NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reports70,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT ON OUR 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT REQUIRES US TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF. WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOES OUT AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE STOP AND RESTART THE CAR IT DOESN'T WORK. WE CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000.00 IT'S GOING…
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POWER STEERING CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT ON OUR 2005 CHEVY COBALT. IT REQUIRES US TO PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF, WAIT, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR BEFORE IT RESETS ITSELF. WE HAVE NOW COME TO THE POINT WHERE IT GOES OUT AND NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES WE STOP AND RESTART THE CAR IT DOESN'T WORK. WE CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000.00 IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO GET IT FIXED BY THE DEALER SHIP AT THIS TIME. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM CONSIDERING ITS A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS FROM THE CAR OTHER THAN THE POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314535
40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN JUNE 2008 AND AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR DINGED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND RAN OFF THE ROAD BARELY MISSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A WALK SIGN. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL IT WAS AN $87…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT IN JUNE 2008 AND AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, MY CAR DINGED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND RAN OFF THE ROAD BARELY MISSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A WALK SIGN. I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL IT WAS AN $875 REPAIR SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED 2 MONTHS PRIOR. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 40K MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT REPAIR. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER. NOW FOR OVER A YEAR I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR WITH NO POWER STEERING WORRYING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY KIDS AND PASSENGERS AND ANGRY THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY THE AUTO MAKERS. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE AFTER I BEGIN DRIVING. I HAVE POWER STEERING WHEN I FIRST BEGIN DRIVING, BUT IT ALWAYS FAILS IN THE FIRST MINUTE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314511
51,432 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Steering
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SIGNAL COMES ON WHEN DRIVING AND IT MAKES DRIVING VERY HARD TO STEER. IT LOCKS UP AND THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE MAKES IT HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL WHEN TURNING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314494
54,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering
2005 CHEVY COBALT CAR. POWER STEERING FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM NEEDLES JUMP UP AND DOWN LIKE CRAZY, ENGINE STALLS, WHEN PRESS GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, CAR JERKS FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS GO ON AND OFF. WHEN STEERING WHEEL FAILURE HAPPENS, VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ALMOST LOCKED UP. THIS H…
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2005 CHEVY COBALT CAR. POWER STEERING FAILURE, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM NEEDLES JUMP UP AND DOWN LIKE CRAZY, ENGINE STALLS, WHEN PRESS GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS, CAR JERKS FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS, WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARDS GO ON AND OFF. WHEN STEERING WHEEL FAILURE HAPPENS, VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL, ALMOST LOCKED UP. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY NOW AND IT'S ALMOST UNDRIVABLE. ONLY 55,000 MILES ON THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314450
64,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Electrical System
1) OCCURS WHEN BOTH DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGH 2) CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF (AS IF DRIVING A MANUAL SHIFT CAR AND STALLING - MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC). FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 3X NOW, TWICE AT LOW SPEEDS, ONCE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY 3) PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS…
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1) OCCURS WHEN BOTH DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGH 2) CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF (AS IF DRIVING A MANUAL SHIFT CAR AND STALLING - MY CAR IS AUTOMATIC). FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 3X NOW, TWICE AT LOW SPEEDS, ONCE GOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY 3) PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS AND TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314449
66,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering
1) DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED 2) POWER STEERING MESSAGE APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. LOST POWER STEERING COMPLETELY. 3) RESTARTED CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314447
45,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering
WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T STEER THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JUST WANDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THE COBALT…
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WE OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND THE PROBLEM IS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T STEER THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND JUST WANDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM FROM THE COBALTS, WONDERING WHY CHEVY HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT? THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314429
50,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
SteeringCrash
2005, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A PAVED DOING ABOUT 45MPH THE STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING MY CAR TO RUN INTO A DITCH; RESULTING IN BODY AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314424
59,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering
OWN A 2205 CHEVY COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING KEEP GOING OUT. HAVE TO TURN OFF CAR AND THEN RESTART AND SOMETIMES THIS WORKS, MOST TIMES NOT. VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314380
73,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Steering
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. AFTER A WHILE, SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN, BUT LATER THAT SAME DAY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED ONCE AGAIN. AS WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINANT, SHE WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED, THANK GOODNESS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314262
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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