NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
689 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
WHEN STARTING UP, ONCE I GET GOING, POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT OCCURS CONSTANTLY, SOMETIMES COMING BACK ON WHEN RESTARTING, BUT GOING OUT SOON THEREAFTER. THE PROBLEM IS A ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR, SO NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT FAILURE APART FROM DIAGNOSING …
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WHEN STARTING UP, ONCE I GET GOING, POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. IT OCCURS CONSTANTLY, SOMETIMES COMING BACK ON WHEN RESTARTING, BUT GOING OUT SOON THEREAFTER. THE PROBLEM IS A ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR, SO NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN TO CORRECT FAILURE APART FROM DIAGNOSING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305504
45,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
2007 CHEVY COBALT, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. WAS GOING TO GET REPAIRS, BUT I'M FINDING OUT BY RESEARCH I CAN'T AFFORD THIS. IT'S A PAIN WHEN TRYING TO PARK. WORKS FINE AT START UP, BUT WHILE DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT. TENDS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN IT'S WARMER OUTSIDE AND I HAVE TO USE THE A/C. LES…
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2007 CHEVY COBALT, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME TIME. WAS GOING TO GET REPAIRS, BUT I'M FINDING OUT BY RESEARCH I CAN'T AFFORD THIS. IT'S A PAIN WHEN TRYING TO PARK. WORKS FINE AT START UP, BUT WHILE DRIVING IT WILL GO OUT. TENDS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN IT'S WARMER OUTSIDE AND I HAVE TO USE THE A/C. LESS OFTEN WHEN IT'S COLD AND I USE THE HEATER. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT I'VE BEEN SMELLING FUEL SINCE THIS STARTED, MAY BE UNRELATED. I HAVE IT BEING LOOKED AT LATER. BUT IF IT COSTS MORE THAN 500 TO REPAIR I WON'T BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING BUT DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305282
60,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN AT ESPECIALLY AT CORNERS AT LOWER SPEED. IT ALSO MAKE A NOISE AT TIMES. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY TIME THAT I TRY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ANY DIRECTION. IT HAS HAPPENED FOR OVER A YEAR. THE FOLLOWING DATE IS AN APPROXIMATE DATE OF WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305133
30,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
THE POWERSTEERING ON MY 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT WENT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWERSTEERING IS NOW MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305091
45,356 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
I HAVE OWNED A 2007 COBALT WITH POWER STEERING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. WHILE DRIVING YOU COULD HEAR THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATING REALLY LOUD, EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF I COULD STOP AN…
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I HAVE OWNED A 2007 COBALT WITH POWER STEERING PROBLEMS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. WHILE DRIVING YOU COULD HEAR THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATING REALLY LOUD, EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER STEERING AND IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. IF I COULD STOP AND TURN THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON IT WOULD DISAPPEAR. BUT EVENTUALLY IT CAME ON SO OFTEN THAT I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305088
75,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Steering
I HAVE A 2007 CHEVY COBALT, AND AT RANDOM TIMES THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO FOR MONTHS WITHOUT A PROBLEM, AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305000
52,111 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT AS I WAS DRIVING IT AT ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR DOWN MY STREET. IT WAS ON FOR LESS THAN 2 MINUTES. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE COBALT, AND ONE THAT I FEEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304968
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
POWER STEERING SYSTEM GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING FOR NO REASON. UPON TURNING OFF THE CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON, IT RESETS FOR A BIT, AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. MAKES IT HARD TO STEER, STAY ON THE ROAD, AND AVOID ACCIDENTS WITH OTHER DRIVERS OR ANYTHING ON OR NEAR THE LANE YOU'RE DRIVING IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304942
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
I OWN A 2007 COBALT, THERE WAS NO WARNING LEADING UP TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT, I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG WHEN SUDDENLY I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL. GOOD THING I WASN'T GOING VERY FAST AND I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS DEFECT GM SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE …
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I OWN A 2007 COBALT, THERE WAS NO WARNING LEADING UP TO THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT, I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG WHEN SUDDENLY I COULD HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL. GOOD THING I WASN'T GOING VERY FAST AND I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. IT WAS VERY HARD TO TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THIS DEFECT GM SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304914
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL AT ABOUT 35 MPH, BRAKING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN THROUGH AND INTERSECTION WITH A LIGHT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT, RESULTING IN MY ONLY BEING ABLE TO MAKE SUCH A WIDE TURN THAT I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE STOP LIGHT POLE. I THEN TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF AND COULD STILL BARELY TUR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL AT ABOUT 35 MPH, BRAKING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN THROUGH AND INTERSECTION WITH A LIGHT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVY COBALT, RESULTING IN MY ONLY BEING ABLE TO MAKE SUCH A WIDE TURN THAT I ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THE STOP LIGHT POLE. I THEN TURNED THE CAR ON AND OFF AND COULD STILL BARELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TAKING MY COBALT TO MY NEAREST DEALER THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED AND I CALLED CHEVROLET HEADQUARTERS TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. THEY SAID THEY WOULD REIMBURSE THE $900 REPAIR COSTS AS MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ENDED A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. AFTER MANY CALLS BACK AND FORTH THEY DECIDED TO NOT REIMBURSE ME AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304883
Official recalls
5Apr 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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