I WOULD START MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LT AND ALL WOULD SEEM OK, BUT AFTER DRIVING FOR MAYBE 2-3 MINUTES, MY POWER STEERING WOULD GIVE OUT. IT WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AROUND THE CITY, RARELY WOULD IT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF IF I WOULD PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT…
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I WOULD START MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LT AND ALL WOULD SEEM OK, BUT AFTER DRIVING FOR MAYBE 2-3 MINUTES, MY POWER STEERING WOULD GIVE OUT. IT WOULD USUALLY HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING AROUND THE CITY, RARELY WOULD IT HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF IF I WOULD PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF MY CAR AND RESTART IT. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DOING THIS HOWEVER, MY CAR WOULD NO LONGER FIX ITSELF AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD STOP WORKING AFTER DRIVING JUST A FEW HUNDRED FEET, REGARDLESS IF IN THE CITY OR ON THE HIGHWAY. I ENDED UP HAVING TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE SUMMER OF 2009 BY HAVING THE POWER STEERING PART FIXED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TOTALING MORE THAN $500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311445
90,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering
THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. YOU WILL BE JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOES OUT. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF IT WILL COME BACK, BUT IT MAKES IT HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN IT DOES GO OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311436
46,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. HOWEVER, MOMENTS LATER THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THERE WER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. HOWEVER, MOMENTS LATER THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #10311374
43,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING) MY CAR LOSES ITS POWER STEERING. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE IS NO SPEED LIMIT, NO RHYME OR REASON. THE ONLY WAY I CAN FIX IT IS TO TURN THE CAR ENTIRELY OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASION…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING) MY CAR LOSES ITS POWER STEERING. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE IS NO SPEED LIMIT, NO RHYME OR REASON. THE ONLY WAY I CAN FIX IT IS TO TURN THE CAR ENTIRELY OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAD SUCH DIFFICULTLY STEERING THAT I BARELY MISSED HITTING OTHER CARS. TURNING CORNERS IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311091
50,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311065
65,300 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I HAD JUST TAKEN AN EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS BEGINNING TO TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER WAS ALSO MAKING A LEFT TURN IN THE LANE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. IT TOOK ALL THE MUSCLE I HAD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHICH WOULD …
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I HAD JUST TAKEN AN EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS BEGINNING TO TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER WAS ALSO MAKING A LEFT TURN IN THE LANE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. IT TOOK ALL THE MUSCLE I HAD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THE STEERING WORKED FINE AGAIN FOR ABOUT A MILE, THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. I SENT GM AN EMAIL TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO LET THEM KNOW HOW CONCERNED I WAS THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING IN COBALTS. I TOOK IT IN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT SINCE THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL I HAD TO PAY THE $768.12 TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH COBALTS AND I HAVE ASKED GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311062
88,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING TURNING OFF IN PARKING LOTS WHILE I MADE FULL TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. ITS REALLY RANDOM SOME TIMES IT SEEM TO NEVER WANT TO ST…
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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING TURNING OFF IN PARKING LOTS WHILE I MADE FULL TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. ITS REALLY RANDOM SOME TIMES IT SEEM TO NEVER WANT TO STAY ON AND SOMETIMES IT SEEM TO NOT AFFECT MY CAR AT ALL. SCARY THAT IT IS INCONSISTENT. I'M AWAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311056
124,552 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARED & W/IN MINUTES THE POWER STEERING FAILED. RESTARTING THE CAR RESET IT, BUT NOW IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE THE BEGINNING W/ ONE DEFECT AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE …
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THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARED & W/IN MINUTES THE POWER STEERING FAILED. RESTARTING THE CAR RESET IT, BUT NOW IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE THE BEGINNING W/ ONE DEFECT AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN JAN 2005. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS IT IS NOT IN OUR BUDGET AT $1200.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310859
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-20 WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING JUST GAVE OUT. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, TURNED THE CAR OFF STARTED IT UP, THE LIGHT WENT OUT. NOW AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS TERRIBLE. THE CAR IS, OF COURSE, OUT OF WARR…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-20 WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING JUST GAVE OUT. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, TURNED THE CAR OFF STARTED IT UP, THE LIGHT WENT OUT. NOW AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS TERRIBLE. THE CAR IS, OF COURSE, OUT OF WARRANTY. TALKED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY ONLY HAD 1 CAR BROUGHT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IT WAS COSTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310806
42,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
TL-*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 55 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TRIED TO TURN AROUND A CURB AND HAD NO POWER STEERING WHICH MADE FOR A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING. SHE STATED THAT THE LONGER THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, THE MORE SHE FELT…
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TL-*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 55 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TRIED TO TURN AROUND A CURB AND HAD NO POWER STEERING WHICH MADE FOR A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING. SHE STATED THAT THE LONGER THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, THE MORE SHE FELT AS IF THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM WAS LOCKING UP ALTOGETHER. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALRIGHT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. THEY TOLD HER THAT IT JUST MADE THE VEHICLE HARDER TO DRIVE. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,503. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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