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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
66,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

BEGINNING JANUARY 3RD, 2009, THE 'POWER STEERING' WARNING HAS INTERMITTENTLY APPEARED AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 3 TIMES, BETWEEN 30 AND ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. I ALSO OWN A 2004 MALIBU. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH HER CAR. AFTE…

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BEGINNING JANUARY 3RD, 2009, THE 'POWER STEERING' WARNING HAS INTERMITTENTLY APPEARED AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD FAIL. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 3 TIMES, BETWEEN 30 AND ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. I ALSO OWN A 2004 MALIBU. MY WIFE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED WITH HER CAR. AFTER FIGHTING WITH GM AND THE DEALER THEY AGREED, AS A ONE TIME EXCEPTION, TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR THE MALIBU AT NO COST. THIS DUE TO MY "CUSTOMER LOYALTY." KNOWING THE TROUBLE INVOLVED AND THE LIKELY OUTCOME, I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED GM REGARDING THE CURRENT COBALT ISSUES. THE COST OF REPAIR IS SUSPICIOUS, AROUND $2000. THE METHOD OF REPAIR IS ALSO SUSPECT; THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. NOT ONLY DOES THIS SEEM TO BE EXCESSIVE, THERE IS LITTLE ASSURANCE THAT THE NEW STEERING COLUMN IS ANY DIFFERENT. IT IS NOT REASONABLE TO EXPECT ANYONE TO FOOT THIS BILL AS A CONSUMER. IT IS EXPENSIVE, AND CLEARLY A PRODUCT DEFECT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT USING THE CAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE, THUS RENDERING THIS COSTLY PRODUCT ALL BUT USELESS - AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY ELECTRONIC ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. I NEED TO OPEN THE BOTTOM OF THE COLUMN TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM THE IGNITION (ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FROM GOODWRENCH - $450), AND REPEATED BLOWN FUSES WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, ATTRIBUTED TO PINCHED WIRING. A RECALL SEEMS IN ORDER FOR THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253832

46,000 miles · Jan 1, 2009
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LEFT BLINKER RANDOMLY WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE BULB AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. STARTED WITH JUST THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. WORKED AFTER JIGGLING THE WIRES ONE DAY WHEN I WAS BORED BUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP ONE TIME WHEN RIGHT BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING THE FLASHERS …

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LEFT BLINKER RANDOMLY WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE BULB AND THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. STARTED WITH JUST THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND NOW THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT WORK. WORKED AFTER JIGGLING THE WIRES ONE DAY WHEN I WAS BORED BUT AFTER HITTING A BUMP ONE TIME WHEN RIGHT BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TRIED PUTTING THE FLASHERS ON TO FIX IT BUT DOES NOT WORK. ALL THE FUSES AND EVERYTHING ARE GOOD. LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR CHEVROLETS AND 05 COBALTS IN GENERAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253520

56,000 miles · Jan 1, 2009
Steering

IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING AND I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES HOME AND AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING SENSOR CAME ON, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS I HAD NO STEERING. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO ACCURATE WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT, THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE DEATH OR ACCIDENT DE…

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IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING AND I DROVE APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES HOME AND AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE POWER STEERING SENSOR CAME ON, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS I HAD NO STEERING. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THERE IS NO ACCURATE WAY TO DETERMINE WHEN IT WILL GO OUT, THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE DEATH OR ACCIDENT DEPENDING UPON WHAT'S AROUND THAT I MAY HIT WHEN I CAN'T STEER MY CAR. IT WAS BROUGHT IT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, IT WAS DIAGNOSED, IT WAS NOT REPAIRED AS IT COST OVER A THOUSAND TO FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253445

60,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. DUE TO SHOCK, ALL THE CONTACT COULD REMEMBER WAS CLIMBING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THAT THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. DUE TO SHOCK, ALL THE CONTACT COULD REMEMBER WAS CLIMBING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INFORMED BY WITNESSES AT THE SCENE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND FLIPPED OVER WHILE EXITING OFF OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, INTERNAL BRUISING, AND A CRACKED TAILBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO GET A ROD INSPECTED, WHICH WAS LOCATED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND THE STEERING. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THAT TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10252873

19,698 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES IN ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED BECAUSE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 20-50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES IN ONE MONTH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED BECAUSE THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,698.

NHTSA ODI #10252828

60,000 miles · Dec 26, 2008
SteeringCrash

THE POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL OF THIS COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252801

45,000 miles · Dec 25, 2008
Electrical System

KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION MY DAUGHTER GOT STRANDED TOLD WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 CHEVY COBALT DEALER SAID 500.00 TO FIX SHOULD BE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252775

69,214 miles · Dec 20, 2008
Steering

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A "POWER STEERING" WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE SECOND THE MESSAGE CAME ON IN THE LAST MONTH BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OFF AND THERE WAS NO STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER AS NEEDING A NEW ELECTRIC POW…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR A "POWER STEERING" WARNING CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS IS THE SECOND THE MESSAGE CAME ON IN THE LAST MONTH BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OFF AND THERE WAS NO STEERING PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY A LOCAL DEALER AS NEEDING A NEW ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR THIS WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252364

45,000 miles · Dec 20, 2008
Steering

I WAS RECENTLY TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO MANEUVER. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE WARNING PANEL AND IT HAD LIGHTED UP "POWER STEERING". MY CAR IS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH 45,000 MILES. I READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OTHER 2005 COBALT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 40,000 MILES. I TO…

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I WAS RECENTLY TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND HARD TO MANEUVER. I LOOKED DOWN AT THE WARNING PANEL AND IT HAD LIGHTED UP "POWER STEERING". MY CAR IS A 2005 CHEVY COBALT WITH 45,000 MILES. I READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OTHER 2005 COBALT OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 40,000 MILES. I TOOK IT IN TO A CHEVY DEALER TELLING THEM THAT IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FLAW WITH THE 2005 COBALT BUT THEY SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE EPS MODULE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO HAVE SOMETHING SO EXPENSIVE TO GO OUT ON YOUR VEHICLE WHEN IT IS STILL FAIRLY NEW AND HAVE THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO OTHERS BUT YET WE ARE LEFT TO PAY FOR AN APPARENTLY WELL KNOW FLAW IN THE CHEVY COBALT THAT GM DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT EXITS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252359

87,220 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Steering

POWER STEER CUTS OUT AND DOES NOT COME BACK UNTIL CAR IS RESTARTED. HAPPENS RANDOM TIMING EVERY TRIP. CHEVY QUOTED 800.00 TO REPAIR STATING THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252149

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.