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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

Traction Control System complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

*PLEASE NOTE...THE INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. WE HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SEDAN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, WE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WIT…

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*PLEASE NOTE...THE INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. WE HAVE A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT SEDAN THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING MOTOR INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. WE HAD NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, WE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE - PLUS ADDITIONAL FAILURES. UPON START-UP, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NO POWER STEERING, AND HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RETRY NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE POWER STEERING RETURNS. IN ADDITION TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS: TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATING RANDOM CLICKING OF THE BRAKE SAFETY INTERLOCK RELAY / ACTUATOR (WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKE). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TRANSMISSION GOING INTO "LIMP MODE"..."SLAMMING" INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK - OR IMPROPER SHIFTING WHILE DRIVING. RANDOM DASH GAUGE FAILURE RANDOM FAILURES OF THE "DRIVER'S INFORMATION CENTER" - FLASHING, ETC. THIS WAS INITIALLY HAPPENING ONLY UPON START-UP...BUT STARTED HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING AS WELL - NEARLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY URBAN STREET. SHE WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO DRIFT INTO THE TURN LANE AND COME TO A STOP TO AVOID A COLLISION AND LIKELY SERIOUS INJURY TO HERSELF AND OTHERS, AS IT WAS VIRTUALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. IN ADDITION TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING (WHILE DRIVING), THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WENT INTO "LIMP MODE", CAUSING VERY HARD SHIFTING AND MUCH DIFFICULTY IN DRIVABILITY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I AM 6'3", 260LBS., AND I WAS STRUGGLING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OTHER COBALT OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME SET OF "SYMPTOMS". IT IS CLEAR THAT THE MOTOR REPLACEMENT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, AND - IN SOME CASES - MAY BE LEADING TO FURTHER PROBLEMS AS IN OUR CASE. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373202

90,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Traction Control System

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL, SECURITY LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, ALL COME ON THEN POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTS JERKING, AND IS HARD TO CONTROL. IT HAS PROBLEMS BRAKING AND SHIFTING GEARS. THERE ARE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL FROM CHEVY AND NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER TO WHAT …

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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TRACTION CONTROL, SECURITY LIGHT, ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, ALL COME ON THEN POWER STEERING WARNING COMES ON AND TRANSMISSION STARTS JERKING, AND IS HARD TO CONTROL. IT HAS PROBLEMS BRAKING AND SHIFTING GEARS. THERE ARE ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL FROM CHEVY AND NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER TO WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD INTO 2 DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS AND STILL THIS PROBLEM NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368423

87,233 miles · Oct 14, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System

TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DAUGHTERS' CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY AT TIMES AND SHE HAS TROUBLE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF HER CAR , (2005 CHEVY COBALT). THIS PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED HER TO LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF HER CAR THIS PAST SPRING , COMING TOO CLOSE TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY , NO SET T…

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TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THEN MY DAUGHTERS' CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY AT TIMES AND SHE HAS TROUBLE MAINTAINING CONTROL OF HER CAR , (2005 CHEVY COBALT). THIS PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED HER TO LOOSE TOTAL CONTROL OF HER CAR THIS PAST SPRING , COMING TOO CLOSE TO CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS PERIODICALLY , NO SET TIME SPAN , IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 OR 8 TIMES SINCE LAST SPRING. OUR GM DEALER SAID SHE SHOULD BRING THE CAR IN WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON SO THEY CAN PULL THE CODE. UNFORTUNATELY , WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED AND PUT INTO PARK , THE LIGHT GOES AWAY. AND ALL OF THESE TIMES EXCEPT ONE , THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AFTER THE DEALERSHIP IS CLOSED OR WELL BEFORE THEY OPEN , OR SHE IS NOWHERE NEAR ANY GM OR CHEVY DEALERSHIP. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED , I HAVE READ OF OTHER COBALT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME TRACTION CONTROL PROBLEM WITH SOME OF THE SAME RESULTS OR RESULTS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM MY DAUGHTERS CAR. THE POINT BEING (AT LEAST IN THIS CASE) I BELIEVE THAT GM OR CHEVY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM , BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSES SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH . I READ ABOUT ALL THE OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE "REPAIR PAL" WEBSITE. THE MODEL YEARS SEEM TO BE BETWEEN "04" AND "07". THE ONE TIME MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO GET HER CAR INTO THE GM DEALER WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON , SHE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK SO SHE COULD GO IN TO GET SOMEONE TO HOOK UP THEIR COMPUTER AND PULL THE CODE. WHEN THEY CAME BACK OUT , THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS OUT , AS I STATED EARLIER ABOUT PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THEREFORE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ERGO , NO CODE TO PULL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10360539

60,000 miles · Sep 12, 2010
Parking BrakeService Brakes, ElectricTraction Control System

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS SEVERAL ISSUE WITH TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. ALL THE WARNING LIGHT FOR TC, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ARE ON AGAIN AND WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS AND LOSES TRAC…

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS SEVERAL ISSUE WITH TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. ALL THE WARNING LIGHT FOR TC, ABS, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ARE ON AGAIN AND WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS THE CAR SHIFTS GEARS AND LOSES TRACTION CONTROL. VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE HEARD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TYPES OF CHEVY CARS. SO WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL! A FATALITY? SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355074

54,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Electrical SystemSteeringTraction Control System

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT (11/09). THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING COMES ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I AM DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL MY STEERING AND JERKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND/OR CHANGE GEARS. IT ALSO BECOMES A LITTLE HARDER TO COME TO A …

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT IT (11/09). THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND POWER STEERING COMES ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I AM DRIVING IT, IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL MY STEERING AND JERKS WHEN I ACCELERATE AND/OR CHANGE GEARS. IT ALSO BECOMES A LITTLE HARDER TO COME TO A COMPETE STOP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY GREASED THE WIRES THINKING THAT IT WAS A CONNECTION PROBLEM. IT WORKED ALRIGHT FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF BUT THEN THE LIGHT FLASHED ON AGAIN ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND HAS FLASHED ON RANDOMLY EVER SINCE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305897

30,000 miles · Nov 3, 2009
SteeringTraction Control System

AS MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING GO OUT, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM; HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR WHILE BARELY MOVING IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT IN TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP …

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AS MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THE TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER STEERING GO OUT, WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURS AT RANDOM; HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON THE FREEWAY OR WHILE BARELY MOVING IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT IN TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP TWICE, BUT THEY CANNOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT CONTROL IT VERY WELL AND WITH WINTER APPROACHING, IT IS JUST DOWNRIGHT SCARY. I WISH THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR; OTHERWISE, I WILL CONSIDER GETTING A DIFFERENT NON-GM CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290829

9,300 miles · Sep 28, 2009
SteeringTraction Control System

CHEVY COBALT 2005 TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON STARTING SUMMER OF 2009. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS 5 BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME...HEARD "BING BING BING", LOST POWER STEERING, ABS MADE THE CAR BUCK, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE THE CAR 4 BLOCKS TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME TO GET THE CAR…

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CHEVY COBALT 2005 TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON STARTING SUMMER OF 2009. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2009 I WAS 5 BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME...HEARD "BING BING BING", LOST POWER STEERING, ABS MADE THE CAR BUCK, AND TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE THE CAR 4 BLOCKS TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED ME TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER WHICH I DID. HAWTHORNE CHEVROLET SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. ON THE INTERNET IF YOU TYPE COBALT 2005 DEFECTS MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ARE BEING REPORTED TO GM. GM DENIES A PROBLEM AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. I AM FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AS YOU GET NO WARNING OF FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285538

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

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.