8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $600
- Average Mileage:
- 88,150 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 25 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (21 reports)
- replace power steering motor (3 reports)
- replace steering column module (1 reports)
Replaced the power steering motor on HHR 2008. It keeps failing after driving a few miles and getting worse. Shut off engine working fine for another couple of miles then fails again. Whatever it is, it wasn't the power steering motor and getting fed up replacing parts that don't need to be replace and costing more money.
- Willis V., jeanerette, US
I have an appointment With BOB Howard Automobile. The power steering locked on April 2, 2018 when my daughter was trying to make a right hand turn. We had to go straight instead of turning when we came to a red light on 63th street in Oklahoma City. My daughter, myself and her 3 year old son were in the car. We stopped in a School parking lot. The door handle to the driver side of the car broke off. This is dangerous when you are driving. What if we would have had an accident. Thank god it was not one.
- Barbara L., OKLAHOMA, OK, US
This repair (code C0550 and internal fault in steering module) is not covered by any recall or other warranty. The steering column with module must be replaced. The vehicle is not safe to drive without the repair, as the power steering can fail at any time. The Chevrolet dealer told me the part itself costs $605.00. I'll bet there's a hefty markup on that. I don't understand why GM has not recalled the 2008 Chevy HHR for this issue, as there are many complaints about it on the internet and the repair is expensive. Very dissatisfied with GM about this!
- Kathleen B., Buford, US
Very unsafe. Scared the hell out of me in a turn. Steering wheel locked. Had to jerk to complete turn.
I have a 1969 Buick with 165,000 miles with manual steering. Have no issues. Haven't even replaced the tie rods/ball joints. Have replaced all on HHR.
- Lester C., Kinston, NC, US
ON OCT. 2, 2016 FORTUNATELY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND SUDDENLY MY POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I TURNED OFF ENGINE AND WAITED A MINUTE AND STARTED CAR, POWER STEERING WORKED. TRAVELED ONE BLOCK AND STEERING SHUT DOWN AGAIN. FORTUNATELY I HAPPENED TO BE ONLY TWO BLOCKS FROM HOME. REPEATED THIS 4 TIMES BEFORE GETTING HOME. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS IT'S OBVIOUS GMC HAS AN HHR STEERING SHUT DOWN PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED NUMEROUS VEHICLES MOSTLY GMC AND NEVER OWNED A CAR WHERE POWER STEERING KEEPS SHUTTING DOWN. I ONLY HAVE 69,510 MILES ON MY 2008 HHR VEHICLE. VERY DANGEROUS! HOPEFULLY GMC WILL STAND BEHIND THIS PROBLEM.
Update from Oct 4, 2016: On OCT 3, 2016 I HAD MY 2008 HHR TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AT NO COST WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I WOULD URGE EVERYONE WHO HAS A 2008 HHR TO CONTACT THE CHEVEROLET DEALERSHIP AND PROVIDE THEM WITH THE VIN #. THE VIN NUMBER REVEALED IF THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM MAY BE COVERED.
- rgreb, Sioux Falls, SD, US
I have heard so many people having the same issue. Was advised the car could become inflamed, if persists. I need more information and if this is on a recall.
- Yvonne C., Miami, FL, US
Just paid $120 to replace battery and went for a drive. While turning power steering stopped working and almost caused an accident. As I'm disabled I'm having medical issues without the power steering working so I'm unable to drive my vehicle.
I see there has been a recall on the 2009@2010 huts for the same reason. There have been close to 300 or more complaints on the 3008 hhr. What's it going to take..a death before GM recalls this model also?
- Catherine B., Hutchinson, US
The Cobalt model was recalled for this problem, so why not the HHR? What is the matter GM, to many recalls? I used to be a test driver for you, and I know exactly why you have problems.....a little inside knowledge.....So please can you also recall this the motor is exactly the same one on the HHR. I can't afford to replace this, it is a parts problem so it is in your court.
- royalscot, Colorado Springs, CO, US
After we had the recalls done on the ignition, which is electrical, about two days later we were driving down the road with are grand kids in the, and all of a sudden the power steering went out on the dam car. I called the dealer to let them know about it and the answer we got was that has nothing to do with what we done in your car and if you want that problem fixed, we would have to pay for a diagnostic and the repair. Pretty dam funny that we never had any problems until they screwed with the dam electrical then we have all this sh*t happening sure makes people want to buy another f*cking Chevrolet especially after we even called the manufacturer and got nowhere really good customer service.
- tomclimer, Joshua, TX, US
Power steering constantly shuts down, causing me to rant, rave, and drive my wife bonkers. I insist that if a car is built to perform a function, then it should do it. Otherwise, leave it off and tell me the car can't do it. More of a PITA so far, but could be hazardous or fatal if my wife were driving when it occurred.
- chradusa, Conyers, GA, US
THIS HAS BEEN A TRYING TIME FOR ME. I LIVE PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK BUT WITH THE GRACE OF GOD I'M MAKING IT.
TO THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT DALLAS HAD A VERY BAD WINTER STORM, ROADS WERE FROZEN OVER AND VERY HARD TO DRIVE...I WAS ALREADY HAVING A HARD TIME DRIVING TO WORK BUT I HAD TO GET THERE, CAN'T MISS MY MONEY, THAT'S HOW I SURVIVE, AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I SLID AND MY CAR SPUN ABOUT 2 TIMES. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH, SO SCARED I HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK TO TOW ME TO WORK. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING OR ANYONE.
