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

80,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009

Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

2005 CHEVY COBALT--POWER STEERING GOES OUT SUDDENLY ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284450

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2009

Steering

THE PAST FEW DAYS WHEN DRIVING MY 2005 COBALT THE POWER STEERING GOES COMPLETELY OUT AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284426

100,462 miles · Sep 16, 2009

Steering

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. SHORTLY AFTER I WENT OVER 100,000 MILES, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I COULD NOT FIND THE POWER STEERING OIL RESERVOIR TO CHECK MY LEVELS. GOT IN MY CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WAS JUST FINE. OVER THE NEXT WEEK, IT WENT OUT 4 TO 5 TIMES RANDOMLY. I CHECKED THE WEB FOR THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT IT IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR GM PUT INTO THIS VEHICLE (PLUS OTHER MODELS). SINCE IT STARTED, IT GOES OUT ANYWHERE FROM ONCE A DAY TO 7-10 DAYS A DAY. THE PROBLEM IS COMPLETELY RANDOM. AFTER FINDING OUT THAT MANY OTHER COBALT OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE FACT THAT IT IS A DANGER TO OPERATE WHEN IT SUDDENLY GOES OUT, I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS MOTOR. JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NOT DIED IN MASS NUMBERS BECAUSE OF THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284240

40,300 miles · Sep 16, 2009

Steering

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THE CHEVROLET COBALT HAS A VERY APPARENT AND COMMON ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. UNLIKE MOST CARS THE COBALT HAS AN ELECTRIC MOTOR WHICH FACILITATES TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL OFTEN STOP WORKING UNNECESSARILY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT IT CAN OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING AT ANYTIME, INCLUDING WHILE TURNING. I HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN ON AN EXIT RAMP AND HAD THE STEERING GO OUT. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH OUT CRASHING INTO THE GUARD RAIL. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS CONCERN BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. THERE SHOULD BE RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE WHAT THE CHEVROLET COBALT AS IT IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM AMONG COBALT OWNERS AND GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284170

55,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009

Steering

THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY CHEVY COBALT 2005. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283991

65,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009

Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING 2005 CHEVY COBALT AT ANY SPEED. HAPPENS OFTEN, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART THEN POWER STEERING WORKS AGAIN FOR A WHILE. VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS(55MPH) HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTED PROBLEM WITH SAME ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283947

73,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009

Steering

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MY CHEVY COBALT 2 DOOR COUPE HAS A PROBLEM WHERE THE ELECTRIC STEERING JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING AND IT DISABLES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ABS SYSTEM I GOT IT FIXED WHICH THE WARRANTY I HAD DIDN'T COVER FOR 1K AND THEN 4 DAYS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT IT HAPPENS A LOT WITH THESE CARS AND AFTER THEY ARE FIXED IT KEEPS HAPPENING. ALSO WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE MOTOR WILL NOT IDLE PROPERLY AND THE TRANS SLAMS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283909

118,246 miles · Sep 13, 2009

Steering

I AM DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND THE CARS POWER STEERING WOULD JUST GO OUT. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A TURN AT ANY SPEED. THE ONLY WAY TO TRY TO HELP THE PROBLEM IS TO PULL OVER,TURN OFF THE CAR. BUT THAT ONLY HELPS OUT FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN THE POWERSTEERING WILL GO OUT AGAIN. THEN THE PROCESS WILL START OVER AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283831

72,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING FOR LESS THAN A MILE AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN THE CAR'S DRIVER INFORMATION SCREEN READ "POWER STEERING" AND THE WHEEL LOCKED UP AND FOUND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I ALSO HAVE A NEWER CAR OF THE SAME MODEL THAT HAD THIS ISSUE AND THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE FILED A SEPARATE COMPLAINT WITH YOUR OFFICE FOR THIS VEHICLE; THE CONFORMATION NUMBER I WAS GIVEN IS 10283738 FOR A 2007 CHEVY COBALT. I HAVE NOT HAD MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT REPAIRED YET AS I CAN NOT AFFORD IT AND IT'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. WHEN THE 2007 WAS REPAIRED THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALTS AND THE CHEVY HHR BECAUSE THEY HAVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING AS OPPOSED TO HYDRAULIC. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN THESE VEHICLES AND I SURELY DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE THEM EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283740

32,000 miles · Sep 11, 2009

Steering

FOR THE 3RD TIME MY 19 YR OLD DAUGHTER'S 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS TIME SHE WAS ON A BUSY TAMPA HIGHWAY. I SEE THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. I CAN HAVE IT REPLACED FOR 1,500 BUT THAT NEW PART WILL WEAR OUT AS WELL. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE HURT OR WORSE? I SEE COMP…

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NHTSA ODI #10283715

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.