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2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,950 reports with mileage · 380 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 1,299 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 255 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

164 crash reports14 fire reports81 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

255 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL FEED LINE AND FUEL RETURN LINE ASSEMBLY REPLACED BACK IN FEB 2020 BECAUSE OF STRONG SMELL OF GAS AND LEAKING GAS NOW THE ISSUE HAS STARTED AGAIN NOT SURE WHY STRONG ODOR OF GAS AND LEAKING STARTED ABOUT JULY/AUGUST

NHTSA ODI #11360153

120,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

EVERYTIME I GET NEAR MY CAR A SMALL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS TO BE TURNING TO MUCH GAS FOR A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11352584

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

1.GAS SMELL - FUEL LEAKS AFTER LEAK FIX STILL SMELL GAS (EVEN AFTER SETTING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. 2-DOOR LOCK ISSUES-EVEN AFTER FIXED BY GM-NOW WON'T LOCK AT ALL 3.AIR BAGS- GM STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT GET PARTS IN 4.ELECTRONIC ISSUES -START AUTO NOW SHOW-POWER STEERING, HAD CHECKED BY GM WONT ECM WON'T CUMMUNICATE WITH TCM…

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1.GAS SMELL - FUEL LEAKS AFTER LEAK FIX STILL SMELL GAS (EVEN AFTER SETTING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. 2-DOOR LOCK ISSUES-EVEN AFTER FIXED BY GM-NOW WON'T LOCK AT ALL 3.AIR BAGS- GM STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT GET PARTS IN 4.ELECTRONIC ISSUES -START AUTO NOW SHOW-POWER STEERING, HAD CHECKED BY GM WONT ECM WON'T CUMMUNICATE WITH TCM. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THIS CHECKED BY ANTHONY CHEVROLET AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE! STATE THEY CANNOT GET PARTS AND OR NOT WORTH FIXING.

NHTSA ODI #11348551

13,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

ON 7-20-20 I SPOKE WITH STEPHANIE ( 1-800-222-1020) ON THE NHTSA SITE, WERE I GOT THE PHONE NUMBER. I TOLD HER I ENTERED MY VIN AND FOUND THERE WERE 6 RECALLS ON MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. I EXPLAINED TO HER ON 7-15-20, I LEFT FOR WORK BUT NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE TH…

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ON 7-20-20 I SPOKE WITH STEPHANIE ( 1-800-222-1020) ON THE NHTSA SITE, WERE I GOT THE PHONE NUMBER. I TOLD HER I ENTERED MY VIN AND FOUND THERE WERE 6 RECALLS ON MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. I EXPLAINED TO HER ON 7-15-20, I LEFT FOR WORK BUT NOTICED MY POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS AFRAID I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE TURN ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY BECAUSE OF THE STEERING. I WENT AND PURCHASED POWER STEERING FLUID, ONLY TO LEARN THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PUT IT. STEPHANIE AND I LOOKED AT THE RECALLS TOGETHER. WE DISCUSSED THE NUMEROUS RECALLS SHE SAW ALONG WITH ME. SHE SET-UP A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT HERE IN CONWAY, ARK WERE I NOW RESIDE FOR 7-23-20 @ 7:00AM. SUPERIOR DEALERSHIP. I ARRIVED AND (LISA) ASKED IF I HAD AN APPOINTMENT, I SAID YES. I TOLD HER WHAT MY ISSUE WAS AND SHE WENT INTO MY CAR AND PULLED OUT SOMETHING UNDER THE DASH. SHE HAD IN HER HAD SOMETHING SHE SAID WOULD LIGHT UP RED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE ON A MACHINE IN ORDER TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEMS. SHE THEN TOLD ME THERE WERE THREE RECALLS ON THE CAR BUT THEY ALL HAD BEEN FIXED. AND STATED I WOULD BE CHARGED $ 150.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. I EXPLAINED TO HER I HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATIONS PERTAINING TO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I CLEARLY SAW ON THE NHTSA SITE RECALLS FOR , THE GAS TANK WHICH I HAD TO REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING GAS. I REPLACED A FUEL THROTTLE BECAUSE WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY I LOST POWER IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG BECAUSE IT IS SHOWING IT'S OFF, SO I KNOW IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IT WILL NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THE RECALLS I SAW ON THE SITE WERE LEGIT RECALLS. I'M NOT CERTAIN HOW THEY DISAPPEARED FROM THE SITE WHEN I SHOWED UP FOR MY APPOINTMENT ONLY A FEW DAYS LATER. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY THE $150 BECAUSE THEIR TECHS HAD TO BE PAID OR GET RID OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11341085

180,000 miles · Jul 22, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY GAS TANK IS LEAKING FUEL.FROM THE TOP OF MY TANK

NHTSA ODI #11340819

88,000 miles · May 23, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL LEAK NEAR LEFT REAR WHEEL. SMELLED GASOLINE. PARKED VEHICLE. SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. CHECKED WITH CHEVROLET SINCE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THERE IS A SPECIAL BULLETIN 12191 COVERING THIS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE TO FIX BUT NOBODY RE…

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FUEL LEAK NEAR LEFT REAR WHEEL. SMELLED GASOLINE. PARKED VEHICLE. SAW A PUDDLE OF GAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. CHECKED WITH CHEVROLET SINCE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THERE IS A SPECIAL BULLETIN 12191 COVERING THIS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE TO FIX BUT NOBODY RELATED TO CHEVROLET I SPOKE WITH KNOWS ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325645

161,000 miles · May 17, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

GAS LINE IS LEAKING ON REAR DRIVERS SIDE. CAR WAS AT THE SHOP AND THE GAS CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE GROUND AND COULD HAVE KILLED US AND ALL THE WORKERS. I THINK GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. MINE IS NOT THE ONLY CAR WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11324914

200,000 miles · Jan 7, 2020
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

THE CAR SAYS SERVICE AIRBAG THE STEERING IS HARD TO TURN AND IT MAKES A GOOD KNOCKING NOISE WHEN YOU GO OUT LOW-SPEED A HIGH-SPEED MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO LEAVE ON THE ROAD AND MAKE YOU SWEAR IT PULLS TO THE LEFT AND IT'S HORRIBLE AND GAS

NHTSA ODI #11297548

60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND J…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND JK CHEVROLET (1451 S HWY 69, NEDERLAND, TX 77627) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11292082

140,000 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SMELL AROUND REAR OF CAR. CHEVROLET REFUSED TO REPAIR DESPITE A KNOWN ISSUE AND RECALL. PAID $1100. AT NON DEALER TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. LEAKING FUEL LINES ON TOP OF GAS TANK FROM IN TANK FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ODI #11288971

Official recalls

5

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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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. GM’s 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.

09V419000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

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.

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.

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

1

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.