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

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2009

Electrical SystemSteering

POWERSTEERING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. THERE IS THEN NO POWERSTEERING AND THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AS I ACCELERATE. WHEN STOPPING THE CAR ACTS AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL. THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT KEEP SPEED THE NEEDLE JUST MOVES UP AND DOWN. TOOK CAR IN TO CHEVY DEALER WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID THEY …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10290723

50,023 miles · Nov 2, 2009

Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING, AND WAS FORCED TO MANUALLY STEER. AS I TRIED TO PULL-OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD A CYCLIST DARTED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND ALMOST HIT THE PERSON BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THAT QUICKLY. LUCKILY THE BICYCLIST WAS QUICK ENOUGH TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. I DO NOT FEEL SAF…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10290716

30,000 miles · Nov 2, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

BOUGHT A USED 2005 CHEVY COBALT FOR MY SON WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL. IT HAD LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT BUT NO WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE YEAR. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER HE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWER STEERING. IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE 2005 AND 2006 COBALT. THE DEALERSHIP IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHEN YOU SPEND THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION AND THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IT IS A NEW DESIGN SO CHEVY IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED THE FAULTY PART. I WILL PAY THE $2,000 TO GET MY SON'S CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE HIS SAFETY IS A PRIORITY. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HOW HAS CHEVY GOTTEN AWAY WITH NOT ISSUING A RECALL. THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES RANDOMLY AND IF YOU ARE PULLING ON A STEERING WHEEL WITH NO POWER AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK YOU ARE LIKELY TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. MY GUESS IS THAT SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE IT BECOMES AN ISSUE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS TO GET TO THAT POINT BEFORE THEY ARE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290624

10,255 miles · Nov 1, 2009

Electrical SystemSteering

Read full complaint

MY DAD BOUGHT ME A USED 2005 COBALT AS MY FIRST CAR ON MAY 2009 AND POWER STEERING STARTED TO FLASH 2 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR. IT WENT AWAY, BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN IT DID, I FELT THE CAR SOME HOW PULL OR IT FELT HEAVY. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN POWER STEER FLASHED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ROCK SOLID I COULDN'T TURN, I FREAKED AND LEFT THE CAR OUTSIDE I CALLED MY DAD, WENT BACK OUT AND BARELY DROVE IT IN. MY DAD CAME HOME FROM WORK, I TOOK HIM OUT TO SHOW HIM, BUT THE CAR SEEMED NORMAL. IT FELT LIKE I WAS PULLING A MILLION POUNDS. I'M SCARED OF DRIVING IT, THAT IT'S JUST PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WE GOT IT USED WITH 8,000 MILES ON IT, SO WE HAVE NO WARRANTY, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE $2,000 TO FIX' IT WE NEED A RECALL. NOW I'M DRIVING IT ONLY TO GO 2 MILES AROUND MY HOUSE!!! I OFTEN HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RE-START THE CAR TO UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL. BY USING THIS CAR, I AM PUTTING MY LIFE, AND OTHERS IN DANGER. CHEVROLET HAS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A SIMPLE FIX, BUT WHEN I FOUND OUT HOW MUCH IT COST I CAN'T DO IT. I DON'T THINK IT'S FARE TO US AS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE A CAR WE CANT EVEN DRIVE. NOW, THE POWER STEERING DOSN'T WORK, THE NEEDLE THAT TELLS YOU THE SPEED DOESN'T WORK!!! WE REALLY NEED A RECALL FROM CHEVY!! MY DAD BOUGHT THE CAR WITH LIGHT TRANSMISSION NOISE PROBLEMS.THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED . I DON'T HAVE TRANS PROBLEMS BUT THE POWER STEER HAS BEEN THERE 2 DAYS FROM GETTING IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290533

43,000 miles · Nov 1, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

BOUGHT 2005 CHEVY COBALT NEW. AT ABOUT 40K MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WOULD BE FINE FOR UP TO A MONTH, THEN UP TO A WEEK, AND FINALLY IT WOULD FAIL AFTER THE 1ST TURN I MADE AFTER STARTING THE CAR. I AM NOT A WILD DRIVER & I ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 5 MILES PER DAY ON SIDE STREETS. I HAD TO PAY CHEVY $48 TO CHECK THE CAR, AND THEN $800 TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AFTER I FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT CHEVY WOULDN'T SELL JUST THE ONE PIECE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (SOME KIND OF CONTROL MODULE) SO THERE WAS NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM ONLINE. ALL IT TAKES IS FOR THIS PROBLEM TO HAPPEN TO A 16 YEAR OLD GIRL ON THE ROAD AND WE NOW HAVE A DEATH ON OUR HANDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290504

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING THE POWER STEERING FAILS AT RANDOM TIMES, OCCURRING DURING DRIVING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IT OCCURS AT ANY GIVEN VEHICLE SPEED. THIS OCCURS SOMETIMES ONE TIME DURING A PARTICULAR DRIVING PERIOD. SOMETIMES, WILL OCCUR MANY TIMES DURING A DRIVING PERIOD. TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE STOPPED, TURNED OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN STARTED BACK UP. THIS SEEMS TO RESET THE ERROR CODE WITHIN THE COMPUTER. BUT THE PROBLEM WILL RETURN AT RANDOM. RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS THAT MANY COBALT OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE. MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED, STEERING MODULES REPLACED, WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEM OF CONTINUAL POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRING AT RANDOM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290452

50,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IN AND THE STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON IT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY NO DAMAGE OR INJURY HAS OCCURRED. I TOOK IT INTO A AUTO SHOP AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND THE CODES CAME BACK AS A FAULTY STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING MOTOR. AFTER I GOT THIS NEWS I GOOGLED THIS AND TO MY SURPRISE CHEVY HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS SERIOUS DEFECT. HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS TO ME CHEVY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF THEIR CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290204

47,950 miles · Oct 29, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, BEGIN PULLING IN ONE DIRECTION, AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING NORMALLY. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,950.

NHTSA ODI #10290203

4,000 miles · Oct 27, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS. WHILE DRIVING THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED TO RESET THE ERROR CODE, AND TO RESUME NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE HE COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,277.

NHTSA ODI #10290012

49,664 miles · Oct 27, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

1. TAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR DASHBOARD FLASHED A "POWER STEERING" WARNING AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. 2. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES DAY MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. 3. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR OR THE STEERING COLUMN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THE COLUMN AND IF THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG I WILL BE FORCED TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289996

Official recalls

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. 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

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

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.

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

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.