STEERING PROBLEMS WITH 2007 COBALT. *TR
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
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.
Power Train complaints
43 reportsI HAVE HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. FIRST IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 MY WHEELS WERE TOO BENT UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN IN DECEMBER 2009 MY CLUTCH BURNED OUT AFTER ONLY 47,000 MILES. EVERYONE I EVER SPOKE TO NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH BURNING OUT SO SOON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65MP…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD A SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. FIRST IN NOVEMBER OF 2009 MY WHEELS WERE TOO BENT UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEN IN DECEMBER 2009 MY CLUTCH BURNED OUT AFTER ONLY 47,000 MILES. EVERYONE I EVER SPOKE TO NEVER HEARD OF A CLUTCH BURNING OUT SO SOON. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65MPH WHEN NO MORE POWER WAS BEING SUPPLIED TO THE VEHICLE AFTER PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS. I ROLLED INTO A NEARBY GAS STATION AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DIAGNOSTIC CONFIRMED MY SUSPICION. I HAD IT REPLACED TWO WEEKS LATER WHEN I HAD THE MONEY. NOW ITS FEBRUARY AND MY PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2007 AND HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE CAR, IE BRAKES, OIL, FILTERS. I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED AND I FEAR DRIVING THE CAR THINKING SOMETHING ELSE WILL BREAK DOWN. NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS WERE NOTICEABLE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT NOV 27, 2009, LATE AT NITE ON I-95 - FREAKED ME OUT AND CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED! NO DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPT. OPEN ON WEEKENDS, SO I GAVE UP AND DROVE IT BACK TO FLORIDA ON SUNDAY (TOOK 10 HOURS). ANYWAY, CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP, CHEVY CORPORATE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTS…
Read full complaint
THE POWER STEERING OF MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT WENT OUT NOV 27, 2009, LATE AT NITE ON I-95 - FREAKED ME OUT AND CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED! NO DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPT. OPEN ON WEEKENDS, SO I GAVE UP AND DROVE IT BACK TO FLORIDA ON SUNDAY (TOOK 10 HOURS). ANYWAY, CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP, CHEVY CORPORATE AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA... UNFORTUNATELY I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE IT TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEN CALL CORPORATE BACK WHERE THEY SAID THEY "MIGHT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS BUT WOULDN'T KNOW UNTIL DIAGNOSTICS WERE DONE..." DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THEY "BELIEVE" THE PROBLEM COULD BE SOLVED BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING MOTOR IF I WOULD ONLY PAY $350 FOR LABOR (THEY WOULD GENEROUSLY DONATE THE MOTOR...) I DECLINED (FOR NOW ANYWAY) AS WE WILL TRY TO REPAIR IT OURSELVES... I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO AS THE CAR ISN'T THAT OLD. THE WARRANTY JUST RAN OUT IN SEPTEMBER AS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE FOR MANY WHO'S BLOGS I HAVE READ. THEY ALSO NOTED ON THE SUMMARY THAT THE MOTOR MIGHT NOT ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IF IT DIDN'T THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR ANOTHER $800 PLUS LABOR !! MY CAR HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED AND IS STILL DANGEROUS SO I DON'T DRIVE IT UNLESS I JUST HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE AND HAVE NO OTHER OPTION. *TR
POWER STEERING ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. *TR
KEY LOCKED IN TO THE ACC POSITION. HAD TO HIT A BUTTON INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN TO GET KEY RELEASED. (SEE OWNERS MANUAL) DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER THE PART WAS ON A 7-10 BACK ORDER. *TR
CLUTCH FAILURE, THERES A MECHANISM THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO SPIN THE WHEELS INTO 3RD GEAR ON THE 2007 CHEVY COBALT SS. THIS MECHANISM HAS CAUSED MY GIRLFRIENDS CLUTCH TO BE BURNED UP OVER A ONE MONTH PERIOD. THE VECHICLES CLUTCH NO LONGER FULLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE. THE PART(S) HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHE…
Read full complaint
CLUTCH FAILURE, THERES A MECHANISM THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO SPIN THE WHEELS INTO 3RD GEAR ON THE 2007 CHEVY COBALT SS. THIS MECHANISM HAS CAUSED MY GIRLFRIENDS CLUTCH TO BE BURNED UP OVER A ONE MONTH PERIOD. THE VECHICLES CLUTCH NO LONGER FULLY DISENGAGES AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE. THE PART(S) HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED YET BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AS OF 3 P.M. TODAY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PLEASE CONTACT ME THROUGH EITHER MY EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER, OR EVEN REEDMAN OF LANGHORNE. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 2007 COBALT IN JULY 2008, USED ONLY AS A RENTAL CAR WITH ENTERPRISE, WITH 34K MILES. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, MY ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILWAUKEE HAS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM W/ POTHOLES SO I'VE HAD TO PUT 4 NEW RIMS AND TIRES ON IT TOO AND AN ALIGNMENT. IT STILL SHAKES WHEN I GO BETWEEN 45-60MPH. ALSO, THE…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2007 COBALT IN JULY 2008, USED ONLY AS A RENTAL CAR WITH ENTERPRISE, WITH 34K MILES. WITHIN 2 MONTHS, MY ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILWAUKEE HAS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM W/ POTHOLES SO I'VE HAD TO PUT 4 NEW RIMS AND TIRES ON IT TOO AND AN ALIGNMENT. IT STILL SHAKES WHEN I GO BETWEEN 45-60MPH. ALSO, THE GEAR SHIFT KEEPS GETTING LOCKED IN PARK, LIKE A SENSOR IS BROKEN OR SOMETHING. I HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY PRESS ON THE BRAKE UNTIL IT GIVES. AND THERE MUST BE A SHORT SOMEWHERE BECAUSE OCCASIONALLY THE BLINKERS NOISE (TICK TICK) AND THE LEFT SPEAKER GO OUT, COME BACK ON, GO OUT, ETC. I'VE HAD THE CAR 8 MONTHS AND HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT? OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING AN ARM AND LEG FOR REPAIRS THAT I CAN'T AFFORD BUT I THINK THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE "OPERATOR ERROR." THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM! I CAN UNDERSTAND THE TIRES & RIMS BECAUSE I'VE HIT TOO MANY POTHOLES BUT EVERYTHING ELSE? COME ON. ANYONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT SIMILAR ISSUES? *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY POWER STEERING LIGHT FLASHED AND SUDDENLY I COULD BARELY TURN THE WHEEL I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GAS STATION AND MY CAR IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR WHICH WAS EASY TO SEE WITH JUST A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE. *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS ISSUE WITH TORQUE CONVERTER STAYING LOCKED UP WELL UNDER 40 MPH RANGE WHEN IS SHOULD BE ENGAGED. THIS CAUSE LONGER BRAKING DISTANCE AND LACK OF POWER WHEN ACCELERATOR IS LIGHTLY PUSHED. *TR
VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FAILED AT 16,793 MI. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO BLAME DRIVER. REPAIRED VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY ON 05/01/08. @34089 CLUTCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. *TR WWW.TOPIX.COM REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE COBALT AND DEALERSHIPS ARE BLAMING CONSUMERS TO AV…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE'S CLUTCH FAILED AT 16,793 MI. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO BLAME DRIVER. REPAIRED VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY ON 05/01/08. @34089 CLUTCH HAS FAILED AGAIN. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIR. *TR WWW.TOPIX.COM REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE COBALT AND DEALERSHIPS ARE BLAMING CONSUMERS TO AVOID PAYING FOR REPAIR!
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.
Illustration