10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 68,800 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
You tell me that there are recalls on my 2010 Chevy HHR and when I call the Chevy dealer that I bought it from ( deery brother Chevrolet) in pleasanthill ia. And Chevrolet motors they tell me there are no recalls on my vehicle.
- Altoona, IA, USA
Lost power steering very hard to turn steering wheel.
- Norwalk, CA, USA
I placed a complaint here in February regarding the power steering motor going out. I had this happen to my 2010 Chevy HHR and the recall is only for the vehicles made in the us not in Mexico like mine was. Please have GM look into this. Under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000, in the letter section 573.6 (C)(5) states exactly what happened to my vehicle. Sounds like GM is not owning up to all the vehicles they installed cheap defective parts into. Thank you.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Since purchasing this vehicle as a rental return, there have been repeated incidents where the electronic stability control (ESC) activates while traveling straight on dry pavement at speeds between 15 and 30 mph. The vehicle briefly loses steering and pulls to the right while brake is involuntarily activated. After turning the car off and restarting, the car continues normally. Fortunately, this has not yet caused an accident. The dealer has variously attributed the problem to mismatched tires (replaced with all new), bad hubs (both replaced), bad speed sensors (replaced), bad alignment (fixed) and a wrongly calibrated steering position sensor (re-calibrated). The vehicle has been towed, repaired repeatedly, and the problem is back again. This needs to be elevated to a recall.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
The power steering assist went out on my HHR while driving down the road. I have seen hundreds of complaints online about this and feel that it should be a factory recall because it is a safety hazard. GM should appreciate their customers if they wish to keep us.
- Lake Wales, FL, USA
I own a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 75 mph in the fast lane on I-75N. The power steering sensor light had illuminated and the power steering suddenly malfunctioned making the steering wheel stiff and almost impossible to move. I was somehow able to safely across 3 lanes to off ramp, luckily immediately to the right was able to glide into a parking lot. Parked the vehicle and turned ignition off, checked all fluids under hood, read manual and advised to take keys out and restart. So I restarted the engine and the vehicle operated as normal, the warning signal was gone and wheel was moving. I reported this to GM immediately and have taken vehicle to dealership, where they do not seem to be acting as if this is urgent. They have stalled 2 days now without diagnosing, they will not provide me with a loaner vehicle and therefore I have no choice then to continue to drive the vehicle, knowing the severe threat it has to myself and others on the road. This car is a death trap. I have had numerous issues with this vehicle. I take it in for an issue atleast every other month. Also since steering issue have had the "air bag service" light has come on several times. Will have dealership check this malfunction out too. I think this means if my steering goes out and I crash, then I will not have an airbag to save me.. I call this car "christine"!! I am very upset that GM and the dealership do not handle this malfunction more seriously. Death trap!
- Wyandotte, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, the power steering warning light illuminated as the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was shut off and when restarted, the power steering assist resumed normally. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering motor was defective. The power steering motor was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 25,557. Updated 05/06/14 MA updated 05/09/2014
- Avana , FL, USA
Driving down the road, no noise or indication of a problem then power steering indicator came on. No power steering. Pulled over, turned off the car and checked under the hood. Everything was intact. Got back in, steering was working again. Maybe 2 minutes down the road and got the power steering warning again. Power steering was gone again. 4 year old car should not have this issue-would like to see recall.
- Crestview, FL, USA
I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the power steering light came on. I went to pull into a parking lot and the car hit a curb because the power steering shut off. I shut the car off and turned it back on and the power steering worked again. Started driving home and with in 5 miles it happened again. Drove it direct to the mechanic. They said it was the power steering motor.
- Syracuse, NY, USA
Power steering constantly goes off without warning. Resets after turning car off but goes out after a few minutes. Contacted Chevrolet for information on recall since there are hundreds of complaints about it. They said there isn't any available. Cobalt had recalls for the same issue and HHR have the same power steering motor. This is very dangerous and GM needs to do something about it before people get hurt.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
Power steering unit went out when driving without warning. Pulled HHR over to the curb to get the car off the road and damaged tire on curb. Car very hard to steer and could not control when pulling vehicle off road. This is a serious safety hazard especially for my wife who does not have the upper arm strength to control the vehicle. Same power steering unit in the Chevy Cruze and Pontiac G6 has been recalled. Do not understand why the HHR has not been included in the recall. Same problem reported on the internet by many other owners.
- Manchester, MO, USA
I was driving at approx 35 mph and the power steering went out. When I first turn the car on it works but for only about 10-20 seconds then goes off again. It is infuriating that it isn't covered in my warranty. The power steering motor needs to be recalled!!!
- Covina, CA, USA
On two occasions within the 3yr/36,000mile warranty, the ESC and antilock temporarily went out with dashboard notification. No ESC problems since, so it was not taken to dealership. In the meantime, we have a power steering problem that only occurred once during the warranty period at 35,000 miles. Now, at 40,000, the problem has worsened so the power steering fails every trip. The car steers hard when this occurs, obviously. Restarting the car resolves the problem for a few minutes.
- Lake Orion, MI, USA
I have been having issues with the power steering light coming on the dash as I am driving. It occurs randomly, but after reading several websites I am very concerned that this is a common problem that needs to be addressed and a recall issued. Once I turn off the car, and turn it back on the steering wheel softens from its previous rigid state. I never know when it might occur and that is disturbing. Through research I have found that this is the same system that is in the Chevy cobalt and a recall was issued, so why not the HHR? it appears that a lot of consumers are experiencing this and we need corrective action!!!
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, there was a loss of power steering in addition to the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle continued in operation with force being applied to the steering wheel. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Washington, DC, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering warning lamp illuminated as the engine was powered on. The power steering assist also failed while the contact was driving 35 mph. The contact powered off the vehicle and the steering began to function properly once restarted. The vehicle was not taken for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 2/26/14
- Tarboro, NC, USA
I, was driving on the fwy!lucky on the exit at ramona blvd from the 605 fwy my car power wheel star to turning hard to turn right and the light on the panel show power steering and lucky me! I, manage to turned very hard but, I did turn the wheel and park my car on shoulder, I, turn off the car and turned on again and the wheel turn soft again!so I, cut drive safe to my home from there!!but I am afraid going to the fwy again!!this happen 01_14_2014 please give to me any feedback from this matter!!scare driver..( this is the third time happen) I am afraid to something happens to me!!!
- Baldwin Park, CA, USA
Steering went out all at once while rounding curves became hard to keep from wrecking or to move to shoulder of road.
- Loudon, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the power steering suddenly failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the power steering motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000....updated 03/07/14
- Dallas, TX, USA
- Chandler, AZ, USA