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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Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2009

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT LS. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. SHE STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10281822

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2009

Steering

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT THAT HAS POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BUT I HAVE NOT DROVE THE CAR SINCE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND THE COST OF REPAIR IS $1200 DOLLARS. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE GONE ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. SO I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR. WITH THE ECONOMY THE WAY IT IS I AM NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. I AM FINANCING A CAR I DON'T EVEN DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281796

65,000 miles · Aug 25, 2009

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. SHE STATES WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND THEN THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. AND THEN SHE WOULD HAVE TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THREE FUSES. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SMELL AND THE POWER STEERING GOT WORSE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AGAIN FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT SHE IS PLANNING TO TAKE IT BACK . THE LOCK UP ON THE STEERING HAPPENS ABOUT SIX TO TEN TIMES DAILY . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000. BL UPDATED 10/5/09 *CN THE DEALER FOUND THE STEERING MOTOR AND COLUMN BAD. UPDATED 10/07/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10281747

38,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009

Steering

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. AT ABOUT 38,000 MILES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD OCCASIONALLY GO OUT. THIS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY MORE FREQUENT, UNTIL NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST ALL THE TIME. A FEW TIMES I COULD BARELY MANAGE TO TURN A CORNER BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT IT TOOK TO STEER, AND CAME WITHIN INCHES OF GOING OFF THE STREET INTO THE DITCH. WITHOUT POWER STEERING, IT SEEMS HARDER TO TURN THAN EVEN A CAR THAT NEVER HAD POWER STEERING. I'VE CONTACTED MY LOCAL GM DEALER BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT WITHOUT FIRST MY PAYING FOR AN ANALYSIS, AND WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE PROBLEM IF IT WAS THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. MY WIFE DARES NOT DRIVE THIS CAR FOR SHE FEARS SHE COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING IF THE POWER STOPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281552

57,190 miles · Aug 23, 2009

Steering

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT THAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. I AM CURRENTLY TEACHING TWO TEENAGERS HOLDING DRIVING PERMITS HOW TO DRIVE. WHILE MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I HAD TO HELP HER PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THERE WAS LIMITED STEERING. LATER RESTART CAR AND P…

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NHTSA ODI #10281483

35,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009

Steering

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2006 CHEVROLET COBALT ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. POWER STEERING GOES OUT. TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT AND THE POWER STEERING IS WORKING AGAIN. THEN IT WILL GO OUT AT ANYTIME AND WILL NOT WORK AGAIN UNTIL YOU RESTART THE CAR. IF YOU START IT UP IN THE DRIVEWAY AND BACK OUT INTO THE STREET, IT WILL GO OUT AS SOON AS YOU PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE. IF YOU TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT AND PUT IT IN DRIVE 1ST IT WILL WORK FOR A WHILE. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL WORK OR WHEN IT MAY GO OUT AGAIN. THE CAR HAS LOW MILES AND WELL MAINTAINED. I CANT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR NOR CAN I AFFORD $1200 TO $2000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. RESEARCH ON THE NET INDICATES POSSIBLY 1000'S OF THESE CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CANT EVEN FANTOM MY WIFE DOING 65 MPH AND THIS HAPPENING TO HER. THIS IS A RECURRING SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD COST 100'S OF INNOCENT LIVES. PLEASE FORCE GM TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I'VE BEEN A GM OWNER FOR YEARS AND IF THEY TRULY WONT TO REMAIN IN BUSINESS THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT. THIS SORT OF PROBLEM COULD COST $1000'S OF DOLLARS AND HUNDREDS OF LIVES AND ACCIDENTS TO NO FAULT OF THE DRIVER OR THE OTHER CAR/CARS INVOLVED. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281264

17,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009

Electrical SystemSteering

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IN MY CHEVY COBALT HAS A PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE VIRGIN ISLAND, ST. CROIX. THE TEMP GETS TO 100 DEGREE. I GET THREE WARNING DINGS AND THE WORD POWER STEERING ON MY DASHBOARD AND IMMEDIATELY I HAVE NO POWER STEERING. WHEN IT COOL DOWN, IT WILL WORK FINE. ON ST. CROIX IT COST OVER $1000 TO CHECK AND F…

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NHTSA ODI #10281255

68,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009

Steering

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WHILE DRIVING, MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT'S POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE WHEEL TIGHTENS TO THE POINT WHERE IT BECOMES TO HARD TO DRIVE. IT HAPPENS AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STRAIGHT AND THE LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET IT INORDER TO DRIVE. IN THE BOOK IT SAYS THAT IF THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH TO MANY HARD TURNS WHILE DRIVING IT TIGHTENS TO SLOW THE DRIVER AND STOP THEM FROM DRIVING IRRESPONSIBLY. SINCE THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHOUT FAULT TO MY DRIVING I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE AND MOTOR REPLACED IT WORKED FINE FOR ONE FULL DAY. THEN THE PROBLEM CAME BACK. I THEN TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT OTHERS COMPLAINTS ON TOPIX AND ASK.COM AND MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM POSES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT HAPPENS INSTANTLY, THERE IS NO FOREWARNING THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE WHEEL TIGHTENS ALL AT ONE TIME. IT IS ESPECIALLY UNSAFE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE ALL YOU CAN DO IS KEEP STRAIGHT OR STOP AND TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281188

40,500 miles · Aug 19, 2009

Steering

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I OWN A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. ON AUGUST 7, 2009 MY DAUGHTER (19 YEARS OLD) WAS TRAVELING WITH MY NIECE (11) AND MY NEPHEW (8) THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE CAR. MY DAUGHTER GOT IT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE THERE WAS POWER STEERING SHE BEGAN TRAVELING AGAIN AND IT REPEATEDLY LOST POWER STEERING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED SINCE THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT THERE IS AN UNDETERMINED LENGTH OF TIME BEFORE THE PART WILL AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND REQUIRE GM TO RECALL THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281123

78,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009

Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78000.

NHTSA ODI #10280997

Official recalls

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. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.

Electrical System:ignition:switch

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.

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

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.