IllustrationI HAD SEVERE POWER STEERING FAILURE AND MY MAP SENSOR IS ALSO DEFECTIVE EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I HAVE A VERY LOW MPG ITS A 15MPG AT BEST. MY CAR ALSO ACCELERATES WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL AND I HAVE HAD SEVERE BRAKE FAILURE , TO THE EXTENT THAT I HAVE HAD TO USE MY HAND BRAKE TO STOP. *TR
2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1780–25K
29325–50K
41350–75K
22775–100K
198100–150K
98150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH THE POWER STEERING ALARM FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND TRIGGERED THE ALARM. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND PROCEEDED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME BODILY FORCE IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHIN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH THE POWER STEERING ALARM FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND TRIGGERED THE ALARM. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND PROCEEDED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE EXTREME BODILY FORCE IN ORDER TO AVOID CRASHING WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN STARTING THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING RESET ITSELF AND WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE REPLACED THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING COLUMN AND ASSEMBLY. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,726 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 82,000. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB
POWER STEERING COLUMN AND MOTOR REPLACED FOR OVER 1,000 DOLLARS ALSO BUSHING. ENGINES STALLS WHEN PRESSING GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT IGNITION AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STAY IN PARK. HAD TO PAY A LOCKSMITH TO REMOVE THE KEY. HEADLIGHTS KEEP HAVING TO BE ADJUSTED. WHEEL BEARING AND STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACE BUT I DON'T …
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POWER STEERING COLUMN AND MOTOR REPLACED FOR OVER 1,000 DOLLARS ALSO BUSHING. ENGINES STALLS WHEN PRESSING GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT IGNITION AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STAY IN PARK. HAD TO PAY A LOCKSMITH TO REMOVE THE KEY. HEADLIGHTS KEEP HAVING TO BE ADJUSTED. WHEEL BEARING AND STRUTS NEED TO BE REPLACE BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR ALL OF THESE REPAIRS FOR A 2005 VEHICLE. ITS TO MANY PROBLEMS FOR SUCH A NEWER VEHICLE. WHAT IS CHEVY GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS, HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED. *TR
CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING. STARTING ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY POWER STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT, MOST OF THE TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE GOT ABOVE 50. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I ALMOST HIT A CAR AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WENT AND HAD MY CAR FIXED FRIDAY AND PAID 500 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. I FOUND OUT TODAY THERE W…
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CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING. STARTING ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY POWER STEERING WOULD RANDOMLY GO OUT, MOST OF THE TIME IT HAPPENED WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE GOT ABOVE 50. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I ALMOST HIT A CAR AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. I WENT AND HAD MY CAR FIXED FRIDAY AND PAID 500 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT FIXED. I FOUND OUT TODAY THERE WAS A RECALL BEING DONE. I CALLED THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH THE RECALL SAYS ITS FOR THE COBALT 05 TO 10, WHICH MINE IS AN 05, IT APPARENTLY DOES NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER OF THE ONES BEING RECALLED. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED ON WHAT COBALTS THEY ARE RECALLING BUT ITS REALLY ODD HOW MINE ONLY MESSES UP WHEN THE TEMP WAS OVER 50. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT HAD APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT COOP. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE DROVE IT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. EIGHT WEEKS LA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT COOP. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE DROVE IT TO A DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. EIGHT WEEKS LATER THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRIED TO SWITCH LANES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO RESPOND NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS IRATE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE MONTHS AFTER HE PURCHASED IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN 2005 AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ACCORDING TO THE INVOICE, THE VEHICLE HAS A LOW TORQUE IGNITION CYLINDER. UPDATED 09/21/10
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SHAKE OR MAKE A NOISE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF SO THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RESET AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT SHAKE OR MAKE A NOISE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF SO THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD RESET AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THE STEERING FAILED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE MOTOR WAS ELECTRICAL AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $391. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,418. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 48,847. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $391.00. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS ALSO MAKING NOISE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/12/10.*JB
MY 2005 CHEVY COBALTS POWER STEERING FAILS FREQUENTLY. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS AND TERRAINS MAKING YOU RAPIDLY ADJUST TO THE CHANGE IN STEERING CAPABILITY. THIS IS EXCEPTIONALLY TERRIFYING WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MOMENTS LATER AND TOOK THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ACROSS THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MOMENTS LATER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY HER FACTORY WARRANTY. THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING COLUMN A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED A THIRD TIME. SHE ALSO STATED THAT MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE HAD FAILED; UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE HORN WOULD BLOW. THE POWER LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE, THE ELECTRICAL TRUNK RELEASE WOULD NOT OPERATE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ALSO FAILED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL POWER STEERING FAILURES AFTER THE THIRD REPAIR, HOWEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL HARD AT TIMES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
I DRIVE A CHEVY COBALT (2005) WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW. CURRENT IT'S GOT ~55000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEK I EXPERIENCED THREE TIMES SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING - TWICE ON LOCAL DRIVEWAYS AND ONCE ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM REMAINED ON AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS NOT SHUT OFF. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SOLVE …
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I DRIVE A CHEVY COBALT (2005) WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW. CURRENT IT'S GOT ~55000 MILES ON IT. THIS PAST WEEK I EXPERIENCED THREE TIMES SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING - TWICE ON LOCAL DRIVEWAYS AND ONCE ON THE FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM REMAINED ON AS LONG AS THE ENGINE WAS NOT SHUT OFF. RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEEMS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY AS NO ONE KNOWS WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN A DEFENSIVE DRIVE SO I WAS ABLE TO HANDLE THE SITUATIONS CALMLY WITHOUT CAUSING ANY TROUBLE; BUT THIS IS DANGEROUS. RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE GM SERVICE CENTER FOR A CHECKUP AND HOPEFULLY A FIX. APPARENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN OVER ONE THOUSAND CASES LIKE THIS. I BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. *TR
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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
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. 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
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. 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.
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
1PE10005 · 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.