The 2009 Pontiac G5 (rebadged Chevy Cobalt) shares the Delta platform's cost-cutting sins: ignition switch failures that kill the engine while driving, electric power steering that quits without warning, and 2.2L/2.4L Ecotec engines prone to catastrophic timing chain and piston ring failures when oil changes are delayed.
Ignition Switch Failure (Recalled but Still Failing)
Common · high severitySymptoms: Engine shuts off while driving without warning, Key rotates too easily or won't stay in RUN position, Airbags and power steering disabled when switch fails, Accessories cut out intermittently
Fix: Replace ignition lock cylinder and switch assembly per GM recall 14V-047. Even post-recall replacements fail; original parts used cheap detent springs. 1.5 hours labor if just switch, 2.5 if lock cylinder frozen.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Electric Power Steering Complete Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Steering goes heavy instantly, SERVICE STEER message, Whining or grinding noise from column when turning, Intermittent loss of assist at low speeds, C0545 or C0550 codes (EHPS motor circuit faults)
Fix: Replace entire electric power steering column assembly—it's non-serviceable. GM never fixed the brittle solder joints on control boards. Alignment required after. 3.5 hours labor plus expensive column unit.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Timing Chain Stretch and Catastrophic Engine Failure (2.2L/2.4L Ecotec)
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Cold-start rattle for 2-5 seconds (early warning), P0008 or P0016 codes (cam/crank correlation), Check Engine Light with misfires (stretched chain skips timing), Sudden loss of power, bent valves if chain jumps
Fix: Pre-2010 Ecotecs used weak timing chain tensioners. If caught early (rattling only), replace chain, guides, tensioner, VVT solenoids: 6-8 hours. If valves bent, add cylinder head work or used engine swap: 12-16 hours total.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,500 early catch, $3,500-5,500 if engine damaged
Piston Ring Failure and Catastrophic Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1 quart per 500-800 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or hard acceleration, Cylinder scoring visible on borescope, Eventually loses compression, misfires, dies
Fix: 2.2L/2.4L Ecotecs notorious for soft piston ring lands cracking under heat cycles. Only real fix is engine rebuild with aftermarket pistons or used engine swap. Rebuild 16-22 hours, swap 10-14 hours depending on accessories transfer.
Estimated cost: $3,000-5,000 rebuild, $2,200-3,500 used engine installed
Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Shifter moves but transmission doesn't change gears, Can't shift out of PARK even with brake applied, Gear indicator doesn't match actual gear, White nylon bushing found broken under hood
Fix: Cheap plastic bushing at transmission end of shift cable disintegrates. Aftermarket metal bushing kits exist ($15 part), but often entire cable replaced for reliability. 1.2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $120-280
Fuel Pump Failure Without Warning
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Crank/no-start, no fuel pressure at rail, Stalling at idle or under load, restarts after sitting, Whining noise from rear seat area before failure, Covered under recall 10V-318 for some VINs
Fix: Fuel pump module in tank fails (wiring harness chafes or pump motor quits). Drop tank, replace pump module assembly. Some covered by recall, most aren't. 2.5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Corrosion and Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping near radiator or under car, Pink fluid pooling under front driver side, Slipping or delayed shifts due to low fluid, Metal cooler lines rusted through at bends
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through in salt-belt states. Replace both hard lines and flexible hoses to/from radiator. Flush system, refill Dexron VI. 2 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $300-550
Avoid unless under $3,000 and you can wrench yourself—too many expensive, safety-critical failures for the average used-car buyer.
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.