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

50,000 miles · Jul 24, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY LATER AT NIGHT GOING STRAIGHT WHEN MY POWER STEERING LIKE CAME ON AND I QUICKLY REALIZED I HAD NO POWER STEERING AS I TRIED TO CHANGE LANES. I HAD TO GET HOME AND THE WHOLE WAY IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER I GOT HOME AND RESTARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK ON, HOWEVER AFTER HEARING ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I'M SURE IT WILL BE GOING OUT AGAIN. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR FOR FEAR OF THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT WHILE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN CAUSING ME TO CRASH AND RESULTING IN PEOPLE BEING HURT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS BY GM IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278199

60,300 miles · Jul 23, 2009

Steering

NOTICED THAT STEERING WAS GETTING A LITTLE TIGHTER. FEW DAYS LATTER POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON GOING DOWN HIGHWAY MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN I TRIED PULLING OVER. TURNED OFF CAR. CHECKED EVERYTHING I COULD NO PROBLEM SEEN. STARTED CAR EVERYTHING FINE AGAIN. GOT HOME DIDN'T ACT UP ANYMORE FOR TWO DAYS THE IT GOES OUT AGA…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10278066

125,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

FIRST THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND NEEDED TO CHANGE KEY AND TUMBLER AND IGNITION SWITCH WHICH YOU HAD TO BUY AT THE DEALER SINCE IT IS TO NEW OF A CAR FOR THE AUTO PARTS STORES. THE DEALER WANTED 300.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THAT HAPPENED AT 82,000 MILES. NOW THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE GOES ON AND IT CHIMES 2 TIMES AND THEN YOU CAN HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IT IS WARM AND WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING STRAIGHT. I DO NOT HAVE 1200.00 IT FIX THIS CAR. I GUESS I AM LUCKIER THAN SOME OTHER PEOPLE. I HAVE 132,000 MILES ON MY CAR.THIS IS A HAZARD WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS JUST TO MUCH TO FIX AND SOMETHING GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR AWHILE AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277963

35,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, THE ISSUE IS THE "POWER STEERING" INDICATOR COMES UP AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. SHE HAS TO PULL OVER AND TURNS OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THEN THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED "THIS HAPPENS NUMEROUS TIMES A DAY". THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW AS IT LOOKS LIKE GM HAS MOVED AWAY FROM THE RELIABLE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. ALONG WITH THE DESIGN FLAW THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE VEHICLE BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER PROPERLY. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE TO RESOLVE THIS, BUT HOPEFULLY NOT THE DEATH OR DEATHS OF SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277908

65,000 miles · Jul 21, 2009

Suspension

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAILING. SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH AFFECTED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN HER VEHICLE TO OTHER MECHANICS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE BELIEVES THAT THE MECHANICS ARE TRYING TO GET OVER ON HER. THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10277555

47,750 miles · Jul 19, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY 05 CHEVY COBALT LS WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASH AND THE POWER STEERING WASN'T WORKING. WHEN I GOT HOME I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WAS HEADING TO WORK THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN NOT MORE THAN 20 SECONDS AFTER LEAVING THE HOUSE. THE CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVERY TIME I USE IT. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHO ARE DRIVING THESE OR EVEN NEAR THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277350

50,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

2005 CHEVY COBALT W/ ABOUT 50,000MI. OUT OF NOWHERE "POWER STEERING" IS DISPLAYED IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER AND THE POWER STEERING CUTS OUT IMMEDIATELY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE CAR. POWER STEERING RESUMES IF CAR IS RESTARTED BUT ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND OCCURS EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER COBALT OWNERS. I AM CURRENTLY NOT DRIVING IT BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276924

19,798 miles · Jul 15, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. WENT OUT OUT DRIVEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE BACK DOWN AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS OK TO DRIVE IT, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON. HAD ME TEST IT AND SEE IF THE PS DID FAIL, WHICH IT DIDN'T. WENT TO DRIVE IT THE NEXT DAY OR SO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT POINT WE WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT THE CAR BEING TOWED FOR REPAIRS. AFTER LOOKING IT OVER, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. FROM WHAT I'M READING, THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THE COBALTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276915

68,200 miles · Jul 15, 2009

Steering

Read full complaint

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, AND UP UNTIL NOW, I HAVE BEEN PRETTY SATISFIED. HOWEVER, RECENTLY SINCE I HAVE HIT OVER 60,000 MILES, MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK ON 4 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, IT GOES AWAY FOR AWHILE, BUT THEN ALWAYS SEEMS TO LOCK BACK UP AGAIN. YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE ONLY THING YOU WOULD NEED TO DO IS ADD POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS CAR DOESN'T HAVE THAT, IT IS ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE IN FACT HUNDREDS, IF NOT MORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM($700-$1500), AND OF COURSE I'M NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ANYMORE, ALONG WITH ALMOST EVERYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW HEADLIGHTS CAN BE RECALLED, BUT SOMETHING AS SERIOUS AS YOUR STEERING NOT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE OVER A FAULTY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED A FEW DEALERSHIPS IN MY AREA AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAVE SAID THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CASES EXACTLY LIKE MINE, IF THEY NOTICE THIS DEFECT, THEN WHY CAN'T THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE DECISION TO RECALL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276900

150,000 miles · Jul 14, 2009

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO, THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE POWER STEERING FAILED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INDICATOR APPEARED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE AND BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10276808

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.