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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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92,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Steering

MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF THE STEERING CAME BACK. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE MAJOR INJURY. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WI…

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT EXPERIENCED POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON AND MY WHEEL LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TURN THE WHEEL AND HAD TO DRIVE OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF THE STEERING CAME BACK. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE MAJOR INJURY. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT AND NO RECALL IS IN EFFECT. THIS CANNOT BE FIXED WITHOUT MAJOR EXPENSE ON MY PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302011

75,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Steering

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE ABOUT 80,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY ON IT AND ABOUT 5,000 MILES AGO MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT EVERY NOW AND THEN. IT HAPPENED NOT SO OFTEN SO I WOULD JUST SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GONE. UNTIL ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES THEN IT WOULD…

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I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE ABOUT 80,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY ON IT AND ABOUT 5,000 MILES AGO MY POWER STEERING KEPT GOING OUT EVERY NOW AND THEN. IT HAPPENED NOT SO OFTEN SO I WOULD JUST SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WOULD BE GONE. UNTIL ABOUT ANOTHER 100 MILES THEN IT WOULD START ALL OVER AGAIN. NOW ITS HAPPENING EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I HAVE BEEN ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHER COBALT OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND LOW AND BEHOLD THERE ARE A TON OF THEM. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THEM CHARGE UPWARDS OF $700.00 FOR ME TO FIX THIS. IF THIS IS SUCH AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THEN SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE, OR ME AND MY FAMILY, GET INTO A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK WITH ANY SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS AND I KNOW THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY KIND OF HELP. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302007

70,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY STOP WORKING - STILL ABLE TO STEER MANUALLY - STEERS LIKE A TRUCK THOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301943

35,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10301931

78,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Steering

OUT OF THE BLUE MY BOYFRIEND AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND WE HEARD A DING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING GREAT UNTIL THIS. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE I WILL …

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OUT OF THE BLUE MY BOYFRIEND AND I WERE ON OUR WAY HOME IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND WE HEARD A DING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE TOTALLY LOST POWER STEERING. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING GREAT UNTIL THIS. ONCE I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE I WILL GET THE POWER STEERING BACK BUT WITHIN A DAY OR 2 IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND LOSE THE POWER STEERING WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. I HAVEN'T FIXED THE CAR YET SO I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE GARAGE THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN TO FIX IT. I LOVE MY COBALT BUT I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY THIS JUST FAILED AND IT HAPPENED 3,000 MILES AFTER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. I'VE BEEN READING THAT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN COBALTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301778

45,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND AS I WAS DRIVING IT BEGAN TO ACT ALMOST LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL OUT ON ME AS IN DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY! MY POWER STEERING IS SHOT AND NEEDS TO REPLACED I HAVEN'T HAD IT THAT LONG GOT IN AUG 2008! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301685

31,914 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Steering

MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING FAILURE ON HER 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. A POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO …

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MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING FAILURE ON HER 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. A POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300485

71,000 miles · Jan 19, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING SOUND AND THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE MADE A BEEPING SOUND AND THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, RESTARTED IT AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 71000.

NHTSA ODI #10300236

82,500 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES.. IF YOU ARE DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS YOU NEED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY THEN RESURFACES DOWN THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS 82K MILES. NOT SO GREAT WITH A HANDICAPPED WIFE AND TWO KIDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300202

76,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. CAN NOT STEER CAR IF THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR CAR TO BE DRIVEN. HOWEVER YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO KEEP YOUR JOB TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO…

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2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. CAN NOT STEER CAR IF THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR CAR TO BE DRIVEN. HOWEVER YOU HAVE TO DRIVE TO KEEP YOUR JOB TO MAKE THE PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIND AFFORDABLE SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10300196

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.