NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,143 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Jan 16, 2018
Steering
'TAMARA RECALL' THE EPS IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN MAKING TURNS AND WHEN PARKING IT STOPS WORKING AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE A COWORKER THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS REPORTS BY CONSUMERS THAT HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH GM. MY CHILDREN USE THIS VEH…
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'TAMARA RECALL' THE EPS IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WHEN MAKING TURNS AND WHEN PARKING IT STOPS WORKING AND VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE A COWORKER THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS WELL AS NUMEROUS REPORTS BY CONSUMERS THAT HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH GM. MY CHILDREN USE THIS VEHICLE TO GO TO COLLEGE AND I WANT TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WON'T COST THEM THEIR LIVES DUE TO NEGLEGENCE BY GM! I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD MATTER HOW OR WHEN IT OCCURS! IT'S OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND GM SHOULD THINK VERY SERIOUSLY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM!
NHTSA ODI #11063137
191,505 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Steering
TAKATA RECALL THE STEERING WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL FOR MY CHEVY COBALT 2005 AND IT WAS STATIONARY IN OUR PARKWAY AND WE CAN BARELY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THAT?
NHTSA ODI #11062148
132,000 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Power TrainSteering
RECALL NO. N100023 - I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ALMOST AT A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. A LITTLE LATER IT TURNED BACK ON. RECALL NO. 09041 - WHEN I SHIFT THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND THAT IS MADE INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFTER IS, AND THEN ALL OF MY SUDDEN MY CAR JE…
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RECALL NO. N100023 - I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ALMOST AT A STOP. THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. A LITTLE LATER IT TURNED BACK ON. RECALL NO. 09041 - WHEN I SHIFT THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND THAT IS MADE INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFTER IS, AND THEN ALL OF MY SUDDEN MY CAR JERKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN MOTION. IT JERKS TO THE POINT I AM PHYSICALLY MOVED.
NHTSA ODI #11062005
155,000 miles · Dec 6, 2017
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed Control
TAKATA RECALL WHILE I AM DRIVING MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. MY GEAR SHIFT STARTS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, WHEN I PRESS ON GAS WHEN IT GOES TO CHANGE GEARS IT JUMPS INTO THE NEXT GEAR, WHEN I TRY TO STOP IT WON'T LET ME THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO GO FASTER WHEN I'M TRYING TO S…
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TAKATA RECALL WHILE I AM DRIVING MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER STEERING. MY GEAR SHIFT STARTS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE, WHEN I PRESS ON GAS WHEN IT GOES TO CHANGE GEARS IT JUMPS INTO THE NEXT GEAR, WHEN I TRY TO STOP IT WON'T LET ME THE ENGINE FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO GO FASTER WHEN I'M TRYING TO STOP. I HAVE HAD FHE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AND IT'S A ONGOING PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11052868
120,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COULD NOT BE STEERED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11032054
170,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
ABOUT ONCE A MONTH "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DISPLAY, SOMETIME POWER ASSIST IS GONE, MOST TIMES IT IS STILL THERE BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND STALLS ENGINE WHEN STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. IF POWER STEERING COMES ON RIGHT AWAY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, SMACK PASS SIDE OF CENTER CONSOLE, THEN START, USUALLY OFF THE…
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ABOUT ONCE A MONTH "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON DISPLAY, SOMETIME POWER ASSIST IS GONE, MOST TIMES IT IS STILL THERE BUT TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD AND STALLS ENGINE WHEN STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT. IF POWER STEERING COMES ON RIGHT AWAY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE, SHUT OFF, SMACK PASS SIDE OF CENTER CONSOLE, THEN START, USUALLY OFF THEN, BUT IF VEHICLE IS HOT FROM SITTING IN SUN, OR VERY COLD IN WINTER, YOU HAVE TO DRIVE IT AND EITHER HEAT IT UP OR COOL IT OFF BEFORE PULLING OVER PARKING AND SHUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES, THEN HIT IT THEN START IT. TOLD DEALER OF THIS BEFORE P/S RECALL WORK WAS DONE THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED, WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP THEY ASK IF WE WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION, I SAID YES, THEY SAID OH HAVE A NICE DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11030806
99,000 miles · Sep 27, 2017
Power TrainSteering
POWER STEERING ALARM APPEARS ON DASHBOARD. POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AND TRANSMISSION BEGINS VERY HARD SHIFTING, CAUSING CAR TO 'BUCK' EACH TIME IT SHIFTS. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURED BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN IN MOTION. IT WAS INTERMITTENT, BUT NOW OCCURS DAILY.
NHTSA ODI #11030108
180,000 miles · Sep 14, 2017
Steering
I HAD RECALL 10V073000 PERFORMED BY THE DEALER DUE TO NOTICING MY STEERING WAS GETTING TIGHT THEN SLOPPY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR AND SAID THE SLOP IN THE STEERING WAS A BAD INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. SO I BOUGHT THAT AND HAD IT INSTALLED, NOT AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WHERE RIDICULOUS IN PRICE, AND IT FIXED NOTHING. TH…
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I HAD RECALL 10V073000 PERFORMED BY THE DEALER DUE TO NOTICING MY STEERING WAS GETTING TIGHT THEN SLOPPY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR AND SAID THE SLOP IN THE STEERING WAS A BAD INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. SO I BOUGHT THAT AND HAD IT INSTALLED, NOT AT THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY WHERE RIDICULOUS IN PRICE, AND IT FIXED NOTHING. THERE WAS STILL SLOP AND WANDERING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER A WHILE, MAKING LEFT TURNS I WOULD HEAD A CLUNK AND IT WOULD STILL BE DIFFICULT TO TURN. THEN WHILE MAKING A SLOW LEFT TURN IT WAS REALLY TIGHT AND THEN A LOUD CLUNK THEN THE STEERING BECAME REALLY LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING UNTIL I TURNED THE WHEEL MORE AND IT FINALLY GRABBED. IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY NOW. I WAS TOLD THE RACK IS NOW DAMAGED. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER WAS AN INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS WHEN I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED. THE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR PUT EXCESS STRESS ON THE RACK WHICH CAUSED THE GEARS TO WEAR IS WHAT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP TOLD ME. GM IS TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO GET A "PROPER DIAGNOSIS" FROM THE DEALER WHEN AT THE TIME THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED THEY HAD DIAGNOSED IT INCORRECTLY.
NHTSA ODI #11023415
172,242 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING), BUT IT EXHIBITED THE SA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING), BUT IT EXHIBITED THE SAME CONDITION MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,242.
NHTSA ODI #11022160
173,450 miles · Aug 5, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ON MY CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 STAYS ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, SO NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS PERIODICALLY WHEN I A…
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THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT ON MY CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 STAYS ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYS ON AS WELL AT THE SAME TIME THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON, SO NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE JERKS PERIODICALLY WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD AND THERE IS ROUGH SHIFTING OF GEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11013021
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 ↗
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