NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
93 reportsClear category filter218,837 miles · Mar 7, 2015
Engine
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT AND THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT COMING ON WAS BECAUSE MY THROTTLE BODY SENSOR HAD GONE OUT. AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON MY GAS PEDDLE WAS TOUCHY. I COULD BARELY PUSH IT AND IT WOULD TAKE OFF VERY FAST, THEN I COULD PUSH IT AND IT WOUL…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON IT AND THE REASON FOR THE LIGHT COMING ON WAS BECAUSE MY THROTTLE BODY SENSOR HAD GONE OUT. AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON MY GAS PEDDLE WAS TOUCHY. I COULD BARELY PUSH IT AND IT WOULD TAKE OFF VERY FAST, THEN I COULD PUSH IT AND IT WOULD TAKE OFF VERY SLOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692702
137,000 miles · Jan 25, 2015
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65MPH AND CAR SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AND READING ENGINE DISABLED. PULLED OVER TURNED IT OFF AND BACK ON THE SAME THING HAPPENED 5 MINUTES LATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10678781
99,000 miles · Jan 3, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND THEN LOST ALL TRACTION AND SHUT OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669857
99,000 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OCT WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN DASH LIGHTS UP FLASHING DINGING GOING CRAZY THE CAR KEEPS JERKING FORWARD LIKE ITS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO A GEAR FOR THE WHOLE 40 MIN DRIVE IT DROVE FINE ON THE WAY HOME . IT HAS DONE THIS MAYBE THREE TIMES SINCE THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING MY GRAND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN TH…
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WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OCT WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN DASH LIGHTS UP FLASHING DINGING GOING CRAZY THE CAR KEEPS JERKING FORWARD LIKE ITS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO A GEAR FOR THE WHOLE 40 MIN DRIVE IT DROVE FINE ON THE WAY HOME . IT HAS DONE THIS MAYBE THREE TIMES SINCE THE OTHER DAY I WAS DRIVING MY GRAND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO JERK FORWARD THEN JUST STOPPED RUNNING AND LOST POWER STEERING , IN A THREE WAY INTERSECTION , MY CAR FINALLY STARTED UP AFTER ABOUT 10 MINS. IN OCT WHEN THE CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS I CALLED OUR DEALER THEY SAID THE CAR HAD ALL THE RECALLS DONE THAT IT WOULD COST 90 TO CHECK IT OUT AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING UNLESS IT WAS HAVING THE ISSUES AT THE TIME THEY HAD THE VEHICLE I ENDED UP CALLING GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM ONLY TO BE TOLD I AM SORRY THAT YOU HAD A STRESSFUL MORNING WE CAN GIVE YOU A CASE NUMBER AND WILL GET BACK TO YOU WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS MAY CAR NOW SETS AT MY DAUGHTERS HOUSE I WILL NOT BE DRIVING THIS CAR FOR FEAR I MAY INJURY OR KILL MY GRANDCHILDREN OR OTHERS THIS VEHICLE ID A DEATH TRAP GM NEEDS TO OWN UP AND BUY OUT THESE VEHICLES SO UPSET RIGHT NOW SHAME ON THEM HOW MANY LIVES NEED TO BE LOST BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING THIS TIME? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10663276
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, AN ALARM SOUND WAS HEARD, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE FUEL GAUGE LEVER MOVED TO EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10659325
101,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Air BagsEngineCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 32 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I TRAVELED ACROSS FOUR LANES HITTING THE CURB HEAD ON THEN HITTING A CONCRETE FLOWER BED( APPROXIMATE HIT 12-14 INCHES), TRAVELING OVER THIS AGAIN HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A REST. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNN…
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I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 32 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. I TRAVELED ACROSS FOUR LANES HITTING THE CURB HEAD ON THEN HITTING A CONCRETE FLOWER BED( APPROXIMATE HIT 12-14 INCHES), TRAVELING OVER THIS AGAIN HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT AND THEN THE CAR CAME TO A REST. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS STOPPED RUNNING LIKE THIS. WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 0F 2006 WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OVER REQUIRING A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. ABOUT THREE MONTHS INTO OWING IT I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TRYING TO RESTART IT SELF. IT THEN STOPPED AND I ENDED UP IN A DITCH. AGAIN THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FINALLY, IN 2012 A SCHOOL BUS BACKED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH IT RUNNING AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE IGNITON WAS REPLACED ON 6/04/2014 UNDER THE MANDATORY RECALL. WITHIN 3 DAYS THE IGNITION ONCE AGAIN WOULD NOT TURN ON AND THEN WHEN IT DID THE ENGINE DRAGGED AS IF THE BATTERY WAS BAD. THE BATTERY IS ONE YEAR OLD. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM NON-STOP SINCE THE REPLACEMENT PART. I CALLED GRAFF CHEVROLET IN MT. PLEASANT AND I GOT THE STANDARD RESPONSE, "WE CAN"T DUPLICATE IT". WHEN I INSISTED THE CAR NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT I WAS TOLD, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE AND WE CAN NO LONGER SERVICE YOUR CAR". I'VE CALLED OTHER DEALERSHIPS ONLY TO BE TOLD THE CAR NEEDS TO GO BACK TO WHERE THE RECALL PART WAS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653003
122,117 miles · Oct 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR LOCKS WENT UP AND DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE ENGINE RACED AND RPM GAGE WENT UP SIGNIFICANTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641877
65,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND WHEN I HAD TO ACCELERATE THEN THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING REALLY ROUGHLY. I WAS HALF WAY TO MY DESTINATION AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTED SMOOTHLY ON ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENG…
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I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AND WHEN I HAD TO ACCELERATE THEN THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING REALLY ROUGHLY. I WAS HALF WAY TO MY DESTINATION AND THEN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SHIFTED SMOOTHLY ON ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED LIT BUT THE CAR SEEM TO RUN FINE. WHEN I GOT HOME I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS OVER 1800 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS NOW PARKED BECAUSE I THINKS ITS NOT RELIABLE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE, YET, ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE COBALT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10641379
200,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I REACHED 55 AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. I HAD NO BRAKES OR STEERING AND WENT TO RIGHT IN DITCH AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627973
200,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD . I JUST REACHED 55 MPH. MY IGNITION SHUT OFF AND I LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. I WENT TO THE RIGHT INTO THE DITCH AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627970
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.
Oct 29, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 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.
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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