IllustrationI WAS DRIVING AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WHILE I NOTICED TGE HOOD WAS SMOKING WHEN I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND POPPED MY HOOD I REALIZED MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE VERY SMALL BY COOLENT THERMOSTAT WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE CAR I REALISED THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL
2007 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
1340–25K
30525–50K
28850–75K
20775–100K
253100–150K
89150K+
1,276 reports with mileage · 288 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 689 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 283 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 281 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
116 crash reports16 fire reports72 injury reports
Engine complaints
56 reportsMY DAUGHTER'S 2007 COBALT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING TO AND FROM SCHOOL. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEAD. THE CAR WILL NOT START, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE I…
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MY DAUGHTER'S 2007 COBALT SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING TO AND FROM SCHOOL. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC AND PARK ON THE SHOULDER. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE DAYS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE CAR, IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEAD. THE CAR WILL NOT START, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED.
TWICE NOW I'VE LOST ALL POWER TO MY CAR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I CAN NOT REMOVE THE KEY, THERE IS NO POWER TO ANYTHING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AFTER THE 1ST TIME. EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MICHAEL CHEVROLET, 5735 BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MICHAEL CHEVROLET, 5735 BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGED TITLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY, AND THE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGED TITLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000. *BF*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WHILE IN MOTION, FUEL ODORS WERE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (4…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WHILE IN MOTION, FUEL ODORS WERE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (401 S. LOOP HWY 59, LIVINGSTON, TX 77351 (936) 587-9398) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED AND FUEL STARTED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF A RECALL. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AXLE FUEL LINES HAD SEVERE CORROSION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE FUEL LINES NEED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A FUEL ODOR. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AXLE FUEL LINES HAD SEVERE CORROSION. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
LOW COMPRESSION IN ONE CYLINDER (74LBS) CAUSING INSPECTION FAILURE. FOUR IGNITION SPARK COILS FAILED AND CHANGED PREVIOUS TO ENGINE FAIL. LUCKILY THE ENGINE HAS NOT BLOWN OUT, NO ONE HURT. OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS 9YRS OLD, UNDER 79,000 MILES, OIL AND FILTER (WHICH IS TERMED AS "SPECIAL"-IT'S A CORRUGAT…
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LOW COMPRESSION IN ONE CYLINDER (74LBS) CAUSING INSPECTION FAILURE. FOUR IGNITION SPARK COILS FAILED AND CHANGED PREVIOUS TO ENGINE FAIL. LUCKILY THE ENGINE HAS NOT BLOWN OUT, NO ONE HURT. OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS 9YRS OLD, UNDER 79,000 MILES, OIL AND FILTER (WHICH IS TERMED AS "SPECIAL"-IT'S A CORRUGATED "PAPER" FILTER AT AN ADDITIONAL $12+ EVERY CHANGE) CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES. CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE IS NOT "NORMAL" FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE WITH NO HISTORY OF OVERHEATING OR ANY OTHER ISSUE UP TO THIS POINT! HOPEFULLY NO ONE HAS BEEN OR WILL BE INJURED DUE TO ENGINE SEIZURE OR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. JUST INFORMING OF POSSIBILITIES, THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN SOLD! MY VEHICLE IS STATIONARY SINCE THE END OF APRIL UNTIL I CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED.
THE CAR GOT VERY LOUD DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, GOT HOME SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHICH RUINED THE ENGINE.
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.
12V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 19, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
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.
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.