IllustrationTHE SWAY BAR, CONTROL ARMS, & BUSHINGS WERE ALL FAULTY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WILL HAVE TO BE REBUILT DUE TO SUBPAR PARTS BEING USED IN MANUFACTURING.
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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
Suspension complaints
47 reportsSUSPENSION IS REALLY BAD.
I HAVE A SAFETY COMPLAINT I BOUGHT MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND I'M NOT HAPPY WITH-IT IT DOESN'T, DRIVE SAFE ITS DRIVE LIKE THE ACCERLATOR PEDAL GOING TO COME OFF ITS SEEMS LOOSE WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON IT TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMS LIKE ITS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT I HAVE TOOK IT TO FIRESTONES AND DEALERSHIP…
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I HAVE A SAFETY COMPLAINT I BOUGHT MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND I'M NOT HAPPY WITH-IT IT DOESN'T, DRIVE SAFE ITS DRIVE LIKE THE ACCERLATOR PEDAL GOING TO COME OFF ITS SEEMS LOOSE WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON IT TO ACCELERATE AND THE CAR SEEMS LIKE ITS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT I HAVE TOOK IT TO FIRESTONES AND DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NOTHINGS WRONG BUT I JUST DON'T SEEM SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ESPECIALLY ON THE EXPRESSWAYS IT SEEMS LIKE THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL LIKE ITS TRYING TO RUN OFF FROM ME SO I STAY OFF THE EXPRESSWAYS I THINK THIS CAR WAS IN ACCIDENT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT BUT THE SALESMAN GAVE ME A CAR FAX REPORT AND SAID IT HADN'T BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAR IT LOOK LIKE IT HAS THANK GOD I HAVEN'T BEEN IN A ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR BUT IM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS CAR I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR AGAIN NOW AS FAIR AS THE IGNITION MY CAR WAS CUTTING IT SELF OFF WITH THAT BAS IGNITION SWITCH I WENT TO SEVERAL CAR PLACES THAT SAID IT DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE LOANED SO I KEPT CALLING GMC AND THEY GOT ME IN TO GET THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT ITS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING CONNECTED TO THE ACCERLATED PALPATED MY CAR NEEDS TO BE TOUGHLY CHECK OUT AND I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY TO HAVE CAR DEALER CHECK IT OUT I ALREADY SPEND ON THEIRS CAR THIS YEA OVER $1500 DOLLARS IM RETIRED I'M ONE FIXED INCOME AND I JUST DON'T HAVE IT IF YOU CAN GET MY CAR INTO A DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM LOOK IT OVER THOROUGHLY FREE OF CHARGE, AND I CAN TRY TO FIX WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIX BECAUSE I KNOW I NOT CRAZY SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY WRONG WITH MY COBALT I DON'T KNOW WHY NOBODY CANT SEE THAT. I HAVE REPLACE BALL JOINTS SWAYS BARS AND IGNITIONS SWITCHES AND THIS CAR STILL DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT I WANT EVERY BIT OF MONEY I PAID FOR THIS CAR BACK. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN CAR AGAIN AND WILL TELL MY FAMILY NOT TO EITHER. *TR
2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER, THE TOLD HER TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN AND TAP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE TIMES THROUGH OUT THE YEARS, WHERE…
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2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER, THE TOLD HER TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL UP AND DOWN AND TAP ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE TIMES THROUGH OUT THE YEARS, WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE LEFT, THE OIL PAN WAS LEAKING, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERABLE, AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON NORMAL OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES FOR TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON NORMAL OR UNEVEN ROAD SURFACES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONSISTED OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION, EXCLUDING THE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. WHEN YOU DRIVE AT TIMES, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND DIES OUT AND RUNS ROUGH. IT OVERHEATS AND THEN THE MECHANIC CANT FIND THE PROBLEM OR ANYTHING WRONG BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. MY COUSIN BOUGHT A 2009 COBALT AND HER CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS OF DYING OUT. T…
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THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES FOR THE SAME THING. WHEN YOU DRIVE AT TIMES, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND DIES OUT AND RUNS ROUGH. IT OVERHEATS AND THEN THE MECHANIC CANT FIND THE PROBLEM OR ANYTHING WRONG BUT I HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. MY COUSIN BOUGHT A 2009 COBALT AND HER CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS OF DYING OUT. THE CAR IS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE EVERYTHING BREAKS DOWN. I STILL OWE ON THE CAR AND ITS A MONEY PIT. A MECHANIC SAID MY FRAME IS BENT. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I AM STUCK WITH A LEMON AND ITS SQUEEZING ME. *TR
THE VEHICLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE THROUGH THE BOTTOM METAL FRAME OF THE CAR WHEN TURNING TO AN UNEVEN ROAD OR DRIVEWAY. *TR
TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE OF BAD CLUNKING IN FRONT END. THEY REPLACED THE BUSHINGS (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY). NOW (58000 MI) I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE CLUNKING IS MUCH WORSE?! SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE COBALTS. SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS BEFORE THERE IS A HORRI…
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TOOK MY CAR TO DEALER BECAUSE OF BAD CLUNKING IN FRONT END. THEY REPLACED THE BUSHINGS (WHILE UNDER WARRANTY). NOW (58000 MI) I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE CLUNKING IS MUCH WORSE?! SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE COBALTS. SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS BEFORE THERE IS A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT!!!! ALSO (I HAVE THE 2 DOOR) THERE IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS NOT WORKING! ALL THE SUDDEN YOU TRY TO GET IN AND THE HANDLE MOVES BUT DOES NOT OPEN! I WOULD HAVE TO ENTER/EXIT ON PASSENGER SIDE! I HAVE HAD PARTS TO THIS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. THIS TOO COULD ALSO BE VERY DANGEROUS IF IN AN ACCIDENT! I AM STILL HAPPY WITH MY CAR BUT NOT WITH THE SAME ONGOING ISSUES THAT COULD LEAD TO POTENTIAL DISASTER! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BOTTOM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE BOTTOM FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED TWO CONTROL ARMS BUT ONE THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE CONTROL ARM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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
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. 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
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. 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.
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
1PE10005 · 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.