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

80,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Steering

AS MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL, HER POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON AS THE WARNING BELLS IN HER DASH RANG. AT THAT POINT, SHE LOST ALL POWER STEERING IN HER CAR. SHE SAID THAT IT TOOK ALL OF HER STRENGTH TO MAKE THE REMAINING TURNS TO GET HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313390

50,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Steering

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AROUND 50K MILES MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY ON AVERAGE AROUND TWICE A DAY. IT WAS ONLY WHILE IN DRIVE, NEVER IN REVERSE OR PARK. THEN AROUND 60K-70K IT WOULD GO OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PUT IT IN DRIVE BUT NEVER IN PARK OR REVERSE. THEN AROUND 80K IT STARTED HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. I AM AT 100K AND I AM CONCERNED IT WILL GO OUT MORE FREQUENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. I HAVE HAD SOME "NEAR MISSES" WHEN IT GOES OUT WHILE IN A TURN OR BACKING UP. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL ISSUE AND ALSO INTERFERES WITH RESALE OPPORTUNITIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313031

28,880 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN SECONDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR , AND THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND STATED THAT IF SHE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AGAIN THEY WOULD ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR THE POWER STEERING COLUMN WAS $1,000. THE REPAIR COST FOR THE MOTOR WAS $375.00. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 28,880.

NHTSA ODI #10313016

48,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,597.

NHTSA ODI #10313015

28,880 miles · Feb 23, 2010

Steering

2005 CHEVROLET COBALT, 28,880 MILES. PURCHASED NEW OFF SHOWROOM FLOOR IN JULY 2006. I AM THE ONLY OWNER. POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID IT MIGHT BE THE POWER STEERING BOX AND REPLACING IT COST ME $375.00 AND HALF A DAY OFF WORK. IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING…

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NHTSA ODI #10312974

75,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010

Steering

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MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT'S POWER STEERING GOES OUT AT RANDOM TIMES AND CANNOT BE TESTED UNLESS THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR IS ON, HOWEVER IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO A SERVICE STATION THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED WHICH RESETS THE COMPUTER AND IT CANNOT BE TESTED. I HAVE NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. I HAVE HAD OCCASIONS WHERE I HAVE HAD TO RESTART THE CAR AS MANY AT 15 TIMES IN ONE TRIP WHILE AT OTHER TIMES IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR AS MANY AS 4 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312914

39,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010

Steering

POWER STEERING ISSUE WAS OBSERVED AT LOW SPEEDS BUT ALSO PRESENTED EXTREME LURCHING OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNINGS WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME THE CAR BEGAN LURCHING. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312828

45,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010

Steering

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE EVENING AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON, NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN LATER THAT EVENING MY HUSBAND AND SON DROVE TO THE GROCERY STORE AND ON THE WAY HOME THE POWER STEERING WENT ON AND OFF LIKE 4 TIMES. THE TOTAL DRIVE FROM THE STORE IS APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM OUR HOME. AND THE SPEED HE WAS DRIVING IS A 45 MPH HIGHWAY. DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS WE HAVE BEEN ONLY DRIVING WHEN WE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO. WE HAVE NOTICED THAT AS THE WEATHER HAS BEEN COLDER THE POWER STEERING DOESN'T GO OUT AS OFTEN. BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF. BUT WE NOW HAVE OUR CAR IN A SHOP TO GET FIXED THIS WEEK. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL RESOLVE ALL ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312823

99,437 miles · Feb 22, 2010

Steering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING 55MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AS HE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE VEHICLE WAS VERY UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE TRYING TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.THE GM MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED. PREVIOUSLY, THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BEFORE THIS FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,437.

NHTSA ODI #10312753

45,000 miles · Feb 22, 2010

Steering

2005 CHEVY COBALT - POWER STEERING FAILS DAILY AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES. RANDOM, LOOSE ABILITY TO STEER AND CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESET IT. THIS IS MY TEENAGE CHILD'S CAR AND THIS IS A DANGER TO HIS SAFETY. HE CANNOT EVEN DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A SAFETY CONCERN, I NOW DRIV…

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NHTSA ODI #10312714

Official recalls

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. 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

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

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.

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

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.