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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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103,456 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Steering

MY POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL 3-4 TIMES A WEEK NOW. I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND HAD RECENTLY LOST MY STEERING IN A SNOW STORM. I HAVE CONTACTED GMAC, AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, BUT REPAIR IT IF NECESSARY @ MY EXPENSE, SEEING AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROB…

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MY POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL 3-4 TIMES A WEEK NOW. I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND HAD RECENTLY LOST MY STEERING IN A SNOW STORM. I HAVE CONTACTED GMAC, AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, BUT REPAIR IT IF NECESSARY @ MY EXPENSE, SEEING AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS LITTLE TIME LAPSE BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR, AND LOSING THE POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310589

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT FAILED WHILE MAKING A TURN ON A BUSY STREET. THE SUDDEN FAILURE CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. I HAD 3 OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME, COULD'VE BEEN TRAGIC!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310563

59,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS DOING 30MPH WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD WENT ON AND I HAD A HARD TIME STEERING THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM STOPPED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. MY MECHANIC CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310557

94,783 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT - HAD TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE REPAIR WAS MADE BY OUR LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER I.G. BURTON IN SEAFORD, DE FOR $998.94 ON 8/27/09. CODE #9996 THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY DUE TO FAULTS IN MOTOR UNIT. PART #19200751 F-COLUMN KIT AND PART #4238 CPC.. I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER A…

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2005 CHEVROLET COBALT - HAD TOTAL POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE REPAIR WAS MADE BY OUR LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER I.G. BURTON IN SEAFORD, DE FOR $998.94 ON 8/27/09. CODE #9996 THEY REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY DUE TO FAULTS IN MOTOR UNIT. PART #19200751 F-COLUMN KIT AND PART #4238 CPC.. I COMPLAINED TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. A REPRESENTATIVE RESPONDED BACK BY TELEPHONE DENYING MY REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL RE-IMBURSEMENT CLAIMING "THEY HAD NO REPORTS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310549

40,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainSteering

WE PURCHASED A USED 2005 COBALT AND HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN THEY WOULD SAY THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO US UNREPAIRED AS IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN AND ON ONE OCCASION IT ALMOST RESULTED IN A SEVERE …

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WE PURCHASED A USED 2005 COBALT AND HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN THEY WOULD SAY THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND WOULD RETURN THE CAR TO US UNREPAIRED AS IT WOULD DO THE SAME THING AGAIN AND AGAIN AND ON ONE OCCASION IT ALMOST RESULTED IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE TURNING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND THE STEERING WENT OUT. THANK GOD THE OTHER DRIVERS WERE ALERT AND A NEAR AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED. THEY TELL US IT CAN BE FIXED BUT NOW THAT IT'S OUT OF FACTORY AND SOMEHOW EVEN EXTENDED WARRANTY THEY HAD US PURCHASE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST UNTIL WE PAID IT OFF HAVE EXPIRED THEY WANT US TO NOW PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND EVEN $100 TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. WE GOT A REPORT THAT THIS CAR HAD ISSUES FROM DAY ONE AND WERE NEVER TOLD BUT RECEIVED IT LATER FROM GM INDICATING THE CAR HAD A SOME PROBLEMS AND WAS SOLD TO OUR DEALERSHIP AT A GM AUCTION. WE FEEL STUCK WITH THIS CAR AND TRUSTING IN GOD EACH DAY THAT THE PROBLEM WON'T OCCUR AND CAUSE LOSS OF LIFE TO ANYONE. PLEASE MAKE GM RECALL AND REPAIR THESE COBALTS SO THAT LOSS OF LIFE OR LIMB ISN'T A RESULT AT ANYTIME. THIS OCCURS QUIT OFTEN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310420

59,835 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT NOW HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE APROX. 5-30 SEC. AFTER I START MOVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310366

58,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT RANDOMLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN I WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO , 01/28/2010, ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I ALMOST CRASHED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FLUKE, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE, AND I AM NOW FORCED NOT TO DRIVE IT FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS. IT IS EXTREMELY D…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT RANDOMLY. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN I WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO , 01/28/2010, ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I ALMOST CRASHED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A FLUKE, BUT IT HAPPENS EVERYTIME I DRIVE, AND I AM NOW FORCED NOT TO DRIVE IT FOR OBVIOUS SAFETY REASONS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT TO BE HAPPENING AT THIS POINT IN THE CAR'S LIFE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310341

54,000 miles · Feb 14, 2010
Steering

MY 05 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT I HEAR A "DING DING" THEN THE WORDS POWER STEERING FLASHES ON AND THE T/C LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND MPH AND RPM GAUGES FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH AND STEERING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE IT FIRST WENT OUT AT AROUND 54000 MILES I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BUT AT ARO…

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MY 05 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT I HEAR A "DING DING" THEN THE WORDS POWER STEERING FLASHES ON AND THE T/C LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND MPH AND RPM GAUGES FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH AND STEERING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE IT FIRST WENT OUT AT AROUND 54000 MILES I REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BUT AT AROUND 55000 THE POWERING STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN SO I REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BUT THE POWERING STEERING HAS GONE OUT TWICE SINCE THEN ALWAYS AT RANDOM TIMES ALL THE OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310297

66,239 miles · Feb 13, 2010
Steering

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT THREE TIMES AND I CAN NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE.. I FELT THAT MY LIFE AND FAMILY WAS ENDANGERED. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310237

58,350 miles · Feb 13, 2010
Steering

I WAS RUNNING AN ERRAND EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 45F) WHEN MY DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WARNED OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. AT THE TIME I WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ONLY GOING ABOUT 25MPH, SO WHEN I GOT TO THE UPCOMING STOP SIGN, I SHUT DOWN AND RESTA…

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I WAS RUNNING AN ERRAND EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 45F) WHEN MY DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WARNED OF A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. AT THE TIME I WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD ONLY GOING ABOUT 25MPH, SO WHEN I GOT TO THE UPCOMING STOP SIGN, I SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED MY CAR. I DROVE ANOTHER 5 MILES TO PICK UP SOME FOOD AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM UP TO THAT POINT. ON THE REMAINING MILE FROM THE FOOD STOP TO MY HOME, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT TWICE. I WAS ON A STRAIGHT ROAD GOING ABOUT 35MPH THE FIRST TIME, AND THE SECOND TIME I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY CAR SINCE THEN, AND AT THIS MOMENT I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MONDAY (IF THEY ARE NOT CLOSED FOR PRESIDENT'S DAY). THE REASON I AM REPORTING THIS TO NHTSA SORT OF PREMATURELY IS BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURRING PROBLEM BASED ON WHAT I FOUND AFTER LOOKING UP 'CHEVY, COBALT, POWER, STEERING' ON A SEARCH ENGINE. ONE ARTICLE ALONE HAD OVER 810 COMMENTS, ALL OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310234

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.