NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reports200,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Power TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE "POWER STEERING FLUID" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE "POWER STEERING FLUID" WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER THE FIRST ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11012471
108,400 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Exterior LightingStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE HEADLAMP BULB BECAUSE THE BULB SHIELD FELL OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED THE SHIELD WAS MISSING UNTIL HE NOTICED A GLARE IN THE BULB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LIGHT BULBS AFFECTED DUE TO THE REFLECTOR FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. THE C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE HEADLAMP BULB BECAUSE THE BULB SHIELD FELL OFF. THE CONTACT HAD NOT NOTICED THE SHIELD WAS MISSING UNTIL HE NOTICED A GLARE IN THE BULB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO LIGHT BULBS AFFECTED DUE TO THE REFLECTOR FAILING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A REPAIR MANUAL AND NOTICED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V560000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE GLARE COULD AFFECT AN ONCOMING MOTORIST, RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,400.
NHTSA ODI #11012025
80,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. GO TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND POP MY TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED AND I CAN NOT GET MY KEY TO TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE OFF POSITION, AS A RESULT I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 30MPH EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED AND WA…
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VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, WOULDN'T EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER. GO TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND POP MY TRUNK WHERE THE BATTERY IS LOCATED AND I CAN NOT GET MY KEY TO TURN ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE OFF POSITION, AS A RESULT I CANNOT REMOVE MY KEY. THE SPEEDOMETER READ 30MPH EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE NEVER STARTED AND WASN'T MOVING. NON OF THE ELECTRONICS WERE WORKING SO I WAS UNABLE TO POP MY TRUNK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AND EVENTUALLY THE VEHICLE WILL START AND WHEN IT DOES THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE DASH READS; ENGINE PERFORMANCE LOW. THE TRANSMISSION WILL SURGE AS I AM DRIVING AND I CANNOT GO FASTER THAN 30MPH. I HAVE EVEN HAD THE CAR SHUT OFF COMPLETLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER ANYWHERE BETWEEN A FEW HOURS TO A FEW WEEKS THE VEHICLE WILL STOP ACTING UP AND DRIVE NORMAL FOR A WHILE. AGIAN THE NORMAL LASTS ANYWHERE BETWEEN A FEW HOURS TO A FEW MONTHS AS WELL. THE POWER STERING ALSO FLASHES ON THE DASH AND SOMETIMES CUTS COMPLEATLY OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11011812
93,000 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING REMAINED DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ROBINCE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL REPAIR, THE POWER STEERING REMAINED DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ROBINCE CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXACT REPAIR DIAGNOSIS; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #11011679
113,000 miles · Jul 13, 2017
Air BagsInjury
I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AT A VERY LOW SPEED (LESS THAN 5MPH) AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, UNPROVOKED. JUST THE DRIVER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. I RECEIVED BURNS AND CUTS TO MY ARM AND HAVE HEARING LOSS IN MY ONE EAR.
NHTSA ODI #11005021
170,000 miles · Jun 27, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET COBALT I BOUGHT OFF AN INDIVIDUAL AUGUST 2016 AT FIRST THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NO MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT COULDNT BE FIXED. AS OF MAY 2017 WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR 60 MPH MY GUAGES JUMP FOR EXAMPLE WILL BE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND THE GUAGE WILL JUMP DOWN TO 20 MPH. AS I AM TURNING MY STEERING LOCKS …
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I HAVE AN 05 CHEVROLET COBALT I BOUGHT OFF AN INDIVIDUAL AUGUST 2016 AT FIRST THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY NO MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT COULDNT BE FIXED. AS OF MAY 2017 WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR 60 MPH MY GUAGES JUMP FOR EXAMPLE WILL BE DRIVING 55 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND THE GUAGE WILL JUMP DOWN TO 20 MPH. AS I AM TURNING MY STEERING LOCKS HAVE ALMOST CRASHED MULTIPLE TIMES (NEEDS RECALL FIXED) BUT TO BE CLEAR IT DOES NOT JUMP AT ALL WHILE STATIONARY. HAVING TO FEEL UNSAFE IN ANY VEHICLE SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE BY ANY MEANS. THIS IS MY FIRST GM CAR AND HAVING WORKED FOR GM IM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED
NHTSA ODI #11001601
132,000 miles · Jun 25, 2017
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I SIMPLY LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER MY CAR, ALL IT DOES IS CLICK WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, LUCKILY I WAS CLOSE TO HOME AND SLOWLY EDGED TO THE FRONT OF MY HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11001263
25 miles · Jun 18, 2017
Steering
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN A MASSAGE APPEARED ON THE BOARD POWER STEERING AND I LOST POWER IN THE CAR I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY I WAS SCARED THE STEERING DON'T RESPOND BUT I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT TO MY HOUSE AND THEN 25 MIN LATER THE STEERING WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10995788
206,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Steering
CAR FLASHES POWER STEERING AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON. THEY CAR SHIFTS REALLY HARD AND LUNGES FORWARD WHEN YOU ARE PUTTING ON THE BRAKES AND THE SPEED NEEDLE JUMPS UP AND DOWN. WHEN YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT STOPS DOING IT.
NHTSA ODI #10992953
107,690 miles · May 30, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND (STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEDRICKS CHEVROLET (961 W SHAW AVE, CLOVIS, CA 93612) WHERE IT WAS TENTAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND (STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HEDRICKS CHEVROLET (961 W SHAW AVE, CLOVIS, CA 93612) WHERE IT WAS TENTATIVELY DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,690.
NHTSA ODI #10992331
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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