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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
94,000 miles · May 16, 2015
Steering

WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, DECELERATING ON A RIGHT-CURVING RAMP, IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS REPEATED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER SITUATIONS SINCE, TURNING BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, AND FROM A FULL STOP, ESPECIALLY ON TURNS OF 90 DEGREES OR MORE, BUT ALSO IN HIG…

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WHILE EXITING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, DECELERATING ON A RIGHT-CURVING RAMP, IT BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS REPEATED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER SITUATIONS SINCE, TURNING BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, AND FROM A FULL STOP, ESPECIALLY ON TURNS OF 90 DEGREES OR MORE, BUT ALSO IN HIGHWAY SITUATIONS SUCH AS LANE CHANGES. OPERATOR HAS NOT NOTICED ANY TROUBLE LIGHTS BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER OCCURRENCES, OR HEARD ANY PARTICULAR SOUNDS OR EXPERIENCED ANY SMELLS.

NHTSA ODI #10716833

17,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN MAKING A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10716451

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2015
EngineSteering

3800 CHADWOOD DR

NHTSA ODI #10716318

212,037 miles · May 13, 2015
Steering

I WAS DRIVING AND WAS GETTING CLOSE TO PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE DASH LIT UP AND THE STEERING WENT OUT I HAD TO TRY AND BACK UP TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY IT WAS VERY HARD TO DO . IM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR THIS HAPPENED AT SOMEONE ELSE HOUSE NOT MINE

NHTSA ODI #10716132

139,000 miles · May 5, 2015
Structure

DOORS ARE STICKING AND NOT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL, HANDLES BREAKING AND GOT LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR FOR 2 HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714557

139,975 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET MY CAR SIGNALED REDUCED POWER, THEN ENGINE DISABLED. CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR, COULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WAITED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT THREE TIMES DAILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET AND GM THAT IT'S A C…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET MY CAR SIGNALED REDUCED POWER, THEN ENGINE DISABLED. CAR SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 10 MILES AN HOUR, COULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, AND TURN THE CAR OFF. WAITED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND RESTARTED MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT THREE TIMES DAILY, AND I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET AND GM THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH CHEVROLET COBALTS BETWEEN THE YEARS 2005 AND 2009 BUT THIS IS NOT ON RECALL. TODAY MY CAR STALLED FIVE TIMES AND MY BUMPER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I'VE BEEN CALLING CHEVROLET FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND TRYING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT MY CAR AS IT IS THE ONLY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713689

133,000 miles · Apr 29, 2015
Power TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, A SECOND VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR BUMPER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF, A SECOND VEHICLE MADE CONTACT WITH THE REAR BUMPER. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V073000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #10713510

129,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Air Bags

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF EVERY DAY AND THEN THE KEY STARTED GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION ABOUT A WEEK AGO BEFORE IT FINALLY WOULDN'T COME OUT ALL TOGETHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712708

180,280 miles · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical System

I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR WORK LAST WEEK WHEN THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THEN STARTED FINISH DRIVING HOME. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11, I HAD WENT TO THE STORE, ON MY WAY BACK FROM THE STORE THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ANOTHER LIGHT THEN THE CA…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FOR WORK LAST WEEK WHEN THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON, I PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, WAITED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND THEN STARTED FINISH DRIVING HOME. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11, I HAD WENT TO THE STORE, ON MY WAY BACK FROM THE STORE THE T/C LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID THE BRAKE LIGHT AND ANOTHER LIGHT THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN BY ITSELF. I WAITED FOR ANOTHER FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR UP AND WENT HOME. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED, THEY SAID AS LONG AS THE LIGHT COMES ON, I AM STILL OK TO DRIVE THE CAR. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE ON SUNDAY, SO MONDAY MORNING APRIL 13, 2015, I LEFT THE HOUSE EARLY TO HEAD INTO WORK. NOT EVEN 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE CAR SHUT ITSELF DOWN. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND PICK ME UP AND TAKE MYSELF AND MY CAR TO A MECHANIC. I AM STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST ME THIS TIME. LAST YEAR, I HAD A PROBLEM WHERE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN ONLY TO FIND THAT THE PISTON THROTTLE WAS CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND SHUT DOWN. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705375

130,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Steering

IT BEEPS AND READS POWER STEERING EVERY TIME WE DRIVE IT, NO POWER STEERING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704547

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.