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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

Steering complaints

1,299 reports
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61,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE "POWER STEERING" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RESTART THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10287478

58,500 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Steering

2006 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COGGIN CHEVROLET, KISSIMMEE FLORIDA ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT STILL INSISTS I PAY $1200 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287443

45,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Steering

ELECTRONICPOWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2006 CHEVY COBALT LT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT SUDDENLY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE …

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ELECTRONICPOWER STEERING FAILURE ON 2006 CHEVY COBALT LT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT SUDDENLY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT. GM NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE. NO WONDER THEY ARE GOING BANKRUPT! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287158

52,265 miles · Oct 11, 2009
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR HAS INTERMITTENT FAILURE. AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN NO MORE POWER STEERING! VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT TRIED TO REPAIR YET. I AM UNEMPLOYED AND THE COST IS PROHIBITIVE. BUT IN MY REPLACEMENT RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND THAT SEEMS WRONG TO ME! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287016

76,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Steering

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 CHEVY COBALT, AND THE POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING. ALL I HEAR IS 3 DINGS AND I SEE POWER STEERING ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WITH TRAFFIC THESE DAYS AND ALL OF THE OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS THIS JUST ADDS TO THE FRUSTRATION AND WORRY. PLE…

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 CHEVY COBALT, AND THE POWER STEERING KEEPS FAILING. ALL I HEAR IS 3 DINGS AND I SEE POWER STEERING ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE POWER STEERING STOPS WORKING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WITH TRAFFIC THESE DAYS AND ALL OF THE OTHER SAFETY CONCERNS THIS JUST ADDS TO THE FRUSTRATION AND WORRY. PLEASE LOOK INTO A RECALL FOR THIS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR THE DRIVER WHAT-SO-EVER AND SEEING AS THOUGH PAYING $2000 FOR THIS TO GET FIXED IS KIND OF HARD TO SWALLOW, MAYBE A RECALL WOULD BE BEST FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286854

39,000 miles · Oct 8, 2009
Steering

2006 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS CAR HAS 39K MILES AND STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286830

42,000 miles · Oct 8, 2009
Steering

I HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED ON MY CAR ON FEB. 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE IN THE STEERING AREA. THEY SAID IT WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. IN MAY OF 2009 I WENT BACK AND TOLD THEM THAT I WAS STILL HEARING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE AND SINCE THE …

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I HAD THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED ON MY CAR ON FEB. 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE IN THE STEERING AREA. THEY SAID IT WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY ANYTHING. IN MAY OF 2009 I WENT BACK AND TOLD THEM THAT I WAS STILL HEARING THE SAME RATTLING NOISE AND SINCE THE CAR DIDN'T HAVE WARRANTY THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX IT AND THAT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IF IT WAS THE SAME PART THAT NEEDED REPLACING THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE. WELL FOR REASONS I WASN'T ABLE TO GO THAT DAY. WELL ON OCT. 4, 2009 THE CAR SHUT DOWN ON ME AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND WASN'T ABLE TO STEER THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR ON PARK AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN AND IT WORKED. I'M THINKING WHAT IF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED TO ME ON THE INTERSTATE, I COULD'VE BEEN IN A VERY BIG ACCIDENT SO I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY. THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING NOW IS THAT CHEVY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AND I'M VERY FRUSTRATED. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OWNERS OF CHEVY COBALTS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME STEERING PROBLEMS AS MYSELF AND I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286790

40,000 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Steering

1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 2. FAILURE OCCURS 2 TO 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, CONSEQUENCES ARE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING...VERY HARD TO TURN...COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. 3. CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM IS SHUT OFF …

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1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE. 2. FAILURE OCCURS 2 TO 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, CONSEQUENCES ARE POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING...VERY HARD TO TURN...COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. 3. CORRECTION FOR THE PROBLEM IS SHUT OFF THE CAR AND LET SIT FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, TURN IT BACK ON AND POWER STEERING COME BACK. THEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE PRICE TO GET IT FIXED IS ABOUT $1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286712

74,215 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Electrical SystemSteering

POWER STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. PROBLEM STARTED 1 OCTOBER 2009 AND IS OFF AND ON. AT TIMES IT SCARES ME THAT I WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT. JIFFY LUBE PERSONNEL STATED THAT IT IS ELECTRONIC AND SUGGESTED TAKING TO DEALER. I AM A STUDENT AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AND CANNOT AFFOR…

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POWER STEERING GOES OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. PROBLEM STARTED 1 OCTOBER 2009 AND IS OFF AND ON. AT TIMES IT SCARES ME THAT I WILL GET IN AN ACCIDENT. JIFFY LUBE PERSONNEL STATED THAT IT IS ELECTRONIC AND SUGGESTED TAKING TO DEALER. I AM A STUDENT AT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY AND CANNOT AFFORD $100 FOR JUST LOOKING AT IT. SUGGESTED TO ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286588

72,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
SteeringCrash

I HAVE 2006 CHEVY COBALT AND I AM HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. MY CAR HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT AND THE CAR CONSTANTLY JERKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286139

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.