POWER STEERING HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE 2 TIMES. *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
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.
What owners actually said
2,330 reportsTHE POWER STEERING WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN I WAS ON THE ROAD AND THE WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I START THE IGNITION AND AS SOON AS I TAKE OFF IT GOES OUT. BECOMING VERY HARD TO DRIVE AROUND AND MAKES IT VERY HAZARDOUS ON TIGHT CORNERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH SHE WOULD HEAR A CLICK FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE IS A TEAR IN THE STEERING COLU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH SHE WOULD HEAR A CLICK FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE IS A TEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FEELS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS THAT ARE FILED REGARDING THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, MY CAR'S POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. I AM DRIVING A 2006 CHEVY COBALT. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTART, IT WILL WORK FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN RETURN TO DOING THE SAME THING. THIS CAUSES A GREAT AMOUNT OF FEAR, ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
ON FEB 3,2010 MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I LOST CONTROL AND VEERED OFF INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC BUT TRIED TO CORRECT AND ENDED IN THE DITCH. THANK GOD I DID NOT GET IN A WRECK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. IT GOES OUT OFTEN …
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ON FEB 3,2010 MY 2006 CHEVY COBALT LOST POWER STEERING. I HAVE 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I LOST CONTROL AND VEERED OFF INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC BUT TRIED TO CORRECT AND ENDED IN THE DITCH. THANK GOD I DID NOT GET IN A WRECK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON. IT GOES OUT OFTEN SINCE THEN. CHEVY NEEDS A RECALL CAUSE APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY COBALT'S OUT THERE DOING THE SAME THING....WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR A DEATH???? *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE ON MY 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME SEVERAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN FIXING ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER ON MY CAR. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 46,000 MILES. THAT IS GOOD FOR IT BEING A 2006. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. I HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. BUT THE WORST PROBLEM THAT …
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I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS. IT HAS BEEN GIVING ME SEVERAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN FIXING ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER ON MY CAR. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 46,000 MILES. THAT IS GOOD FOR IT BEING A 2006. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. I HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER. BUT THE WORST PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING NOW IS THE POWER STEERING. WHEN IM DRIVING OUT OF NOWHERE THE DASH LIGHT UP SAYING POWER STEERING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GOING AT A SLOW SPEED. I HAVE EVEN BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET MY POWER STEERING TO WORK NORMALLY IS TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD WORK FINE FOR AWHILE. BUT NOW IT HAPPENS RIGHT WHEN I START TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT COULD COST OVER $1500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN BARELY AFFORD TO FIX THESE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING. I CANT AFFORD TO PAY $1500 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ONLINE LOOKING TO SEE IF I CAN FIND A CHEAPER PRICE. THIS IS WHEN I SAW THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING. THIS IS HOW I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT I HAVE DONE. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, THEY NEED TO FIX IT. *TR
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" SHOWED ON THE DISPLAY AND THERE WAS A BEEPING NOISE. IMMEDIATELY MY STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT LOCKED ON ME AND I HAD TO PUT FORTH AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING INTO ANOTHER CAR NEXT TO ME. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAP…
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THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, THE WORDS "POWER STEERING" SHOWED ON THE DISPLAY AND THERE WAS A BEEPING NOISE. IMMEDIATELY MY STEERING WHEEL FELT LIKE IT LOCKED ON ME AND I HAD TO PUT FORTH AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM RUNNING INTO ANOTHER CAR NEXT TO ME. SINCE THEN, IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT ONE PER WEEK. IT HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED TO A FEW TIMES EACH DRIVING TRIP, WITH MOST OF THOSE OCCURANCES AT DANGEROUS TIMES (WHILE MAKING A SHARP TURN, WHILE CHANGING LANES, WHILE MERGING, WHILE GOING AROUND A CURVE, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION). RECENTLY, I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH PEDESTRIANS, INCLUDING A CHILD, WHILE IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. I ALSO HURT MY WRIST WHILE TRYING TO STEER IT WHILE IT "LOCKED." I AM GOING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT UNTIL THEN, I AM NOT DRIVING IT AS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
2008 CHEVY COBALT POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LS. WITHIN THE LAST MONTH I HAVE A WARNING BELL THAT GOES OFF FREQUENTLY AND POWER STEERING IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. I HAVE NOT HAD A LOSS OF STEERING AT THIS POINT, BUT I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED. *TR
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.
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