NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsClear category filter107,750 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrashInjury
TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE AS WELL AS THE CAR STALLING.. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CAR... WAS SIDE SWIPED ON ROAD ON 03/14/2014... CAR BARELY TAPPED US AND WE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO POWER STEERING ISSUE... RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL.. CAR WAS TOTALED WHILE…
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TAKEN THE CAR TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES, FOR POWER STEERING FAILURE AS WELL AS THE CAR STALLING.. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THE CAR... WAS SIDE SWIPED ON ROAD ON 03/14/2014... CAR BARELY TAPPED US AND WE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR DUE TO POWER STEERING ISSUE... RAN INTO THE GUARDRAIL.. CAR WAS TOTALED WHILE THE OTHER CAR (A 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS) DROVE HOME... DRIVER HAD HEAD INJURIES WHILE PASSENGER HAD CONTUSIONS TO HIS RIGHT HAND FROM AIRBAGS. THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576103
52,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT I HEARD A DING, LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASH AND SAW THAT A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND NOTICED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING ASSIST AND HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR OVER. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPP…
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WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT I HEARD A DING, LOOKED DOWN AT THE DASH AND SAW THAT A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND NOTICED THAT I HAD NO POWER STEERING ASSIST AND HAD TO MUSCLE THE CAR OVER. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED IT AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. THIS ISSUE STARTED HAPPENING EVERY FEW DAYS AFTER THAT, SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, HAD THIS BEEN A LESS STRONG PERSON LIKE MY WIFE OR AN ELDERLY PERSON SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO STEER THE CAR! AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH I WAS SHOCKED AT WHAT I FOUND. THE HHR IS BUILT ON A CHEVY COBALT CHASSIS, AND THE COBALT HAS A RECALL FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE BUT CHEVY HAD NOT HAD A RECALL ON THE HHR, NOT IS THE US ANYWAY. CANADA HAS FORCED GM TO DO A RECALL ON THE HHR FOR THIS SAME EXACT ISSUE BUT TO DATE IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN THE US. THE DEFECTIVE STEERING MOTOR PART NUMBER RECALLED ON THE COBALT WAS THE SAME EXACT PART NUMBER AS THE HHR, SO WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED ON THE HHR? IF YOU'LL READ SOME OF THE HHR FORUMS YOU'LL LEARN THAT MINE WAS NOT AS ISOLATED OCCURRENCE, IT IS VERY COMMON AND SEEMS TO START HAPPENING WHEN THE CARS GET AROUND 50,000 MILES. HAD THIS HAPPENED TO AN ELDER PERSON AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CHANCES ARE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, THIS DISABLES THE STEERING! I HAD THIS REPAIRED AT AN ASTRONOMICAL COST OF OVER $800. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SURPRISE SURPRISE GM SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CHASSIS WARRANTY? WHAT, THE STEERING IS NOT A COMPONENT OF THE CHASSIS? THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, IM SURPRISED SOMEONE'S LIFE HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN LOST OVER THIS ISSUE. PLEASE FORCE GM TO RECALL THIS ISSUE AND REFUND ONES LIKE ME THAT HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF OUR POCKETS TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575467
65,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS NUMEROUS TIMES! THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573377
40,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10566068
120,000 miles · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical System
WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I COULD NOT SHUT MY CAR OFF. IT WOULD NOT TURN AND I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT. I HAD TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER, THANKFULLY THEY WERE STILL OPEN FOR THE DAY, TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ENDED UP PAYING ABOUT $100 TO HAVE THE IGNITION CYLINDER RE-KEYED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565968
82,000 miles · Dec 7, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY MY KEYS GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN MY CAR OFF.I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A DEALERS WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION. THE NEXT DAY MY SECURITY LIGHT WENT ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERS THEY WE'RE VERY BUSY SO THEY CHECKED TO SEE IF MY KEYS WERE PROGRAMMED THEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF…
