NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
1,299 reportsClear category filter76,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Steering
I HAD STEERING MOTOR REPLACED IN 11/2010 AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE. A FEW DAYS AGO I GOT INTO MY CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED, BUT THE CAR WOULD JERK SLIGHTLY WHEN THE CAR CHANGED GEARS. SLOWED TO A STOP AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED AND I COULD NO…
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I HAD STEERING MOTOR REPLACED IN 11/2010 AFTER RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE. A FEW DAYS AGO I GOT INTO MY CAR AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT STARTED, BUT THE CAR WOULD JERK SLIGHTLY WHEN THE CAR CHANGED GEARS. SLOWED TO A STOP AND THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED AND I COULD NOT MOVE IT. TURNED CAR OFF THEN BACK ON A MOMENT LATER. CONTINUED TO DRIVE APROX. 20 MILES, THEN WHEN SLOWED TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON ME, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THAT DID THE RECALL---THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM OR GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS ON HOW TO ACTUALLY REPAIR CAR. WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING MOTOR THAT WAS REPLACED AND INSIST IT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE, AND THUS, NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE ASKED DEALERSHIP TO CONTACT GM'S TECH SUPPORT AND THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME THUS FAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408985
75,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Steering
2006 CHEVY COBALT STEERING COLUMN IS FALLING APART AND MAKING ALL KINDS OF CLUNKING NOISES WHILE DRIVING, CHEVY ALREADY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BECAUSE OF A RECALL BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACTUAL STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS FALLING APART AND DESTINED FOR FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES *TT
NHTSA ODI #10407454
34,265 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL IMMEDIATELY BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,265. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10405405
90,800 miles · May 16, 2011
Steering
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OUT. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN, IT WORKS FOR MOMENTS BEFORE IT CUTS OFF AGAIN. THIS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE THE CAR AND INCREASES THE CHANGES OF CRASHES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401108
60,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Steering
HAD TO REPLACED WORN OUT BEARING ON FRONT WHEEL EARLY IN VEHICLE'S LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400754
41,088 miles · May 13, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE HARD TO MANEUVER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,088.
NHTSA ODI #10400718
100,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND A POWER STEERING LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES THE FA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND A POWER STEERING LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10399509
85,691 miles · Apr 18, 2011
Steering
MY CHEVROLET COBALT 2006 HAS A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. IT MAKES NOISES, LIKE A RATTLE AND I BOUGHT THE CAR ON 03/16/2011, USED AND SINCE THE FIRST WEEK AFTER PRECARIOUS I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO GET FIX EVERY DAY EXCEPT FOR SATURDAYS AND STILL CAN NOT GET IT FIX. IT ALSO SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT TIMES AND ITS VERY, VERY SCARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396729
79,000 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS AND EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MP. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS AND EMISSIONS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MP. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN ONE QUARTER TANK TO THREE QUARTERS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10395610
95,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Steering
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. VERY STIFF AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME GET ME, AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES, I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WAS FREE TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS OCCURED A SECOND TIME LAST …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME AND LOST POWER TO THE STEERING WHEEL AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. VERY STIFF AND PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME GET ME, AFTER WAITING 20 MINUTES, I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE WHEEL WAS FREE TO MOVE AGAIN. THIS OCCURED A SECOND TIME LAST WEEK WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. I TURNED IT OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY IT WORKED. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE AND I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN GOING A FASTER SPEED. CURRENTLY THE CAR IS NOW AT THE SHOP LOOKING AT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM THAT IS BAD. IT IS A RECALL AND ALREADY REPLACED AND IS BAD AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR CAN STOP WORKING AT ANYTIME WHICH GIVES YOU NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393923
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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