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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

Power Train complaints

137 reports
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105,230 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Power TrainSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE CONTACT LOST COMPLETE POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 105,230. UPDATED 03/12/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE PCM. UPDATED 09/21/10

NHTSA ODI #10294369

80,000 miles · Nov 2, 2009
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY! MY DIGITAL READING ON MY CAR BLINKED POWER STEERING. THIS HAS NEVER COME UP BEFORE IN THE PAST! NO TYPE OF WARNING SAYING MY POWER STEERING WAS EVEN GOING OUT. WITHIN MINUTES I LOST ALL POWER STEERING! THIS MADE IT HARD TO EVEN STEER RIGHT OR LEFT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THIS ALMOST RESULTED…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY! MY DIGITAL READING ON MY CAR BLINKED POWER STEERING. THIS HAS NEVER COME UP BEFORE IN THE PAST! NO TYPE OF WARNING SAYING MY POWER STEERING WAS EVEN GOING OUT. WITHIN MINUTES I LOST ALL POWER STEERING! THIS MADE IT HARD TO EVEN STEER RIGHT OR LEFT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT! THEN WHEN I PULL OVER TO READ THE COBALT MANUAL ALL THAT IT INFORMS ME TO DO IS TO TAKE MY CARE IMMEDIATELY TO A DEALER SHIP! WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE ONLY WAY TO GET ANY TYPE OF STEERING BACK I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT MY CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON TO GET ABOUT 2 MINUTES OF STEERING BEFORE I WOULD LOOSE ALL MY STEERING AGAIN. I HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO A DEALER SHIP IF I HAVE NO STEERING! THIS HAS CAUSED ME A LOT OF HASSLE TRYING TO GET ANYTHING FIXED! TO GET THIS FIXED ISN'T CHEAP! AND ITS NOT LIKE BRAKES WHERE YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER HOW FAST YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THEM DUE TO YOUR DRIVING! NO WARNING AND NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY USELESS UNTIL I PAY TO GET IT FIXED! I AM QUITE UNSATISFIED AS A CHEVY CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290705

78,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Power TrainSteering

POWER STEERING COLUMN NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290120

78,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Power Train

2006 COBALTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE ONE WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM, GM DOES NOT WANT TO FIX IT. PLEASE HELP..! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290118

60,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Power TrainCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A YIELD SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A STEEP HILL OVER A LEDGE AND ROLLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. SHE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A YIELD SIGN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A STEEP HILL OVER A LEDGE AND ROLLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. SHE WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10287242

64,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Power Train

GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION, RESULTING IN KEY STICKING IN THE IGNITION. I HAVE NOT HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT COMING OUT OF PARK, BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283858

54 miles · Aug 30, 2009
Power Train

I HAVE A 2006 COBALT AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED FRONT END BEARINGS, MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFTING LEVER CAN BE ENGAGED WITH THE CAR OFF. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINE…

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I HAVE A 2006 COBALT AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED FRONT END BEARINGS, MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE SHIFTING LEVER CAN BE ENGAGED WITH THE CAR OFF. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR BE INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN DRAINED ON 3 OCCASIONS BECAUSE MY KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, MY FRIENDS CHILD WAS SITTING IN MY CAR AND HE PULLED THE SHIFTING LEVER AND MY CAR WAS GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THIS IS A TERRIBLE SAFETY CONCERN. I AM A SINGLE WOMAN AND I DO NOT APPRECIATE HAVING A DEAD BATTERY AND HAVING TO ASK SOMEONE(STRANGER)FOR HELP . I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CHEVY'S SINCE 1978 AND MY LAST 2 BRAND NEW CHEVY'S HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT NIGHTMARES. I ONLY HAVE THEM 3 YEARS BEFORE THEY ARE PROBLEMS. THESE ARE NOT SMALL PROBLEMS EITHER, THEY ARE SAFETY CONCERNS> LUCKY FOR US WE WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WENT INTO THE ROADWAY AND INJURED THE CHILD. CHEVY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS. I CANNOT KEEP PUTTING HUNDREDS OF $ INTO A CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. WITH 54,000 MILES. I ALSO HAVE A PRETTY STEEP CAR PAYMENT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE OR BECOME INJURED BEFORE THEY FIX THE PROBLEMS.? I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY CONCERNING, ESPECIALLY IF PEOPLE HAVE LITTLE CHILDREN. I HAVE TO PARK MY CAR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION , WHICH IS ALSO A THEFT CONCERN. I HAVE TRIED PUSHING THE BUTTON UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL , BUT THAT ONLY WORKED ONCE. I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY AGAIN, UNLESS THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SAFETY ISSUES. I AM ALSO GOING TO CALL GM AND MY DEALER AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO. I CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHERS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282300

47,230 miles · Aug 16, 2009
Power Train

COULDN'T GET KEY OUT AFTER STARTING, CAR WOULD NOT GO OFF. SHIFT LEVER WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. WENT TO DEALER.THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLOOR SHIFTER. DEALER KEPT PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280565

30,000 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Power TrainSteering

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE MESSAGE CENTER IN MY DASH INDICATING THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. I FEEL NO DIFFERENCE IN STEERING, BUT WHEN THE CAR SWITCHES GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ) IT IS VERY ROUGH AND ALMOST DIES. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND HAS HAPPENED TWICE THIS WEEK …

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WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A MESSAGE APPEARS IN THE MESSAGE CENTER IN MY DASH INDICATING THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT. I FEEL NO DIFFERENCE IN STEERING, BUT WHEN THE CAR SWITCHES GEARS (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC ) IT IS VERY ROUGH AND ALMOST DIES. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND HAS HAPPENED TWICE THIS WEEK LOCAL REPAIR SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279290

44,500 miles · May 7, 2009
Power TrainSteering

OUR 2006 CHEVY COBALT HAS STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE CAR HAS 44,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE PS LIGHT INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND WE DID OUR BEST TO TRY AND GET OFF THE ROAD. IF WE TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQU…

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OUR 2006 CHEVY COBALT HAS STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING FAILURES. THE CAR HAS 44,000 MILES. TWO WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE PS LIGHT INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND WE DID OUR BEST TO TRY AND GET OFF THE ROAD. IF WE TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK, BUT THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT; AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A WEEK. THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW AND IS DRIVEN BY MY 20 YR. OLD HONOR COLLEGE STUDENT. I HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THIS AND HE TOLD ME THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROX. $1500. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267945

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.