Model year record

2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,064 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V171000

Electrical system: ignition

Component: Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 2,191,014
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-04-10
Owners notified: 2014-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V047000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected: 2,190,934
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-02-10
Owners notified: 2014-04-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V073000

Steering: electric power assist system

Component: Steering: electric power assist system
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,050,889
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-03-03
Owners notified: 2010-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V419000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 69,139
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-10-29
Owners notified: 2010-02-04

Defect description

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME FOR MODEL YEAR 2006 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND TEXAS AND MODEL YEAR 2007 VEHICLES REGISTERED IN: ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 4, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V014000

Structure

Component: Structure
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 98,707
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-01-18
Owners notified: 2007-03-21

Defect description

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.'

Safety risk

IN A CRASH, HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION MAY BE INADEQUATE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Steering	1,239	61,000 mi
Electrical system	367	86,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	256	99,020 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	164	74,000 mi
Air bags	132	85,000 mi
Engine	94	101,000 mi
Power train	76	81,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	52	75,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	48	47,000 mi
Unknown or other	41	100,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	41	90,000 mi
Suspension	36	65,001 mi
Electrical system: ignition	34	58,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	34	54,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	31	60,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	29	106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	28	40,000 mi
Service brakes	26	80,000 mi
Structure: body	23	61,553 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	16	28,000 mi
Structure	14	29,000 mi
Traction control system	14	67,000 mi
Exterior lighting	13	96,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	12	16,769 mi
Equipment	11	65,000 mi
Structure: body: door	11	60,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	10	75,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	10	34,090 mi
Steering: column	10	41,100 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	10	18,000 mi
Suspension: front	9	50,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	7	68,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	7	40,000 mi
Seat belts	7	95,000 mi
Wheels	7	40,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	6	13,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	6	40,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	6	3,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	5	68,369 mi
Fuel system, other	5	66,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	5	18,000 mi
Power train: driveline	5	68,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	15,000 mi
Tires	5	29,363 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	5	51,000 mi
Interior lighting	4	76 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	4	2,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	2,700 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	4,850 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	3	5 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	3	30,000 mi
Seats	3	5 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	3	18,807 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	3	6,612 mi
Visibility: windshield	3	88,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	2	48,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	2	83,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	2	45,983 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	2	23,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	2	45,052 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	2	64,927 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	2	40,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	2	14,450 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	2	14,450 mi
Visibility/wiper	2	120,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	—
Air bags: knee bolster	1	14,450 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	7,800 mi
Child seat	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	40,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	64,674 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	41,278 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	41,278 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	15,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer	1	52,136 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	1	10,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	15 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	56,422 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage	1	105,000 mi
Lane departure: blind spot detection	1	73,058 mi
Seat belts: front	1	23,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	4,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	8,395 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	69,000 mi
Steering: linkages	1	27,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	1	52,432 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	14,450 mi
Structure: body: hood	1	14,450 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	40,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	26,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber	1	5 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	249,900 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	5 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	29,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	5 mi

The 2005 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2007 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.