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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

40 reports
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106,400 miles · Mar 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP ABOUT 7 TIMES NOW AND THEY CANNOT FIX MY CAR, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. IT JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE BREAKS LAND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. I ALMOST RAN OVER CHILDREN CROSSING THE STREET WHEN I MADE A TURN. I HAD TO USE MY EB…

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TAKATA RECALL. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP ABOUT 7 TIMES NOW AND THEY CANNOT FIX MY CAR, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. IT JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE BREAKS LAND STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. I ALMOST RAN OVER CHILDREN CROSSING THE STREET WHEN I MADE A TURN. I HAD TO USE MY EBREAK AND I BARELY STOPPED IN TIME. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND MY IGNITION SWITCH RECALL CANNOT BE FIXED. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I FEEL LIKE I'M GAMBLING WITH MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS IF I DRIVE MY CAR. SO I CANNOT DRIVE IT NOW. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS I'VE HAD THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10851256

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2016
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash

EVER SINCE I PURCHASED CAR IT'SEEMS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. FIRST IT WAS BOTH CONTROL ARM BUSHING AFTER 1 MONTH OF PURCHASING MY 06 CHEVY COLBALT. I'VE SINCE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT END ALL EXCEPT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN.WHICH MAKES A LOUD UNSETTLING RATTLING NOISE WHEN I GO OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP OR WHEN I TURN MY …

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EVER SINCE I PURCHASED CAR IT'SEEMS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. FIRST IT WAS BOTH CONTROL ARM BUSHING AFTER 1 MONTH OF PURCHASING MY 06 CHEVY COLBALT. I'VE SINCE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT END ALL EXCEPT FOR THE STEERING COLUMN.WHICH MAKES A LOUD UNSETTLING RATTLING NOISE WHEN I GO OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP OR WHEN I TURN MY WHEEL LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION. BUT NOW EVEN MORE SCARY MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT RANDOMLY AND I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINT'S ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'VE HAD OIL CHANGES AND TUNES UP AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THE CAR IS OKAY.IT'S NOT OKAY! TODAY IT STALLED OUT WHILE ACCELERATING AT A GREEN TURN ARROW AND I GOT HIT FROM THE BACK BY THE CAR BEHIND ME TURNING AS WELL. NO HUGE DAMAGE BUT I'M AFRAID AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE REAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10839073

100,000 miles · Jan 23, 2016
Unknown Or Other

STALLS AFTER A STOP. THIS IS RANDOM. MAYBE DAYS BEFORE IT DOES IT AGAIN. ON CITY STREET. STATIONARY. STARTED AROUND 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10821859

39,324 miles · Oct 6, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS GM RECALL #14632-TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WHICH LOCKS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I WAS PARKED AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE RECALLS UNDER 14V047 & 14V171. STEWART CHEVROLET REFUSED TO DO MY KEY, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM. ON 9/25/2015 I FILED A COMPLIANT WITH GM ASKING…

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THIS IS GM RECALL #14632-TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WHICH LOCKS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I WAS PARKED AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE RECALLS UNDER 14V047 & 14V171. STEWART CHEVROLET REFUSED TO DO MY KEY, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS THE PROBLEM. ON 9/25/2015 I FILED A COMPLIANT WITH GM ASKING WHERE ELSE I COULD GO AND IF IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE COBALT WITH THIS KEY AND WITH THIS NEW PROBLEM. I'VE NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER FROM GM NOR HAS STEWART STEPPED UP TO REMEDY THIS EVEN NOW THAT THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM. IS THIS VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE, AS ONLY THE FIRST RECALL PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10780069

100,000 miles · Oct 2, 2015
Unknown Or Other

MY 2006 COBALT HAS MANUAL DOOR LOCKS AND THE TOP KNOB OF THE LOCK IN THE INTERIOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN OFF FLUSH WITH THE TOP OF THE DOOR SO WHEN THEY ARE LOCKED THERE IS NOTHING TO GRAB MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK. THE TOP PART OF THE KNOB SIMPLY BROKE OFF WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSI…