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WHEN I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY MY KEYS GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND I COULDN'T TURN MY CAR OFF.I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A DEALERS WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION. THE NEXT DAY MY SECURITY LIGHT WENT ON SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERS THEY WE'RE VERY BUSY SO THEY CHECKED TO SEE IF MY KEYS WERE PROGRAMMED THEN THE LIGHT WENT OFF SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS OK. I LEFT THE DEALERS AND WITHIN 200FT MY HHR STALLED AND DOORS LOCKED WITH ME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THEM BACK WITH MY CELLPHONE FROM INSIDE THE CAR THEN THE DOORS SUDDENLY UNLOCKED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK TO THE DEALERS.THEY GAVE ME A CAR TO USE. I LEFT MY HHR THERE SO THEY COULD HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. ALOT OF CODES CAME UP THEY SAID BUT THEY CLEARED THEM AND SAID THEY REPROGRAMMED MY KEYS. THE ONLY CODE LEFT WAS A ICP CODE BUT THEY SAID I DIDN'T NEED A ICP PANEL SO I TOOK MY CAR BACK. WHEN I CAME OUT OF WORK AT 1AM I UNLOCKED MY CAR AND STARTED MY HHR UP. IT STALLED IMMEDITATLY.WITH THE KEYS STUCK IN THE START POSITION I TRIED IT AGAIN AFTER ABOUT 10 MIN AND IT STARTED UP AND I DROVE HOME. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY SAID BRING IT MONDAY AGAIN BUT THEY CANT LEND ME A CAR UNTIL ITS FIXED OR PROMISE THAT THEY CAN FIX IT. I TRIED TO START IT NOW AND I CAN BUT I REALLY AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BUT I HAVE TOO TO BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERS. VERY SCARY AND BOTHERSOME THING. I INCREASED MY INSURANCE AND WILL BE ONLY TAKING SIDEROADS UNTIL SOMEONE FIGURES THIS OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555199
65,500 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND A FUSE HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO POWER OFF THE VEHICLE, THE BATTERY HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND A FUSE HAD TO BE REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,500.
NHTSA ODI #10554319
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2013
Electrical System
IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. IGNITION RELEASE SPRING WORKS (MOVES FREELY) YET WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND, SINCE THE KEY WAS FROZEN IN THE ON POSITION, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE 'KEY STUCK' ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED UNDER THE CHEVY SERVICE B…
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IGNITION CYLINDER WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. IGNITION RELEASE SPRING WORKS (MOVES FREELY) YET WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND, SINCE THE KEY WAS FROZEN IN THE ON POSITION, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE 'KEY STUCK' ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED UNDER THE CHEVY SERVICE BULLETIN (09-02-35-005B, FEB 4, 2010) YET NOT ON RECALL LIST. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10550358
60,200 miles · Oct 14, 2013
Electrical System
DROVE HHR TODAY, AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN OFF IGNITION, I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, AND PULL A FUSE. TAKING CAR IN TOMORROW FOR REPAIR. THERE WAS A MECHANIC IN THE LOT I WAS IN, WHO STATED THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON HHR IGNITION PROBLEM. STATED IT IS A TUMBLER ISSUE, AN…
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DROVE HHR TODAY, AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN OFF IGNITION, I COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY, AND PULL A FUSE. TAKING CAR IN TOMORROW FOR REPAIR. THERE WAS A MECHANIC IN THE LOT I WAS IN, WHO STATED THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON HHR IGNITION PROBLEM. STATED IT IS A TUMBLER ISSUE, AND CHEVY IS AWARE OF THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547791
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING THE 2009 CHEVY HHR BACK FROM WORK, WITHOUT WARNING, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING STOPPED AND A WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE DIC. ONCE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF THE PROBLEM CLEARED TEMPORARILY. OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS THE POWER STEERING HAS CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME ERRATIC BEHAVIOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534665
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.
Mar 31, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.
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.
Mar 6, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 276,729 MY 2009 BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET COBALT, HHR, MALIBU, TRAVERSE, GMC ACADIA, PONTIAC G5, G6 AND SATURN AURA AND OUTLOOK PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT POSITION SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT", AND FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION AND ROLLAWAY PREVENTION". ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP MAY NOT BE FULLY ENGAGED. IF THE CLIP IS NOT FULLY ENGAGED, THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE ACTUAL POSITION OF THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT MATCH. WITH THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVE COULD MOVE THE SHIFTER TO "PARK" AND REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR MAY NOT BE IN "PARK".
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AFTER THE DRIVER HAS EXITED THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE THAT THE SHIFT CABLE ADJUSTMENT CLIP IS FULLY ENGAGED. IN THE EVENT THAT THE CLIP DOES NOT ENGAGE, THE SHIFT CABLE WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR 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
1PE20011 · 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.
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