Chevrolet / Pontiac / Saturn recall: Steering

What is wrong

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2006 Malibu Maxx, 2009-2010 HHR (non-turbo), 2010 Cobalt, 2008-2009 Saturn Aura and 2004-2007 Ion, and 2005-2009 Pontiac G6. In the affected vehicles, there may be a sudden loss of electric power steering (EPS) assist that could occur at any time while driving.

What could happen

If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

GM will notify owners, and dealers will perform one of four bulletins. Parts are not currently available. GM expects to send an interim notification around May 28, 2014. When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the applicable bulletin applied. Bulletin 14115 covers model year 2004-2007 Saturn Ion, 2009-2010 Chevrolet HHR and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts. Dealers will replace the EPS motor. Bulletin 14116 covers model year 2004-2006 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx, 2005-2006 Pontiac G6 and 2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from March 1, 2008, through June 27, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly. Bulletin 14117 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from February 1, 2008, through February 28, 2008. Dealers will replace the torque sensor assembly and EPS motor controller unit. Bulletin 14118 covers model year 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura built from October 1, 2007, through January 31, 2008. Dealers will replace the EPS motor controller unit. The recall began on July 17, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, and Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. GM's number for this recall is N140115. Note: GM bulletin number 14119 will be implemented for model year 2006-2008 and early production of 2009 Chevrolet HHR (non-turbo) and model year 2003 Saturn ION to provide EPS Motor replacement for the life of the vehicle.

Vehicles covered

• Chevrolet Cobalt 2010
• Chevrolet Hhr 2009–2010
• Chevrolet Malibu 2004–2006, 2008–2009
• Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 2004–2006
• Pontiac G6 2005–2006, 2008–2009
• Saturn Aura 2008–2009
• Saturn Ion 2004–2007

Facts

NHTSA recall number

14V153000

Type

Vehicle

Filed by

General Motors LLC

Reported to NHTSA

Mar 31, 2014

Owners notified

Jul 17, 2014

Vehicles or items affected

1,373,177

Started by

NHTSA investigation

Built

Apr 29, 2003 to Aug 7, 2004

Part

Steering › Electric power assist system

Maker's own recall number

N140115

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other recalls for the same vehicles

• Airtex / Carquest / Chevrolet and more recall: Electrical system Apr 30, 2014
• Chevrolet / Pontiac / Saturn recall: Electrical system Apr 10, 2014
• Chevrolet / Pontiac / Saturn recall: Air bags Feb 10, 2014
• Chevrolet / Pontiac / Saturn recall: Fuel system, gasoline Sep 19, 2012
• Chevrolet / Dorman / Oe Solutions and more recall: Steering Jul 21, 2014
• Chevrolet / Pontiac / Saturn recall: Electronic stability control (esc) May 14, 2014

To check one car, enter its 17-character VIN on the official NHTSA page: a recall may cover only some vehicles of a model year.
Recall data: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.