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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
10,000 miles · Aug 29, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DT: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SLIDING THROUGH A RED LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A POLE, SPUN AROUND, AND HIT ANOTHER POLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. IT WENT UP ON TWO WHEELS AND CAME BACK DOWN. THERE WAS FRONT AND REAR END DAMAGE. T…

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DT: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SLIDING THROUGH A RED LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A POLE, SPUN AROUND, AND HIT ANOTHER POLE. THE VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER. IT WENT UP ON TWO WHEELS AND CAME BACK DOWN. THERE WAS FRONT AND REAR END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT CAME OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED YET TO DETERMINE WHY THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 27, 2005. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE PASSEWNGER SUSTAINED INJURIES, HIT CHEST AND ARM ON THE DASH,BOARD AND SHE WAS BRUISED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10134639

3,000 miles · Aug 25, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

DT : THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE BUMPED THE KNEE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN THE ENGINE DIED. SHE WAS NOT HITTING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT JUST BUMPING THE UNDERNEATH SIDE OF THE COLUMN. IT DID NOT NEED TO BE HIT VERY HARD TO HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWA,Y AND ONCE TO HE…

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DT : THE CALLER SAID THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE BUMPED THE KNEE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN THE ENGINE DIED. SHE WAS NOT HITTING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT JUST BUMPING THE UNDERNEATH SIDE OF THE COLUMN. IT DID NOT NEED TO BE HIT VERY HARD TO HAPPEN. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE SHE WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWA,Y AND ONCE TO HER SON. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10134151

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE WAS ON VACATION WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK HER GAS TANK. SHE WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROTECTIVENESS OF GAS TANK. THERE WAS A PIECE OF ALUMINUM THAT PROTECTED THE GAS TANK AND WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE ALUMINUM WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY PEALED BACK. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUS…

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DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE WAS ON VACATION WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK HER GAS TANK. SHE WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE PROTECTIVENESS OF GAS TANK. THERE WAS A PIECE OF ALUMINUM THAT PROTECTED THE GAS TANK AND WHEN SOMETHING STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THE ALUMINUM WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY PEALED BACK. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 8, 2005 IN BAKER COUNTY FLORIDA ON 110 WEST. SHE HAS PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10133212

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2005
Seats

I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ON 6-3-05 AND AFTER TAKING DELIVERY BEGAN NOTICING THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVES EVER SO SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH IN ITS TRACK . THIS CAN BE ANNOYING AT TIMES . I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT IT WAS WORKING WITHIN GM SPECS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I WAS A…

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I PURCHASED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT ON 6-3-05 AND AFTER TAKING DELIVERY BEGAN NOTICING THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVES EVER SO SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH IN ITS TRACK . THIS CAN BE ANNOYING AT TIMES . I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM ONLY TO BE INFORMED THAT IT WAS WORKING WITHIN GM SPECS AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT GM WOULD BE INFORMED OF THIS AND IF THEY GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM A FIX MIGHT BECOME AVAILABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132802

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2005
Power TrainSuspension

DT: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE HEARD NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED A PART ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME NOISE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFERENT NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE SUSPE…

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DT: 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE HEARD NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FIXED A PART ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME NOISE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL DIFFERENT NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132443

3,000 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Electrical System

DT:BOUGHT A NEW 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN MARCH. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 5 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION IN THE START POSITION. DEALER SAID IT WAS DESIGNED FOR WOMEN SO THEY MAY START THE CAR EAS…

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DT:BOUGHT A NEW 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IN MARCH. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP 5 TIMES. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION IN THE START POSITION. DEALER SAID IT WAS DESIGNED FOR WOMEN SO THEY MAY START THE CAR EASILY. THE IGNITION WAS DESIGNED TO STOP THE ENGINE IF THE KEY OR IGNITION WERE TOUCHED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER SAID CHEVROLET DESIGNED IT THIS WAY. THE SECOND OPINION FROM THE DEALER WAS SIMPLY THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WHICH SHOWED NOTHING. THERE WAS A RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT WAS ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. THERE WAS SOME SORT OF REPROGRAMMING WORK DONE. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10132335

443 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Electrical System

UPON ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON MANUALLY, BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS COME ON A LITTLE LATER THAN I WOULD LIKE, ALMOST ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE COME ON. I SAY ALMOST BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING DOES NOT RESPOND TO A MANUAL REQUEST FOR THE LIGHTING SYSTEMS TO ACTIVATE. THE …

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UPON ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON MANUALLY, BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS COME ON A LITTLE LATER THAN I WOULD LIKE, ALMOST ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE COME ON. I SAY ALMOST BECAUSE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTING DOES NOT RESPOND TO A MANUAL REQUEST FOR THE LIGHTING SYSTEMS TO ACTIVATE. THE BACKGROUND OF THE CLUSTER IN THIS CAR IS BLACK, AND WHEN IT STARTS TO GET DARK OUT IT MAKES IT RATHER DIFFICULT TO SEE. ONE WOULD EXPECT THAT WHEN YOU TURN THE HEAD LIGHTS ON, AND ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTING COMES ON, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS BACK LIGHTING TO ALSO COME ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO BOBBY LAYMAN CHEVROLET IN COLUMBUS OH, 2 TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE, AND BASICALLY THE RESPONSE OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ITS THE WAY IT IS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132334

2,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Structure

WE HAVE OWNED 2 CHEVY 05 COBALTS AND 2 TIMES THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY HOLE IN THE ROAD AND A PIECE OF METAL. ONE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE SECOND ONE IS BEING LOOKED AT BY CLAIMS ADJUSTER NOW. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132214

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2005
Tires

SUDDEN FLAT WITH NO SIGN OF PUNCTURE IN TIRE. CONTINENTAL TIRE P195/60 R15 87S NOTE: TIRE SIZE WAS NOT AVAILABLE ON PULL DOWN. TIRE SIZE THERE IS WRONG, SEE ABOVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10131713

6,000 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Equipment

SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE....CAR WILL NOT START; HUMMING NOISE HEARD AND COMPUTER IS PERFORMING A SCAN. CAR CAN ONLY BE STARTED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, IGNITION IN START POSITION, BUTTON PUSHED IN THE RELEASE SHIFTER. SECURITY LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON DURING COMPUTER SCAN. *NM (OCT 5, 05): UNABLE TO TRACK DOWN…

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SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE....CAR WILL NOT START; HUMMING NOISE HEARD AND COMPUTER IS PERFORMING A SCAN. CAR CAN ONLY BE STARTED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, IGNITION IN START POSITION, BUTTON PUSHED IN THE RELEASE SHIFTER. SECURITY LIGHT AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON DURING COMPUTER SCAN. *NM (OCT 5, 05): UNABLE TO TRACK DOWN THE CONSUMER'S PHONE NUMBER.

NHTSA ODI #10130958

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.