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
Received letter from Chevrolet dated 1-2015 stating that "some 2006 HHR's" may have a defect which causes power steering (ps) to fail at any time. Called local dealer to have it repaired but my car (VIN) is not on the recall list. The exact sequence of ps failure described in letter has occurred with my car multiple times but they, Chevrolet dealer, does not guarantee that this will be fixed without my paying the bill as it (VIN) is not on their list. My car should be entered into the recall list as this is a manufacturers mechanical defect and needs to be recalled and repaired at GM's cost. This is the 3rd letter (recall) on this car; ignition cylinder, transmission lock and now power steering!
- Poolesville, MD, USA
On the date above I had my power steering warning light come on and stayed on for about 2 hours. The next day when I started the car the light was out. Well this week I received a letter from GM stating that if the light comes on or if you have had an issue with the light coming on to take it to your dealer.these are the exact words in the letter: If this condition occurs on your 2006 Chevrolet HHR, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Today took my car in for a routine service and ask the dealer about the letter and he said he would check on it. A few minutes later he told me they had a power steering motor in stock and it would take about 45 minutes to install if I had the time and I said I could wait. He came to the waiting room and said I was ready to go and the steering motor was not the problem causing the light, but the steering control module which is part of the steering column assembly and not covered by the letter. Well guess what, the steering column assembly is only sold with a new steering motor, so if I replaced the column GM gets $578.59 for the part plus labor cost to install and they pay for nothing to cure the issue. I was a mechanic on road trucks and heavy equipment for several years and know if you have an electric motor it has to get it's commands on how to react from some type of control source ( steering control module) would be my guess wouldn't you think. No where in my letter does it state steering motor only is covered to solve the issue and no where on the reimbursement request form does it say they will only reimburse for the motor. I had an online chat with a GM customer service and was told only the motor according to her written information. When I requested a copy of what is covered, I was told to ask the dealer for a copy.
- Corbin, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph and making a right turn, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The contact had to restart the vehicle in order for to resume normal function. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuse box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,966....updated 03-11-15 the consumer stated the part was replaced and there have been no more steering issue. However, the check engine light illuminated intermittently. Updated 03/26/15
- Colorado Springs , CO, USA
Driving with cruise control on, weather very nice and road dry around 7-7:30pm on familiar road. Car had been pulling to the right for about a week. Had son check tires before leaving newark oh and heading home. All of a sudden the vehicle went off road totaled car and I was in hospital for 2 1/2days. Had been knocked out, seat belt rubbed neck to almost bleeding, air bag burned hole in sleeve of coat. No broken bones but very shaken up. I want to know if this was caused by the steering problem that has been been on recall. Have pictures of the car and the road to show how the tire marks abruptly turn to the right.
- Bucyrus, OH, USA
The first time this happen I was on the interstate with my wife and kid in the car. The road curved to the right and as I was going around it, I lost power steering. Luckily I was able to use force and maintain control around the corner. If my wife was driving she might not have been able to because it took everything I had to turn the wheel and get around the corner. Since then it has happened almost everyday, sometimes a few times a day. When this happens I get a dashboard message that says "power steering". my wife will not drive the car unless its just a quick trip to the store, and we refuse to put our son in that car. This is a very dangerous problem and I don't know how this has not been recalled yet.
- Leesburg, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph, the power steering system warning light illuminated as the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required. The power steering would only work properly after the vehicle was shut off and restarted. Also, the contact stated that the battery was continuously drained and as a result, it needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that the failure had not occurred until the battery had to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer made the contact aware that the vehicle was not included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
- Green Ville, GA, USA
I was driving down the highway with my children in the vehicle and the power steering went out on me. I could not turn or do anything thankfully we did not end up in an accident. So far it has not done it again but I know im not the only one with this type of vehicle that is doing this. This should be recalled. It is a safety issue.
- Calumet, OK, USA
Driving in my neighborhood, the power steering went out with a warning in the dashboard. I stopped, turned off the car and restarted it and it worked again. The second time this occured, I was on the interstate having traveled for about 30 minutes when it went out. It has increased in frequency daily to the point now that every time I get into the car it goes out within about 2 minutes.
- Omaha, NE, USA
The power steering turned off on the freeway. Looked online and this appears to be a common problem with Chevrolet HHR's. also noticed that GM has recalled this issue in Canada but not the us. Would like to know why they haven't recalled it. The estimated cost to repair appears to be $300 to $500.
- Pinole, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that a chime sounded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
- Alvin, TX, USA
My power steering has started to go out while driving. This is extremely dangerous as it can happen at any moment without warning. My vehicle is not part of the recall as it is only for 2009-2010 and it should be. If I am taking a turn and the power steering goes out the vehicle wants to go straight and it could cause me to crash. I don't feel that at only 76,000 miles on the car that I should have to pay to replace their faulty product. Any help would be appreciated.
- Gotha, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated and the chime activated alerting that the power steering would fail. The contact had to applied extreme force to control the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
- Cairo, WV, USA
I was just backing the car out as normal and then there was a clicking and the dinging bell of an alarm the power steering blinked on dash. It became hard to maneuver. I could not do anything. I turned the car off and it was fine and I backed out but when switch to drive the same thing happened. Lucky I was just starting my day and at home. I see there is a recall on my ignition but I got confuse is the power steering is only on the newer HHR?
- Birminghan, AL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who reprogrammed the computer, provided the contact with a new set of keys, and repaired the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign number: 14E021000 (electrical system). The failure recurred and the key remained stuck in the ignition. The vehicle also failed to shift out of park, the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor, the gear box, and shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
- South Bay, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving at an unknown speed, the power steering failed and excessive force was required to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,703.
- Palmdale, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the power steering light illuminated and the steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
- Sandy Springs , GA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn as the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
On Sept. 11 I was driving at a rate of 45 mph when my car dinged and power steering came across the digital screen. I was able to manually steer. Once the car was turned off and turned back on the power steering was okay for about an hour and then it went out again. The car had to be turned off and turned back on. Over the weekend while awaiting service, the power steering was going out every 2 to 3 miles. This morning 9/14/14 the power steering was completely out and would not come back on. I made it to the dealer ship and was made aware of a power steering recall in which my car did not fall under. I searched GM's website about this recall and found this notation on the website: "in addition, 309,160 non-turbocharged Chevrolet Hhrs from the 2006-2008 model years (and several hundred 2009 models) and 96,324 Saturn ions from the 2003 model year that are not subject to these recalls will be given lifetime warranties for replacement of the electronic power steering motor." media.GM.com/media/us/en/GM/vehicles.detail.html/content/pages/news/us/en/2014/Mar/0331-power-steering.html I made my dealer aware and they advised me to contact GM directly. When I did this I was told by 4 separate represantives at GM that they had never heard of this and would not be honoring it, regardless of the information being on their website. They would not allow me to provide any kind of proof or to speak with anyone else. I find this disturbing first of all that the 2006 Chevy HHR was not included in the recall because it obviously is an issue and secondly that GM would publish this information and then refuse to honor it.
- Dunedin, FL, USA
Power steering has randomly failed, and although turning the vehicle off and restarting it will fix the problem temporarily, it continues to fail with increasing frequency.
- San Marcos, TX, USA
- Chicago, IL, USA