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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

What owners actually said

1,649 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2010
SteeringCrash

TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE CONTACT SUDDENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FOUND AT FAULT; ALTHOUGH, HE DOESNT AGREE SINCE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE CONTACT SUDDENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FOUND AT FAULT; ALTHOUGH, HE DOESNT AGREE SINCE THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10302934

49,210 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE IN CHEVY COBALT. A LITTLE ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TW

NHTSA ODI #10302915

38,930 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS STARTED MONDAY AND DID IT 2 SEPARATE TIMES THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY. ONCE YOU TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON IT'S OK FOR AN INDETERMINABLE TIMEFRAME. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302887

65,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING ON '05 COLBALT SHUTS OFF DURING DRIVING. SYSTEM TURNS OFF SPORADICALLY. IF I CANNOT PULL OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN BUT VERY HARD TO TURN. IF I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON THE SYSTEM WORKS FINE TILL THE NEXT EPISODE. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302885

65,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
SteeringInjury

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO THE POWER STEERING STARTED RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT WAS VERY SUDDEN AND SHOCKED ME. THE JOLT OF THE WHEEL, WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME, SPRAINED MY WRIST. NOW, EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF WITHIN ABOUT TWO TO THREE SECON…

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ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO THE POWER STEERING STARTED RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED IT WAS VERY SUDDEN AND SHOCKED ME. THE JOLT OF THE WHEEL, WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME, SPRAINED MY WRIST. NOW, EVERY TIME THE CAR IS TURNED ON THE POWER STEERING GOES OFF WITHIN ABOUT TWO TO THREE SECONDS AND REMAINS OFF. I ALREADY SUSTAINED INJURY FROM THIS AND I'M VERY UPSET THAT NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY LARGE SCALE PROBLEM CREATING SAFETY HAZARDS FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. UNFORTUNATELY, THE WARRANTY ON MY COBALT HAS LONG BEEN EXPIRED AND I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN (MORE THAN $2000.00). I'D LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WILL BE CONTACTING A LAWYER IF THIS PROBLEM CAUSES ME ANOTHER INJURY OR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302585

91,409 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Steering

MY CHEVY COBALT WAS LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE PARKING, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED FOR ALMOST $600 BUT I AM STILL HAVING STEERING PR…

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MY CHEVY COBALT WAS LOSING POWER STEERING WHILE PARKING, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS REPLACED FOR ALMOST $600 BUT I AM STILL HAVING STEERING PROBLEMS. ALONG WITH THE MOTOR BEING REPLACED I HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ALMOST EVERY PART RELATING TO THE STEERING SYSTEM IN THIS CAR. THIS PROBLEM IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE GM RECALL THIS CAR IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM AFRAID EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.*CW

NHTSA ODI #10302544

60,060 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HEADING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN CHICAGO. WHEN THE POWERSTEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT APPARENTLY BEGAN TO GIVE OUT ,MY CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER, LOSE POWER, AND THE STEERING TRIED TO LOCK ITSELF. LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO DIM IN AND OUT AND THEN IT DISPLAYED POWERSTEERING ON…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HEADING HOME FROM WORK DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN CHICAGO. WHEN THE POWERSTEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT APPARENTLY BEGAN TO GIVE OUT ,MY CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER, LOSE POWER, AND THE STEERING TRIED TO LOCK ITSELF. LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO DIM IN AND OUT AND THEN IT DISPLAYED POWERSTEERING ON THE DISPLAY. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT THE POWERSTEERING COMPLETELY LOCKING ITSELF ON ME. I SHUT OFF MY CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. TURN IT BACK ON AND PROCEEDED TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND DROVE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME, WHICH FORTUNATELY WAS NOT THAT FAR AWAY, AND IT CONTINUED TO STUTTER AND TRIED TO LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL, DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIMMING IN AND OUT AND JUST LOSING POWER OF THE VEHICLE.. I AM LOOKING FOR THE NEAREST CHEVY DEALERSHIP, I CAN TAKE IT INTO FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I HAPPENED TO HAVE COME ACROSS ABOUT THE SAME COMPLAINTS OTHER CHEVY COBALT OWNERS HAVE WITH THEIR POWERSTEERING AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT IN CHICAGO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I DON'T EVEN WANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN UNABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HAD MY 1 YR OLD DAUGHTER WITH ME IN THE CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO IT AND HELP AVOID IN HAVING THIS PROBLEM TURN INTO A TRAGEDY FOR ANY OTHER CHEVY COBALT OWNERS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302332

50,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED A HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED A HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10302296

930,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Steering

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO RECALL THE 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT DUE TO THE POWER STEERING. I THINK ITS DISGUSTING THAT GM IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX THIS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302260

67,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT (67,000 MILES) KEEPS FAILING, WITHOUT WARNING. THIS MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY ON THE CURVY, RURAL ROADS I DRIVE. I CAN HARDLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND SEVERAL SIMILAR MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302151

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.