Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (42.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 6.8× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 661 · 42.3% | Recalled | Recall 10V073000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 283 · 18.1% | Recalled | Recall 12V459000 · Recall 09V419000 |
| Electrical System | 259 · 16.6% | Recalled | Recall 14V171000 · Recall 14E021000 |
| Air Bags | 139 · 8.9% | Recalled | Recall 14V047000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 104 · 6.6% | Recalled | Recall 12V459000 · Recall 09V419000 |
| Engine | 56 · 3.6% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 1,564 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V171000 · 2014 · reported 04/10/2014
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… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V047000 · 2014 · reported 02/10/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14E021000 · 2014 · reported 04/30/2014
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V459000 · 2012 · reported 09/19/2012
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V419000 · 2009 · reported 10/29/2009
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V073000 · 2010 · reported 03/03/2010
IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2008, SINCE THEN WITHIN ONE YEAR WE REPLACED TIRES ON FRONT 3 AND NEEDING A 4TH TIME NOW. BRAKES AND…”NHTSA complaint 10285721 — filed 09/29/2009 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF…”NHTSA complaint 10285527 — filed 09/28/2009 · STEERING
“MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING IN A CITY ROAD! NOT A GOOD IDEA! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND START IT…”NHTSA complaint 10285105 — filed 09/24/2009 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 661 of 1,564 NHTSA complaints (42.3%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (283), electrical system (259), air bags (139). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
1,564 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 116 involved a crash, 16 involved a fire, and 109 reported injuries. 7 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V171000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
