IllustrationMY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING NORTH ON TULLS CREEK ROAD IN MOYOCK, MC JUST NORTH OF POYNER ROAD WHEN SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR AND WENT OFF INTO A DITCH CAUSING MINOR INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I DIDN'T MUCH ABOUT HER REASONING UNTIL READING ABOUT THE RECENT RECALLL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH ISSUE. *JS
2009 Pontiac G5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all G5 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
925–50K
1150–75K
1675–100K
12100–150K
3150K+
63 reports with mileage · 13 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
22 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD REACHED OUT TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BUT THE DEALER FAILED TO RETURN ANY CALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND STALLED INTERMITTENTLY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND STALLED INTERMITTENTLY MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BUMPS, BRUISES AND LACERATIONS TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. A PO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A GRAVEL ROAD, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BUMPS, BRUISES AND LACERATIONS TO DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE IMPACT. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 14V047000 (AIR BAGS , ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V171000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE CONSEQUENCE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
CAR STARTED SMELLING OF GAS. THEN GARAGE SMELLED OF GAS. THEN THE FUEL ECONOMY BECAME INACCURATE. THEN GAS STARTED DRIPPING FROM UNDER CAR. THEN GAS STARTED STREAMING UNDER CAR. THEN TOLD GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE NO REMEDY UNTIL GM RECALLS TAKE EFFECT. NOW, 8 MONTHS LATER NO REPAIR OFFERED. CAR IS UNSAFE AND LEAVES…
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CAR STARTED SMELLING OF GAS. THEN GARAGE SMELLED OF GAS. THEN THE FUEL ECONOMY BECAME INACCURATE. THEN GAS STARTED DRIPPING FROM UNDER CAR. THEN GAS STARTED STREAMING UNDER CAR. THEN TOLD GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WOULD BE NO REMEDY UNTIL GM RECALLS TAKE EFFECT. NOW, 8 MONTHS LATER NO REPAIR OFFERED. CAR IS UNSAFE AND LEAVES ME STRANDED REGULARLY AS IT POURS GAS OUT OF CAR. I WILL TAKE CAR BACK TO DEALER AND EXPECT IMMEDIATE REPAIR. *TR
ON TODAY'S DATE MY IGNITION WAS STUCK PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING MY VEHICLE I CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT WAS IN PARK AND GIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL AS ADVISED BUT MY IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME STUCK AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY WAY SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WAS BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH BECAME STUCK AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY WAY SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WAS BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. HAD TO PAY TO HAVE CAR TOWED 100 MILES. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME IN 3/10 AT 15,923 MILES WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THEY REPAIRED PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS WAS DRY LOCK CYLINDER LUBED WITH WD40 (STATED IN INVOICE) 36,048 MI…
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION SWITCH IGNITION LOCKED AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. HAD TO PAY TO HAVE CAR TOWED 100 MILES. SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. 1ST TIME IN 3/10 AT 15,923 MILES WHEN CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER STATED THEY REPAIRED PROBLEM. DIAGNOSIS WAS DRY LOCK CYLINDER LUBED WITH WD40 (STATED IN INVOICE) 36,048 MILES LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENS. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A RECALL 2009 PONTIAC G5 (BUILT PRIOR TO APRIL 14,2009) MINE MFG DATE-SEPT, 2008, TSB #SB-10256, NHTSA REF.# 10037828 =IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BINDING. TOWED CAR TO DEALER (DIFFERENT FROM 1ST TIME) HOURS LATER RECEIVED CALL "VIN SPECIFIC RECALL MY CAR DOESN'T QUALIFY WILL COST $580.00 TO REPAIR BUT I WAS LUCKY IT WAS JUST MY CYLINDER NOT MY HOUSING" EXACT WORDING-INTERNAL LOCK CYL TUMBLERS FAILED DRILL AND EXTRACT OLD LOCK CYL (HOUSING OK) RECODE REPLACE LOCK CYL. PAID $580.00 TO GET CAR FIXED ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL 3 MORE TIME OVER THE WEEKEND, THE LAST TIME HAVING TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. NEXT MORNING KEY TURNED IN IGNITION, WENT STRAIGHT TO DEALER. SERVICE REP UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. THIS TIME WAS GIVEN A LOANER CAR. MANY HOURS LATER I RECEIVE CALL FROM GENERAL MANAGER, SHE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REPLICATE IT AND WOULD HAVE MECH FIX IN MORNING. NEXT MORNING RECEIVE CALL AGAIN NOW BEING CHARGED $120.00 FOR A BAD HOUSING. *TR
KEY WILL NOT TURN VEHICLE OFF IN 2009 PONTIAC G-5 BATTERY MUST BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT DOWN VEHICLE. KEY SOLENOID REPLACED. DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER INFORMED ME VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT I WAS THIRD SUCH PERSON IN TWO DAYS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN CHEVY COBALT/PONTIAC G-5. *TR
THE KEY CANNOT DISENGAGE THE ENGINE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. I TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE BY TRYING TO DISENGAGE BOTH IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. THE ISSUE RAISES A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE CAR BECOMES OUT OF CONTROL THERE IS NO WAY TO KILL THE ENGINE OTHER THAN DISCONNECTING FROM THE CARS BATTERY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE TH…
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THE KEY CANNOT DISENGAGE THE ENGINE. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN TO THE OFF POSITION. I TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE BY TRYING TO DISENGAGE BOTH IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. THE ISSUE RAISES A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE CAR BECOMES OUT OF CONTROL THERE IS NO WAY TO KILL THE ENGINE OTHER THAN DISCONNECTING FROM THE CARS BATTERY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT IT MAY CAUSE PANIC AND UNHEALTHY CONDITIONS BEING THAT THE CAR MAY BE LEFT ON IN ENCLOSED PLACES WHERE THE DRIVER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO KILL THE ENGINE IN THIS SITUATION. ALSO, UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE PROBLEM, THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISSUE AND WENT ON TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS COMPONENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE SAME CAR (PONTIAC G5 AND CHEVY COBALT). *TR
Official recalls
514V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
12V459000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 19, 2012
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
10V073000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Mar 3, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 CHEVROLET COBALT AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 PONTIAC G5 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED ON A ROLLING BASIS BETWEEN MARCH 29 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2010. A COPY OF THE MAILING SCHEDULE IS LOCATED IN THE RECALL FILE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
09V073000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
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
2AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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.