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GM recalls 98,000 Cobalt Coupes
If you have a Chevy Cobalt built between 2005 and 2006 that doesn't have the optional roof-mounted side impact airbags, you could be getting a recall notice in the mail soon. Apparently Chevy (and presumably the NHTSA) discovered that there isn't sufficient padding to meet federal requirements in these vehicles, and unacceptable head injuries could result in a collision. Scary to think there's an acceptable amount of injury that would be tolerated, but anyway. As a fix, dealers will add "energy absorbing plastic" to the headliner trim to help soften the blow should your head strike the headliner in a crash. The recall affects 98,000 Cobalts on the road.
[Source: NHTSA via The Auto Channel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
far jr 8:33PM (1/26/2007)
How much do you wanna bet GM makes the side airbags standard next year?
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Bojack 8:34PM (1/26/2007)
In before domestic haters.
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karth 8:37PM (1/26/2007)
The recall is for injuries that can occur when you're not wearing a seatbelt. I guess I consider not wearing a seatbelt just nature's way of weeding out the modern gene pool, but oh well. I don't see why people hurting themselves by not wearing a seat belt is GMs problem though.
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SilverAero 8:40PM (1/26/2007)
My first thought was "o man what did they do now, they were just coming around"
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RamSport47 8:53PM (1/26/2007)
I like domestics, just not this Cavalier redo
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jscro 9:18PM (1/26/2007)
Anyone know where I can buy some energy absorbing plastic to supplement my airbags? I do not feel safe.
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whofan 9:34PM (1/26/2007)
No wonder gas mileage is getting worse.
Why don`t we educate drivers to be safer and cell phone free while driving??????????????
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Stoneman 9:53PM (1/26/2007)
80,000 reasons why my next car will NOT be a Cobalt.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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rrr 10:00PM (1/26/2007)
#3 and #7, the issue in THIS CASE is not the drivers. The airbag is not working properly, i don't care if you the best driver in the world, should you make a mistake you may die..........because the airbag is faulty.
To listen to the two of you, one can come to a conclusion that all safety features are useless.
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tikirob 10:13PM (1/26/2007)
If they decide to make the airbags standard may not be a bad idea, hey they should standard on all cars. Safety should be a priority in a car and as one message said "Why don`t we educate drivers to be safer and cell phone free while driving?" thats not going to happen, sadly we have to do it for them. If we were able to teach people to be responsible there wouldn't be any unwanted pregnancies.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
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dave 10:18PM (1/26/2007)
rrr, read a little closer. this recall is for cars that are not equipped with side airbags. and as always, stoneman the putz weighs in with his moronic eessage.
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cs 10:18PM (1/26/2007)
5. "I like domestics, just not this Cavalier redo"
It may look a bit like a Cavalier, but it's leaps and bounds better. Safer, more refined, higher quality, and on a completely different platform. This isn't a redo.
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Ted 11:14PM (1/26/2007)
RRR, I teach reading comprehension classes for Adults at a local community college. You may want to look into taking one.
The only thing worse than a pendant is a pedant who doesn't know what the hell he's talking about.
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Howard Kerr 11:18PM (1/26/2007)
"...unacceptable head injuries could result in a collision."
It sounds almost the same, but I think the "reporter" meant to say ....in a collision, unacceptable head injuries could occur.
The way it's written makes it sound like the head injuries CAUSE the collision. Although, come to think about it, head injuries/brain damage may result in the purchase of a Cobalt.
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MC 11:42PM (1/26/2007)
That'll teach them to skimp on the standard safety equipment.
As for the Cavalier redo comment, sure the Cobalt is a better car than the Cavalier, but still one of the weakest in its segment. The tradition continues...
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AMcA 12:06AM (1/27/2007)
OH, one things boys: the danger only affects the geniuses who prefer the freedom of being unbelted.
Once again, it's NHTSA trying to overcome Darwin.
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Big jim 12:06AM (1/27/2007)
this is why i hate GM's small cars, now i got another reason to make fun of there owners
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Barney 12:19AM (1/27/2007)
We've come a long ways from no seatbelts and metal dashs. When will being "totaly safe" be achieved?
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Bob 12:30AM (1/27/2007)
This is ridiculous. If you get creamed from the side *without* airbags, your brain's gonna get scrambled anyway! GM should be addressing why they don't add curtain airbags do the Cobalt standard (and why you can't even get torso side impact as an option). Or why it doesn't come with ABS. Christ, my '94 Cavalier even came with ABS standard, there's no excuse for it to be an option now.
Of course, they could be like Ford and not offer any side airbags at all in the Focus.
Scary how far behind the domestics are in the small car market.
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Avinash machado 2:06AM (1/27/2007)
"...unacceptable head injuries could result in a collision."
Are there any head injuries that are acceptable.
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