NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
166 reportsClear category filter115,000 miles · Nov 16, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY, BUT IT WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE KEY, BUT IT WAS LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790697
90,000 miles · Nov 12, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E021000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10790001
93,000 miles · Nov 9, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WIRES MELTED NEAR THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WIRES MELTED NEAR THE ELECTRICAL FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL TANK HAD A CRACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V459000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10789195
80,000 miles · Nov 6, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND ALSO NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND ALSO NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT WOULD START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10788803
84,000 miles · Oct 18, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OFF A USED CAR LOT FEB/2015 WITHIN A MONTH OF USE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES BROKE. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AS WELL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO BECOME HARDER TO HANDLE. I'M SCARED THAT IT WILL CUT OUT ON MY WIFE AND INFA…
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PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OFF A USED CAR LOT FEB/2015 WITHIN A MONTH OF USE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES BROKE. GOT BACK ON THE ROAD, SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER STEERING SENSOR AS WELL. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO BECOME HARDER TO HANDLE. I'M SCARED THAT IT WILL CUT OUT ON MY WIFE AND INFANT.
NHTSA ODI #10783127
104,650 miles · Sep 17, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS PROBLEM. SYMPTOMS: DASH WARNING LIGHTS (IE: ENGINE, TRACTION, THEFT) CAME ON. DIGITAL DISPLAY WARNING: LOW FUEL (OVER 1/2 TANK OF GAS) POWER STEERING (WHICH STOPPED OPERATING) AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE (TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING SMOOTHLY). GAUGES (SPEED, FUEL AND TACH) OPERATED ERRATICALLY, NOT AT ALL …
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ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS PROBLEM. SYMPTOMS: DASH WARNING LIGHTS (IE: ENGINE, TRACTION, THEFT) CAME ON. DIGITAL DISPLAY WARNING: LOW FUEL (OVER 1/2 TANK OF GAS) POWER STEERING (WHICH STOPPED OPERATING) AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE (TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING SMOOTHLY). GAUGES (SPEED, FUEL AND TACH) OPERATED ERRATICALLY, NOT AT ALL OR COMBINATION OF THE TWO CONDITIONS. THIS CONDITION STARTED WITH A FEW OF THE LISTED SYMPTOMS WHICH INITIALLY CLEARED THEM SELVES. LATER AS MORE SHOWED AT SAME TIME, I WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THEM OR SOMETIME THEY CLEARED THEMSELVES . THIS HAPPENED OVER A YEARS TIME. WHEN ALL SYMPTOMS SHOWED AND WOULD NOT CLEAR, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TRUSTED MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM BUT DUE TO OUTSTANDING IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, SUGGEST THAT REPAIR MAY FIX THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND RECALL SERVICE PREFORMED AND NO OTHER OUTSTANDING RECALLS WERE FOUND. VEHICLE OPERATED WITHOUT A PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A MONTH BEFORE THE LISTED SYMPTOMS REAPPEARED. WAS ABLE TO CLEAR THE FAULT CODES BUT SYMPTOMS RETURNED WITHIN THE DAY AND WON'T CLEAR. A CHECK OF RECALLS FOUND THAT A RECALL FOR POWER STEERING LOSS AS DESCRIBED WAS ISSUED AND DONE AT APPROX. 49,000 MILES. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKS WERE FOUND IN MAINTENANCE HISTORY (DONE AFTER POWER STEERING RECALL) AND PREFORMED BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE ISSUE DESCRIBE HAS BECOME WORSE OVER TIME AND HAS EFFECTED THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THOSE OPERATING THE VEHICLE BUT ANY ONE ELSE ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS PROBLEM MANIFEST ITSELF. GIVEN THAT THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT WAS THE IGNITION CAUSING THESE PROBLEMS. I WILL CONTACT GM TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. GIVEN THAT GM IS PAYING 900 MILLION TO THE GOVERNMENT IN FINES, MAYBE UNCLE SAM COULD HELD THOSE OF US WITH GM ENGINEERED LEMONS REPLACE THEM WITH SOMETHING THAT IS SAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #10764966
116,500 miles · Sep 7, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
MULTIPLE TIMES (NOT ONLY TODAY) MY VEHICLE DID NOT LET ME OPEN THE DOORS, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAD TOO MUCH GIVE AND DID NOT ALLOW MY PASSENGER TO OPEN THEIR (PASSENGER) DOOR. I HAD TO WALK AROUND THE CAR AND TRY TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, WHICH DID NOT WORK, EITHER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING I BANGED MY FIST NEXT TO …
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MULTIPLE TIMES (NOT ONLY TODAY) MY VEHICLE DID NOT LET ME OPEN THE DOORS, THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAD TOO MUCH GIVE AND DID NOT ALLOW MY PASSENGER TO OPEN THEIR (PASSENGER) DOOR. I HAD TO WALK AROUND THE CAR AND TRY TO OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE, WHICH DID NOT WORK, EITHER. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING I BANGED MY FIST NEXT TO THE LOCK, WHICH ALLOWED THE CAR TO OPEN. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOT AN EMERGENCY, BUT IF THERE WERE, IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER ISSUE THE CAR IS HAVING IS STEREO PROBLEMS AND SPEAKER MALFUNCTION. MY FRONT SPEAKERS DO NOT WORK AT ALL AND THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SPEAKER) IS THE ONE WARNING CHIMES COME OUT OF, INCLUDING THE BLINKER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A VERY COMMON MALFUNCTION. IT IS NOT DANGEROUS PER SE, BUT A BLINKER LEFT ON UNKNOWINGLY COULD EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE RESEARCHED BOTH OF THE ISSUES ONLINE, ESPECIALLY THE LATTER IS VERY COMMON FOR COBALT OWNERS. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, AND WAS TOLD I NEED TO GET THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED FOR MY OWN MONEY, EVEN THOUGH IT CLEARLY IS A MALFUNCTION BY THE PARTS/FLAW IN DESIGN TO GET GM CUSTOMERS TO PAY PREMIUMS FOR FIXING PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT GO WRONG.
