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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

28 reports
Clear category filter
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

45,000 miles · Mar 13, 2010
Unknown Or Other

MY CAR IS A 2005 COBALT CHEVROLET. TWICE IN 3 MONTHS A HEAR A CHIME AND THE STEERING GOES FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL AND PUTS ME IN HARMS WAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SCARED ME TODAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON I95 WHILE RAINING. THE STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO MANU…

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MY CAR IS A 2005 COBALT CHEVROLET. TWICE IN 3 MONTHS A HEAR A CHIME AND THE STEERING GOES FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL AND PUTS ME IN HARMS WAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SCARED ME TODAY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON I95 WHILE RAINING. THE STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO MANUALLY CONTROL MY VEHICLE AND ALMOST CRASHED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I CONTACTED CHEVY CUSTOMER SERVICE THE WEEK BEFORE AND THEY SAID IT IS A PROBLEM AND A RECALL NOTICE WILL BE SENT TO ME SOON. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T WANT TO CRASH AND CHEVY SAID IT MAY BE A WHILE BEFORE I GET MY RECALL NOTICE AND THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10319379

45,000 miles · Feb 7, 2010
SteeringUnknown Or Other

TWO AN A HALF YEARS AGO MY VEHICLE STARTED TO JUST TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, IT STARTED ABOUT EVERY 4-5 MONTHS THEN ABOUT A YEAR AGO IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS REPLACED SINCE THEN. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE …

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TWO AN A HALF YEARS AGO MY VEHICLE STARTED TO JUST TURN OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, IT STARTED ABOUT EVERY 4-5 MONTHS THEN ABOUT A YEAR AGO IT STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT TWICE A MONTH. I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. IT WAS REPLACED SINCE THEN. I HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE TURNING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING. NOW FEBRUARY 6, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY WENT OUT. SOMETIMES IF I TURN MY CAR OFF AND RESTART IT WILL HAVE POWER STEERING AGAIN SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT HELP. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR 2 DAYS NOW AND IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY 3 TIMES AND TODAY 3 TIMES. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE OF COLLISIONS BECAUSE OF THIS. I PLAN ON GOING TO THE SHOP TOMORROW AND I WILL KEEP ANY PARTS THEY REPLACE. *TW

NHTSA ODI #10307340

60,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. DUE TO SHOCK, ALL THE CONTACT COULD REMEMBER WAS CLIMBING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THAT THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. DUE TO SHOCK, ALL THE CONTACT COULD REMEMBER WAS CLIMBING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND FLIPPED OVER WHILE EXITING OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, INTERNAL BRUISING, AND A CRACKED TAILBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO GET A ROD INSPECTED, WHICH WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THAT TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10252873

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2006
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY CAR SHUT OFF, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT BLANK. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AND IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE. TODAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE BADLY AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT MADE THE SHAKING WORSE. THE CA…

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I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20 MPH AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN MY CAR SHUT OFF, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT BLANK. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR AND IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE. TODAY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE BADLY AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT IT MADE THE SHAKING WORSE. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HAD LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I THOUGHT AT FIRST MAYBE A FLAT TIRE BUT NO. AS QUICKLY AS IT HAPPENED IT WENT AWAY. I AM VERY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH GM CARS BEFORE. YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON AND WENT WITH A HONDA OR TOYOTA. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174867

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2006
Unknown Or Other

THE PAINT ON THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR CONTINUES TO PEEL OFF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167961

7,780 miles · Oct 9, 2005
Unknown Or Other

WASHED CAR IN PARKING LOT, PARKED CAR IN CAR PORT OVER NIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 18 HOURS LATER AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE CAR PORT AND THE CAR FELT STUCK, I GOT OUT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS BLOCKING THE WHEELS; TRIED DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN WITH GREATER ACCELERATION--WAS ABLE TO MOVE CAR BUT THE RIGHT REAR…

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WASHED CAR IN PARKING LOT, PARKED CAR IN CAR PORT OVER NIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 18 HOURS LATER AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OUT OF THE CAR PORT AND THE CAR FELT STUCK, I GOT OUT TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS BLOCKING THE WHEELS; TRIED DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN WITH GREATER ACCELERATION--WAS ABLE TO MOVE CAR BUT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND MADE SKID MARKS AND SOUNDS FOR ABOUT 15 FEET, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK, TRIED PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE WHEEL REMAINED LOCKED, THEN TRIED ACCELERATED AND BRAKING HARD, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. CALLED CHEVROLET ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE THEY SENT A FLATBED TRUCK TO TAKE TO DEALER, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AT MY HOME AND AT THE DEALER; LEFT COBALT IN THE SERVICE DRIVE OVERNIGHT; NEXT DAY WHEN SERVICE DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE IT OPERATED NORMALLY. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM--I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING WHEN I AM NOT HOME OR I AM DRIVING. 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139150

60 miles · Jul 6, 2005
Unknown Or Other

CLUTCH WENT ON CAR AFTER 60 MILES (2 WEEKS OLD) BEEN IN TOMS CHEVROLET REPAIR SHOP FOR THREE WEEK STILL NOT PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #10127694

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.