NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,299 reportsClear category filter136,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10632261
148,000 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND MAKES THE CAR HARD TO DRIVE. THE STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN CHANGED 2 TIMES SINCE ORIGINAL RECALL,BUT YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10631258
60,000 miles · Aug 26, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
POWER STEERING FAILURE SEEMS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES, AND BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THERE IS A "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY ON DASHBOARD AND A WARNING CHIME. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM'S GO BONKERS, THE CAR REPEATEDLY JUMPS FORWARD ABRUPTLY, AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SOMETIMES I CAN PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND TH…
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POWER STEERING FAILURE SEEMS TO OCCUR AT RANDOM TIMES, AND BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THERE IS A "POWER STEERING" DISPLAY ON DASHBOARD AND A WARNING CHIME. THEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM'S GO BONKERS, THE CAR REPEATEDLY JUMPS FORWARD ABRUPTLY, AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. SOMETIMES I CAN PARK, TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND THE ISSUE GOES AWAY, AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR, BUT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR RECALL (DONE IN JULY OF 2013) SEEMED TO FIX IT, BUT ONLY TEMPORARILY. IT IS IRRITATING AND SCARY TO HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS, AND I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY DURING THE UPCOMING WINTER MONTHS WHERE I WILL CERTAINLY BE DRIVING ON ICE AND SNOW. I HOPE THERE WILL BE ANOTHER RECALL TO PERMANENTLY SOLVE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628532
200,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I REACHED 55 AND MY ENGINE SHUT OFF. I HAD NO BRAKES OR STEERING AND WENT TO RIGHT IN DITCH AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627973
200,000 miles · Aug 25, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD . I JUST REACHED 55 MPH. MY IGNITION SHUT OFF AND I LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. I WENT TO THE RIGHT INTO THE DITCH AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10627970
125,331 miles · Aug 21, 2014
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER AND CRASH INTO TREES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER AND CRASH INTO TREES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,331.
NHTSA ODI #10627297
70,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10618233
50,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V073000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 10/8/14*CN UPDATED 03/23/2015*JS
NHTSA ODI #10617652
61,594 miles · Jul 30, 2014
Steering
MY DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE METAL BEARINGS ENCASED IN PLASTIC IN THIS COLUMN. OVER TIME THE METAL WILL RUB AGAINST THE PLASTIC AND CAUSE PLAY IN THE BEARING. THE PLAY WILL CAUSE CHATTER WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES. BY …
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MY DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE METAL BEARINGS ENCASED IN PLASTIC IN THIS COLUMN. OVER TIME THE METAL WILL RUB AGAINST THE PLASTIC AND CAUSE PLAY IN THE BEARING. THE PLAY WILL CAUSE CHATTER WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES. BY DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MATTER I FOUND THAT THERE WERE LAWSUITS PLACED AGAINST THE MAKER OR THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO THE FACT THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD TO REPLACE SO MANY OF THESE COLUMNS UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THIS MATTER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO WAY OF TELLING ME IF THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN FIXED OR THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BEEN MODIFIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THE SAME BY MY DEALER. GENERAL MOTORS TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT ONE OPTION I HAD TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WAS TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOU. THERE IS A BULLETIN THAT WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD TODAY BY MY DEALER THAT THE BULLETIN HAD BEEN CANCELLED BY GENERAL MOTORS. WHY IT WAS CANCELLED IS A MYSTERY. MY DEALER ADVISED AGAINST ME CHANGING THE COLUMN SINCE IT IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY THAT THE PROBLEM WILL ARISE AGAIN WITH THE NEW COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617622
42,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Power TrainSteering
LIGHT GOES ON AND POWER STEERING COMES ON THE SCREEN TRANSMITION DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT NO POWER STEERING THE CAR CAN'T BE DRIVEN SAFELY 43000 MILES AND IT WAS ALREADY FIXED ONCE. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10616865
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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