NHTSA ODI #10761960
92,500 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other
THE AIR BAG SWITCHED TURNED ON AND DOES NOT CUT OFF AND NOW THE CAR HESITATES TO START UP. ALL MY RECALLS HAVE BEEN DUE TO EITHER ELECTRICAL, STEERING AND IGNITION PROBLEMS. NOW THEIR IS AN ISSUE WITJ THE AIR BAG AND IGNITION. IT CHOKES THEM STARTS AFTER TURNING THE KEY ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT BUT IT HESITATES TO START. THIS DU…
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THE AIR BAG SWITCHED TURNED ON AND DOES NOT CUT OFF AND NOW THE CAR HESITATES TO START UP. ALL MY RECALLS HAVE BEEN DUE TO EITHER ELECTRICAL, STEERING AND IGNITION PROBLEMS. NOW THEIR IS AN ISSUE WITJ THE AIR BAG AND IGNITION. IT CHOKES THEM STARTS AFTER TURNING THE KEY ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT BUT IT HESITATES TO START. THIS DUDNT NOT HAPPEN UNITL THE AIR BAGS LIGHT STARTED TO STAY ON.
NHTSA ODI #10747517
65,000 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10724524
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2015
Electrical System
I WAS JUST WONDERING IF AFTER THE DEALERSHIPS FIXED THE DEFECTIVE KEY SLOTS OF COBALTS AND OTHER CARS, MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR WIRING SYSTEM MESS UP ONLY TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CHARGE YOU FOR FIXING UP THE WIRING THAT LED FROM THE KEY SLOT ( WHERE YOU INSERT THE KEY TO START THE CAR) DOWN TO WHEREVER IT G…
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I WAS JUST WONDERING IF AFTER THE DEALERSHIPS FIXED THE DEFECTIVE KEY SLOTS OF COBALTS AND OTHER CARS, MANY PEOPLE HAD THEIR WIRING SYSTEM MESS UP ONLY TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEM CHARGE YOU FOR FIXING UP THE WIRING THAT LED FROM THE KEY SLOT ( WHERE YOU INSERT THE KEY TO START THE CAR) DOWN TO WHEREVER IT GOES. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. ABOUT A MONTH TO TWO MONTHS LATER ( I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND CHECK) AFTER THEY FIXED THE KEY SLOT MY CAR JUST WENT DEAD AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS THE WIRING FROM THE KEY SLOT FROM THE IGNITION TO WHEREVER IT LEADS AND THAT THEY HAD TO CHANGE IT AND WHEN I TRIED TO TALK TO THE MANAGER ABOUT IT I NEVER GOT THROUGH TO HIM ON HIS PHONE, HE NEVER ANSWERED HIS CELL PHONE AND WASN'T AT THE OFFICE AND I JUST GAVE UP ON IT. SO MY QUESTION IS DID OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID WHERE THEY HAD TO PAY FOR WIRING THAT I THINK WAS PART OF THE SAME THING THAT THEY SUPPOSEDLY HAD RECALLED TO FIX. IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT; THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION KEYS, THAT COULD ACCIDENTALLY JUST TURN YOUR CAR OFF AND YOU WOULD HAVE TROUBLE STEERING THE CAR'S STEERING WHEEL AS THE CAR WAS OFF. SORRY, IF I AM NOT BEING SPECIFIC ENOUGH, I WAS JUST WONDERING IF OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD ABOUT HAVING TO FIX THE WIRING AND PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES AS I BELIEVE IT WAS THEIR NEGLIGENCE OF HANDLING THE WIRING SYSTEM. I AM NOT SURE ON THE DATES AS I AM NOT LOOKING UP THE INFORMATION, I AM JUST APPROXIMATING AND I AM NOT SURE HOW TO SEND THIS INFORMATION AS I AM NOT COMPUTER LITERATE.
NHTSA ODI #10721343
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.
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