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
What owners actually said
2,330 reports
64,300 miles · Dec 9, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL STARTED OCCURRING THAT WAS NOTICEABLE EVEN AFTER LONG PERIODS AFTER PARKING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION A FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON THE OUTLET OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. IT APPEARS THERE IS A CRACK OR SOME SORT OF DEFECT CAUSING THE EXTERIOR PIECE ON THAT FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. VEHI…
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VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL STARTED OCCURRING THAT WAS NOTICEABLE EVEN AFTER LONG PERIODS AFTER PARKING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION A FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED ON THE OUTLET OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS INTEGRAL TO THE FUEL TANK. IT APPEARS THERE IS A CRACK OR SOME SORT OF DEFECT CAUSING THE EXTERIOR PIECE ON THAT FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 64,300 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11382773
80,000 miles · Nov 14, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
MY VEHICLE, A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LT, LIKE MANY OTHER CHEVY COBALTS I'VE FOUND IN MY RESEARCH, HAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE NOT PINPOINTED THE EXACT LEAK LOCATION BUT I HAVE A PICTURE DISPLAYING THE FUEL LINE COVERED IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN ALUMINUM FOIL TO KEEP THE LINES FROM HEATING UP. CLEARLY THIS DOESN'T WORK…
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MY VEHICLE, A 2006 CHEVY COBALT LT, LIKE MANY OTHER CHEVY COBALTS I'VE FOUND IN MY RESEARCH, HAS A FUEL LEAK IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE NOT PINPOINTED THE EXACT LEAK LOCATION BUT I HAVE A PICTURE DISPLAYING THE FUEL LINE COVERED IN WHAT SEEMS LIKE AN ALUMINUM FOIL TO KEEP THE LINES FROM HEATING UP. CLEARLY THIS DOESN'T WORK. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND I BELIEVE IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11374645
133,000 miles · Nov 11, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
PLASTIC FUEL TANK CRACKED AND FUEL IS DRIPPING FROM VEHICLE IMPOSING A POTENTIAL FIRE AND HAZARD.
NHTSA ODI #11374164
68,369 miles · Nov 9, 2020
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE FUEL ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED EVIDENCE OF THE FUEL LEAK ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND THE FUEL ODOR WAS STILL PRESENT. THE CONTACT NOTICED EVIDENCE OF THE FUEL LEAK ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ELKINS CHEVROLET (401 Route 73 SOUTH, MARLTON, NJ 08053, (856) 983-9200) TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED AND LEAKING NEAR THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68369. *BF
NHTSA ODI #11373829
121,633 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH BOB VALENTI CHEVROLET (72 JERRY BROWNE RD #3050, MYSTIC, CT 06355, (860) 536-4931) AND INQUIRED AB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED TO START THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH BOB VALENTI CHEVROLET (72 JERRY BROWNE RD #3050, MYSTIC, CT 06355, (860) 536-4931) AND INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V419000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,633.
NHTSA ODI #11366839
92,000 miles · Sep 23, 2020
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MIKE RAISOR BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT 2912 EAST MAIN ST, LAFAYETTE, IN 47904, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL A LOUD CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER MIKE RAISOR BUICK GMC CADILLAC LOCATED AT 2912 EAST MAIN ST, LAFAYETTE, IN 47904, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS AND SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED. AFTER PERFORMING THE FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHCILE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT AND STEERING COLUMN WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #11360620
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL FEED LINE AND FUEL RETURN LINE ASSEMBLY REPLACED BACK IN FEB 2020 BECAUSE OF STRONG SMELL OF GAS AND LEAKING GAS NOW THE ISSUE HAS STARTED AGAIN NOT SURE WHY STRONG ODOR OF GAS AND LEAKING STARTED ABOUT JULY/AUGUST
NHTSA ODI #11360153
172,000 miles · Sep 11, 2020
Air BagsSteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 10V073000(STEERING) WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JEFF JOHNSON CHEVROLET(2533 CARROLLTON PIKE, WOODLAWN, VA 24381) …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 10V073000(STEERING) WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JEFF JOHNSON CHEVROLET(2533 CARROLLTON PIKE, WOODLAWN, VA 24381) WHERE SHE DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF TO HAVE THE RECALLS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DROVE STRAIGHT INTO DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER FIANC'S HOUSE. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM OF THE ACCIDENT AND ALSO INFORMED THAT SHE HAD NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SLANTED TO THE RIGHT BY ABOUT ONE TO TWO INCHES UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT APART OF THE STEERING WHEEL RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED ANOTHER DEALER,FLOW BUICK-GMC(1945 SKIBO RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28314) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH THE MATTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT A SENIOR ADVISOR WOULD CONTACT HER ABOUT THE MATTER. THE SENIOR ADVISOR HAD CALLED HER BACK AND INFORMED HER THAT THE RECALL WAS INACTIVE AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE INITIAL DEALER TO GET THEIR SIDE OF THE STORY. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO HEAR BACK FROM THE ADVISOR. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.
NHTSA ODI #11354386
161,000 miles · Sep 10, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
CONSTANT POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ENGINE LIGHT MESSAGES. POWER STEERING LOSS CAUSING CAR TO BE UNDRIVEABLE. THIS HAPPENS DURING CAR START UP AND WHILE DRIVING BOTH ON THE ROAD AND FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11354099
120,000 miles · Sep 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
EVERYTIME I GET NEAR MY CAR A SMALL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS TO BE TURNING TO MUCH GAS FOR A 4 CYLINDER ENGINE.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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