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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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70,000 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE SHAKING COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE SHAKING COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,950 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273866

71,717 miles · Jun 14, 2009
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP IN THE CAR AND THE DIC/ INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED 'POWER STEERING' . THE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY KIND. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT POSES RISKS AND TH…

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THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP IN THE CAR AND THE DIC/ INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED 'POWER STEERING' . THE STEERING SYSTEM SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY KIND. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND I WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR IN ANY MANNER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT POSES RISKS AND THREAT OF PROPERTY DAMAGE, SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CAR OWNER, OTHER CAR DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, OTHERS CARS ON THE ROAD, PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER BUILDING STRUCTURES. THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY INCREASES. REPAIR REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, PSCM (POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE) AND POWER STEERING MOTOR UNIT ESTIMATED TO COST UPTO $2000. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ALSO INDICATES A NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (AS THIS CAR DOES) AS OPPOSED TO CONVENTIONAL HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEMS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. GM HAS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING COMMUNICATION ON THIS TOPIC, BUT THIS PARTICULAR BULLETIN DOES NOT REFER TO OWNERS OF 2005 COBALT CAR MODEL. BULLETIN GMP07-217 - 07126 SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT MESSAGE #:VSU20071643 SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #07126 DATED: DECEMBER 3, 2007 SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE RESULTING FROM A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, I AM REQUESTING THAT CHEVROLET REIMBURSE ME OR PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS PAST THE STANDARD MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273751

51,000 miles · Jun 13, 2009
Steering

THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD AND CAUSE ALL POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN, BUT EACH TIME THE MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURES DECREASES. THE FAILUR…

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THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LS. THE POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR ROAD AND CAUSE ALL POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN, BUT EACH TIME THE MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURES DECREASES. THE FAILURE HAPPENS SO OFTEN NOW THAT I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR. THE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED NOW SINCE GM DOES NOT SELL INDIVIDUAL PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273717

83,000 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Steering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING CAME ON AND HAS BEEN FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. I HAVE LOOKED UP THE ISSUE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF COBALT TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE THE 2005 COBALT SS SUPERCHARGED WIT 84,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273629

73,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO PRIOR FAILURES WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO REPAIR THE STEERING. THE ELECTRICAL S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO PRIOR FAILURES WITH THE STEERING. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO REPAIR THE STEERING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR CONDITIONING OR LOCK THE DOORS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273481

46,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT THAT COULD POSSI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE POWER STEERING IN THE VEHICLE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AND ALMOST CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CRASH. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM AND THE STEERING COLUMN. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME FAILURE AND BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46,000.

NHTSA ODI #10273477

50,000 miles · Jun 9, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 05. AT ABOUT 50K MILES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES DRIVING STRAIGHT, SOMETIMES TURNING. I HAD A FEW NEAR COLLISIONS WHEN IT FAILED MID-TURN. AFTER FINDING OUT THE REPLACEMENT PAR…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN 05. AT ABOUT 50K MILES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR WAS INCREDIBLY HARD TO STEER. THIS HAPPENED RANDOMLY, SOMETIMES DRIVING STRAIGHT, SOMETIMES TURNING. I HAD A FEW NEAR COLLISIONS WHEN IT FAILED MID-TURN. AFTER FINDING OUT THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS CLOSE TO $1000 FROM CHEVY, I FOUND A SUITABLE DONOR CAR AND SALVAGED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. I SWAPPED IT OUT AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS IN THE 15K MILES SINCE. I STILL HAVE THE FAILED POWER STEERING UNIT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273224

53,890 miles · Jun 9, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY SPECULATED THAT JUMPSTARTING OTHER VEHICLES COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICITY TO THE COMPONENT. AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS, THE ENTIRE POW…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SPORADICALLY, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY SPECULATED THAT JUMPSTARTING OTHER VEHICLES COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICITY TO THE COMPONENT. AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS, THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,890.

NHTSA ODI #10273192

37,500 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY FAILED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF WITHIN ONE MINUTE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT APPLYING MAXIMUM FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING CONSTANTLY FAILED. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME STIFF WITHIN ONE MINUTE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT APPLYING MAXIMUM FORCE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 37,500.

NHTSA ODI #10273146

20,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Steering

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. POWER STEERING FAILS AT ALL SPEEDS. IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. COULD DEFINITELY CAUSE COLLISIONS AT HIGH SPEEDS. SHOULD BE A RECALL. GM IS UNWILLING SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273136

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.