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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
3,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

I AM A HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA TEACHER. I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND BACK TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS A 175000 MILES ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TIME I DID TAKE IT BACK THEY REPLACED …

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I AM A HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA TEACHER. I OWN A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE POWER STEERING PROBLEMS THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND BACK TO THE DEALER WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS A 175000 MILES ON IT NOW. THE FIRST TIME I DID TAKE IT BACK THEY REPLACED A WIRING HARNESS. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES (APPROX IN AUGUST 2005) I HAD MY FIRST OIL CHANGE AND THIS IS WHEN MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT HAS BEEN COMING ON EVERY SINCE. WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON: *THE CAR JERKS SLIGHTLY AT CRUISING HIGHWAY SPEED AND* WHEN I AM AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 20 MPH IT JERKS VIOLENTLY AND * IT GOES DEAD WHEN IT STOPS AND *THE GAUGES ON THE DASH (ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND GAS) FLUCTUATE WILDLY, AND VERY FREQUENTLY AND FOR SUSTAINED PERIODS OF TIME (DAYS) I HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT ABRUPTLY, SEVERAL TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE I AM TURNING AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. SOMETIMES THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF ABOUT (1 OUT OF 5 TIMES) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF AND THE LIGHT WITH A LOCK ON IT TURNS ON AND OFF. IT HAS BEEN CHECKED AT SELLERS CHEVROLET IN PURVIS NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS. I HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE CHECKS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED TWICE. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. IT KEEPS RECURRING. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES THOUGH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EXPOSING THIS PROBLEM AND IF YOU WANT TO COME GET MY CAR AND TEST IT YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO HAVE IT AND MAKE IT YOUR POSTER BOY/CAR FOR LEMONS. I NEED A NEW VEHICLE SINCE I HAVE 4 FOSTER CHILDREN NOW. ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVE URGED ME TO SELL THIS CAR FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE HAD IT BECAUSE OF ITS RECURRING PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN THREE DAYS AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. UPDATED 04/21/10.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10315564

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT AS SOON AS YOU START VEHICLE IT HAS POWER STEERING BUT AS SOON AS YOU START DRIVING A DINGER ALARMS AND DISPLAYS THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE. AND THEN THERE IS NO POWER STEERING, HOWEVER IT IS DRIVABLE BUT IN MY OWN OPINION NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT DOES TAKE ALOT OF FORCE TO STEER ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEED!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315458

61,882 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Seat BeltsSteeringStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 15-20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE; FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 15-20 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. A CHIME SOUNDED INSIDE THE VEHICLE; FOLLOWED BY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. IMMEDIATELY, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF FIVE SECONDS. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR CAUSED AN EXTREMELY INTENSE ELECTRICAL SHOCK WHENEVER ACCESSING THE DOOR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRENCES WERE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WITHOUT A SERVICE CHARGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,882.

NHTSA ODI #10315456

79,200 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CONTACT TOOK THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON UNTIL THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ENGAGED AFTER PUTTING THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION. SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE CONTACT TOOK THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON UNTIL THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ENGAGED AFTER PUTTING THE KEY BACK INTO THE IGNITION. SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INSTEAD IT STALLED. THE CONTACT DID INFORM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED SINCE SHE HAS ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80129.

NHTSA ODI #10315451

52,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Steering

THE POWER STEERING IS FAILING ON MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. I WILL BE DRIVING, A CHIME SOUNDS, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON TO RESET IT. I WILL THEN HAVE POWER STEERING FOR A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315448

123,319 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING STARTED TO GO OUT OCCASIONALLY. IT WOULD COME BACK ON IF I TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR. QUICKLY BECAME MORE FREQUENT. TOOK CAR IN AND GOT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR COMPONENT REPLACED, THEY KEPT THE OLD MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315303

70,000 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INNER POWER ST…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INNER POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE INNER POWER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE POWER STEERING FAILURE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10315289

49,500 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Steering

I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, ON MARCH 1, 2010, Y CAR'S MESSAGE CENTER "DINGED" AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING " WAS BEING DISPLAYED. THE TACHOMETER, AND SPEEDOMETER BOTH STARTED JUMPING UP AND DOWN, THAT SEEMED TO STOP AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, MY STEERING SEEMED A LITTLE STIFFER BUT NOTHING REALLY NOTICEABLE, A FEW MINUTES LAT…

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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT, ON MARCH 1, 2010, Y CAR'S MESSAGE CENTER "DINGED" AND THE MESSAGE "POWER STEERING " WAS BEING DISPLAYED. THE TACHOMETER, AND SPEEDOMETER BOTH STARTED JUMPING UP AND DOWN, THAT SEEMED TO STOP AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, MY STEERING SEEMED A LITTLE STIFFER BUT NOTHING REALLY NOTICEABLE, A FEW MINUTES LATER, PULLING UP TO A STOP LIGHT IT STARTED JERKING LIKE SOMEONE WAS SHIFTING GEARS HARD IN A STANDARD, OR LIKE THE CLUTCH WAS POPPING. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, NOT TO MENTION IT SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH, I DRIVE 400 MILES TO MY PARENTS EVERY WEEKEND, AND I TRANSPORT MY YOUNGER SIBLINGS ALL THE TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS! AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315238

105,000 miles · Mar 1, 2010
SteeringCrash

MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND MY WIFE NARROWLY AVOIDED A HEAD ON COLLISION. RATHER THAN HEAD INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC, SHE SWERVED TOWARD THE SHOULDER HITTING A MAILBOX. I WISH A GM ENGINEER WAS STANDING THERE INSTEAD OF THE MAILBOX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315215

27,500 miles · Mar 1, 2010
Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING FAILURE. A COUPLE OF BEEPS AND POWER STEERING IS NOTED ON THE DASHBOARD AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU LOOSE COMPLETE POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. HAS HAPPEN TWICE IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315209

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.