10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 18 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,801 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
I was driving my wifes car to the GM dealership to have the recall on the ignition switch repaired, as I entered the cloverleaf exiting the interstate the power steering failed, I made it to the dealership, left the car running and showed the servive manager what it did, he felt of the steering and agreed the power steering was bad, he checked and said it was not under a recall. After some research I found that the cobalt has a recall for the same thing.
- Bentonia, MS, USA
We were on vacation and I was traveling on a road at the posted speed of 30 mph. I was going around a bend and immediately my power steering light came on, there was a chime, it became very difficult to manage the bend I was going around and I hit a light pole damaging my front bumper. At that same time, my mhp and rmp needles began bouncing back and forth and the car was "jerking". I turned the car off. It was still drivable, but within a few seconds the power steering light came back on, the needles bounced and car jerked. I called GM to see if there was a recall on the power steering. They informed me that there were several GM power steering recalls on several years of HHR, cobalt and Saturn. They all have very similar power steering mechanisms. However, my year, 2006, was not on that recall. I have researched and found thousands of people with 2006 HHR's complaining of the same issues but not understanding why that year is not included in the recall.
- West Alexander, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 10 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure continued and recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
- Hemet, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle could be restarted but the failure persisted. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing but the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000. Updated 09/05/14
- Laurel, MS, USA
All electronic shut off no brakes no steering wound up in the ditch key would not turn to the off posiposition.
- Fordland, MO, USA
Lost all electronic power and steering and shut off wound up in the ditch which stopped the car key would not turn to the off posiposition.
- Fordland, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed as the power steering warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
This started 3 days ago. The power steering showed on the dash and I had no power steering. Reading the manual for this issue a year ago it said to turn the car off and then restart the car and the steering would reset itself. However the issue progressed and today was going out every few miles. And I was just at the Chevrolet service for another recall and asked about this issue and they told me they don't have the parts and that my car was not on the list. This is a bad situation and very unsafe. I believe the power steering will be gone completely in the next few days. I would really appreciate it if something could be done right away as this is my primary vehicle and I use it to get back and forth to work. Thank you.
- Port Orange, FL, USA
As I began to pull out from the parking lot after work one evening, I began to hear a chime like tone, at the same time a message appeared on the dashboard that read "power steering..." I turned off the engine, checked under the hood for a possible broken power steering belt, but could not find the power steering pump.re started the engine and the power steering worked fine for about a week. I later discovered the power system assist consist of an electric power steering motor and not a hydraulic. As time passed, the problem became more frequent. Now, once the car begins to move, it takes only a couple of minutes, if not seconds, before I hear the chime, the message shows up, and here I go again, struggling to steer with one hand and shifting with the other, at times through very heavy traffic. My car is a standard shift. It has become very difficult to cross lanes wile steering with one hand at the same time you are attempting to shift gears during heavy and slow traffic. I am beginning to suffer shoulder and neck pain which compounds the problem. I called GM on this issue but the GM rep. Said my vehicle was not included on the power steering recall, only recalled for ignition switch problem. I believe that if the ignition switch and power steering are recalls for other models, my 2006 HHR should also be recalled for ignition switch and the power steering issues.
- Beaumont, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering failed and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- Maryland Heights, MO, USA
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR and on Sunday the power steering stopped working. I googled the problem and found a GM media release relating to the power steering. (media.GM.com/media/us/en/GM/news.detail.html/content/pages/news/us/en/2014/Mar/0331-power-steering.html) I checked with a couple of local dealerships and was advised that my VIN # was not listed in the recall. In the media release it clearly states that "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." Even though my HHR is a non-turbo 2006 model, and my power steering is non-operable (has been repaired by cash payment by me) as described in the media release, for whatever reason I'm not included in the recall. I have no idea how VIN #'s are selected for a recall, but I feel since my vehicle apparently falls under the perimeters of the recall why is it not included. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as I am on a low fixed income. Regards
- Melbourne , FL, USA
Driving down the I-80 at 75 miles per hour. Went to pull out to pass a semi truck, alarm went off, power steering showed on drivers instrument cluster. As I tried to move back into slower lane I noticed I had no power steering. At first exit I pulled off. Turn car off. After a shirt break restarted car to try to make it 20 miles to home thinking power steering was completely gone. To my surprise it was working again. Drove about 5 miles out again so I just keep going to home. Called GM customer service they stated I am not part of the recall issued on HHR's but I know there is a service bulletin on this issue.
