NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
166 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 26, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE IT. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE IGNITION MODULE, STEERING WHEEL COLUMN AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,600.
NHTSA ODI #10477128
80,000 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Electrical System
THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND CAUSED WIRES TO FRAY, CORRODE, BREAK, AND BECOME EXPOSED. THIS LED TO FAILURE OF DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. DEALER HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH FAILING ELECTRONICS IS SEVERE AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH WIRING FAILURE SHOULD BE COVER…
Read full complaint
THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED AND CAUSED WIRES TO FRAY, CORRODE, BREAK, AND BECOME EXPOSED. THIS LED TO FAILURE OF DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. WIRING HARNESS REPLACED. DEALER HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THE SAFETY RISK ASSOCIATED WITH FAILING ELECTRONICS IS SEVERE AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH WIRING FAILURE SHOULD BE COVERED BY GM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469629
60,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468036
56,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SPORADICALLY, THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY A…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SPORADICALLY, THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE KEY TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AND THE HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS A NEW SET OF KEYS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE KEYS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE SAME INFORMATION TO THE CONTACT AS THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467916
42,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TUMBLER AND THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459097
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2012
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT AND UPON PARKING MY CAR I CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DO A QUICK SEARCH ON MY PHONE ON WHAT TO DO AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF RESPONSES ON ONLINE FORUMS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN BACKWARDS (TOWARDS OFF). IT WILL BUDGE FORWARD SL…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2009 CHEVY COBALT AND UPON PARKING MY CAR I CANNOT TURN OFF THE CAR AND REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO DO A QUICK SEARCH ON MY PHONE ON WHAT TO DO AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF RESPONSES ON ONLINE FORUMS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN BACKWARDS (TOWARDS OFF). IT WILL BUDGE FORWARD SLIGHTLY BUT WILL NOT TURN THE CAR OFF AND ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. UPON CALLING A DEALERSHIP AND GM DIRECTLY I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS AN INCREDIBLY COMMON INSTANCE. I WAS ABLE TO POP THE TRUNK AND PULL THE FUSE AND POWER FROM THE BATTERY TO KILL THE ENGINE BUT NO MATTER WHAT I DO I CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY. I HAVE EVEN TRIED SUGGESTIONS FROM GM WHICH INVOLVE A MANUAL KEY RELEASE UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN BUT NOTHING HAPPENED (MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS ACTUALLY DOESN'T WORK THE WAY GM EXPLAINS). MY CAR IS GETTING FIXED FOR A NOMINAL FEE THAT I CANNOT AFFORD BECAUSE I HAVE RECENTLY LOST MY JOB. MY COMPLAINT HOWEVER RESIDES ON HOW COMMON THIS ISSUE IS AND HOW QUICK GM AND DEALERSHIPS ARE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE IT BECAUSE OF HOW OFTEN THIS COMES UP. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10452517
117,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Electrical System
WAS TRAVELING 55-65MPH WHEN THE GAUGES ON THE CAR STARTED TO BOUNCE AROUND ERRATICALLY, NOT READING TRUE SPEED,RPM, FUEL LEVEL, AND FLASHING POWER STEERING AND NUMEROUS OTHER WARNINGS ON INFO DISPLAY. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING SITUATION WENT AWAY. A FEW DAYS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED AT LOWER SPEED THIS TIME ALL PROBLEMS REOC…
Read full complaint
WAS TRAVELING 55-65MPH WHEN THE GAUGES ON THE CAR STARTED TO BOUNCE AROUND ERRATICALLY, NOT READING TRUE SPEED,RPM, FUEL LEVEL, AND FLASHING POWER STEERING AND NUMEROUS OTHER WARNINGS ON INFO DISPLAY. AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING SITUATION WENT AWAY. A FEW DAYS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED AT LOWER SPEED THIS TIME ALL PROBLEMS REOCCURRED AND CAR DIDN'T' WANT TO SHIFT GEARS, OR WHEN DID WAS EXTREMELY VIOLENT. GM ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE VEHICLES (THERE TSB # IS PIC4677F) HAS BEEN UPDATED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH VARIOUS MAKES AND MODELS. ALONG WITH SOME OTHER SYMPTOMS I HAVE YET TO HAVE SUCH AS ENGINE SURGING OR STALLING WHILE DRIVING. (THIS IS A HUGE DANGER!, TOYOTA HAD TO RECALL HOW MANY BECAUSE OF THIS SAME ISSUE?) IT IS MY OPINION AS A CERTIFIED,ACTIVE, AND SWORN POLICE OFFICER THAT THIS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. I BELIEVE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL. AS THE GAUGES BEING EFFECTED COULD EASILY CAUSE A WRECK,BLOWN ENGINE, ETC.. ALSO THE SHIFTING AT LOW SPEEDS IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO CHILD.(AND AS I HAVE 2 ONE OF WHICH IS 2 I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOULD DUE TO A NEW BORN..) THERE ARE JUST TO MANY VEHICLES EFFECTED AND TO MUCH TO RISK TO LET THIS GO-ON UN-TREATED.. #PIC4677F: NO START NO CRANK INTERMITTENTLY / NO COMMUNICATION OVER HIGH SPEED LAN - COMM NOCRANK NOSTART - (SEP 23, 2010) SUBJECT:NO START NO CRANK INTERMITTENTLY/NO COMMUNICATION OVER HIGH SPEED LAN MODELS:2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT 2006-2011 CHEVROLET HHR 2004-2011 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU CLASSIC 2008-2010 PONTIAC G5 2005-2010 PONTIAC G6 2006-2007 PONTIAC PURSUIT (CANADA) 2007-2009 SATURN AURA 2007-2009 SATURN SKY 2006-2009 SATURN SOLSTICE WITH ONSTAR (UE1) *JS
NHTSA ODI #10452224
