10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 18 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,616 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. After restarting the vehicle, the power steering resumed its normal function. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician stated that the power steering module would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 08/28/12 the consumer stated the power steering stops working at any given time, it is difficult to make turns, and the steering wheel is difficult to maneuver. Updated 09/05/2012
- Clermont, FL, USA
Chevy HHR sudden loss of electric power steering. GM has a recall in Canada" but not in us"
- Sacramento, CA, USA
The vehicle's power steering system stopped working abruptly while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was occupied by a mother and two small children at the time. The steering system can only be reset by turning the vehicle off and then back on. It has happened numerous times since the initial incident. Today, July 23, 2012, the steering system abruptly stopped working eight times in approximately a twenty minute time span. This is a serious safety problem that apparently GM is aware of. They have noted it in vehicles that use the identical steering system, yet have failed to address the issue on the HHR.
- Largo, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the power steering failure light illuminated and the vehicle lost power steering function, making it very hard to control. The vehicle was taken to a personal mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the power steering module, motor, and arm would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
- Peaster, TX, USA
I was driving along and my power steering failed, as I was rounding a curve on a major highway. I was traveling between 55 and 60 miles per hour. As I was rounding a curve, my power steering failed, causing me to nearly lose control of the vehicle. GM is very aware that they built HHR's with defective power steering motors. If you start a google search for it "HHR P", it will fill in the suggestions with "HHR power steering motor/issues/failure/etc". there are forums full of people who have had to pay to replace their ps motors, but should not have. We should not have to pay to replace a major safety component on our vehicles that General Motors knows in fact is bad. The reason I know that GM is aware that there is a problem, is because they've recalled nearly every other car equipped with the same electric power steering set up. My mother received a recall notification on her Malibu. As did another lady I know that has a Malibu, someone I know with a G6 got the letter, and 2 cobalt/G5 owners I know, also received recall letters. So GM is very very very aware that they have built potentially unsafe vehicles that could cause injury, but they do not care!!! after contacting them, their cs rep from india or philippines told me that GM is not aware of the problem, and I would have to pay to have it diagnosed, pay for the repairs, and that GM 'might' help me with the cost. Sorry, but I don't have 400 dollars to pay someone to "diagnose" a known issue and replace the part that they know is bad!!! I found the part on gmpartsdirect.com, ordered and replaced it myself. Sitting at nearly 140K (about double the miles I had when I replaced it) and still turning fine. Noticed that the new ps motor's GM part number was different. Also indicating, they knew there was a problem, redesigned the part, thus it having a new part number. Stop letting GM get away with this crime!!!
- Blytheville, AR, USA
For the past few months now I've had continuous problems with my power steering. While driving my info panel will beep and read "power steering, " then the power steering goes out. If I turn off the ignition then restart the car, everything works fine for a few moments (sometimes longer) then it happens again. I see that there was recall issued for this exact reason for the Chevy cobalt (which has the same power steering motor as the HHR), but no recall has been issued for the HHR. I see there are alot of complaints about this. Any assistance would be great!
- Lynwood, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the steering failed. The steering wheel seized and was difficult to turn. The power steering light illuminated while the failure occurred. The failure was experienced several times. The steering returned to normal function after the engine was turned off for a moment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, which located the failure at the power steering motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 59,000.
- Mentor , OH, USA
The power steering warning light illuminated and the power steering failed. The steering wheel became hard to turn. The failure was experienced several times. The engine had to be shut off for several minutes before the power steering assist would restart. During one instance I was in the middle of turning onto a four lane highway when it went out almost causing a crash.
- Independence, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 mph the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The steering became difficult to maneuver. The contact stopped the vehicle and after restarting, the vehicle regained steering functions. The failure continued intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
As I was driving home on I-40, I lost power steering, the power steering light came on, and the steering was extremely hard to control, and turning was almost impossible to maneuver safely. The exit ramp was especially bad. Making it especially unsafe was I had my young grandchildren with me. I find it hard to believe there isn't a recall on this issue, as I am finding hundreds of similar complaints on the 2006 HHR power steering that are very similar, this made driving very hazardous, almost impossible, until it could be repaired.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
When I come to a stop, there is a rattling sound and makes the stop increasingly bumpy. It is coming from the driver's side quarter panel. Sounds like a steering column issue just as a mechanic told me.
- Lexington, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. The steering wheel became hard to turn. The failure was experienced several times. The engine had to be shut off for several moments before the power steering assist would reset. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed or repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 37,600.
- Decatur , AL, USA
I am a 35 year old mother of 3 and I recently had a dangerous close call while driving my 2006 Chevy HHR. I was driving with my children on board and I suddenly lost power steering. I quickly managed to control my vehicle but it was a close call. I took my vehicle to my nearest Chevy dealer for inspection. I was told what was the exact problem with the steering column and the estimated cost of repair would be $1600. I went home and quickly researched into the problem. I found out that I was not the only owner of a Chevy HHR to have this similiar problem. I found out also that the Chevy cobalt (which also has the same steering column) has a recall on it but not the Chevy HHR. It is only logical that the Chevy HHR should have a recall also because the steering column is identical. Public safety should be the number one concern.
- Noblesville, IN, USA
While driving on I-55 the power steering went out and made the car almost lunge into a guard rail. The problem persisted intermittently making the vehicle dangerous to handle at slow speeds. Research on this issue turned up massive reports of the power steering motor failing. This has resulted in a recall in Canada on the Hhrs. In the us the Chevrolet cobalt had the same issue and was recalled. The HHR and cobalt use the same power steering motor. Please help before someone is seriously hurt or killed by this obvious defect.
- Bartonville, IL, USA
I was driving my vehicle on the 401 on ramp (going 35km/hr) it was a rainy day. I randomly and all of a sudden lost power, including my power steering. No lights, no warnings, just gone. I couldn't turn the wheel to continue with the curved on ramp. I'm not that strong and without power steering I couldn't do it as well. As I wasn't able to do much I hit the break after I was already mid air from hitting the curb and going straight. I landed perpendicular on the 401. Taking up all of lane 1 and part of lane 2. lucky traffic stopped before hitting my car. This was terrifying. No warning but no power and whack goodbye power steering.
- Oshawa, Ontario - Canada, MA, USA
Power steering warning light come on, power steering fails and is very difficult to steer.
- Garland, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the steering wheel began to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician advised that the steering column would have to be replaced. After the repair, the failure recurred. The technician replaced the steering column for the second time but the failure continued. The technician then advised the contact that the rotors and stabilizer bar would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 43,700.
- Flint, MI, USA
Display showed power steering error and transmission box was clicking. Car started bucking as if transmission was going out. Took to dealer who could not replicate error after three days. Picked up car and now cd player shows err O. this is frustrating as heck! dealer did say that there was a bulletin that 2006 HHR's did have this type of problem. Dealer rep. Owns 2007 HHR and hoped he did not have the same issue. Spent over $700 total and problem still there" Chevrolet / GM where is your loyalty to your loyal customers" issue a recall and fix these issues before there are deaths because of them and you are forced to do what is right by the gov.'t.
- Plumas Lake, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the power steering seized with the illumination of the power steering warning light. After shutting off and restarting the vehicle, the power steering was reset however, the failure recurred three times within the same trip. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure and current mileages were approximately 53,000.
- Kettering, OH, USA
- Lynwood, CA, USA