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 · Aug 20, 2007

Steering

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE STEERING WHEEL INDICATOR LIT UP. WHEN CONTINUE DRIVING, NOTICE RESISTANCE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AS I PROCEEDED FURTHER, WHEN MAKING TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EVEN HARDER TO TURN. CALL ROADSIDE ASSIST. TO TOW CAR TO NEAREST DEALER. DEALER INFORMED ME THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200139

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2007

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THE CAR HAS STOPPED WITH NO WARNING NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NOTHING HAPPENED TO CAUSE THIS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING 55 MPH AND IT CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP AS I SAID NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INVESTIGATED AND SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM.…

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NHTSA ODI #10199828

25,000 miles · Jul 24, 2007

Electrical SystemEquipment

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I HAD JUST OVER 25,000 MILES AND MY FIRST MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE CAR JUST STARTED STALLING AND POWER STEERING LOCKED UP, ALSO WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. THEN THE CAR COMPETELY STALLED AND COULD NOT BE MOVED AT ALL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFTER. MY CAR AGAIN WAS FINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY A MONTH TO TWO MONTHS THEN MY WARNIGN CHIMES WERE COMING ON BUT INDICATING NOTHING. AFTER A TOTAL OF A TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO A MIM. SPEED ON NON-HIGHWAY MY POWER STEERING LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON AND MY CAR STARTED STALLING AND JUMPING, STEERING LOCKED UP AND CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IT WAS FINE FOR THE TIME AND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I SENT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. DEALER STATES IT IS THE BODY CONTROL MODULAR. I AM AFRAID THAT MY LIFE MY BE IN DANGER IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED NOT TO MENTION THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL OTHER CHEVY COBALT OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197320

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2007

EquipmentSteering

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING TODAY. I CAME HERE TO RESEARCH IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR SAFETY BULLETINS. I KEEP FINDING ACCIDENTS FROM THIS PROBLEM AND AM NOW WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I DO NOT SEE WHERE SOMEONE LOST LIFE SO I GUESS YOU DON'T CARE. YOU HAVE …

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NHTSA ODI #10197129

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2007

Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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SEVERE STEERING AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. MECHANICS CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. A LOT OF TIMES, ON THE HIGHWAY OR AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH THE STEERING STARTS TO SHUDDER AND MAKE A MACHINE GUN NOISE WITH EACH RATTLE. THE RATTLING SLOWS DOWN AS THE SPEED SLOWS DOWN. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE A FLAT TIRE, ONLY TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND INSPECT THE CAR AND SEE THAT THE TIRES WERE FINE. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT. WHEN BRAKING WHILE GOING AT SPEEDS 40 MPH OR HIGHER THE BRAKE GETS SOFT AND MUSHY FEELING, AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH, AND THE SHUDDER STARTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN WITH THE RAT-A-TAT SOUND FOR EVERY SHUDDER. I BROUGHT THIS CAR TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE MECHANICS COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO DO THE SAME FOR THEM. THE LAST TIME, ONE OF THE STAFF MEMBERS MENTIONED THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC STEERING/SUSPENSION SYSTEM ,AND THAT GM WAS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. RECENTLY, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A BRAKE CHECK AT ANOTHER SHOP - THE MECHANIC SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE, NOTHING' WAS WRONG WITH THEM, BUT THE CAR STILL DID ITS SHUDDERING. I' HAD TWO FRONT END ALIGNMENTS, AND ROTATION OF WHEELS, STILL THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THE SHUDDERING IS GOING TO CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM, WHEN THE BRAKES, STEERING OR SUSPENSION GO OUT. I ALSO NOTICED ON 6 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON JUST FOR A SECOND. IT'S NEVER STAYED ON, AND IT DIDN'T COME ON DURING THE SHUDDERING MOMENTS. THE CAR STALLED A COUPLE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE SO FAR AND FEW BETWEEN. THE BACK LIGHT ON DASHWAS HARD TO READ WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE AUTOMATICALLY ON DURING THE DAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10196722

45,000 miles · Jul 14, 2007

Steering

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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT LS STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURE ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO. THE POWER STEERING WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE, AND NOW THE POWER STEERING ONLY WORKS FOR THE FIRST 20-40 SECONDS OF DRIVING AND THEN SHUTS OFF. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, HOWEVER A CAR WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE EXPERIENCING POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196370

45,000 miles · Jun 15, 2007

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10193471

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2007

Engine And Engine Cooling

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SAME THING BRAND NEW 2005 AND IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME ABOUT 6 TIMES NOW AND STRANDED ME AT NIGHT EVEN FOR HALF AN HOUR BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART AND THE DEALERSHIP KEEPS SAYING THEY FIXED IT AND LAST TIME THEY SAY THEY REPROGRAMMED IT EVEN BUT IT JUST HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN LATE LAST NIGHT ... POWER STEERING BECOMES HARD AND SERVICE LIGHT POPS ON AS THE ENGINE STALLS OUT ON THE FREEWAY THEN IT WILL NOT RESTART FOR A BIT THEN IT SEEMS OK BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING AGAIN TO ME ANOTHER TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10193408

37,000 miles · May 27, 2007

EquipmentExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAVE A 2005 COBALT I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS, A.C., SIGNAL LIGHTS ETC. BUT THE NEWEST PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING IT GOES OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IT DOES THIS EVERY DAY AT NO CERTAIN TIME. AND THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN THIS HAPPENS.WHEN THE STEERING GOES OUT IT SAYS POWER STEERING ON DASH, MOST OF THE TIME I CAN PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF WAIT A MINUTE AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT STEERS FINE FOR AWHILE. THE CAR HAS 37,500 MILES ON IT AND THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR A COLLISION. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.....THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191805

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2007

Vehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10190820

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.