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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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55,000 miles · Sep 27, 2009
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT OF MY DAUGHTERS 2005 CHEVY COBALT TURNS ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSES NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AS SPEED. IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN IN A TURN IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE BUT CHEVY HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ARE ON THE WEB. THE DEALER WILL CHARG…

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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT OF MY DAUGHTERS 2005 CHEVY COBALT TURNS ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSES NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL AS SPEED. IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN IN A TURN IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE BUT CHEVY HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ARE ON THE WEB. THE DEALER WILL CHARGE TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE AND THEN ADVISE THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285442

44,000 miles · Sep 27, 2009
Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILS WITHOUT NOTICE. MUST RESTART CAR TO RESET. NEEDS THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285362

70,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
Steering

I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW, BEEN VERY DELICATE AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. TODAY I LEFT MY APARTMENT AND AS I DROVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AND SPASM AS I DROVE, AS IF IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS CHANGING GEARS. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD READOUT SCREEN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF T…

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I'VE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW, BEEN VERY DELICATE AND HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. TODAY I LEFT MY APARTMENT AND AS I DROVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AND SPASM AS I DROVE, AS IF IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS CHANGING GEARS. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD READOUT SCREEN. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF CLAIMS FROM OTHERS ONLINE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM PROBLEM STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME CAR. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED? IT'S DANGEROUS, POTENTIALLY DEADLY, AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET ALREADY, WHERE AM I GOING TO GET THE MONEY FOR THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285254

59,000 miles · Sep 25, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL, AND THEN THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. HE HAD TO EXERT GREAT FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL, AND THEN THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. HE HAD TO EXERT GREAT FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/17/09 *BF AFTER ALL THE FAILED ATTEMPTS OF FIXING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT OCCASIONALLY. ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE ACTING ERRATICALLY. UPDATED 11/18/09

NHTSA ODI #10285238

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2009
Steering

LEAKING POWER STEERING MOTOR. MANY RECORDED FAILURES OF CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285189

64,000 miles · Sep 24, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH COULD HAVE INCREASED THE RISK OF CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURREN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHICH COULD HAVE INCREASED THE RISK OF CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64000.

NHTSA ODI #10285148

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2009
Steering

1. 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. 2. THE FAILURE IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO THE USE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INSTEAD OF USING HYDRAULICS. CHEVY HAS NOT PERFECTED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BUT PUT IT IN EVERY CHEVROLET COBALT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. IT MAY HAVE ONLY BEEN INSTALLED F…

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1. 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WAS WORKING FINE UNTIL LOSS OF POWER STEERING. 2. THE FAILURE IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING DUE TO THE USE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INSTEAD OF USING HYDRAULICS. CHEVY HAS NOT PERFECTED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING BUT PUT IT IN EVERY CHEVROLET COBALT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. IT MAY HAVE ONLY BEEN INSTALLED FOR THE 2005 AND 2006 MODELS. YOU MAY START YOUR VEHICLE AND HAVE EVERYTHING RUNNING OKAY UNTIL YOU DRIVE IT FOR A LITTLE WHY, THUS LEADING UP TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING. I PROMISE YOU THAT ANYONE THAT HAS BOUGHT A CHEVROLET COBALT BETWEEN 2005 AND 2006 FOR SURE HAVE HAD THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. EVERY PERSON! THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENTLY GETTING WORSE AND IS HIGHLY UNSAFE. THIS CAN NOT BE DELT WITH BY TAKING IT INTO A GARAGE AND HOPING IT WILL GET FIXED. 3. I HAVE TAKEN MY COBALT INTO THE GARAGE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NOTHING FIXED. IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF SOON, PEOPLE MAY DIE FROM LOSS OF STEERING. RECALL NOW! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284933

35,800 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $500.00. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THEN STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $500.00. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO A DEALER. SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,400. UPDATED 10/21/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR AND COMPUTER COULD STOP WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY TIME. UPDATED 10/22/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10284863

66,500 miles · Sep 21, 2009
Steering

I HAVE S 2005 COBALT AND WHEN I WAS EXITING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL GOT VERY HARD TO TURN AND ALMOST HIT THE CURB. IT WAS A U-TURN EXIT, I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND IT STATED "POWER STEERING" WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLDER DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WHO IS PREGNANT. MY WIFE IS NORMALLY WHO DRIVES THI…

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I HAVE S 2005 COBALT AND WHEN I WAS EXITING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL GOT VERY HARD TO TURN AND ALMOST HIT THE CURB. IT WAS A U-TURN EXIT, I LOOKED AT THE DASH AND IT STATED "POWER STEERING" WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLDER DAUGHTER AND MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WHO IS PREGNANT. MY WIFE IS NORMALLY WHO DRIVES THIS CAR, I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT IF SHE WAS IN THE CAR DRIVING, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT. I THINK THIS IS A REALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIX BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284821

63,488 miles · Sep 21, 2009
Steering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS A DEFECTIVE MOTOR THAT GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR UNDER WARRANTY. IT INTERMITTENTLY CUTS IN AND OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ONCE IT CUTS OUT, THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS CAN HAPPEN ON A CITY STREET OR A BUSY HIGHWAY. WHEN DRIVING, A CLICK IS HEARD IN THE…

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THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS A DEFECTIVE MOTOR THAT GM REFUSES TO PAY FOR UNDER WARRANTY. IT INTERMITTENTLY CUTS IN AND OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ONCE IT CUTS OUT, THE VEHICLE IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THIS CAN HAPPEN ON A CITY STREET OR A BUSY HIGHWAY. WHEN DRIVING, A CLICK IS HEARD IN THE STEERING COLUMN, THEN STEERING IS LOST ALL TOGETHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED TO ME ALONE, THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AS WELL. PROOF CAN BE FOUND IN A GOOGLE SEARCH UNDER "CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284764

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.