NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reports93,000 miles · May 3, 2017
Steering
2005 CHEVY, COBALT, HAD 2 RECALLS 2010, 2014 BOTH FOR STEERING ISSUES. RECENTLY TOLD BY A MECHANIC PROBLEM STILL IN RACK AND PION IN STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL NOT PROMISE TO FIX AS PART OF ORIGNAL RECALL OR CAN'T QUARANTEE FIXING. WITH ALL THE FATALITIES OF THIS ISSUE MY FEELING IT SHOULD BE A LIFETIME WARRANTEE. ON HIG…
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2005 CHEVY, COBALT, HAD 2 RECALLS 2010, 2014 BOTH FOR STEERING ISSUES. RECENTLY TOLD BY A MECHANIC PROBLEM STILL IN RACK AND PION IN STEERING MECHANISM. DEALER WILL NOT PROMISE TO FIX AS PART OF ORIGNAL RECALL OR CAN'T QUARANTEE FIXING. WITH ALL THE FATALITIES OF THIS ISSUE MY FEELING IT SHOULD BE A LIFETIME WARRANTEE. ON HIGHWAY DRIVING I FEEL IT STILL IS AN ISSUE AND DON'T FEEL SAFE. DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I HAVE SPENT MUCH MONEY ON FRONT END ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE AND FEEL IT HAS BEEN RELATED TO SOME OF THE STEERING ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10983304
150,000 miles · May 1, 2017
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND EXCESSIVE FORCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10981542
107,900 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electrical System
4/14/17 VEHICLE SVC-IGNITION RECALL 14113 LOCK CYLINDER & KEY 13454 IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING WELL PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE BUT NOW IT APPEARED THAT THE IGNITION WAS "STIFF' TO OPERATE FOLLOWING THE REPAIR & THE KEY SEEMED TO PERIODICALLY HANG UP WHEN INSERTED. THERE WAS A RANDOM HESITATION WHEN MAKING A …
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4/14/17 VEHICLE SVC-IGNITION RECALL 14113 LOCK CYLINDER & KEY 13454 IGNITION SWITCH THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING WELL PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE BUT NOW IT APPEARED THAT THE IGNITION WAS "STIFF' TO OPERATE FOLLOWING THE REPAIR & THE KEY SEEMED TO PERIODICALLY HANG UP WHEN INSERTED. THERE WAS A RANDOM HESITATION WHEN MAKING A U TURN-AS IF THE CAR BRIEFLY STALLED OUT- NO POWER, UPON TURNING THE WHEEL. EVE OF 4/21/17, AFTER BEING DRIVEN & PARKED ON A CITY STREET FOR ABOUT AN HR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ALTHOUGH THERE WAS FULL BATTERY POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS SECURED & LEFT TO SIT. MORN OF 4/22/17 SVC CTR WAS NOTIFIED. VEHICLE STILL WOULDN'T START, BUT, UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY & INITIAL CRANK, THE CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING SUDDEN RANDOM CLICKS OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, DOOR LOCKS ENGAGING, DASHBOARD PANEL FLASHING. UPON REMOVING THE KEY & REINSERTING IT, THE KEY APPEARED TO HAVE DEPROGRAMMED & THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. THE KEY WAS REMOVED & THE CAR SECURED. LATER, ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE THE IGNITION USING THE SECOND NEW KEY & WAS UNSUCCESSFUL-THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION BUT LOCKED IN ACC MODE POSITION. LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED PER DEALER AUTH. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTED THAT THE CAR BATTERY APPEARED TO HAVE DRAINED BY THEIR ARRIVAL, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION & THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK. 4/24/17 SERVICE FOUND CODES P0604 & P0606 CONTROL MODULE RAM FAILURE + INTERNAL CONTROLLER FAILURE- DEALER COURTESY PERFORMED REPROGRAMMING, THEFT RELEARN & CRANK VARIATION LEARN. THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE OPERATING NORMAL AFTER REPROGRAMMING & WAS SET FOR CUSTOMER PICKUP. THE DEALER SVC CTR RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM IF IT REOCCURS. THERE APPEARS TO BE OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ECM FAILURE AFTER HAVING RECALL SVC. CONTACTED CHEVY CUST ASSIST CTR & INITIATED A CASE RECORD. CASE PENDING.
NHTSA ODI #10980316
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. T…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ICON ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10970115
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2017
SteeringTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STEERING WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE POWER STEERING ALSO RANDOMLY SHORTED OUT EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY PROGRESSED FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE DEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND STEERING WARNING INDICATORS RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THE POWER STEERING ALSO RANDOMLY SHORTED OUT EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY PROGRESSED FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET APPROVED WHAT THE DEALER MENTIONED WOULD BE AN EXTENSIVE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V073000 (STEERING), 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14E021000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10967174
165,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT HILL AND TOTALING AND CAR SEVERELY INJURING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
NHTSA ODI #10966154
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LOSING POWER, SPEEDOMETER FLAT, TACHOMETER WORKING, WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY; DISPLAYING: POWER STEERING = CAR HAS STEERING WHEEL PLAY; CAR DOES NOT DRIVE OVER 30 MPH AND REVVING HIGH. THE CAR REGAINS POWER AND LOSES POWER AND REGAINS INTERMITTENTLY. CHEVY COBALT 2005
NHTSA ODI #10965944
304,000 miles · Jan 1, 2017
Steering
I WAS PARKED. I RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND STARTED VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ON DASH ILLUMINATED AND MY STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO OUR HOTEL, BUT WAS FEARFUL OF DRIVING ANY FURTHER. HAD IT TOWED HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10938992
200,000 miles · Dec 8, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
OUR VEHICLE IS LEAKING GASOLINE AND IS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THOSE ADDRESSED IN THIS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V419000 BUT CHEVROLET SAYS THAT IT DOESN'T COVER THE 2005 MODEL AND WE BELIEVE IT SHOULD SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10933935
99,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) IN 2011. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10928807
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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