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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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111,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING,ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH. THE VEHICLE BEEPS AND DISPLAYS "POWER STEERING" ON THE SCREEN IN THE DASH WHEN IT FAILS.TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON RESTORES POWER STEERING,BUT AFTER APPROX. A QUARTER MILE OF DRIVING IT FAILS AGAIN. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED…

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POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING,ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH. THE VEHICLE BEEPS AND DISPLAYS "POWER STEERING" ON THE SCREEN IN THE DASH WHEN IT FAILS.TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON RESTORES POWER STEERING,BUT AFTER APPROX. A QUARTER MILE OF DRIVING IT FAILS AGAIN. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS LISTED ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297243

123,123 miles · Dec 27, 2009
Steering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A DINGS CHIME I LOOKED AT MY CONSOLE AND IT READ POWER STEERING AND THAT MOMENT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO A SHARP TURN AHEAD. NEEDLESS TO SAY IF WOULD OF BEEN CLOSER TO THE TURN I MAY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN …

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HEARD A DINGS CHIME I LOOKED AT MY CONSOLE AND IT READ POWER STEERING AND THAT MOMENT MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES DUE TO A SHARP TURN AHEAD. NEEDLESS TO SAY IF WOULD OF BEEN CLOSER TO THE TURN I MAY HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE THEN THE CONSOLE FLASHES THE WORDS POWER STEERING ON AND OFF AND I CAN'T TURN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS MY FIRST CHILD WAS BORN ON DEC 10,2009 AND I'M AFRAID TO TAKE HIM TO THE DOCTOR OR MY WIFE TO THE GROCERIES STORE THIS VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR BOTHTHE OWNERS AND OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD A RECALL MUST BE MADE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED SHAME ON CHEVY FOR SELLING SUCH A LOW QUALITY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297064

87,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Steering

THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS FAILS UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON AS TO WHY, OR WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE ARE RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SHARP CURVE WHICH ALMOST LEAD TO…

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THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS FAILS UNEXPECTEDLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REASON AS TO WHY, OR WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE ARE RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILS. THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A SHARP CURVE WHICH ALMOST LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I'M NOT SURE HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS AS IT IS RANDOM. HOWEVER, I CAN SAY THAT I HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR WITHOUT IT GIVING OUT. ALSO, WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON. BUT LIKE I SAID BEFORE IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AS TO HOW LONG IT WILL REMAIN ON. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT WOULD WORK FOR AN HOUR AFTER RESTARTING IT, TO LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER RESTARTING IT. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A HAZARD AND COULD TAKE LIVES. I BELIEVE THAT THE PRICE FOR FIXING A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS OVER 1000 DOLLARS WITHOUT WARRANTY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM NOT OK WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296991

53,500 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT FAILED TWO DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296980

76,500 miles · Dec 24, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. HE COULD NOT PROPERLY TURN THE STEERING COLUMN, BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILED. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76, 500.

NHTSA ODI #10296906

67,000 miles · Dec 24, 2009
Power TrainSteering

POWER STEERING LOCKS WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHILE SNOWING WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ALOT OD CHEVY COBALT CONSUMERS??? THIS NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296872

82,918 miles · Dec 23, 2009
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY,THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. THIS MADE THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT HOME I SHUT OFF THE CAR ,AND CAME BACK LATER AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING A…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY,THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING. THIS MADE THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I GOT HOME I SHUT OFF THE CAR ,AND CAME BACK LATER AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR WAS BAD. I HAD THE PART REPLACED AT A COST OF $450.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296845

65,878 miles · Dec 23, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN I-26 MY POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON, AND I NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. I GOT THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296844

58,000 miles · Dec 23, 2009
Steering

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK. WHEN THE CAR DING AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ACROSS THE DASH. THEN WHEN SHE TRIED TO MAKE THE TURN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WORKED FOR A MINUTE THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN WHEN ANOTH…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK. WHEN THE CAR DING AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE FLASHED ACROSS THE DASH. THEN WHEN SHE TRIED TO MAKE THE TURN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 58,000 MILES. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WORKED FOR A MINUTE THEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN WHEN ANOTHER TURN WAS MADE. LUCKILY SHE WASN'T IN REALLY BAD TRAFFIC BUT SOMETHING. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296833

50,000 miles · Dec 23, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. SHE HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TO RESET THE ERROR CODE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 50,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10296819

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.