The 2007 Pontiac G5 (rebadged Chevy Cobalt) is a compact economy car that suffers from well-documented issues with its 2.2L Ecotec engine, fuel delivery system, and ignition components. Engine failures and electrical gremlins dominate the problem list, making higher-mileage examples risky buys without thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Symptoms: rattling noise on cold start that fades after warmup, excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0016, P0017), rough idle and loss of power, catastrophic failure if chain jumps time
Fix: Timing chain stretch causes cam timing issues and eventually jumps teeth, destroying valves and pistons. Many owners report oil consumption issues from piston ring design flaw. Timing chain replacement is 6-8 hours labor; full engine rebuild or replacement is 12-16 hours. Short block or reman long block often the only viable fix at high miles.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200 for timing chain; $3,500-5,500 for engine replacement
Fuel Pump Failure (NHTSA Recall 10V388000)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: no-start condition or stalling while driving, extended cranking before engine fires, loss of power under acceleration, fuel pump whine from rear of vehicle
Fix: GM fuel pumps from this era fail prematurely. Recall addressed some VINs but didn't catch all affected vehicles. Pump is in-tank, requires fuel tank drop. 2-3 hours labor. Always replace fuel filter at same time (inline, under vehicle).
Estimated cost: $500-800
Ignition Switch Failure (NHTSA Recall 14V153000)
Common · high severity
Symptoms: key stuck in ignition, engine shuts off while driving, loss of power steering and brakes during stall, airbag warning light illuminated, accessories fail to power on
Fix: Infamous GM ignition switch defect that caused fatalities across multiple platforms. Switch can slip out of 'run' position, killing engine and disabling airbags. Critical safety recall—verify completion before purchase. If not done, dealer must perform free. Independent shop replacement is 1-1.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $0 if recall not completed (dealer); $200-350 if paying out of pocket
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: intermittent loss of power steering assist, 'service power steering' message on dash, steering becomes very heavy at low speeds, fault code C0545 (steering position sensor)
Fix: EPS motor or control module fails, leaving driver with manual steering effort (extremely heavy at parking speeds). Module is mounted low and vulnerable to water intrusion. Some cases covered by NHTSA 13V199000 recall, but many post-recall failures reported. Module replacement is 2-3 hours; full column assembly is 4-5 hours if motor fails.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 for module; $1,200-1,800 for motor assembly
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: pink or red fluid spots under vehicle, transmission slipping or rough shifts, transmission overheating, low transmission fluid level on dipstick
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through at fittings or mid-span on salt-belt cars. External cooler lines run along chassis rails. Replacement involves dropping frame crossmember in some cases for access. 2-3 hours labor. Flush transmission if significant fluid loss occurred.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, excessive engine movement visible from driver seat during acceleration, vibration at idle, shifter feels loose or rubbery
Fix: Side transmission mount (torque strut) deteriorates and separates. Very common on all GM Delta platform cars. Easy DIY job with jack and basic tools—1 hour labor. Often accompanies worn lower engine mount.
Estimated cost: $150-300
Throttle Body Carbon Buildup & Idle Air Control Issues
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: rough or hunting idle, stalling when coming to a stop, hesitation on acceleration, check engine light with MAF or throttle position codes
Fix: Electronic throttle body accumulates carbon deposits that prevent blade from closing properly. Cleaning takes 1 hour (remove, spray clean, reassemble). MAF sensor on air intake also fails occasionally—add 0.5 hours to clean or replace.
Estimated cost: $120-250 for throttle body cleaning; $200-350 if MAF needs replacement
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles—these engines consume oil by design; running low destroys timing chain tensioner
Verify ALL recalls completed, especially ignition switch and EPS—these are life-safety items
Inspect for rust on exhaust, subframe, and fuel/brake lines if from salt-belt states
Avoid any 2.2L with loud timing chain rattle—it's terminal and not worth fixing on a $3k car
Budget $1,000/year for unexpected repairs after 100k miles; engine failure is when-not-if scenario
Hard pass unless under 70k miles with verified recall completion and documented oil change history—too many catastrophic failure points for a cheap used car.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year vehicles during repair and replacement of the original ignition switch. The weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the affected ignition switches to move out of the run position, turning off the engine and disabling the air bags.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should contact UCI-FRAM Group at 1-800-890-2075. GM vehicle owners requiring additional information on that recall campaign should contact GM at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-762-2737 (Pontiac) or 1-800-553-6000 (Saturn).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · 14V171000
2014-04-10
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
AIR BAGS · 14V047000
2014-02-10
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas; model year 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, and Saturn ION vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, or Texas; model year 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arizona; and model year 2009 Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, or Texas. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the plastic supply or return port on the fuel pump module may crack, which could cause a fuel leak.
Consequence: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Notification to owners began on on November 21, 2012. Owners were instructed to not bring their vehicles in for repair until January 2013. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-521-7300.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 10V073000
2010-03-03 · PE10005
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.
Consequence: IF POWER STEERING ASSIST IS LOST, IT WOULD REQUIRE GREATER DRIVER EFFORT AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
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