Illustration1. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS 2. POWER STEERING FAILURE RANDOMLY OCCURS CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. 3. SHUTTING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING ALLOWS FOR TEMPORARY RESOLUTION. *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 reportsPOWERSTEERING FAILURE ON 2005 CHEVY COBALT . STEERING FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ON TRIP FROM CHICAGO TO NEWMIDDLETOWN OHIO ON DEC. 20,2009 WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FOR XMAS BREAK. IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT 11:30 P.M. AND SHE HAD TO STAY OVERNIGHT AND GET IT REPAIRED. *TR
AT ROUGHLY 40,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT LOCK ON THE CAR WAS OBSERVED. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS LIMITED TO THE KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK. AFTER EJECTING THE KEY WITH THE BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, THE SHIFTER WOULD REMAIN IN PARK. EVENT…
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AT ROUGHLY 40,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT LOCK ON THE CAR WAS OBSERVED. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM WAS LIMITED TO THE KEY BEING STUCK IN THE IGNITION EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN PARK. AFTER EJECTING THE KEY WITH THE BUTTON ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, THE SHIFTER WOULD REMAIN IN PARK. EVENTUALLY, THE PROBLEM ESCALATED TO THE POINT THAT THE SHIFTER COULD BE MOVED FROM PARK TO OTHER GEARS WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED AT THE TIME. A FEW MONTHS PASSED AFTER THE ESCALATED PROBLEM WAS FIRST OBSERVED WHERE THE SHIFTER BEHAVED AS INTENDED OR IN THE MANNER WHERE THE KEY WOULD NEED EJECTED BUT THE SHIFTER WOULD REMAIN IN PARK. AFTER A FAILURE IN POWER STEERING SYSTEM RESULTED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN BY THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNER WITH THE GEARSHIFT BUTTON STUCK "DOWN." SINCE THEN, THE KEY REMAINS STUCK IN THE IGNITION UNLESS THE EJECTION BUTTON IS USED AND THE SHIFTER MOVES FREELY FROM PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR EVEN WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION OR A FOOT ON THE BRAKE. *TR
MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOME ON FEB. 8, 2010. THE "POWER STEERING " LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT …
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MY 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS POWER STEERING ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOME ON FEB. 8, 2010. THE "POWER STEERING " LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL OF MY CAR, THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THIS IS VERY SCARY TO ME , AS I HAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ME WHEN TRAVELING SOME DAYS. *TR
MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT FROM A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 45K MILES WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SAFETY IS AN ISSUE. …
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MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT A 2005 CHEVY COBALT FROM A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 45K MILES WHEN THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY TURN OFF WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS SAFETY IS AN ISSUE. CHEVY WILL DO NOTHING AS THERE IS NOT RECALL AT THIS TIME. WHY DO WE GO AFTER FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURERS AND DO NOTHING TO AMERICAN COMPANIES? IT WOULD COST BETWEEN 1500 AND 2K TO REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD 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 25 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49000.
ROUGH IDLING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT... REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE... 2 TIMES... PARTS REPLACED 2 TIMES... *TR
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES " POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT. IF I CYCLE POWER THE PROBLEM RESETS BUT RECURS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EV…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVORLET COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 76,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES " POWER STEERING" AND THE CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY TIGHT. IF I CYCLE POWER THE PROBLEM RESETS BUT RECURS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. *TR
IN MARCH OF 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE SHIFTER (WHERE YOU PUT IT IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE). THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD AT RANDOM & THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER…
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IN MARCH OF 2006 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AS SOON AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE SHIFTER (WHERE YOU PUT IT IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE). THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD AT RANDOM & THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD & TURNED OFF THE CAR. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON & IT HAD RESET ITSELF. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM IMMEDIATELY. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR 3 WEEKS & WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO ACT UP WHILE ON THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. I HAD NUMEROUS EPISODES OVER THE NEXT 6 MONTHS INCLUDING MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 60-70 MILES ON THE FREEWAY. THEY COULD NEVER GET IT TO ACT UP DOING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED GMAC; THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO FIX THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE ONE OF THE COMPUTERS THAT THEY THOUGHT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND & JUST WRITE IT OFF SINCE BY THIS POINT THE MILEAGE WAS AT 31,000 BUT THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE MILEAGE WAS AT AROUND 10,000. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WAS OCTOBER 2006. I DID NOT HAVE ANYMORE PROBLEMS UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE & IT DID THE WHOLE THING AGAIN. I TURNED MY VEHICLE OFF & CALLED A DEALERSHIP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP & THEY KEPT IT FOR A MONTH AND A HALF. WHILE THEY HAD IT I WAS CALLING GMAC TO TRY & GET WHILE THEY HAD IT I WAS CALLING GMAC SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS AT 94,000. WHILE TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FRANK PARRA DEALERSHIP & GMAC THE COMPUTER WAS NEVER REPLACED; ONLY RELOADED. TO THIS DAY THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED & IT STILL HAPPENS AT RANDOM. IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS. THEY LOCK AT RANDOM & TRAP ME IN THE CAR OR WILL NOT LET ME IN. THERE IS A DEFINITE ELECTRONIC ISSUE!!!! *TR
POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT. THIS COULD BE DEADLY. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH 2005 CHEVY COBALT. *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.