP. STEERING GEAR AND STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. CUSTOMER WAS FEARFUL OF DRIVING, DUE TO NEARLY HITTING A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE…

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2005 CHEVY COBALT 2.0. CUSTOMER LOST COMPLETE ASSIST IN POWER STEERING RENDERING VEHICLE UNSTABLE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES DASH WARNING FOR POWER STEERING, MULTIPLE TIMES PER TRIP. STEERING GEAR AND STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. CUSTOMER WAS FEARFUL OF DRIVING, DUE TO NEARLY HITTING A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311581

66,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO OPERATE. THE KEY ALSO GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10311462

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.