31,695 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON THE LAST ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILUR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT REMOVE FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON THE LAST ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,695 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,396. UPDATED 05/10/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10451769
38,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Electrical SystemSteering
CAME OUT OF THE STORE WITH MY THREE KIDS IN 25 DEGREE WEATHER, WHEN I GOT INTO MY 2008 COBALT AND I COULDN'T GET THE KEY TO TURN!! THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND CHEVY IS DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT!! MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME $408.00 TO GET FIXED, RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438718
80,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Electrical SystemSteering
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START IGNITION WITHOUT PRESSURE HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL . THE SECOND OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED WITHOUT CALLING A MECHANIC IN. PARENTS BOUGHT CAR FOR COMMUTING COLLEGE STUDENT . MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. …
Read full complaint
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO START IGNITION WITHOUT PRESSURE HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL . THE SECOND OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED WITHOUT CALLING A MECHANIC IN. PARENTS BOUGHT CAR FOR COMMUTING COLLEGE STUDENT . MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430686
Official recalls
4Apr 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.
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
2PE20011 · Fuel Line Leak
Opened Jul 5, 2020 · Closed Aug 17, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel/propulsion System
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.The subject metal fuel lines have a protective AGE coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat shield. The AGE coating consists of an annealed zinc aluminum alloy metal coating with extended corrosion protection paint. Under certain conditions, water and corrosive road deicing agents may enter a crevice between the heat shield and the AGE coating. With extended environmental exposure in high corrosive environments, the AGE coating can degrade. If it degrades enough, the base metal lines may begin to corrode beneath the heat shield.Corrosion to the fuel lines may eventually cause a perforation to develop in the line, allowing fuel vapors to escape from between the line and the heat shield, emitting a fuel odor that will be detectable to the vehicle operator. If the corrosion progresses, fuel may begin to weep from the line. Further metal degradation due to corrosion could create a drip or a mist of fuel. If this occurs, vehicle owners may see drips, spots, or puddles on the ground near the rear portion of the vehicle, primarily along the driver's side rear wheel.The majority of allegations (85%) were reported for vehicles that are operated in the salt belt region of the United States. This area includes states in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions. Additionally, the average failure mileage in the subject vehicles is approximately 111,000 across all data sources.Considering the low manufacturer complaint/warranty rates of fuel line replacement, the fact that the majority of failures are concentrated in salt belt states, high failure mileages, as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, and the highly detectable and progressive nature of this failure over time, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. There are two reported fires in ODI data and no reported fires in GM data. Both ODI reported fires were minor, occurred after the vehicle was parked, and were extinguished utilizing fire extinguishers.In view of the progressive failure occurring at high mileages, the age of the subject vehicles, the high detectability of the leak, and the majority of failures occurred in salt belt states, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the attached identification numbers.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel/propulsion System
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.The subject metal fuel lines have a protective AGE coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat shield. The AGE coating consists of an annealed zinc aluminum alloy metal coating with extended corrosion protection paint. Under certain conditions, water and corrosive road deicing agents may enter a crevice between the heat shield and the AGE coating. With extended environmental exposure in high corrosive environments, the AGE coating can degrade. If it degrades enough, the base metal lines may begin to corrode beneath the heat shield.Corrosion to the fuel lines may eventually cause a perforation to develop in the line, allowing fuel vapors to escape from between the line and the heat shield, emitting a fuel odor that will be detectable to the vehicle operator. If the corrosion progresses, fuel may begin to weep from the line. Further metal degradation due to corrosion could create a drip or a mist of fuel. If this occurs, vehicle owners may see drips, spots, or puddles on the ground near the rear portion of the vehicle, primarily along the driver's side rear wheel.The majority of allegations (85%) were reported for vehicles that are operated in the salt belt region of the United States. This area includes states in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions. Additionally, the average failure mileage in the subject vehicles is approximately 111,000 across all data sources.Considering the low manufacturer complaint/warranty rates of fuel line replacement, the fact that the majority of failures are concentrated in salt belt states, high failure mileages, as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, and the highly detectable and progressive nature of this failure over time, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. There are two reported fires in ODI data and no reported fires in GM data. Both ODI reported fires were minor, occurred after the vehicle was parked, and were extinguished utilizing fire extinguishers.In view of the progressive failure occurring at high mileages, the age of the subject vehicles, the high detectability of the leak, and the majority of failures occurred in salt belt states, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the attached identification numbers.
