Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
04V560000GENERAL MOTORS CORP.from 08/01/2004 to 11/30/2004V (Vehicle)137811/17/2004MFRGENERAL MOTORS CORP.11/22/200411/23/2004571108
Defect SummaryCertain 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.
Consequence SummaryThe 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers will install two new headlamp assemblies. the recall began on november 17, 2004. owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.
NotesGm recall no. 04100.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
339310017222Backlighting is inoperative during daylight conditions (headlight switch turned on manually). *tt10/28/2005
3393A10017006Backlighting is inop during daylight conditions (headlight switch turned on manually) *sc10/20/2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BRAKE LIGHTS
33473347A10017199Brake lights inoperative with key in the off position. *tt10/27/2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
3170E10019186Ipc, interior lights and/or headlamps flicker. *ak fb202/16/2006
0410011/17/200410011562Non compliance recall #04100. the shields inside of the headlamps can loosen during a vibration test. to include 2005 pontiac pursuit. *tt product field action announcement. *tt gmc voicemail message. *tt01/26/2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
40664066B10020218Turn signals will not cancel intermittently. *tt08/18/2006

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
11/01/201170000
 Tl - the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet cobalt. the contact stated that the rear running lights and all of the dashboard lights failed without warning. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 78,000. kmj
12/01/20091
 Headlight full of moisture has got worse and worse for the last two years almost and gm will not do anything about my headlight. today 6/15/2010 i took my car for the recall notice got about the power steering assist. and found out that both front lower control arm bushings need replaced, and my right front rim is bent and possible wheel brg might need replaced and i called gm about this and they will not take care of any of these problem they said (sorry about the experience) why is gm not helping! *tr
12/01/2009
 Power door locks and remote will not work replace battery still not working, can not drive over 40 mph because car jumps and steering is all over the place and made me hit a giant pot hole and cause damage under the car and i think it bent by rim on passenger side front and four about a year or more drivers headlight light is pull of moisture and has a bad glare in it. called chevy and they refuse to do anything about all of it.
01/31/2007860001
 My power steering in my 2005 chevy cobalt sedan goes out every so often for no apparent reason it has been taken back to a dealer once or twice for this problem. they have told me that i have to pay over 2 grand to get it fixed. with the recall out i don't know if mine is covered or not i can provide the vin and other info. problem started right after i bought the car and that summer had no steering what so ever. it has been a major issue for two years now it happens mainly when the car is driven over 80 degrees. and also one of the bulbs in the high mount third break light does not work anymore after being replaced more than once to see if it was a problem with the bulb. front headlights have had to be replaced 5 times since buying the vehicle and i have gone threw more turn signal bulbs to count. *tr
07/12/20081
 The headlights would hold moisture in the inside then the bulbs would mildew and go outduring the 2nd year and 3rd year of ownership. i have had to replace both headlight structures within a years time. now the right turn signal goes in and out. the bulb has melted in the socket. all parts replaced since not under warranty now. *tr
12/09/2008460001
 Left blinker randomly will not work. i have tried replacing the bulb and the wiring assembly. started with just the front driver side and now the rear driver side does not work. worked after jiggling the wires one day when i was bored but after hitting a bump one time when right back to normal. i have tried putting the flashers on to fix it but does not work. all the fuses and everything are good. looked it up online and looks like a very common problem for chevrolets and 05 cobalts in general. *tr
01/01/2007390001
 Description of incident is the front left lamp assembly of my 2005 chevy cobolt is that is has condensation in it and gm will not fix it free. it's a defect in the parts and there should be a recall bulletin no 01-08-42-001e has been written up. *tr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - BACK UP LIGHTS
01/18/2007498621007/27/2005
 I have had my 2005 chevy cobalt since july 2005. at 800 miles i had it serviced for a leak in the passenger floorboard. it was in the shop 5 times before they found a fix. next was the lights flashing on the dashboard, specifically the check engine, brake and high beam lights. then the heater would not blow so it was in the shop to have that fixed. then the reverse lights stopped working and there is condensation in the headlights. now, two days ago, my power steering light comes on and it becomes very hard to steer. i almost had an accident when i couldn't turn fast enough. when you turn the car on and off it works again temporarily. i will be taking it to the shop again, but at this point it has 50,000 miles and is out of warranty. very disappointed with the quality of this car!! *tr
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
03/19/2005290103/12/2005
 My daughter was driving her new (less than 300 miles on it) cobalt late saturday evening with our four-year old grandson in the back seat. without warning, the dashboard indicators went off as the engine died. the directionals failed to operate. the emergency flashers would not work. she was able to coast off the highway, but was almost rear-ended by a larger vehicle that was following her. the service department could find nothing wrong with the car, but she will pursued the matter with the dealer.*ak
