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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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24,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA ODI #10302131

78,000 miles · Jan 25, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY WITHOUT ANY POWER STEERING. THE CONTACT HAS CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK INVOLVED WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10302128

98,000 miles · Jan 24, 2010
Steering

OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON MY DISPLAY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND THEN AFTER LESS THAN 2 MINUTES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND…

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OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY "POWER STEERING" APPEARS ON MY DISPLAY AND THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THE POWER STEERING WAS FINE AND THEN AFTER LESS THAN 2 MINUTES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH CHEVY COBALTS. ESTIMATED PRICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS $2000.00. THERE IS NOW REASON THIS SHOULDN'T BE A RECALL WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY OWNERS THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THIS SYSTEM FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND FAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302079

66,983 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Steering

AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE POWERSTEERING OF MY CAR WENT OUT. I COULDN'T MOVE IT OR TURN IT. PULLED TO THE SIDE AND TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN AND AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN TO DRIVE IT LOCKED IT SELF AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302064

71,492 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Steering

POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL GET TIGHT AND WILL NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVEROLET COBALTS....I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM NOT THE CUSTOMER...MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT ON HER CAR AND BY THE …

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POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL GET TIGHT AND WILL NOT TURN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH ALL CHEVEROLET COBALTS....I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM NOT THE CUSTOMER...MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WHEN IT WENT OUT ON HER CAR AND BY THE GRACE OF GOD SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND GOT KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302060

82,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Electrical SystemSteering

IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WITH 82,000 MILES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN MY STEERING COMPLETELY GOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 20 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IS GETTING WORSE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A GARAGE THAT SAID THEY DID AN ANALYSIS AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. WHEN THIS OCC…

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IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT SS WITH 82,000 MILES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL APPEAR ON THE DASH AND THEN MY STEERING COMPLETELY GOES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST 20 TIMES THIS WEEK AND IS GETTING WORSE. I BROUGHT IT IN TO A GARAGE THAT SAID THEY DID AN ANALYSIS AND NOTHING IS WRONG. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM. WHEN THIS OCCURS I NEED TO TURN MY CAR OFF AND THEN ON BUT THE STEERING WILL GO AGAIN IN TIME. THIS IS DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302024

51,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineSteering

STRONG FUEL ODOR DURING OPERATION AND AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE ON A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SPOKE TO GM, THEY CLAIM NO OPEN RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS EXIST. OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEING CAUSE BY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP A…

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STRONG FUEL ODOR DURING OPERATION AND AFTER TURNING OFF ENGINE ON A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. SEVERAL OWNERS REPORT SIMILAR PROBLEMS. SPOKE TO GM, THEY CLAIM NO OPEN RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS EXIST. OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM BEING CAUSE BY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLIES. AGAIN GM REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION. THIS AMONG OTHER DEFECTS ON THESE CARS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF CONSUMERS BEING BUT IN DANGER BY FAULTY VEHICLES. SINCE GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS WITH THERE VEHICLES GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE CASE IS A MUST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302022

48,000 miles · Jan 22, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT POPS ON THE DASH AND THEN IT IS GONE. WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NOW. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT GOES…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT. WITHOUT WARNING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE POWER STEERING LIGHT POPS ON THE DASH AND THEN IT IS GONE. WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NOW. MY CAR ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT GOES OUT IT IS VERY HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL YOUR TURNS. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT SURELY THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301978

22,169 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Steering

2006 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING FREQUENTLY GOES OUT. THE WARNING CODE STATES POWER STEERING FAILURE, AT THIS TIME ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. WE TOOK THE CAR TO GM SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOW NO PROBLEMS, SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON THE CAR. CAR IS NOW PARK, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. CAR ONLY…

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2006 CHEVROLET COBALT POWER STEERING FREQUENTLY GOES OUT. THE WARNING CODE STATES POWER STEERING FAILURE, AT THIS TIME ALL POWER STEERING IS LOST. WE TOOK THE CAR TO GM SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOW NO PROBLEMS, SO THEY REFUSE TO WORK ON THE CAR. CAR IS NOW PARK, BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. CAR ONLY HAVE 22,169 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301792

80,100 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING LOCKED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. HE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES HE TURNED THE VEHICLE ON, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING LOCKED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR HIM SINCE HIS WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90300.

NHTSA ODI #10301774

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.