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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
Clear category filter
60,900 miles · Nov 15, 2009
Steering

WHEN DRIVING MY DASH DISPLAYED A POWER STEERING MESSAGE. THEN THE CAR STARTS TO JUMP AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN I LOSE POWER STEERING. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (TWICE) THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES AND DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL MY CAR HAD ABOUT 900 MILES OVER THE 60,000 WARRANTY…

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WHEN DRIVING MY DASH DISPLAYED A POWER STEERING MESSAGE. THEN THE CAR STARTS TO JUMP AND THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEN I LOSE POWER STEERING. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (TWICE) THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES AND DID NOT HAPPEN UNTIL MY CAR HAD ABOUT 900 MILES OVER THE 60,000 WARRANTY MILES. MY CAR IS A CHEVY COBALT 2006. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292196

4,200 miles · Nov 14, 2009
Steering

I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR DINGED AND I LOOK DOWN TO SEE THAT IT WAS SAYING THE MY POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THEN IT WENT AWAY. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS NOTHING UNTIL IT CAME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME I DROVE MY CAR. I THEN WENT AND RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNE…

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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN THE CAR DINGED AND I LOOK DOWN TO SEE THAT IT WAS SAYING THE MY POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND THEN IT WENT AWAY. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS NOTHING UNTIL IT CAME BACK ON THE NEXT TIME I DROVE MY CAR. I THEN WENT AND RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A LOT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I AM ONE IF THE ONES THAT CAN NOT AFFORD THE PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO A RECALL ON THE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292180

62,000 miles · Nov 14, 2009
Steering

ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING ON 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT IS NOT WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292171

70,000 miles · Nov 14, 2009
SteeringCrashInjury

2006 CHEVY COBALT STEERING FAILED TAKING A SHARP TURN CAUSING CAR TO CROSS CENTERLINE HITTING ANOTHER CAR HEAD ON, SON SUFFERED A VERY BAD BROKEN LEG REQUIRING A ROD FROM KNEE TO ANKLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292160

37,500 miles · Nov 13, 2009
Steering

POWER STEERING FAILURE 2006 CHEVY COBALT 2006. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292129

100,000 miles · Nov 13, 2009
Steering

2006 CHEVROLET COBALT HAS POWER STEERING FAILURE AND I OWN ONE AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM . MY GUESS IS NO ONE HAS DIED FROM IT , YET . THE STEERING IS ELECTRICAL INSTEAD OF HYDRAULIC . EVERY TIME I GO DOWN THE ROD WITHIN TWO MINUTES THE WARNING BUZZER AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP AND I LOSE ALL STEERING . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292095

58,400 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Steering

WHEN DRIVING CAR POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. THIS MAKES THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL. FIRST INSTANCE WAS 11/7/09. THIS NOW HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY (2-4) TIMES EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT OR DRIVING 50 MPH. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED BUT IT…

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WHEN DRIVING CAR POWER STEERING SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY. THIS MAKES THE CAR VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CONTROL. FIRST INSTANCE WAS 11/7/09. THIS NOW HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY (2-4) TIMES EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT OR DRIVING 50 MPH. AT THIS TIME NO ACCIDENTS HAVE RESULTED BUT IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER OR MECHANIC YET AS I HAVE READ AND HEARD THAT THIS IS A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291918

63,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Steering

MY POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT. MY CAR IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. I WENT ON THE COMPUTER AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT BECAUSE A TON OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT DID WRECK OR CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE. I AM …

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MY POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT. MY CAR IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD. I WENT ON THE COMPUTER AND DID SOME RESEARCH AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS HAVING PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFECT BECAUSE A TON OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT DID WRECK OR CAUSE INJURY TO ANYONE. I AM DOING THIS COMPLAINT IN ORDER FOR THIS NOT TO HAPPEN TO OTHERS AND MAYBE GM WILL DO A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291763

51,373 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Steering

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT, FIRST HAPPEN IN OCT, HAD IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A MOTOR CIRCUIT THAT IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD COST $1000 TO $1500 TO FIX BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE COLUMN OUT TO GET TO IT, IT GOES OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANYTIME ONE OR 2 TIME A DAY, SO YOU HAVE TO STOP AND TURN OFF MOTOR…

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ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING GOES OUT, FIRST HAPPEN IN OCT, HAD IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A MOTOR CIRCUIT THAT IS ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND WOULD COST $1000 TO $1500 TO FIX BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE COLUMN OUT TO GET TO IT, IT GOES OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANYTIME ONE OR 2 TIME A DAY, SO YOU HAVE TO STOP AND TURN OFF MOTOR AND RESTART AND IT WILL WORK FOR A FEW MORE MILES OR NOT! IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STEER AND I CANT KEEP DRIVING IT LIKE THIS SO AM TAKING IT IN TO REPAIR, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING I THINK CHEVY SHOULD FIX THAT A LOT OF CARS ARE HAVING BUT DON'T HAVE A CHOICE AS I CANT KEEP DRIVING IT THIS WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291602

44,180 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Steering

WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY STEERING PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291476

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.