Fuel System, Gasoline
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.The subject metal fuel lines have a protective AGE coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat shield. The AGE coating consists of an annealed zinc aluminum alloy metal coating with extended corrosion protection paint. Under certain conditions, water and corrosive road deicing agents may enter a crevice between the heat shield and the AGE coating. With extended environmental exposure in high corrosive environments, the AGE coating can degrade. If it degrades enough, the base metal lines may begin to corrode beneath the heat shield.Corrosion to the fuel lines may eventually cause a perforation to develop in the line, allowing fuel vapors to escape from between the line and the heat shield, emitting a fuel odor that will be detectable to the vehicle operator. If the corrosion progresses, fuel may begin to weep from the line. Further metal degradation due to corrosion could create a drip or a mist of fuel. If this occurs, vehicle owners may see drips, spots, or puddles on the ground near the rear portion of the vehicle, primarily along the driver's side rear wheel.The majority of allegations (85%) were reported for vehicles that are operated in the salt belt region of the United States. This area includes states in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions. Additionally, the average failure mileage in the subject vehicles is approximately 111,000 across all data sources.Considering the low manufacturer complaint/warranty rates of fuel line replacement, the fact that the majority of failures are concentrated in salt belt states, high failure mileages, as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, and the highly detectable and progressive nature of this failure over time, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. There are two reported fires in ODI data and no reported fires in GM data. Both ODI reported fires were minor, occurred after the vehicle was parked, and were extinguished utilizing fire extinguishers.In view of the progressive failure occurring at high mileages, the age of the subject vehicles, the high detectability of the leak, and the majority of failures occurred in salt belt states, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the attached identification numbers.
Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
On July 5, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-011 to investigate instances of metal fuel lines under the vehicle corroding and leaking fuel in model year (MY) 2008 through 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2008 through 2009 Chevrolet HHR passenger cars manufactured by General Motors (GM). The metal fuel lines are corroding and leaking fuel in the area between the front and rear wheels on the driver's side of the vehicle before the muffler. Most consumers allege a fuel odor and/or an observable fuel leak that alerts them to the condition.The subject metal fuel lines have a protective AGE coating and, in the vicinity of the left rear wheel, are further wrapped in a foil heat shield. The AGE coating consists of an annealed zinc aluminum alloy metal coating with extended corrosion protection paint. Under certain conditions, water and corrosive road deicing agents may enter a crevice between the heat shield and the AGE coating. With extended environmental exposure in high corrosive environments, the AGE coating can degrade. If it degrades enough, the base metal lines may begin to corrode beneath the heat shield.Corrosion to the fuel lines may eventually cause a perforation to develop in the line, allowing fuel vapors to escape from between the line and the heat shield, emitting a fuel odor that will be detectable to the vehicle operator. If the corrosion progresses, fuel may begin to weep from the line. Further metal degradation due to corrosion could create a drip or a mist of fuel. If this occurs, vehicle owners may see drips, spots, or puddles on the ground near the rear portion of the vehicle, primarily along the driver's side rear wheel.The majority of allegations (85%) were reported for vehicles that are operated in the salt belt region of the United States. This area includes states in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions. Additionally, the average failure mileage in the subject vehicles is approximately 111,000 across all data sources.Considering the low manufacturer complaint/warranty rates of fuel line replacement, the fact that the majority of failures are concentrated in salt belt states, high failure mileages, as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, and the highly detectable and progressive nature of this failure over time, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. There are two reported fires in ODI data and no reported fires in GM data. Both ODI reported fires were minor, occurred after the vehicle was parked, and were extinguished utilizing fire extinguishers.In view of the progressive failure occurring at high mileages, the age of the subject vehicles, the high detectability of the leak, and the majority of failures occurred in salt belt states, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the attached identification numbers.
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.
Illustration