- Hastings, NE, USA
Taking a used car for a test drive, downshifting to stop at a light to take a right turn heard an alarm then the power steering illuminated on the dash. I told the salesman that it was hard steering and the light was on, he told me that it was just low on fluid. I got home and did some checking to find that it's electric power steering. Is there a problem with the motor or what" I put down a $2000 deposit which they say is non refundable. Are they liable to fix it before I leave the lot or do I wait for a recall"
- New Milford, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a loss of power steering without warning. In addition, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was not available.
- Redmond, OR, USA
When I was driving, I heard alert from my car. Then I saw "power steering" on the screen. After that, I couldn't turn my power steering anymore. I only could drive straight ahead. It was dangerous, I felt lucky that it didn't happen on highways. My baby and my wife were in the car with me at that moment. I only saw GM recall 2009 and 2010 HHR, but not 2006. I hope GM will recall for 2006 HHR.
- New Orleans, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 20-60 mph, the power steering became extremely rough and the steering sensor illuminated. The steering wheel vibrated and became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
- Jenkins, KY, USA
This has been an ongoing problem with my 2006 HHR.I replaced solenoids and it stopped for a few years.I am sick of it I called Chevy years ago and they wanted me to pay to have it looked at with no guarantees, I already paid a mechanic hundreds and had a readout for them. I almost crashed into a semi truck exiting hwy one morning taking my daughter to school another exciting hwy also I have a list 2013/2014 now I was driving local and in the middle of turning power steering went out yet again. I was relaxed not ready for it...it has been going on off and on for years. I replaced fuse as told and I thought it fixed the problem for a few weeks nothing.I could put down at least 10 dates when I have had close calls with this problem... I have read 1000's of complaints on power steering problems & shifter with 2006 HHR on different sites. Why has nothing been done? amazing a big company can get away with this.they wait until a person loses their life before they do anything.
- Forney , TX, USA
I was taking my children to the dentist, so I was going to go over the mountain. I had just went through a very curvy road and was on a straight part when the power steering went out. I pulled over to see if I was leaking power steering fluid not realizing until later it is electronic. I turned the car of and back on. It was reset. I drove over the next part of the mountain slowly like 25 to 30 mph. I made it over the mountain on to the main highway. It went out again. I did the same thing pulled over turn the car off and on again. I did not get to drive but a couple of miles and it went out again. I made it to a country store and parked the car. I called my parents to see if they could come get us/ tow the car. They called the dealership who advised them that I drive the car back to them. Since I could not afford to pay to have it towed, I drove to the dealership. It went out again on the trip home 2 more times. I made it to the dealership taking the long way back not over the mountain. They could not find out if my car was on a recall list for the power steering. Since I am on the list for ignition problem, I am refusing to drive the car until it is fixed. My children and myself may have been killed or injured if the power steering had went out as I was driving over the mountain. Where I live the roads are curvy especially the mountain I went over! I really think the steering issue needs to be on recall before people are seriously hurt. The young generation have no experience driving without power steering and I thank the good lord I knew how to drive tractors without power steering.
- Covington, VA, USA
I was driving my 2006 Chevy HHR to the store and as I was pulling in the dash read power steering and my power steering went out. I stop the car in the parking lot of the store and went in. I came back out and started and had no problem. I did not drive my car the next day. So Monday I was headed for work and was going down the highway and my power steering did the same thing. And almost caused a wreck. I pulled off the highway and took it nice and slow to work and had my car towed to the dealership to have the recalls fixed. I got my car back today (Tuesday July 8, 2014) and was not three blocks away from the dealership and power steering did it again. I started looking around on the internet and see where there is a recall for 2009-2011 Chevy HHR that are doing the same thing as my car. However I did see that more 2006 Chevy Hhrs are doing the same thing and would like for to you look into the fact that this could be a recall also. I truly believe it is.
- Tecumseh, OK, USA
- Cobleskill, NY, USA