So far Toyota is not recalling the Corolla, which uses the same electric motor.
General Motors Company will conduct a safety recall of 1.3 million compact cars to replace a motor in the power steering system.
There have been ongoing complaints about the complete loss of power steering assist in Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G4, G5, and Pursuit cars.
There is also a stop sale on all current production Cobalt models until a new power steering motor is installed.
GM told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about the safety recall on Monday after concluding an investigation that began in 2009.
NHTSA opened an investigation January 27 into approximately 905,000 Cobalt models in the United States after receiving more than 1,100 complaints of loss of power steering assist, 14 crashes and one injury. All of these are now recalled.
The part is also, apparently shared with the Toyota Corolla, which is of course under pressure for its delays in safety recalls.Toyota subsequently said it is “still studying” the issue.
The latest development shows automakers scrambling to announce recalls and extend service actions (sometimes called secret warranties because they weren’t announced), in the wake of the harsh criticism directed at NHTSA and Toyota for their handling of safety and quality matters on millions of vehicles.
Vehicles affected are the 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt; 2007-2010 Pontiac G5; 2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit sold in Canada, and the 2005-2006 Pontiac G4 sold in Mexico. About 257,000 of the vehicles are in Canada.
“While greater steering effort under 15 mph may be required, if the customer experiences loss of power steering assist, it is important to note that the vehicle can still be safely controlled because the customer can still steer the vehicle,”claimed Jamie Hresko, GM Vice President of Quality.
“When the condition occurs, both a chime will sound and a ‘Power Steering’ message will be displayed,” said Hresko.
Plans for the remedy are being developed.
Customers will be notified when the plan is finalized.