Illustration2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS POWER STEERING. MY CAR LOSES POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY IGNITION. THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND IS HARD TO GET OUT. *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 reportsPOWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. I COULDN'T STEER THE CAR. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
BOUGHT A NEW 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE CAR HAD SERIOUS AIR CONDITIONING LEAKING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY THAT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO SOLVE. WE WERE ABOUT TO GO LEMON LAW ON THE CAR WHEN CHEVY CAME OUT WITH A SERVICE NOTICE AND GOT THE LEAK SOLVED. THE CAR THEN HAD A HEADLIGHT THAT WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND SHORT OUT THE HEAD LIGHT. THE …
Read full complaint
BOUGHT A NEW 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE CAR HAD SERIOUS AIR CONDITIONING LEAKING PROBLEMS RIGHT AWAY THAT TOOK OVER A YEAR TO SOLVE. WE WERE ABOUT TO GO LEMON LAW ON THE CAR WHEN CHEVY CAME OUT WITH A SERVICE NOTICE AND GOT THE LEAK SOLVED. THE CAR THEN HAD A HEADLIGHT THAT WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND SHORT OUT THE HEAD LIGHT. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO DRILL A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE HEADLIGHT CASE AND THE WATER WOULD LEAK OUT. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO DO THIS!!! THE CAR RECENTLY STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ODOMETER JUMPING AROUND WHILE YOUR DRIVING. WHILE THAT'S HAPPENING THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP AS THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME WITH MY 22 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING THE CAR TO SCHOOL DOING 65 ON I95. SCARED HER AND SHE HAD TO TRY GET THE CAR OVER THREE LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS ABLE TO DO IT AND AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN, THIS TIME ON A SIDE ROAD AS SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY ANYMORE. SHE IS A STUDENT AND NEEDS TO GET TO COLLEGE. WE HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY AND THEY TELL US IT'S NOT UNDER RECALL AND IT'S GOING TO COST BETWEEN $600- $1200 DOLLARS. IT COULD EITHER BE THE POWERSTEERING MOTOR OR THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY GET IN TO THE WORK. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 05-06 MODEL. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE ON THE ROAD. THE EXPENSE IS BOTH UNNECESSARY AND A BURDEN IN THESE TOUGH TIMES. MY CHILD IS A STUDENT AND DOES NOT NEED TO SHOULDER THIS BURDEN BECAUSE OF THE BAD ENGINEERING BY CHEVY. I KNOW THEY ARE BANKRUPT AND THIS IS A BURDEN WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE. SOME ONE IS GOING TO DIE! *TR
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT SS IN 2007. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT MY CHECK ENGINE LET CAME ON. THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY UP BUT I TOOK TO A SHOP MY FAMILY HAS TAKEN ITS CARS FOR YEARS. THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM - THEY EVEN TOOK A SPECIFIC CLASS ON MY CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS IT. TO DATE,…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT SS IN 2007. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF HAVING IT MY CHECK ENGINE LET CAME ON. THE WARRANTY WAS ALREADY UP BUT I TOOK TO A SHOP MY FAMILY HAS TAKEN ITS CARS FOR YEARS. THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM - THEY EVEN TOOK A SPECIFIC CLASS ON MY CAR AND WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS IT. TO DATE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF. MOST RECENTLY, IT CAME ON AND SO DID A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY STEERING LOCKED UP AND BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING AND IT BEING WINTER THERE WAS ICE EVERYWHERE. I FOUND MYSELF SLIDING ACROSS THE FREE WAY. I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BUT THANKFULLY MADE IT HOME. THANK GOD, NOT CHEVROLET. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $2000 TO FIX IT OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AND I'M JUST NOT WILLING TO DO SO UNTIL I KNOW FOR SURE THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT BE RECALLING IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, I AM ONE OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MANY HAVE ACTUALLY SEND PETITIONS OUT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT CHEVROLET WILL NOT RECALL THIS BUT WILL RECALL THEIR HEADLIGHTS?! I COULDN'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT WHEN I READ IT. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER FROM THE DEALERSHIP HERE LOCALLY OR THE MAIN PHONE NUMBER FOR CHEVROLET. I'M JUST PUT ON HOLD. I'M A RESPONSIBLE, SINGLE WOMAN WITH A MORTGAGE AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR. I GUARANTEE I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVROLET SINCE I FOUND OUT THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT THEIR CONSUMERS. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT IT IS NOT JUST MY PARTICULAR YEAR OR MODEL, EVERY PERSON I'VE TALKED TO READ ABOUT HAS A DIFFERENT YEAR AND SOME ARE THE FOUR DOUR SEDAN OR NORMAL COUPE. THIS MEANS THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE SINCE CHEVROLET IS CONTINUING TO BUILD THEIR COBALTS AT SUCH A LOW STANDARD. I'M INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED. I HOPE THIS IS RECALLED SO I CAN FEEL SAFE BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN. *TR
2005 CHEVY COLBALT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY 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. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING IS FINE AND WORKING UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY AT THE DASH AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. POWER STEERING RETURNS UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT WILL USUALLY FAIL SHORTLY AFTER. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RE…
Read full complaint
2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING IS FINE AND WORKING UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY AT THE DASH AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. POWER STEERING RETURNS UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT WILL USUALLY FAIL SHORTLY AFTER. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL. MY VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP NOW AWAITING AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. 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 TH…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. 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. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF TO RESET THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE IT DOES NOT OCCUR OFTEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF TO RESET THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE IT DOES NOT OCCUR OFTEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 02/13/10 *BF UPDATED 02/16/10
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.