IllustrationPOWER STEERING DOESN'T WORK. *TR
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cobalt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1540–25K
42125–50K
55750–75K
34575–100K
331100–150K
142150K+
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BEEPING SOUND AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE POWER STEERING FAILURE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY, BUT HAS NOW BECOME MORE FREQUENT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6,209.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,800. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CON…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND LOST POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DITCH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 17,800. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM RESULTED IN LOSS OF GAUGES AND ALSO RESULTED IN LOW FUEL MESSAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN $6,500 WORTH OF DAMAGES. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT PURCHASED USED WITH 28000 MILES ON IT. ALL MY PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND OVER SO I TOOK IT IN TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. ABOUT 2 WEE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT PURCHASED USED WITH 28000 MILES ON IT. ALL MY PROBLEMS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND OVER SO I TOOK IT IN TO A CHEVY DEALER AND THEY ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES AND THAT SEEMED TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. ABOUT 2 WEEKS I WAS DRIVING HOME AND I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND EVERY THING WAS FINE ON THE DASH BOARD, NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS THERE WAS THIS LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS PROPERLY. SO I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT AND IT DROVE FINE. NOW AT THIS POINT IM JUST THINKING THAT THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN THE COMPUTER. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SCANNED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO ERRORS AND EVERYTHING WAS CHECKING OUT FINE. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING AND THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE IN THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER WAS DISPLAYED ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. UNABLE TO STEER I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I WAITED ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE AWAY AND I GAINED STEERING CONTROL AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOW SOME DAYS WHEN I START MY CAR THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND SOME DAYS THE CAR DRIVES FINE AND ITS REALLY STARTING TO FRUSTRATE ME. IN ADDITION TO THE STEERING PROBLEM I AM UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FORM THE IGNITION. TO THIS DAY NONE OF MY PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. *JB
THIS IS IN DOCUMENTATION OF MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED STEERING SHAFT, RUBBING AND GRINDING, KNOCKING ON STEERING COLUMN AND FLOOR PAN AREA, WHEN COMING TO A STOP CAR RPM'S WILL DROP SO LOW THAT THE CAR WILL ALMOST DIE, SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLE LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO QUIT WORKING, LOST POWER ASSI…
Read full complaint
THIS IS IN DOCUMENTATION OF MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN, REPLACED STEERING SHAFT, RUBBING AND GRINDING, KNOCKING ON STEERING COLUMN AND FLOOR PAN AREA, WHEN COMING TO A STOP CAR RPM'S WILL DROP SO LOW THAT THE CAR WILL ALMOST DIE, SPEAKERS HAVE A RATTLE LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO QUIT WORKING, LOST POWER ASSIST WHILE IN A TURN ONCE DOCUMENTED HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE, WHEN USING TURN SIGNAL WITH HIGH BEAMS ON LIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF,PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER WAS PULLED AWAY FROM HEADLAMP. *JB
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES CUSTOMER STATES THAT CAR IS A LEMON AND THAT SHE DROVE THE 2007 COBALT AND IT RAN BEAUTIFULLY**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE SHIFTER SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMM…
Read full complaint
2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT ISSUES CUSTOMER STATES THAT CAR IS A LEMON AND THAT SHE DROVE THE 2007 COBALT AND IT RAN BEAUTIFULLY**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENTIRE SHIFTER SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND THE SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED, THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT IS DISSATISFIED THAT HER VEHICLE IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND IS UNDER RECALL # 07V014000 (STRUCTURE). SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2007. THE CONTACT HAS ALREADY HAD THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, BUT IS STILL HEARING A CLUMPING NOISE. SHE HAS NOTIFIED T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT IS DISSATISFIED THAT HER VEHICLE IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND IS UNDER RECALL # 07V014000 (STRUCTURE). SHE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2007. THE CONTACT HAS ALREADY HAD THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, BUT IS STILL HEARING A CLUMPING NOISE. SHE HAS NOTIFIED TWO DEALERS IN HER AREA, BUT NEITHER HAVE CALLED HER BACK BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS WAITED OVER A MONTH TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE FEBRUARY. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,000.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. SHE HAD BEEN HEARING THAT NOISE SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE SAID THAT ONE COULD HEAR THE SOUND 85% OF THE TIME, AND THAT IT WAS USUAL WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE WE…
Read full complaint
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SOUND IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE HOOD. SHE HAD BEEN HEARING THAT NOISE SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SHE SAID THAT ONE COULD HEAR THE SOUND 85% OF THE TIME, AND THAT IT WAS USUAL WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. *AK THE CONSUMER SWITCH DEALERS DUE TO THE FACT BERGLUND STATED NOISE IS NORMAL. PINKERTON(DEALER) TRIES TO ASSESS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS DECIDED MULTIPLE CASES OF GEAR CONCERNS AND REPLACED STEERING GEAR BUT THE CONSUMER STATES THEY CAN'T REALLY PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED VARIOUS INVOICES. UPDATE *TR
MY CAR MAKES A VERY LOUD RATTLING SOUND THAT IS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN/RACK AND PINION. GM CANADA HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME, BUT NOT TO BE WORRIED AS IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AT THIS TIME. *NM
Official recalls
514V171000 · 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
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. 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
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. 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.
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
1PE10005 · 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.