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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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136,000 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

MY PROBLEMS ARE CAME ABOUT WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE AS I HAVE SEARCHED AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TOO BE VERY COMMON. FOUND THAT IT HAS BEEN WIDELY RECALLED INCLUDING MY MODEL YEAR WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TOO THE NHTSA. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GETTING READY TOO GO TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT, THE PO…

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MY PROBLEMS ARE CAME ABOUT WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ON THIS VEHICLE AS I HAVE SEARCHED AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TOO BE VERY COMMON. FOUND THAT IT HAS BEEN WIDELY RECALLED INCLUDING MY MODEL YEAR WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TOO THE NHTSA. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS GETTING READY TOO GO TO A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT, THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, EVERYTHING SEEMED TOO BE WORKING EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER AND IT DROVE FINE. ON THE WAY BACK HOME HOWEVER THE CAR WOULD NO SHIFT PAST FIRST GEAR. I TOOK IT TOO A MECHANIC THAT LIVES NEXT TOO ME. HE SAID THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BAD, REPLACED IT, GOT IT BACK. DROVE FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS FOR THREE WEEKS, EVEN THE DRIVER FRONT BLINKER WAS WORKING WHICH HAD NEVER WORKED SINCE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. THEN AFTER THE THREE WEEKS THE POWER STEERING MESSAGE CAME BACK ON AND ALL THE SAME SYMPTOMS ARE BACK, NO SPEEDOMETER, HARD SHIFTING IF ANY, IT EVEN CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TOO COME ON THIS TIME WHICH AN AUTO PARTS STORE DETERMINED TOO BE A RANDOM MISFIRE. I CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND IT WENT OFF. MY THEORY IS THAT THE TCM IS NOT GROUNDED CORRECTLY TOO HANDLE THIS AND SHORTS OUT AS I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE GROUNDED THE TCM AND IT HAS FIXED ALL THE PROBLEMS TOO THEIR CLAIM. I SEARCHED RECALLS ON MY CAR USING THE VIN AND MY CAR IS NOT LISTED ON IT AND SINCE THIS HAS BEEN RECURRING AND I'VE HAD ALL THE PROBLEMS EVERYONE ELSE HAS NOTED I FEEL THAT IS A GREAT CONCERN. THE MESSAGE AND ALL THE EFFECTS HAPPEN AS SOON AS I START THE CAR IF IT'S GOING TOO HAPPEN (SO FAR). IT FIRST HAPPENED ON THE DATE INDICATED AND THEN AGAIN ON 11/15/2016.

NHTSA ODI #10926478

117,638 miles · Nov 16, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSteeringCrash

THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME 5 TIMES ALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ONE TIME I WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN CITY STREETS, TURNING CORNERS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST START MY CAR AND THE GAUGES JUST GO NUTS. MY SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON MY FUEL GAUGE, RPM GAUGE. AND MPH …

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THIS HAS HAPPEN TO ME 5 TIMES ALL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. ONE TIME I WAS STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT. THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN CITY STREETS, TURNING CORNERS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR JUST START MY CAR AND THE GAUGES JUST GO NUTS. MY SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON MY FUEL GAUGE, RPM GAUGE. AND MPH GAUGE WILL JUST GO TO ZERO. THE RPM GAUGE BOUNCES UP TO 900-1000 THEN BACK TO ZERO. THE WORDS ON THE DASH WILL READ LOW FUEL (EVEN IF I ACTUALLY HAVE A FULL TANK) AND THEN IT'LL CUT MY POWER STEERING AND I WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN AT ALL OR BARELY. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO OF IT DOING IT WHILE I WAS STATIONARY. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAS MADE ME ALMOST CRASH MULTIPLE TIMES. AND ONCE I ACTUALLY HIT A CURB IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT DECIDED TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10926329

130,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
SteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPEND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10925386

157,076 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Steering

TAKATA RECALL.... MY STEERING HAS BECOME VERY HARD OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR IN MARCH 2016

NHTSA ODI #10925062

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2016
Steering

VECHICLE ALWAYS AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHES TO POWER STEERING WHILE IN MOTION. IT ALWAYS DOES THIS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS 80 OR MORE DEGREE. THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF AND REFUSES TO TURN. ONE HAS TO KEEP GOING STRAIGHT OR STOP THE CAR TO RESTART BUT IT GOES BACK TO POWER STEERING IN LESS THAN 10 MINUTES AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10917410

118,000 miles · Oct 8, 2016
Steering

SUDDEN LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10914917

206,686 miles · Oct 7, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMERO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BEFORE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,686.

NHTSA ODI #10914479

18,000 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND AN UNDETERMINED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #10909806

91,890 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Steering

OUR 2006 COBALT HAS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING, REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT WAS REPLACED IN 2010 AS PART OF RECALL NO. N100023. I TALKED WITH GM REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PHONE, AND THEY STATED THAT GM PARTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS FO…

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OUR 2006 COBALT HAS EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING, REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUMN AND ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. THIS IS THE SAME PART THAT WAS REPLACED IN 2010 AS PART OF RECALL NO. N100023. I TALKED WITH GM REPRESENTATIVES OVER THE PHONE, AND THEY STATED THAT GM PARTS ARE WARRANTED FOR 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT UNDER THE RECALL. OTHERWISE, REPAIRS ARE ONLY WARRANTED UNDER THE STANDARD MANUFACTURER OR EXTENDED WARRANTY IF PURCHASED.

NHTSA ODI #10909622

57,000 miles · Sep 23, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE OR MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE OR MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #10909337

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.