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2005 CHEVROLET Cobalt

6 recalls Risk Grade: C- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #10V073000 Plain English
Component

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
You should be aware that your vehicle's electric power steering system may suddenly lose power assist while driving, which could happen at any time.
Risk if Unfixed
If your power steering fails, you'll need to steer your vehicle by hand at low speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
The dealership will replace the electric power steering motor for free, and you'll be notified by mail with a schedule between March and November 2010, or you can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or visit the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #14V047000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's ignition switch may not work correctly because of a faulty part that can cause the airbag system to malfunction.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a crash and the key is not in the right position, your airbags may not deploy, which can increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix
A dealership will replace the ignition switch free of charge. You'll be notified by mail when parts are available and when the repair is ready to be done.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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. GM’s 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #14E021000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Manufacturer
UCI-FRAM Group
What Happened
Your vehicle has an ignition switch that could potentially move out of position, causing the engine to stall and airbags to not deploy in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, you could be at risk of injury in the event of a crash because the airbags won't work as intended.
Free Fix
A GM dealership will replace the ignition switch FREE of charge to ensure your safety.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
Original — Remedy
UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #14V171000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's ignition system has a problem where the key can be removed from the ignition when it's not in the 'Off' position. This could cause your vehicle to roll away.
Risk if Unfixed
If the key can be removed from the ignition when it's not in the 'Off' position, your vehicle could roll away and crash, potentially hurting you or others.
Free Fix
The dealership will replace the ignition cylinder for free, and also cut and re-learn new keys for your vehicle if needed. They'll also make sure you have working keys. This will be done at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
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.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #04V560000 Plain English
Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
Your vehicle's headlight bulb shields might loosen or break due to vibrations, which could affect your visibility and safety on the road.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bulb shield breaks, oncoming drivers might notice extra glare, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
The dealership will replace your headlamp assemblies for free, starting from November 17, 2004. You can contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 to schedule the repair.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE BULB SHIELDS INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS CAN LOOSEN DUE TO VIBRATION.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE BULB SHIELD CAN LOOSEN OR BREAK BECAUSE OF VIBRATION. IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HEADLAMP INSTALLED IN A VEHICLE, ONCOMING DRIVERS MAY NOTICE ADDITIONAL GLARE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #07V014000 Plain English
Component

STRUCTURE

Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
What Happened
Your vehicle may not have air bags on the roof to help protect you in a side impact crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a crash, your head may not be fully protected, which could make injuries worse.
Free Fix
Don't worry, this is free! A dealership will add a special padding to the roof to help absorb impacts and keep you safer.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.'
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL ENERGY ABSORBING PLASTIC TO THE HEADLINER TRIM TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF HEAD IMPACTS IN A CRASH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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