10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 9 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 76,974 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 power just stop working, and a light said to get steering.
- Birch Run, MI, USA
On December 3, 2013 while I was driving to work I lost power steering on my 2008 HHR. I immediately pulled over. When I turn off the car and turn it back on, the power steering will work for a few minute before losing power again. I began to search the internet for a solution. I notice several blogs from HHR owners having the same problem. I call HHR customer service to see if there was a recall and I was told there was not. I have gotten an estimate on fixing the problem and was quoted approx. 850 dollars.
- Mcalpin, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering without any warning. The vehicle was driven cautiously with the recurring steering malfunction. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
- Wytheville, VA, USA
While driving out of my neighborhood the HHR shut off and I lost power steering & power brakes, forcing me onto the sidewalk. Luckily there was no cars parked along the street or anyone walking on the sidewalk. This has happen twice already within one month. Second time I was just pulling out of the parking lot.
- Plano, TX, USA
Power steering failed. At first it would go out but, when the car was restarted it would work again. Now it's just out. Very dangerous on the freeway!
- Renton, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle lost power steering with the power steering light illuminated. The steering wheel was hard to turn. Vehicle had to be turned off and restarted in order for the vehicle to function properly. The failure occurred six times over a period of a month. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who did not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 82,000. Updated 05/28/14
- Albany, GA, USA
I purchased my HHR 2008 new and only have 34400+ mileage as to this date, not hard on braking and 2013 the brakes were warped and I have it repaired. I experienced the problem with the ignition once, cannot turn off but after trying it eventually turned off after several try. This happened only once so I did no't take it to the dealer. Then my power steering went out while I was driving 40mph, I stopped the car and called the dealer and advice me to bring it in. The steering assist motor was replaced in 9/1/11. Then Nov. 19,2012 the rear side door will not close. My daughter have to drive while I was holding the door close, dealer replaced the internal lock door. Now I a'm having problem with the engine light warning on with the temperature gauge working sometimes. I took it to the dealer and they said that is was not on. So nothing was done. As I said it work sometimes and most of the time it was' not working. I will take it back to the dealer and hopefully it will stay on so they can check what's wrong with it.
- North Las Vegas, NV, USA
Became aware of loss of power steering at stop sign. Drove 1/4 mile, still no power steering and noticed instrument panel display readout "power steering". turned ignition off, restarted engine, power steering returned to normal a operation. Internet searches indicate intermittent power steering problems are common on the HHR. There have been recalls on similar models and recalls on the HHR in Canada. Why no recall in the us?
- Atlantic, IA, USA
Power steering went out.
- Birmingham, AL, USA
The power asst. For the steering stop working.
- Birch Run, MI, USA
Driving home and power steering went out while trying to make a turn. Continues to go out while driving and sometimes when you shut car off and restart it will work but not for long. Took to dealer and no real solution to problem given. Just told hit or miss on parts. I one doesn't work replace another. Car is garbage.
- Joliet, IL, USA
We have a 2008 Chevrolet HHR that the power steering randomly shuts off during driving, to remedy the issue you just have to turn the car off and back on again. After doing some research, it looks like this is a well documented issue with these cars and Chevrolet knows about it, however, even though the cobalts with the same part and issue have been recalled, they are not doing this for the HHR. It seems that until someone is hurt, they are not willing to do anything about the problem. Any help and/or advise would be greatly appreciated.
- Roanoke, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that when attempting the make a left or right turn or change lanes the power steering would intermittently fail without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was alerted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000 miles. The current mileage was 59,000.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Driving thru traffic in dallas, power steering light came on, car became very hard to steer. This is happening quite often now. I can pull over and turn vehicle off and resets, I called dealership said to check all my sensors. This is very dangerous and I'm starting to not even want to drive my car.
- Ball, LA, USA
I was driving my 2008 Chevrolet HHR and exiting off of I95 in jacksonville fl when all of a sunned my power steering (electric steering) whet out, as it quir operating there was a warning light that came on in my instrument panel that read "power steering", I pulled over and shut the vehicle off and consulted my owners manual and could find nothing there to help with what may be the cause. I started the vehicle back up and was going to try and just get it to my house which was only 5-6 miles away and when I started the vehicle back up the power steering was operating normal again so I thought maybe a fluke, as I continued to drive home all seemed fine until I was making a turn and it went out again in the middle of my turn nearly causing me to run in to another vehicle. I pulled over again and waited for traffic to clear and started it up again and the steering was again operating normal. The Chevrolet cobalt has the same electric steering motor as the HHR and had a recall as I understand according to the internet but there has not been one issued for the HHR yet although it is doing the same thing as the cobalt did. The steering on this vehicle is dangerous at best as you have no idea as to when you will loose power steering and run the risk of running in to some one.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Lost power steering and simultaneously saw a "power steering" message displayed on the driver's information center. Had a very difficult time steering the car in heavy traffic. Was able to reset the condition by shutting off the car and restarting, but the problem keeps recurring with regularity.
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 40 mph when the power steering assist failed and the steering sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where the contact was informed that no issues were found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000. Updated 03/12/14 updated 03/20/14
- Maple Shade, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 10 mph when the power steering assist failed. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
- Huntington , WV, USA
I was driving my vehicle when my power steering light came on and it made it hard for me to turn my wheel, once I pulled over and turned off my car, and turned it back on it was ok the light went off. But when I went to drive it again it did the same thing but eventually it got to the point where I couldn't drive it for the light coming on and the turning got worse.
- Augusta, GA, USA
- Birch Run, MI, USA