← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

2,330 reports
116,368 miles · Aug 7, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ,THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIGHTLY JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ,THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIGHTLY JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V073000 (10V073000). AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE SECOND REPAIR WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,368.

NHTSA ODI #10534007

Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FROM 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH, ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, AXLE, AND SHIFT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING FROM 55 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH, ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, AXLE, AND SHIFT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP RE-ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #10532306

132,000 miles · Jul 27, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR SMELLED OF FUEL WHEN STOPPED. MECHANIC FOUND CRACK ON FUEL PUMP MODULE AND REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532097

29,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHEN DEPRESSED AND DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN STRIP AND UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISIN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKES SEIZED WHEN DEPRESSED AND DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN STRIP AND UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING, WHIPLASH, AND SHOULDER AND NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000..

NHTSA ODI #10531647

90,000 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilitySteering

THE KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT COME OUT. THE KEY ACTS JAMMED AND WONT TURN AND CANT BE PULLED OUT. HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525248

64,000 miles · Jul 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

I NOTICED A SLIGHT FUEL SMELL FROM THE CAR WHICH LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS. IT INCREASED TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL AND HARD COLD STARTS ALONG WITH ROUGH IDLING. IT FINALLY LED TO LEAKING FUEL. I REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND WHILE INSPECTING IT, THE FUEL LINE FITTING BROKE OFF OF THE FUEL PUMP. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EXACT P…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED A SLIGHT FUEL SMELL FROM THE CAR WHICH LASTED SEVERAL MONTHS. IT INCREASED TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL AND HARD COLD STARTS ALONG WITH ROUGH IDLING. IT FINALLY LED TO LEAKING FUEL. I REMOVED THE FUEL TANK AND WHILE INSPECTING IT, THE FUEL LINE FITTING BROKE OFF OF THE FUEL PUMP. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM, BUT NOT IN THE STATE I BOUGHT OR REGISTERED MY CAR IN. THIS SHOULD APPLY TO ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525149

83,433 miles · Jul 12, 2013
EngineSteering

HAVING MULTIPLE INCIDENTS, THE 2006 CHEVY COBALT, SHUTS OFF WHILE IN REVERSE AND STEERING LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS. I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE FIRST INCIDENTS WERE MAYBE ONCE A MONTH, BUT LATELY HAS HAPPENED UP TO 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. ON 7/9/13 (MILEAGE 95,755) IT CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC SLOW…

Read full complaint

HAVING MULTIPLE INCIDENTS, THE 2006 CHEVY COBALT, SHUTS OFF WHILE IN REVERSE AND STEERING LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS. I CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT. THE FIRST INCIDENTS WERE MAYBE ONCE A MONTH, BUT LATELY HAS HAPPENED UP TO 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. ON 7/9/13 (MILEAGE 95,755) IT CUT OFF WHILE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC SLOWLY. THAT SCARED ME. IT IS NOW POSTING A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2010 FOR THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE MODEL OF VEHICLE. WHEN I CHATTED ONLINE WITH GM ON 7/10/2013, I WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VIN DID NOT HAVE ANY ACTIVE RECALLS. I AM FILING THE COMPLAINT BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT MAY NOT BE MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER, BUT THE ISSUE IS THE SAME! THERE NEEDS TO BE ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, I BELIEVE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT HAZARDOUS MECHANICAL ISSUE! I WOULD HATE FOR IT TO HAPPEN AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AS I AM IN THE ATLANTA AREA!. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524565

146,000 miles · Jul 10, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

LATELY MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR GOING TO TAKE OFF. THIS IS REALLY SCARY WHEN I PULL OUT IN BUSY TRAFFIC! I WAS ALMOST T BONED ONE DAY BUT THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR IN TIME. THEN A NEW PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER... I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING SPEEDS 65 MPH WHEN ALL THE GAUGES ON THE…

Read full complaint

LATELY MY CAR HAS BEEN DYING WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR GOING TO TAKE OFF. THIS IS REALLY SCARY WHEN I PULL OUT IN BUSY TRAFFIC! I WAS ALMOST T BONED ONE DAY BUT THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR IN TIME. THEN A NEW PROBLEM STARTED SOON AFTER... I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING SPEEDS 65 MPH WHEN ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASH STARTED JUMPING AROUND THE STEERING WHEEL KIND OF LOCKED UP AND MY CAR BEGAN TO JUMP AND JERK. I STRUGGLED TO GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD ONTO AN EXIT RAMP WHERE I SHUT MY CAR OFF. I TURNED MY CAR OFF, THEN I TURNED IT BACK ON. THE ALERT GAUGE RANG THREE TIMES AND SAID POWER STEERING ON THE DASH BOARD, I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE IN HOPES TO MAKE IT HOME WHICH WAS NOT FAR...WHEN I TOOK OFF MY CAR SHOOK AND JUMPED WHILE GOING ALL THE WAY ACROSS A BRIDGE. I PULLED OVER YET AGAIN SHUT MY CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT WHEN I TOOK OFF THE SECOND TIME AND DROVE HOME I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I LEFT MY CAR SIT FOR SEVERAL DAYS THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10524200

100,335 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

I STARTED SMELLING GAS FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER IT I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOME FUEL UNDER THE CAR. I'M THINKING ITS THE GAS TANK AND I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THAT BECAUSE ANY SPARK CAN CAUSE A FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523337

40,000 miles · Jul 2, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED. THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED. THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10522913

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.