IllustrationI HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS LEAVING WORK. IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ON MY WAY HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME MAKING TURNS. THE END RESULT WAS HAVING TO HAVE IT BE REPLACED. *TR
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN 30 MINUTES. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIM…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. WITHIN 30 MINUTES. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE DIAGNOSED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55968. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55975. UPDATED 03/10/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER WOULD GO OUT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. UPDATED 05/20/10.*JB
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND WHEN I'M GOING DOWN THE ROAD A LIGHT COMES ON AND THE COMPUTER SAYING "POWER STEERING" AND I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT IS FINE (MAYBE FOR A DAY, MAYBE FOR AN HOUR, OR MAYBE JUST FOR A FEW MINUTES). IT GOES OFF SOME TIMES STAY OFF FOR DAYS. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALTS POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO KEEP GOING ON AND OFF. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER COBALT OWNERS AND THIS IS HAPPENING TO THEM AS WELL. THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING SOME SNOWY WEATHER AND MY CAR SLID OUT OF CONTROL AND BECAUSE MY POWER STEERING WAS OFF IT TOOK A VERY LONG AND HARD TIM…
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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALTS POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO KEEP GOING ON AND OFF. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY OTHER COBALT OWNERS AND THIS IS HAPPENING TO THEM AS WELL. THE OTHER NIGHT I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING SOME SNOWY WEATHER AND MY CAR SLID OUT OF CONTROL AND BECAUSE MY POWER STEERING WAS OFF IT TOOK A VERY LONG AND HARD TIME TO GET IT BACK UNDER CONTROL. I ENDED UP SITTING SIDEWAYS ON THE OFF RAMP. COMPLETELY DANGEROUS THAT THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF ANYTIME IT WANTS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IS GOING TO OCCUR AND GM HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I CALLED THEM TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IF THEY WERE GOING TO FIX IT FOR ME AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK SHOULD BE COVERED BY THEM. I SAID THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS AND SHE SAID THAT RECALLS ARE FOR SAFETY REASONS. I AM SORRY BUT SINCE WHEN HAS POWER STEERING GOING OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS WHILE MAKING A TURN, WHILE GOING 100 OR 50 NOT A SAFETY ISSUE? I AM FRUSTRATED AND ANNOYED WITH GMS ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I KNOW OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CALLED TO COMPLAIN AND THEY WILL DO NOTHING FOR US AND THEIR !@#$% CARS. I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO FIX THEIR PROBLEM. I FEEL LIKE IT SHOULDN'T EVEN BE A QUESTION OF A RECALL. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND SCARY PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID THAT SOMEONE'S LIFE WILL BE AT RISK BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, THE CONTACT LOSS POWER STEERING. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET FOR 30 ADDITIONAL SECONDS. IN JULY 2007, THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY; HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY FAILS WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF TURNING THE VEHICLE ON, THE CONTACT LOSS POWER STEERING. WHEN HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE THE POWER STEERING WOULD RESET FOR 30 ADDITIONAL SECONDS. IN JULY 2007, THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY; HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY FAILS WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. ABOUT MARCH OF 2008, I WAS LEAVING WORK & MY CAR BEEPED & SHOWED "POWER STEERING" IN MY NOTIFICATIONS. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP. SINCE THEN I CANNOT DRIVE MORE THEN ABOUT 15 FEET WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING SHUTTING OFF. IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE 2 YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER MANY TIMES …
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. ABOUT MARCH OF 2008, I WAS LEAVING WORK & MY CAR BEEPED & SHOWED "POWER STEERING" IN MY NOTIFICATIONS. MY WHEEL LOCKED UP. SINCE THEN I CANNOT DRIVE MORE THEN ABOUT 15 FEET WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING SHUTTING OFF. IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE IN THE 2 YEAR PERIOD. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER MANY TIMES & THEY TELL ME IT IS $1000 TO FIX IT. I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY TO FIX A CAR I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. IT WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER I REACHED 50,000 MILES & THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS FOR, UP TO 50,000 MILES. A FRIEND OF MINE BOUGHT THE SAME CAR AS MINE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER ME & HER POWER STEERING WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER 50,000 MILES AS WELL. SHE PAID $1100.00 TO FIX IT WITH THE DEALER. NOW THAT I HAVE SEEN THIS ON THE NEWS LAST NIGHT AS IT HAS CAUSED 1100 ACCIDENTS, I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE HAD MY POWERSTEERING LIGHT COME ON, AND I CANT STEER THE CAR VERY WELL. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2-3 TIMES & THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. BUT, I AM NOT IMAGINING THIS, AND IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WHER…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE HAD MY POWERSTEERING LIGHT COME ON, AND I CANT STEER THE CAR VERY WELL. I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2-3 TIMES & THEY ALWAYS TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. BUT, I AM NOT IMAGINING THIS, AND IT HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. THERE HAS BEEN TIMES WHERE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING I ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHILE TURNING. *TR
2005 CHEVY COBALT LT POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. NEWS REPORTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATION TODAY ARE SAYING THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED. IT CONSISTENTLY HAPPENS TO ME WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY DAILY COMMUTE TO/FROM WORK, USUALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE DALLAS FREEWAYS. IT FIRST BEGAN TO HAPPEN ON CHRIST…
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2005 CHEVY COBALT LT POWER STEERING REPEATEDLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. NEWS REPORTS OF YOUR INVESTIGATION TODAY ARE SAYING THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED. IT CONSISTENTLY HAPPENS TO ME WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY DAILY COMMUTE TO/FROM WORK, USUALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE DALLAS FREEWAYS. IT FIRST BEGAN TO HAPPEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2009, AND NOW HAPPENS DAILY. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING, DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT CHEVROLET SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. IT IS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR... IT IS HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE. GO TO: HTTP://WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-COBALT/T8FMSUQB7V2DTH5JH THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER. *TR
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
MY POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE ALWAYS CUTS OUT WHEN I AM IN TRAFFIC, OR IN A TURN. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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
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.
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
1PE10005 · 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.