My daughter had a cobalt for years, I guess she’s just lucky to be alive. The people who sold her the car sincerely didn’t care about her safety or any of their other customers.
I’m pretty much resolved to never buy an American car again because of this story, certainly not one from GM.
Chrysler Town and Country vans from 2008 to present have had a similar problem. It is called a detent ring. About a dollar or two each. 900k vehicles recalled. Told that the fix will not come until June 2015. GMC provided rentals for their recall cases but only recently for Chrysler if at all.
Getting anything but a I-4 golfcart at decent prices rules out almost everyone except Chrysler and General Motors. They offer more car (and engine) per dollar despite being hit with the ugly stick of environmentalist regulations.
Perhaps if General Motors didn't have the EPA telling them to make small cars, which are outside their specialty, these safety issues wouldn't exist in their current form.