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 6, 2010

Steering

2005 CHEVY COLBALT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10299188

90,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010

Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298454

47,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010

Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY BECAME STUCK INSIDE OF THE IGNITION. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE KEY CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47000.

NHTSA ODI #10298438

120,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHICH REQUIRED HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10298307

67,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010

Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING IS FINE AND WORKING UNTIL ABOUT 10 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE COMES ON THE DISPLAY AT THE DASH AND STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. POWER STEERING RETURNS UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE BUT WILL USUALLY FAIL SHORTLY AFTER. I HAVE DONE INTERNET RE…

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NHTSA ODI #10298268

188,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED GREATER EFFORT TO TURN. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000. UPDATED 02/03/10 *BF UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10298248

14,000 miles · Jan 5, 2010

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SPORADICALLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF TO RESET THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE IT DOES NOT OCCUR OFTEN THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. THERE WERE NO …

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NHTSA ODI #10298237

75,000 miles · Jan 4, 2010

Steering

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY DEAD ON ME A COUPLE DAYS AGO. IT JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED STEERING AND HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF ROAD AND CALL WRECKER TO TOW IT HOME. I WENT TO A AUTOPARTS STORE SO THEY COULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID TO CALL MY DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME $1800.00 TO FIX. I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR COBALTS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298204

109,000 miles · Jan 4, 2010

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SUDDENLY, THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER CONTINUED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZE…

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NHTSA ODI #10297946

76,384 miles · Jan 3, 2010

Electrical SystemPower Train

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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. THIS VEHICLE IS MY FAMILIES' ONLY MEANS OF FAMILY TRANSPORTATION. ALSO, I HAVE VERY SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING A VERY HIGH RISK PREGNANCY. THE VEHICLE IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRAVELING TO MY DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS. AT RANDOM TIMES MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND LOCKED THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT HAS TROUBLE STAYING IN DRIVE, AND STARTS TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL PERIODICALLY. THE PROBLEMS USUALLY OCCUR WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN TOWN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. THEY HAVE CHANGED ITEMS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN AND TOLD ME THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. YET, JUST TODAY, THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN. I CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT I HAVE A RELIABLE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM MY DOCTORS. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT FACT TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. IF I AM UNABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DOCTOR OF HOSPITAL, MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS CAN TAKE MY LIFE, OR MY UNBORN CHILD'S. I NEED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED, BEFORE I GO BANKRUPT PAYING FOR THEM TO FIX WHAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297851

Official recalls

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. 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

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

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.

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

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.