NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,649 reportsMileage unknown · Feb 17, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN 2005 COBALT THAT WAS GOING CRAZY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. ALL THE TESTING AT REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM BUT WHEN I WOULD DRIVE, RADIO AND FRONT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON; BRAKE PROBLEMS, AND ENGINE WOULD CUT OUT, EVEN AT HIGH RATES OF SPEAD, THEN DIE WHEN CAR SLOWED. REPLACING IGNITI…
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ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN 2005 COBALT THAT WAS GOING CRAZY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. ALL THE TESTING AT REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT DETECT THE PROBLEM BUT WHEN I WOULD DRIVE, RADIO AND FRONT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AND ON; BRAKE PROBLEMS, AND ENGINE WOULD CUT OUT, EVEN AT HIGH RATES OF SPEAD, THEN DIE WHEN CAR SLOWED. REPLACING IGNITION CYLINDER AND REMOVING ALL ELECTRONIC CODES FINALLY RESOLVED THE ISSUE BUT WAS ONLY A GUESS ON PART OF MANY DIFFERENT REPAIR PEOPLE. WHY SHOULD TOYOTA BE THE ONLY ONE TO TAKE THE BLAME FOR AUTO PARTS THAT AREN'T RELIABLE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311284
43,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING) MY CAR LOSES ITS POWER STEERING. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE IS NO SPEED LIMIT, NO RHYME OR REASON. THE ONLY WAY I CAN FIX IT IS TO TURN THE CAR ENTIRELY OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASION…
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I HAVE A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND AT LEAST ONCE A DAY WHILE DRIVING (HIGHWAY OR CITY DRIVING) MY CAR LOSES ITS POWER STEERING. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY OR DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE. THERE IS NO SPEED LIMIT, NO RHYME OR REASON. THE ONLY WAY I CAN FIX IT IS TO TURN THE CAR ENTIRELY OFF AND RESTART IT. I HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS HAD SUCH DIFFICULTLY STEERING THAT I BARELY MISSED HITTING OTHER CARS. TURNING CORNERS IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311091
50,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311065
65,300 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I HAD JUST TAKEN AN EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS BEGINNING TO TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER WAS ALSO MAKING A LEFT TURN IN THE LANE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. IT TOOK ALL THE MUSCLE I HAD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHICH WOULD …
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I HAD JUST TAKEN AN EXIT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND WAS GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS I WAS BEGINNING TO TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED IN MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT. AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER WAS ALSO MAKING A LEFT TURN IN THE LANE TO THE RIGHT OF ME. IT TOOK ALL THE MUSCLE I HAD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM VEERING IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THE STEERING WORKED FINE AGAIN FOR ABOUT A MILE, THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. I SENT GM AN EMAIL TO INFORM THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND TO LET THEM KNOW HOW CONCERNED I WAS THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENING IN COBALTS. I TOOK IT IN TO BE REPAIRED, BUT SINCE THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL I HAD TO PAY THE $768.12 TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH COBALTS AND I HAVE ASKED GM TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311062
88,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING TURNING OFF IN PARKING LOTS WHILE I MADE FULL TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. ITS REALLY RANDOM SOME TIMES IT SEEM TO NEVER WANT TO ST…
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I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING TURNING OFF IN PARKING LOTS WHILE I MADE FULL TURNS OF THE STEERING WHEEL. NOW I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY TURNING OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. ITS REALLY RANDOM SOME TIMES IT SEEM TO NEVER WANT TO STAY ON AND SOMETIMES IT SEEM TO NOT AFFECT MY CAR AT ALL. SCARY THAT IT IS INCONSISTENT. I'M AWAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311056
124,552 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARED & W/IN MINUTES THE POWER STEERING FAILED. RESTARTING THE CAR RESET IT, BUT NOW IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE THE BEGINNING W/ ONE DEFECT AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE …
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THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT APPEARED & W/IN MINUTES THE POWER STEERING FAILED. RESTARTING THE CAR RESET IT, BUT NOW IT WILL ONLY WORK FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE GOING OUT AGAIN. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO REPLACE POWER STEERING COLUMN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A HEADACHE SINCE THE BEGINNING W/ ONE DEFECT AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN JAN 2005. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS IT IS NOT IN OUR BUDGET AT $1200.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310859
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-20 WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING JUST GAVE OUT. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, TURNED THE CAR OFF STARTED IT UP, THE LIGHT WENT OUT. NOW AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS TERRIBLE. THE CAR IS, OF COURSE, OUT OF WARR…
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-20 WHEN THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POWER STEERING JUST GAVE OUT. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE, TURNED THE CAR OFF STARTED IT UP, THE LIGHT WENT OUT. NOW AS SOON AS I TURN THE CAR ON IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING IS TERRIBLE. THE CAR IS, OF COURSE, OUT OF WARRANTY. TALKED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY ONLY HAD 1 CAR BROUGHT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND IT WAS COSTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310806
42,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010
Steering
TL-*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 55 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TRIED TO TURN AROUND A CURB AND HAD NO POWER STEERING WHICH MADE FOR A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING. SHE STATED THAT THE LONGER THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, THE MORE SHE FELT…
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TL-*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 55 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SHE TRIED TO TURN AROUND A CURB AND HAD NO POWER STEERING WHICH MADE FOR A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING. SHE STATED THAT THE LONGER THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING, THE MORE SHE FELT AS IF THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM WAS LOCKING UP ALTOGETHER. SHE NOTICED THE PROBLEM EVERY TIME SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE WAS ALRIGHT TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. THEY TOLD HER THAT IT JUST MADE THE VEHICLE HARDER TO DRIVE. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,503. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10310795
103,456 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Steering
MY POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL 3-4 TIMES A WEEK NOW. I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND HAD RECENTLY LOST MY STEERING IN A SNOW STORM. I HAVE CONTACTED GMAC, AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, BUT REPAIR IT IF NECESSARY @ MY EXPENSE, SEEING AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROB…
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MY POWER STEERING CONTINUES TO FAIL 3-4 TIMES A WEEK NOW. I OWN A 2005 CHEVY COBALT AND HAD RECENTLY LOST MY STEERING IN A SNOW STORM. I HAVE CONTACTED GMAC, AND THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO, BUT REPAIR IT IF NECESSARY @ MY EXPENSE, SEEING AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, AND THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS LITTLE TIME LAPSE BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR, AND LOSING THE POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310589
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2010
Steering
THE POWER STEERING ON MY 2005 CHEVY COBALT FAILED WHILE MAKING A TURN ON A BUSY STREET. THE SUDDEN FAILURE CAUSED ME TO VEER INTO 2 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO STOP AND NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. I HAD 3 OF MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME, COULD'VE BEEN TRAGIC!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310563
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 ↗