Illustration2006 COBALT POWER STEERING WENT OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 19 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING. *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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A COUPLE OF LOUD SOUNDS AS IF A BELL WAS RINGING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AT EVERY INTER…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A COUPLE OF LOUD SOUNDS AS IF A BELL WAS RINGING AND THEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AT EVERY INTERSECTION IN ORDER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING WORK PROPERLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17898. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17840.
I HAD A 2006 COBALT THAT STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS SHORTING AFTER REACHING 36,000 MILES. ONE TIME I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PARKING LOT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I COULD BARELY STEER THE CAR INTO THE PROPER LANE AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS A CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE WAS APPROACHING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS…
Read full complaint
I HAD A 2006 COBALT THAT STARTED HAVING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS SHORTING AFTER REACHING 36,000 MILES. ONE TIME I WAS TURNING ONTO A ROAD FROM A PARKING LOT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND I COULD BARELY STEER THE CAR INTO THE PROPER LANE AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS A CAR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE WAS APPROACHING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH COBALT. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SATISFACTORY REPLY FROM CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE, JUDGING FROM MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, THAT CHEVROLET NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS, OR AT LEAST REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT ONE COST TO BUYERS. THANK YOU. *TR
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THIS FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT, BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO M…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SLOW TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE POWER STEERING EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THIS FAILURE WAS ABOUT TO OCCUR. THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT, BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN FULL CONTROL AND SAFELY PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN RESTARTED AND THE POWER STEERING WAS AGAIN OPERATIONAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY. A POWER STEERING MOTOR KIT # 6.605 WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY THE DEALER.*TR
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT, HAS JUST A LITTLE OVER 57,000 MILES AND FROM READING THE REVIEWS ON LINE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT (OR AS OF APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO) THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING BEGAN TO RANDOM SHUT OFF. THE POWER STEERING IS AVAILABLE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED BUT IS ALWAYS DISABLE AFTER 1-2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND STAYS THAT WAY UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, ALTHOUGH AT …
Read full complaint
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT (OR AS OF APPROX 2 WEEKS AGO) THE VEHICLE'S POWER STEERING BEGAN TO RANDOM SHUT OFF. THE POWER STEERING IS AVAILABLE EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED BUT IS ALWAYS DISABLE AFTER 1-2 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD AND STAYS THAT WAY UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, ALTHOUGH AT THAT POINT IT LAST 1-2 MINUTES AGAIN AND SO THE CYCLE CONTINUES. THE CONSEQUENCES AS OF YET ARE SIMPLY THE BOTHER AND DIFFICULTY WITH 'WINDING ROADS' AND PARKING LOTS. DUE TO EXPERIENCE WITH A SIMILAR CAR AND MINIMAL TRAVEL THERE HAVE BEEN NO RELATED ACCIDENTS AS OF YET. THE FAILURE HAS YET TO CORRECTED DUE TO VARIOUS CONSTRAINTS. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE OR ANY KIND OF MOVEMENT FOR THAT PART AT SLOW SPEEDS. UNFORTUNATELY I HEAR THE FIX COST OVER 1000 DOLLARS, MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE ON A FIXED INCOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 AND BY THE …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND UNEXPECTEDLY THE POWER STEERING FAILS. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE OR ANY KIND OF MOVEMENT FOR THAT PART AT SLOW SPEEDS. UNFORTUNATELY I HEAR THE FIX COST OVER 1000 DOLLARS, MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE ON A FIXED INCOME. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN THE SUMMER OF 2007 AND BY THE SUMMER OF 2008 THE PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND THEN MORE OFTEN. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE QUICKLY AND OFTEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND I LIVE IN TEXAS WHICH IS NORMALLY HOT MOST OF THE YEAR. IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO HAVE TO TURN MY CAR OFF TO GET THE POWER STEERING TO WORK. *TR
2006 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE, NO CERTAIN TIME OR SITUATION APPROX. ONCE A WEEK. *TR
POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTING ENGINE WILL RESTORE POWER STEERING FOR A SHORT TIME. THE CAR ALERTS WITH WARNING CHIME SOUND AND A DASHBOARD MESSAGE "POWER STEERING". THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN EVERY FEW MINUTES OR, RARELY, IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL DURING A SHORT TRIP. THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN LAT…
Read full complaint
POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. RESTARTING ENGINE WILL RESTORE POWER STEERING FOR A SHORT TIME. THE CAR ALERTS WITH WARNING CHIME SOUND AND A DASHBOARD MESSAGE "POWER STEERING". THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN EVERY FEW MINUTES OR, RARELY, IT MAY NOT HAPPEN AT ALL DURING A SHORT TRIP. THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAPPENED IN LATE 2009 ON A VERY LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE ( LESS THAN 9,300 MILES TO DATE). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 10,000 MILES. SHE STATED THAT IN TEMPERATURES OVER 50 DEGREES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30 TO 40 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS LOW AS 5 MPH AND UP. WHEN IT FAILED, SHE HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 10,000 MILES. SHE STATED THAT IN TEMPERATURES OVER 50 DEGREES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 30 TO 40 SECONDS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AS LOW AS 5 MPH AND UP. WHEN IT FAILED, SHE HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE MOMENTARILY AND ALLOW THE POWER STEERING TO RESET ITSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST; HOWEVER, THE CLOSEST DEALER WAS OVER 100 MILES AWAY. SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THAT DISTANCE SINCE THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR FREQUENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE CLOSING HER CASE UNTIL SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ( NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE10005; COMPONENT :STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
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.