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

39,000 miles · Sep 6, 2009

Steering

POWER STEERING ON 2005 CHEVY COBALT GOES OUT LEAVING THE CAR VERY HARD TO STEER. TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT REQUIRES TWO HANDS AND A LOT OF MUSCLE. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND COMES BACK. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT THE 39,000 MILE MAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283003

67,000 miles · Sep 4, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAD A POWER STEERING FAILURE AT 67000 MILES. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GOING 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95. MY CAR MADE A NOISE AND BEEPED AT ME AND POWER STEERING CAME LIGHTING UP ON THE DASH. MY CAR THEN REVVED UP TO 6000 RPMS AND CAUSED ME TO SWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, FEARING I WAS GOING TO CRASH INTO OTHER CARS. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH INCLUDES THE SENSOR THAT HELPS WITH POWER STEERING. IT OCCURS OFTEN. I WILL BE FINE FOR A RIDE BUT THEN I GET BACK IN IT AND START DRIVING AND GET UP TO 30 OF 40 MPH AND POWER-STEERING WILL COME UP ON MY DASH AND ALL OF MY INSTRUMENTS GO WHACK. MY SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 0 AND THE ENGINE REVS BUT DOESN'T INCREASE SPEED. IT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM 1250 DOLLARS AND 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282919

80,100 miles · Sep 4, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

2005 CHEVROLET BLUE 4 D SDN COMPLETE STEERING FAILURE CAUSED CONTROL FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS OCCURRED SIMULTANEOUSLY; AUDIBLE ALARM, POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON DASHBOARD LED SCREEN INDICATING INOPERABLE, STEERING FAILURE. REPLACEMENT OF STEERING COLUMN ASM, INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT PERFORMED BY KEDDIE CHEVROLET, INC. ROUTE 56 WEST, 200 LINCOLN AVE. VANDERGRIFT, PENNSYLVANIA 15690; 724.567.5683; TOTAL COST OF REPLACEMENT = $866.36. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282838

29,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH INCREASED.THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF THEN RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 29,200.

NHTSA ODI #10282630

49,932 miles · Sep 2, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

ON FRIDAY AUGUST 25TH 2009 I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR CAME ON IN MY CAR AND IMMEDIATELY THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. ON TUESDAY AUGUST 29TH 2009 I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AND DISCOVERED THAT MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND IT CAN ONLY BE FIXED BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED GM CHEVROLET TO INFORM THEM AND THEY STATED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL SCHEDULED FOR THE 2005 OR 2006 CHEVY COBALT. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH ON THE CHEVY COBALT AND DISCOVERED THAT POWER STEERING GOING OUT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG CHEVY COBALT OWNERS AND CHEVY IS FAILING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AT RANDOM AND CHEVY SAYS THAT IT WILL COST $800.00 JUST FOR THE PART NOT INCLUDING LABOR COST. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR THAT CHEVY NEEDS TO CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282620

59,724 miles · Aug 31, 2009

Steering

THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT KEEPS FAILING AT RANDOM INTERVALS. USUALLY WHEN IT FAILS, I HAVE TO STOP AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO RESTORE IT, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHILE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282456

75,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2006. WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS OFF. SHE WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT WHENEVER UTILIZING THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IN THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10282446

100,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009

Steering

THE POWER STEERING FAULT KEEPS COMING ON TURNING THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST OFF. I HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282442

89,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HE LOST POWER STEERING WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE POWER STEERING DISENGAGED AND RESUMED NORMAL DRIVING FUNCTION. A LOCAL MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT WAS FAILING AND THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 2,000. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE; HOWEVER, SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10282363

21,000 miles · Aug 30, 2009

Steering

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH ELECTRONIC/POWER STEERING DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED THE STEERING IN MY VEHICLE TO FAIL AND/OR WORK IMPROPERLY. THIS FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED AROUND 21000 MILES IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY THAT I HAD PURCHASED FOR THE VEHICLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. MY CAR NOW HAS 36000 MILES ON IT AND THE SAME PROBLEM I…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10282344

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.