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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42,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010

Steering

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT THROUGH A WINDING MOUNTAIN ROAD AND MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH OF ME OR MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS WITH ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310223

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2010

Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. STARTED 2 YEARS AGO. CHEVROLET COBALT 2005 LS. THE POWER STEERING USUALLY GOES OUT WITHIN 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING EVERY TIME. IT IS A VERY IRRITATING PROBLEM. I WOULD FIX, BUT IT COSTS A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A RECALL, AND THANK GOD THERE IS FINALLY AN INVESTIGATION. I K…

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NHTSA ODI #10310189

65,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010

Steering

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2005 COBALT WITH 65,000 MILES. CAME TO A STOP AND COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. DROVE STRAIGHT AND CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT. CAME TO A STOP AND NO PROBLEM TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK IT TO A SHOP WHERE THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH FIXING THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING. THIS INCLUDED THE ENTIRE STEERING SHAFT WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR AND SWITCHES ATTACHED AT A COST OF $900.00. TURNED THE COMPLAINT INTO CHEVROLET DEALER AND THE COMPLAINT WAS TAKEN TO GM WHERE AFTER TWO WEEKS SENT A LETTER STATING THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST DUE TO BEING 2ND HAND CAR WITH TOO MANY MILES ON THE CAR. SHOULD SOMEONE BE MAKING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING DECIDES TO STOP WORKING AN ACCIDENT WILL SURELY HAPPEN AND COULD KILL OR INJURY SOMEONE. MY GRANDCHILD RIDES WITH HER MOTHER AND I WOULD BE DEVASTATED IF I LOST THEM DUE TO GM NOT WANTING TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. AT LEAST TOYOTA DID THE RIGHT THING BY STOPPING PRODUCTION UNTIL THEIR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. NOTE THAT JUST REPLACING THE PART WITH A NEW ONE DOES NOT MEAN THE NEW PART WILL NOT GO OUT AT ANY TIME BECAUSE GM WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310132

63,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010

Steering

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALTS POWERSTEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310124

73,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SHE LOST ALL POWER WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE NORMALLY; YET, WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE FAILURE RECURRED. A LOCAL MECHANIC NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10310068

33,305 miles · Feb 12, 2010

Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10310038

65,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010

Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

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2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS BEGUN TO HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS INSIDE OF THE TIMELINE FOR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, BUT IS OVER MILES. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE POWER STEERING FAILURE, ENGINE STALLING, ROUGH SHIFTING, STRANGE MOVEMENTS OF THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. POWER STEERING LOSS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE ALSO STALL WHEN BRAKING. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TODAY AND THE SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE. MY WIFE AND I DRIVE OUR 1 YEAR OLD CHILD IN THIS CAR AND MY WIFE IS PREGNANT. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AS NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE WEB INDICATE THAT THIS IS A EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308980

50,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010

SteeringStructure

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING LOTS OF TIMES, SOMETIMES IT GOES OUT A COUPLE TIMES A DAY. OTHER TIMES IT DON'T GO OUT FOR A WEEK. I AM AN OLDER LADY AN I THOUGHT WITH GAS MILEAGE THE COBALT WOULD BE A GREAT CAR FOR ME. NOW I AM SCARED EVERY TIME I DRIVE,AS I AM AFRAID THE STEERING WILL GO OUT AND CAUSE ME TO WRECK. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THIS WORKED ON . WANT TO KNOW IF THERE WILL BE A RECALL AS ON THE TV THEY SAID THERE WERE LOTS OF COBALTS DOING THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308883

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 2010

SteeringSuspension

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VEHICLE BEGINS TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS AFTER DECELERATION FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CONTROL OF VEHICLE IS LOST DURING MOST VIOLENT VIBRATIONS, AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY DOES NOT HELP THE SITUATION. THIS VIBRATING (ON THE FRONT WHEELS ONLY) WILL CONTINUE FOR MILES/HOURS. THE ONLY THINGS NOTED ON ANY 2005 CHEVY COBALT WERE SAFETY FOR INTERIOR AND HEADLIGHTS BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 1100 REPORTS OF FAULTY POWER STEERING. SLOWER SPEEDS CAUSE THIS VIOLENT VIBRATION ON THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAS STARTED APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS CONTINUED AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THEN CURRENT DATE 12 FEBRUARY 2010. CONDITION KEEPS WORSENING, HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308871

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2010

Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY CHEVY COBALT. IT CUTS OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING AND REMAINS OUT. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS AND PARK. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO BEING IN ACCIDENTS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE STOP DRIVING MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS TO DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND IT IS TO MUCH OF A STRAIN FOR ME WHILE PR…

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NHTSA ODI #10308850

Official recalls

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. 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

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

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.

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

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.