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
I have a 2008 Chevy HHR, and have had to do quite a bit of research to find out what the real issue here is. There are a lot of complaints on other web sites about the intermediate steering shaft going out every few thousand miles. The problem is, that no dealership can seem to diagnose the "clunking" noise coming from the drivers side front wheel and steering column. However the few shops that have figured it out are having to re-replace the part constantly. GM has re-designed the part for other vehicles but not the HHR. Mine has been replaced every 10,000 miles, 4 times now and it wears out after about 10K. GM should create a better one for the HHR and offer a recall since their part is defective.
- Mobile, AL, USA
2008 Chevy HHR with intermittent power steering failure. Chevy cobalt had a recall on the same power steering motor HHR uses, why is there no recall on HHR"?"!!!
- Port Charlotte, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the steering power failed causing limited steering capabilities. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and diagnosed that the power steering motor was faulty. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that the part was part of a recall for another model but not for her particular year vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 87,849 and current mileage was 88,000.
- Arvada, CO, USA
My 2008 HHR looses power steering while turning, then suddenly returns power causing to oversteer. This is a sever safety issue as it is a come and go type problem, I do not drive during inclement weather fearing body damage to persons and vehicles other than myself. I have taken to dealer only to be told we can not determine the problem as it is intermittent. Also the tire pressure display is on even tho all tire pressure is correct, not sure if they are related to "electric" power steering. Would like this as a record if any persons are injured or worse killed due to the possible short circuit in powersteering. How many people have to leave the vehicles at home after spending all their money on them for this to be a recall?
- West Monroe, LA, USA
I have a 2008 Chevrolet HHR that has the identical power steering system as the cobalt that has been recalled, however GM has not recalled the HHR for some reason. I am now having the identical problems with my Chevy HHR power steering as reported with the cobalt. In the past few days the power steering has failed 6 times, including once on a highway, traveling 55 miles an hour between semis. It was quite scary. I took the car in for an oil change and asked that they check the power steering fluid and it was there at the jiffy lube that I was informed that the car did not take power steering fluid and that there was a recall on some Chevy for this problem. I have heard nothing about the HHR but I see from searching there are several other people like me posting blogs and comments about their problem.
- Bartlett, IL, USA
Chevrolet HHR is not listed on this site! please update your vehicle listing. My 2008 Chevrolet HHR is having several problems, it contains the same power steering pump as the Chevy cobalt which was recalled yet no recall has been issued for the Chevy HHR. Same symptoms as the cobalt. Power steering failure message on the driver information display. Please help. Chevrolet is taking the cheap way out and putting lives at risk.
- Greenfield Center, NY, USA
Brake rotors warped and the car would shake with such a severe force controlling the car was very hard. After the dealer replaced four sets, before the car had 50,000 miles on it, the dealer told me that the brake pads were worn out and that would cause this to happen again. Just before the last rotors were, replaced the electric power steering would cease working and effectively hinder our ability to steer the car. The electric power steering is still a problem daily at different times. I am going to check into the repair process soon. I feel that this problem is caused by the rotors warping and shaking the front end equipment of the HHR. In closing, I replaced the pads and they were not worn out. I kept them for future reference.
- Fairfield, OH, USA
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) hi, [xxx], I have a HHR from Chevrolet, it has all the same power steering issues than cobalt and Pontiac G5, that have been recalled for this issues, me and a thousands of owners of Hhrs have the same problems, power steering suddenly just went off and is very hard to steer, I have to turn off my car and then turn on to solve this problem, but suddenly after 8 to 15 minutes occurs again and it is dangerous, because the steering is very hard to steer, I think this is a safety issue, and I know the power steering is the same as a G5 and cobalt, why the HHR was not included" can you please provide me some response" [xxx]
- Dallas, 00, USA
My 2008 HHR has 45000 miles and is a year and half old. The ignition locked up and I can place my key into the ignition but not turn on. I called road side assistance and since I have more miles than the warranty, I have to pay over $600 to get a problem fixed that seems to happen to a lot of people. I was a Chevy guy, however I know now that since many are having this problem and have to pay for it themselves. I will never pay another Chevy. Poor quality and poor customer service.
- Fort Smith, AR, USA
The power steering in my 2008 Chevrolet HHR fails often. The power steering light will come on and then my power steering is gone. This happens sometimes several times a day and then will not happen sometimes for several days. There is no particular time it happens. Sometimes I am just driving along and it has even happened when I am stopped at a red light.
- Canton, GA, USA
I also own a 2008 Chevy HHR lt that is loaded. I purchased this vehicle brand new and currently have 39,000 miles on it. I have had nothing but trouble with this vehicle. I have had all of the following problems and GM replaced some of them. GM installed a new intermediate steering column, drag links, turned rotors 4 times and right side upper ball joint. After the warranty expired, the brakes once again went to hell in a hand basket. I ordered a set of racing rotors and ceramic brakes, this cured the brake problem. At 37,000 miles, the check engine light came on and I had it checked out and it was the cam sensor. I replaced the sensor and reset the light and it did not fix the problem. I really like the vehicle, but GM needs to do their homework and do more research and development.
- Poca, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet HHR. While the vehicle was traveling 55 mph with the cruise control engaged the vehicle suddenly shut off, causing the contact to coast the vehicle to a stop. Also in a separate incident, while the contact was attempting to make a U-turn traveling at a speed of 8 mph he noticed that the power steering light had appeared on the dashboard. Moments later the power steering no longer functioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for both incidents where the contact was informed that neither failure could be reproduced. The failure mileage was 52000 and the current mileage is 56000.
- Brookings, OR, USA
No crashes, 22000 miles on the car. Heard this noise for about 2000 miles before I took it in. 1. front end suspension popping noise 2. they told me that intermediate steering shaft needed replaced. Three weeks later, I will have to take it back again this week. The problem has come back.
- Douglasville, GA, USA
- Inkster, MI, USA