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS
01/01/19011
 2005 chevrolet cobalt. consumer states vehicle stopped suddenly. consumer has received recall notice and is requesting reimbursement*tgw the consumer stated the power steering light illuminated. the consumer was also informed the headlights were full of water. *jb
01/18/2007498621007/27/2005
 I have had my 2005 chevy cobalt since july 2005. at 800 miles i had it serviced for a leak in the passenger floorboard. it was in the shop 5 times before they found a fix. next was the lights flashing on the dashboard, specifically the check engine, brake and high beam lights. then the heater would not blow so it was in the shop to have that fixed. then the reverse lights stopped working and there is condensation in the headlights. now, two days ago, my power steering light comes on and it becomes very hard to steer. i almost had an accident when i couldn't turn fast enough. when you turn the car on and off it works again temporarily. i will be taking it to the shop again, but at this point it has 50,000 miles and is out of warranty. very disappointed with the quality of this car!! *tr
05/01/2007370003003/07/2005
 I have a 2005 cobalt i purchased new. i have had numerous problems with the brakes, headlights, a.c., signal lights etc. but the newest problem is the power steering it goes out without any warning. it does this every day at no certain time. and this is very dangerous as it is very hard to steer when this happens.when the steering goes out it says power steering on dash, most of the time i can pull over and turn the car off wait a minute and restart the engine and it steers fine for awhile. the car has 37,500 miles on it and the warranty just ran out. this could easily cause a loss of control and or a collision. feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.....thanks. *tr
08/04/20063
 Tl*- the contact received two recalls 04560000 concerning exterir lighting:headlights and 07v014000 concerning structure on the 2005 chevrolet cobalt in august 2006. he made three attempts to get the vehicle repaired. the dealer will not give him a loaner vehicle for the day and/or will not give him a ride to work. the current mileage was 45,000. there had been no failures to date.*ak
01/01/20068000807/05/2005
 We bought this car in july 2005. since this time, it has been in the shop 8 times for various reasons. mainly the steering. going over bumps, it rattles very loudly. the steering column, struts, mounts, and almost everything to do with the steering has been replaced twice!! still rattles loudly. gm tells us that is not a safety hazard. there is a fix in progress but may take 6 months to a year! i pay a lot of money a month for a rattle trap! other items that have been replaced on the car is the radio, the blower motor, the right headlight, all 4 door bezels, all 4 door weather stripping due to wind noise, the shifting column because i had trouble getting the key out of the ignition. this has been the worst new car purchase i have ever made. i have already been in touch with the bbb about it. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
12/15/20057273108/13/2005
 I purchased a 2005 chevrolet cobalt in august of 2005. in december of 05 the car was having a problem related to the automatic shifter and was in for service. the shifting unit was replaced, also the radio was reprogrammed for flashing an error message at the time of service. by february of 06 the shifter was again very stiff to move and was having trouble getting the key out of the ignition. the garage adjusted the shifter linkage and lubed the cable assembly, at this time i also had a concern with the operation of the headlights, changing them from low beam to high beam. the problem being that when you switch the lights they go out for a brief time. the garage ordered a new multi-control switch for the car. a few days after having the car serviced for these problems the car was towed back to the dealership because i was unable to remove the key again from the switch causing the battery to go dead, and the shifter was very stiff. the garage ordered and replaced the shifter assembly and defective cylinder for the key switch. as of the 7th of march, 06, i was still having problems with the lights going out when changing from low to high beams, the car is presently in the shop. i have contacted gm about my concerns with the shifter and the lights. after i did this, i recieved a call from the gm representitive that i had spoken with only to be told that the service manager from the garage told him that this is a normal condition for the vehicle and that nothing can be done to correct the problem. *nm
EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL
05/01/2007370003003/07/2005
 I have a 2005 cobalt i purchased new. i have had numerous problems with the brakes, headlights, a.c., signal lights etc. but the newest problem is the power steering it goes out without any warning. it does this every day at no certain time. and this is very dangerous as it is very hard to steer when this happens.when the steering goes out it says power steering on dash, most of the time i can pull over and turn the car off wait a minute and restart the engine and it steers fine for awhile. the car has 37,500 miles on it and the warranty just ran out. this could easily cause a loss of control and or a collision. feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.....thanks. *tr
03/01/200617645305/31/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated the ignition switch would not turn, the airbag light illuminated and the turn signal failed. the dealership repaired the problems but they reoccurred. the manufacturer was alerted.