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MY 2006 COBALT HAS MANUAL DOOR LOCKS AND THE TOP KNOB OF THE LOCK IN THE INTERIOR TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN OFF FLUSH WITH THE TOP OF THE DOOR SO WHEN THEY ARE LOCKED THERE IS NOTHING TO GRAB MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK. THE TOP PART OF THE KNOB SIMPLY BROKE OFF WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. IF THE DOOR IS ACCIDENTLY LOCKED WHILE INSIDE I HAVE TO REACH THROUGH THE WINDOW AND USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IA A HUGE SAFETY HAZZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10779417

82,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
Unknown Or Other

AFTER PUTTING MY CAR INTO PARK AND TURNING THE CAR OFF I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. I HAD TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT (AUTOMATIC) AND STILL HAD TO FORCEFULLY REMOVE THE KEY.

NHTSA ODI #10778606

134,000 miles · Aug 27, 2015
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING T/C LIGHT CAME ON POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULDN'T GO PASS 35 AND DOOR LOCKS KEPT ON LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING. GM IS SAYING THERE'S NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN PARKED CAR CAME OUT LATER CAR WOULDN'T START BUT THEN NEXT DAY IT STARTED BUT SAME LIG…

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WHILE DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING T/C LIGHT CAME ON POWERSTEERING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WOULDN'T GO PASS 35 AND DOOR LOCKS KEPT ON LOCKING AND UNLOCKING WHILE DRIVING. GM IS SAYING THERE'S NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN PARKED CAR CAME OUT LATER CAR WOULDN'T START BUT THEN NEXT DAY IT STARTED BUT SAME LIGHTS WENT ON BUT THEN CAR NEVER STARTED AGAIN,EVEN THOUGH WE REPLACED BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI #10759733

94,846 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AFTER I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK. I THEN HAVE TO START MY CAR AGAIN, FOOT ON BRAKE, MOVE MY SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL, BACK TO PARK AND HOPEFULLY IM ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO OFF. THE STEERING IS A PAIN AT TIMES TO DEAL WITH. ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS IT JERKS SPORADICALLY. ALSO IM NOT SURE IF THIS ISSUE …

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THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP AFTER I HAVE PUT MY VEHICLE IN PARK. I THEN HAVE TO START MY CAR AGAIN, FOOT ON BRAKE, MOVE MY SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL, BACK TO PARK AND HOPEFULLY IM ABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO OFF. THE STEERING IS A PAIN AT TIMES TO DEAL WITH. ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS IT JERKS SPORADICALLY. ALSO IM NOT SURE IF THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT I'VE READ MANY FORUMS OF THE AC LEAKING ON THE PASSENGERS FLOOR LEAVING PUDDLES OF WATER. MY CAR DOES THIS, THROUGH CAR WASHES AND WHEN IT RAINS. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT YOU CAN HEAR THE REMAINING WATER FLOW LEFT BEHIND IN THE DASHBOARD. I ONLY HAD THIS CAR SINCE NOVEMBER 2014 AND HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS. IF POSSIBLE, CAN ALL RECALL REPAIRS BE PERFORMED ON MY CAR TO PREVENT ANY ISSUE IN THE FUTURE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10681354

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2014
Unknown Or Other

I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT IT HAS TAKEN SINCE THE RECALL IN FEB. AND THERE STILL AREN'T PARTS TO REPLACE THE IGNITION ISSUE. TODAY I RECEIVED THE SAME RECALL FOR MY LACROSSE!

NHTSA ODI #10625736

140,000 miles · Apr 17, 2014
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING SO I HAVE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND MY CAR JUST TURN OFF SO I CRASH IN A SIDEWALK AFTER CRASH I JUST STAR ON MY CAR AGAIN AND PUT IN REVERSE AND PARK THE CAR AND CHECK CAUSE THE CAR START DROP THE ANTIFREZE.*TT

NHTSA ODI #10583408

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.