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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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40,000 miles · Sep 20, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER HOW FAR AT SOME POINT IN THAT TRIP THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF. AT ONE POINT I HAD THE RADIO ON I DID NOT REALIZE THE POWER STEERING HAD CUT OFF AND HAPPENED TO BE GOING AROUND A REALLY TIGHT TURN LUCKILY I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL …

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT NO MATTER HOW FAR AT SOME POINT IN THAT TRIP THE POWER STEERING WILL CUT OFF. AT ONE POINT I HAD THE RADIO ON I DID NOT REALIZE THE POWER STEERING HAD CUT OFF AND HAPPENED TO BE GOING AROUND A REALLY TIGHT TURN LUCKILY I REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR BUT IF I HADN'T THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AS THAT ROAD IS WOODED AREA THE LAST THING I WOULD LIKE TO HIT IS A TREE. ALSO IN BAD WEATHER THIS COULD BE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS, IF YOUR POWER STEERING TURNS OFF AND YOU NEED TO MANEUVER QUICKLY ODDS ARE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO. I DRIVE 25 MILES TO WORK AND BACK EVERY DAY. WHEN I GET HOME AND PULL MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY ITS ALL I CAN DO TO PULL IT IN THE DRIVE WAY MY SHOULDER HURTS FROM STEERING THE CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING MANY TIME I LEAVE THE WHEELS TURNED IN THE DRIVE WAY BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE STRENGTH TO MAKE THEM STRAIGHT. WHAT IF A OLDER PERSON WAS DRIVING THIS CAR DO YOU THINK THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO STEER A CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING? HAVE ANY ONE THERE OR AT GM TRIED TO DRIVE A CAR WITH NO POWERSTEERING?? BECAUSE THEY CAN MOST CERTAINLY COME DRIVE MINE AND MAYBE THEN THEY MIGHT THINK THAT THIS DESERVES A RECALL? OR IF THEIR FAMILIES OR CHILDREN WERE DRIVING THIS CAR WOULD IT WARRANT A RECALL? IT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE NO ONE HAS DIED YET! IS THAT REALLY WHAT IT TAKES FOR THEM TO CORRECT SOMETHING SO SERIOUS?? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284654

42,000 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Steering

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SS, AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY DIES, I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ALL THE FORCE MY ARMS CAN PRODUCE, IT OCCURS ABOUT 90% OF THE TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE FOUND OUT THROUGH RESEARCH THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284615

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2009
Power TrainSteeringTraction Control System

PROBLEM STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, CLICKING NOISE IN GEAR SHIFTER, GAUGES FOR SPEED AND RPMS BOUNCE AROUND, LIGHTS FOR E-BRAKE AND ABS FLASH, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. SOMETIMES IT IS AS SOON AS YOU START THE CAR.…

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PROBLEM STARTED OUT OF THE BLUE. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, CLICKING NOISE IN GEAR SHIFTER, GAUGES FOR SPEED AND RPMS BOUNCE AROUND, LIGHTS FOR E-BRAKE AND ABS FLASH, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. SOMETIMES IT IS AS SOON AS YOU START THE CAR. OTHER TIMES IT IS WHILE I AM DRIVING. CAN NOT PREDICT WHEN IT IS COMING. SURPRISINGLY I HAVE NOT GOT INJURED DRIVING. I HAVE LEARNED TO MUSCLE THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BUT HAVE NO CHOICE SOMETIMES. IT IS THE ONLY CAR MY FAMILY FITS INTO. I FEEL I AM PUTTING US ALL AT RISK EVERY TIME WE GET IN IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN SEVERAL TIMES, THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. I GOT IT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS HAPPENING. THE ONLY THING THEY COULD FIND WAS TO REPLACE A RECALLED TRANSMISSION VALVE. IT DID NOTHING FOR THE PROBLEM. IT STILL HAPPENS WHEN EVER AND STOPS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME. YOU DO HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF. IT CAN TAKE ONE TIME OR SEVERAL TIMES TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS. I REALLY FEEL THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2005. FIRST INCIDENT IN FALL OF 2007. REPLACED VALVE IN SPRING OF 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284614

60,348 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CAR DRIVES FINE FOR THE FIRST MILE THEN POWER STEERING WARNING WILL COME ON THE CAR WILL NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. OCCASIONALLY THE KEY WILL BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THREE TIME TH…

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2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE CAR DRIVES FINE FOR THE FIRST MILE THEN POWER STEERING WARNING WILL COME ON THE CAR WILL NO LONGER HAVE POWER STEERING UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. OCCASIONALLY THE KEY WILL BE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ONCE THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. THREE TIME THE KEYS WERE LEFT IN THE CAR OVERNIGHT DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO A RATTLE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DATE I INPUTTED IS ONLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL ALL OTHER ISSUES HAVE BEEN ON GOING FOR THE PAST YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284590

79,820 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Steering

I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITENT FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284521

80,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

2005 CHEVY COBALT--POWER STEERING GOES OUT SUDDENLY ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284450

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2009
Steering

THE PAST FEW DAYS WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284426

100,462 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SHORTLY AFTER I WENT OVER 100,000 MILES, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I COULD NOT FIND THE POWER STEERING OIL RESERVOIR TO CHECK MY LEVELS. GOT IN MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS JUST FINE. OVER THE NEX…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SHORTLY AFTER I WENT OVER 100,000 MILES, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I COULD NOT FIND THE POWER STEERING OIL RESERVOIR TO CHECK MY LEVELS. GOT IN MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS JUST FINE. OVER THE NEXT WEEK, IT WENT OUT 4 TO 5 TIMES RANDOMLY. I CHECKED THE WEB FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR GM PUT INTO THIS VEHICLE (PLUS OTHER MODELS). SINCE IT STARTED, IT GOES OUT ANYWHERE FROM ONCE A DAY TO 7-10 DAYS A DAY. THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY RANDOM. AFTER FINDING OUT THAT MANY OTHER COBALT OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A DANGER TO OPERATE WHEN IT SUDDENLY GOES OUT, I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS MOTOR. JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NOT DIED IN MASS NUMBERS BECAUSE OF THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284240

40,300 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Steering

THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS A VERY APPARENT AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. UNLIKE MOST CARS THE COBALT HAS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WHICH FACILITATES TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL OFTEN STOP WORKING UNNECESSARILY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT IT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AT …

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THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS A VERY APPARENT AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. UNLIKE MOST CARS THE COBALT HAS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WHICH FACILITATES TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL OFTEN STOP WORKING UNNECESSARILY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT IT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AT ANYTIME, INCLUDING WHILE TURNING. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN ON AN EXIT RAMP AND HAD THE STEERING GO OUT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH OUT CRASHING INTO THE GUARD RAIL. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS CONCERN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THERE SHOULD BE RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WHAT THE CHEVROLET COBALT AS IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AMONG COBALT OWNERS AND GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284170

55,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Steering

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CHEVY COBALT 2005. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283991

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.