THIS PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING SCARED ME STRAIGHT. I SLEEP AT MY JOB FOR 2 DAYS UNTIL THE ROADS STARTED TO CLEAR UP. OK NOW IT'S WINTER AGAIN AND THE FREAKING POWER STEERING KEEPS GOING OUT EVERY BUMP, POT HOLE, UP HILL, IT JUST WON'T STOP LOCKING UP ON ME. SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY PULLED THE SO CALL RECALL ON IT AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO THE CHEVY HOUSE AND THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE. SO I DID GET THERE, SHOW THEM THE RECALL FOR THIS, AND THEY TOOK MY VIN AND SAID YOUR CAR ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THIS PROBLEM ONLY FOR THE KEY SWITCH. SO I LET IT GO AND LET THEM FIX THE KEY.
YESTERDAY I TOOK MY CAR FOR TUNE UP AND LOW AND BEHOLD THEY TELL ME THE SAME THING ABOUT THIS RECALL. I TOLD THEM THAT WHAT THE CHEVY HOUSE TOLD ME, HE WOULD CHECK ON IT FOR ME. THROUGH A FRIEND THAT WORK'S FOR CHEVY, AND THE MAN SAID THAT OTHER CHEVY SERVICE CENTERS WILL NOT TELL YOU THAT THEY HAVE AN SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT COVERS THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, REGARDLESS OF THE OWNERSHIP.
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. DON'T LET THEM FOUL Y'ALL . THE IDEM NUMBER IS #14119. THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP TRIED TO TELL ME THIS SAME THING AGAIN UNTIL I TOLD THE INFORMATION I WAS GIVEN, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU WITH A CAR FROM THE WORST CAR DEALERSHIP EVERRRRRRRRRRR!!!
- brandietx, Lewisville, TX, US
In the middle of the WORST ice storm we've seen(so far this winter) the power steering on my 2008 Chevy HHR just goes out! I'm having a hard enough problem driving in the ice and now THIS. I just barely made it home. I have had more problems with this car than ANY other car I have ever owned. The struts are garbage and make a clunking sound whenever its cold out, the ignition locked up on me in the ON position, the turn signal won't cancel, and now THIS with the power steering. God only knows what's next. One thing is for sure, I will NEVER buy another GM car as long as I live.
- Dustin P., Lubbock, TX, US
I drive mountain roads every day. Today, my power steering shut off on a mountain curve and the Power Steering Alert light came on. Had to shut off the engine and restart for it to work again, but only for about one mile before it happened again. I was able to able to control the vehicle, but what if my wife had been driving (its her car).
The HHR has only 49,000 miles on it. Judging from the number of complaints on the internet, I am furious that GM has not put out a recall for the 2008 HHR's. Was considering buying a new Chevy Equinox but now I'm going to have second thoughts based on all the recent recall problems with GM.
I'm still waiting after three months to have my HHR ignition replaced!!
- Timothy S., Ot Springs, VA, US
MY POWER STEERING GOES OUT ALL THE TIME. I HAVE HAD IT GO OUT AS MANY AS 12 TIMES WITHIN A 1 MILE RADIUS. THEY JUST FIXED THE IGNITION BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT THIS, THEY'RE TELLING ME MY CAR ISN'T ON THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM!!! REALLY!!!!
GM SURE DOES SUCK, THEY WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO BE KILLED OR HURT BADLY BEFORE THEY TAKE ANY ACTION.
- mamiof7, Auburn, ME, US
POWER STEERING is very important and seems as though I'm not the only one out there that has this problem! I am 6'2" tall and weigh 260lbs. in good shape, and for the life of me when the power steering goes out it's worse than driving a full fledged semi-truck trying to steer the car. I can't help but think how hard it is (no a fence to ladies) for the women to steer this car when the power steering goes into error. I called the dealer, the service rep told me that the 2008 HHR is not on recall yet but give it a month and it should be. Other models with the same type of steering controls are on recall but not the HHR. I have an appointment this Tuesday for the ignition switch recall and I am going to tell them that I want the car back with the power steering operating, shame on you GENERAL MOTORS, I have owned your products for the last 40+years and currently I own seven general Motors vehicles...
I've paid my dues, now it's time to represent your constituency...
- kurzyniec, Canton, MI, US
On Aug. 25th, I had a car accident which involved my power steering. I called the cops. It was happening not often then, every few seconds the light on my dash board comes on and it cuts off. I called GM but they said that there wasn't a recall on it.
- Janet F., Elkton, MD, US
Driving on a county road had to turn a sharp right turn in the road....it was like going back in the day without power steering. It just took me by surprise and with a good effort for me, I made the turn. Good thing no cars were coming as I crossed the center some. Then when I got home & looked for a visual problem that's when I found out I have electric assist on my steering. When the car was started again everything works. This is the electrical world. Other than the typical front brake problems been a good auto.
- haroldbarnett, Lenexa, KS, US
I think it should be a recall ,because there have been lots of complaints and it is going to cost me a lot of money to get it fixed. the part by itself cost over 600.00.
- Stephanie R., Garner, NC, US
You start the car, go, and the power steering warning lights up on the dash. Yes, if you stop and shut the car off it will go off. I had on-star checked, they show no problem with power steering. But if it's cold out it works find with no problem at all. But if it's hot out the power steering stays lit up. All I know is Chevy needs to get off there butts and do recalls on these before it comes down to people getting killed in car accidents due to the power steering problems. D. Lawson North Fort Myers, Florida
- Debbie L., North Fort Myers, FL, US
Driving along and power steering failed, went into store, came out , power steering worked fine . Driving along and failed again.
Update from Jun 7, 2019: Called Dealership and they found a special warrenty on the power steering elect motor. Took it in and got repaired for no charge.
- William F., Crestview, FL, US