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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

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
180,000 miles · Jun 21, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SPR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A SPRAINED SHOULDER, FACIAL ABRASIONS, AND MINOR CUTS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE CHIN. BOTH OCCUPANTS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10875624

174,800 miles · May 16, 2013
Air BagsSeat Belts

THE LIGHT ON THE DASH SWITCHES OVER AND SAYS THAT IT IS ON WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND SOMEONE IS SITTING IN IT BUT IT WILL DING AT THEM UNTIL THEY PUT THEIR SEAT BELT ON. WHENEVER THEY PUT THE SEAT BELT ON, THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) ON MY DASH TELLS ME TO SERVICE AIRBAG AND THE LIGHT THAT TELLS WHEN THE AIRBAG…

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THE LIGHT ON THE DASH SWITCHES OVER AND SAYS THAT IT IS ON WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND SOMEONE IS SITTING IN IT BUT IT WILL DING AT THEM UNTIL THEY PUT THEIR SEAT BELT ON. WHENEVER THEY PUT THE SEAT BELT ON, THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) ON MY DASH TELLS ME TO SERVICE AIRBAG AND THE LIGHT THAT TELLS WHEN THE AIRBAG IS ON OR OFF SAYS THAT IT IS OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10512435

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2011
Seat BeltsSeatsUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury

MY WIFE AN I WERE STOPPED AT MIDDLEBROOK PIKE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS ON WESTERN AVENUE IN KNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE SO THAT WE COULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WE WERE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO FAILED TO STOP. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME ,I WAS BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES(I REMEMBER GOING…

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MY WIFE AN I WERE STOPPED AT MIDDLEBROOK PIKE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING FOR THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS ON WESTERN AVENUE IN KNOXVILLE,TENNESSEE SO THAT WE COULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. WE WERE REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHO FAILED TO STOP. MY SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN ME ,I WAS BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES(I REMEMBER GOING BACK AND FORTH AROUND 3 TO 4 TIMES BEFORE IT KNOCKED ME OUT). THE SEAT BELT JUST DID NOT HOLD ME ! AT THAT TIME I WEIGHED ABOUT 250 TO 260LBS. I WAS PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN FOR ABOUT 9 DAYS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HOSPITAL IN KNOXVILLE ON THE NEURO FLOOR. I HAVE BEEN TO [XXX] REHABATION SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE FITTED ME FOR A POWER WHEEL CHAIR. IF THE SEATBELT WOULD HAVE WORKED PROPERLY I WOULD NOT BE IN THIS SITUATION THE HEAD REST IS BENT AND LOOSE WERE MY HEAD BOUNCED OFF OF IT SEVERALTIMES, AN THE SEAT ITSELF MOVES WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE STATIONARY(IT CAN GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD) WITHOUT WARNING.THE CAR DEALER SAID THEY WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS ON THIS CAR BUT THEY NEVER DID FIX THEM. THE CAR DEALER HAD PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT VEHICLES SIGN PAPERS THAT THEY HAD THEIR PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION WHEN THEY DID NOT. THE DEALER WOULD GIVE THEM A TANK OF GAS FOR IT AN ALSO FOR ANY LETTER FROM GM ON RANKING THE LOCAL DEALER'S SERVICE FAVORABLY ONLY. THIS DEALER KNEW OF SEVERAL RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE BUT THEY DID NOT WANT TO FIX THEM UNDER THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY.MY WIFE CALLED GM HEADQUARTERS AND THEY TOLD HER THAT IF SHE HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS WITH HER CAR THEY WOULD REPLACE IT . I ALSO HAVE A SPINAL CORD INJURY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428777

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2011
Seat Belts

ON OCCASION MY SEAT BELT GETS STUCK AND WONT UNBUCKLE. THIS IS NOT SAFE IF YOU NEED TO HURRY AND GET OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10374652

22,000 miles · Oct 12, 2010
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE WEBBING WAS REPLAED 4 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS WORN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE WEBBING WAS REPLAED 4 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,000. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11

NHTSA ODI #10360171

95,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. HIT DITCH, WENT UP EMBANKMENT, AIRBORN, LANDING AND BREAKING POWER POLE GUDE WIRE, CONTINUING 300 FT, FRONTAL IMPACT INTO TREE. VEHICLE TOTALED. FRONT REAR, UNDER CARRIAGE AND REAR DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. CONTACTED

NHTSA ODI #10325554

2,000 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Air BagsEquipmentSeat BeltsCrash

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON RT 8 IN BUTLER, PA. A DEER RAN INTO MY CAR, HITTING THE FRONT END. I WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND GOT OUT TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED, ALONG WITH THE BUMPER BEING FOLDED, AC CONDENSER BROKE, GRILLE BROKE,RADIATOR BROKE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND NOTICE…

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON RT 8 IN BUTLER, PA. A DEER RAN INTO MY CAR, HITTING THE FRONT END. I WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND GOT OUT TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THE FRONT BUMPER WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED, ALONG WITH THE BUMPER BEING FOLDED, AC CONDENSER BROKE, GRILLE BROKE,RADIATOR BROKE. I GOT BACK IN MY CAR AND NOTICED THE AIR BAG SYMBOL WAS ON BUT BY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I WASN'T WEARING A SEAT BELT AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. MY SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP FOR SOME REASON AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. I CALLED THE CHEVY COMPANY AND ASKED THEM WHY, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT YOU NEED TO HIT THE CAR IN A CERTAIN SPOT ON THE CAR, BUT A MECHANIC TOLD ME USUALLY IF THE REBAR IS CRACKED THE AIR BAGS GO OFF. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. I PAID THE CAR OFF AND I DIDN'T HAVE FULL COVERAGE. SO MY CAR IS PRACTICALLY GARBAGE. I THINK THEY SHOULD AT LEAST FIX THE AIR BAG PROBLEM AND THE SEAT BELTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204308

23,000 miles · Jan 23, 2007
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL*- WHILE DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A HILLSIDE THAT HAD A BIG ROCK STICKING OUT. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE, THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE CRUSHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT …

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TL*- WHILE DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY ON A MAIN ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A HILLSIDE THAT HAD A BIG ROCK STICKING OUT. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE, THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE WERE CRUSHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE AIR BAGS WEREN'T WORKING. *AK THE CONSUMER HIT A DITCH BEFORE HITTING THE HILLSIDE. THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10179494

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.