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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50,000 miles · Aug 15, 2009

Steering

2006 CHEVY COBALT. POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS FINE ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS IS INDEPENDENT OF SPEED OR ANY CONDITION THAT I CAN RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280513

47,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009

Steering

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 CHEVY COBALT WITH APPROXIMATELY 47000 MILES. RECENTLY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHEN THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AFTER THE INCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR IS GOING BAD AND THAT WE WERE NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WE ALSO FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS A RECALL ON ITS FUEL INJECTORS AS WELL AS THE HEAD LINER. CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE CAR IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR ON AUGUST 22ND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280406

63,613 miles · Aug 13, 2009

Steering

I GOT IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT CAR THIS PAST SATURDAY AND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HILL THAT I LIVE ON WHEN I REACH THE CURB AND NEED TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A CAR COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION AND I ALMOST HIT IT BECAUSE MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL LO…

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NHTSA ODI #10280381

80,000 miles · Aug 13, 2009

Steering

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT 2DR COUPE. FIRST, ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AND THEY WOULD RANDOMLY GO UP AND DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I GOT THAT FIXED AND THEN ON 12/28/2008 I WAS DRIVING FROM SHREVEPORT, LA TO CHATTANOOGA, TN. IT WAS FINE FOR MOST OF THE TRIP BUT AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE EXIT IN CHATTANOOGA, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. AT FIRST IT WOULD DO IT RANDOMLY BUT AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF IT HAPPENING NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IT WORKS WHEN I CRANK THE CAR UP BUT AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES, THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A STEERING COLUMN AND IT WOULD COST $1200.00 WHICH I COULD NOT AFFORD. THEN LAST WEEK ON 08/02/2009, A LOT OF THINGS STOPPED WORKING. THE ODOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL, TEMP. GAUGE, AND SPEEDOMETER. AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. SINCE IT STAYED IN A LOW GEAR I COULD ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 30 MPH TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. IT TURNED OUT THAT IT NEEDED A TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND IT COST $362. AFTER THAT EVERYTHING STARTED WORKING AGAIN EXCEPT THE POWER STEERING. I KNOW THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AS THERE WERE OVER 500 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE ON THE ONE WEBSITE THAT I LOOKED AT AND THAT'S ONLY ONE WEBSITE (WWW.TOPIX.COM/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-COBALT). I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT! ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS LEAKED WATER ONTO MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280379

58,800 miles · Aug 12, 2009

Steering

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LAST NIGHT I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY POWER STEERING LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. A FEW MINUTES LATER MY CAR STARTED JERKING BACK AND FORTH , CUTTING IN AND OUT, AND SHUCKLING WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. I ASSUMED MY GAS WAS FAULTY, SO I CUT THE CAR OFF, PUT IN OCTANE BOOSTER AND MORE GAS. AFTER THIS IT RAN OKAY, BUT I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I FELT LIKE MY SAFETY WAS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF HOW MY CAR WAS RESPONDING. IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN I WILL COMPLAIN AGAIN. I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL TAKE THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280271

32,500 miles · Aug 12, 2009

Steering

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE INTERIOR CHIME SOUNDED THREE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SUDDENLY, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE DRIVER HAD TO EXERT GREATER EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER STEERING UNIT, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,500. UPDATED 09/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10280261

44,000 miles · Aug 11, 2009

Steering

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. IT HAS THE PROBLEM WHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING IT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF THE POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL EVEN LOCK UP AT TIMES. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. IT IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I AM STUCK WITH THIS CAR, BECAUSE IT COSTS AROUND 1100 DOLLARS TO FIX! I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A COUNTLESS AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY DAY THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. NOW THIS CAR HAS 44K MILES ON IT AND IT IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I DO NOT WANT ANY ONE ELSE KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS POOR MANUFACTURING. IF THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, I WANT TO BE INVOLVED! ALSO, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST MONTH AND CONTINUES. ONCE I PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (IF I CAN) AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON, THE POWER STEERING RESUMES WORKING AND I CAN DRIVE FOR A WHILE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280146

80,726 miles · Aug 10, 2009

Steering

I HAVE A 2006 COBALT AND THE POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT. I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILING ON THEIRS AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280035

85,000 miles · Aug 10, 2009

Steering

I AM DRIVING MY CHEVY COBALT 2006 ON A BUSY ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY POWER STEERING LIGHT GOES ON AND MY WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I COULDN'T EVEN STEER MY CAR TO AVOID TRAFFIC AT FIRST UNLESS I REALLY TUGGED AT THE WHEEL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! ESTIMATED REPAIR IS 2000! ON A 2006 CAR NOW THAT IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280034

28,000 miles · Aug 10, 2009

Electrical SystemSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILS. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS, THE CONTACT MUST TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND WAIT MOMENTARILY FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING LOCKS, WHICH MAKES THE KEY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT MUST R…

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NHTSA ODI #10279949

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.