IllustrationWHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *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 APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING A SPAN OF 45 MILES, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AT LEAST 15 TIMES. HE HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME FORCE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING FAILED THRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING A SPAN OF 45 MILES, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED AT LEAST 15 TIMES. HE HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME FORCE TO NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING FAILED THREE TIMES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT WAS 93,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HE HAS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKS. HE HAS TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65119. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,150.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. AFTER INSPECTIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THIS FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES. AFTER INSPECTION A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45200.
TL*THE CONTACT A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED WARRANTIES AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,00…
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TL*THE CONTACT A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED WARRANTIES AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2008 BY EARLY SPRING OF 2009 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A BEEPING NOISE AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID POWER STEERING I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING I AM A VERY SMALL 100 POUND GIRL AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FO…
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PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN AUGUST 2008 BY EARLY SPRING OF 2009 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A BEEPING NOISE AND ON THE SCREEN IT SAID POWER STEERING I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING I AM A VERY SMALL 100 POUND GIRL AND HAD TO USE ALL MY STRENGTH TO PULL MY CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR HELP. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER WHO THEN TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME OVER 800 TO FIX AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY . I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY THEM THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY AFTER JUST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND BEING A STUDENT IN SCHOOL . I THEN FOUND A MECHANIC THAT PUT THE PART IN FOR A CHEAPER PRICE BUT STILL ENDED UP COSTING ME 450.00. I WAS RELIEVED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED WHEN I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TODAY NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS LATER ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD THE SAME BEEPING NOISE AND ON MY SCREEN IT CAME UP POWER STEERING!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS TIME I COULD NOT SAFELY PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I HAD TO KEEP DRIVING TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND MYSELF AND MY GIRLFRIEND USED ALL OF OUR STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE WHEEL TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY EXIT...THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND VERY COSTLY I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN HOPES TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A FAIR DISTANCE BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT SAFETY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS. IM AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE T HAPPEN EVERY 6 MONTHS AND ONE OF THESE TIMES IM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP SAFELY. IF I HADN'T HAD MY FRIEND IN THE CAR I NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SMALL GIRL MY SIZE . NOW THAT IT IS WINTER IM WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING IN SNOW AND ICE I WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE IM VERY CONCERNED FOR MYSELF AND THE SAFETY OF ALL OTHERS ..I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND SEEN HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR SITUATIONS. IF I HAD OF KNOWN THIS I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. *TR
THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. EARLY MARCH 2009 POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, POWERSTEERING WOULD ONLY STAY ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TO REGAIN IT I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. THIS LASTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS. IT WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS…
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THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL LEADING UP TO THE INCIDENT. EARLY MARCH 2009 POWERSTEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. WHEN STARTING THE CAR, POWERSTEERING WOULD ONLY STAY ON FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TO REGAIN IT I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE AND RESTART IT. THIS LASTED ABOUT THREE MONTHS. IT WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT SHOPS, SEARS AND A CAR DEALERSHIP AND BOTH RAN DIAGNOSTICS WHICH FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS FOR SURE EXCEPT TO SAY PERHAPS PUTTING IN A WHOLE NEW POWER STEERING SYSTEM WOULD HELP. THOUGH THEY DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE. WHEN I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP THEMSELVES THEY STATED THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE POWERSTEERING IN THAT YEAR AND MODEL AND WANTED TO RUN THEIR OWN DIAGNOSTICS, THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR. I REFUSED SINCE THE SECOND DEALER I TOOK THE CAR TO WAS A CHEVY DEALER AND WAS TOLD BY THE COMPANY I HAD TO PAY FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED IN JULY OF 09 ONLY TO COME BACK NOW DEC 09. THE CARS POWERSTEERING IS OFF WITHIN A MINUTE OF ENGINE START. WITH THE SNOWY WEATHER THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME AND ANYONE ELSE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES; AND I HAVE CHRONIC BACK PROBLEMS AS WELL. THE PULLING OF THE STEERING WHEEL JUST TO TURN THE CAR HAS HAD ME IN BEDREST TWICE NOW. *TR
POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 COBALT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, IT HAD NOT DONE IT FOR TWO MONTHS. BUT RECENTLY, WHILE I WAS TAKING A TURN, IT WENT OUT, AND I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKFULLY NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRESENT IN INTERSECTION, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FRONT E…
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POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 COBALT GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY, IT HAD NOT DONE IT FOR TWO MONTHS. BUT RECENTLY, WHILE I WAS TAKING A TURN, IT WENT OUT, AND I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE CAR IN MY LANE AND HIT THE CURB ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THANKFULLY NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS PRESENT IN INTERSECTION, OR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FRONT END COLLISION. NOW IT WORKS ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES WHEN I TURN MY CAR ON , BUT GOES OUT EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES CONSTANTLY WHILE I'M DRIVING, AND EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED. I CAN NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED BECAUSE IT UNLOCKS ITSELF. I STARTED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT IN 2007, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, ITS 63,000 MILES, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IN A CAR LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA, AND THE ROADS ARE OFTEN ICY, I AM FEARFUL IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, AND I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY AGAIN. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION, I HAD THE SHOCKS/STRUTS? REPLACED 2 MONTHS AFTER BUYING IT, AT AROUND 40, 000 MILES, AND THEY STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER THE DEALER FIXED IT, I SHOULD HAVE COMPLAINED THEN, BUT I WAS AFRAID TO SHELL OUT MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE THEY WOULD CLAIM WAS WRONG WITH IT. *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.