NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
458 reportsClear category filter119,955 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Steering
WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE WARNING ALARM DINGED AND POWER STEERING APPEARED ON THE NOTIFICATION WINDOW. POWER STEERING WAS SUDDENLY NOT THERE, JUST AS I WAS ENTERING A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH LANE REALIGNMENT. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WORKED. IT STAYED…
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WHILE DRIVING, SUDDENLY THE WARNING ALARM DINGED AND POWER STEERING APPEARED ON THE NOTIFICATION WINDOW. POWER STEERING WAS SUDDENLY NOT THERE, JUST AS I WAS ENTERING A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WITH LANE REALIGNMENT. I PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR A MINUTE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT, THE POWER STEERING WORKED. IT STAYED FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE ERROR RETURNED. THIS PATTERN REPEATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR AMOUNT OF TURNS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH TO PREPARE ME FOR A CALL TO THE MECHANIC ON MONDAY SHOWED THIS SEEMS TO BE A NOT-UNCOMMON ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568082
71,000 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER RESTARTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITH THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER RESTARTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #10567433
70,271 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Air BagsSteering
I TOOK MY 2006 HHR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY CAR HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE DESCRIBED, BUT I WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY HHR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHILE OTHERS ARE. I DID NOT SEE WHERE THERE WAS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN…
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I TOOK MY 2006 HHR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. MY CAR HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE DESCRIBED, BUT I WAS TOLD THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY HHR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHILE OTHERS ARE. I DID NOT SEE WHERE THERE WAS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN SOME 2006 HHR AND OTHERS. THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT IN MY VEHICLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567431
80,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Steering
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU COFFEE SHOP. AFTER RECEIVING MY ORDER AND DROVE OFF, I LOST MY POWER STEERING. MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. THANKFULLY, I ONLY LIVE A COUPLE OF MILES AWAY, THOUGH DRIVING HOME WAS DIFFICULT. WHILE TURNING ON ONE STREET, I ALMOST HIT A CAR, …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU COFFEE SHOP. AFTER RECEIVING MY ORDER AND DROVE OFF, I LOST MY POWER STEERING. MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND I CONTINUED DRIVING HOME. THANKFULLY, I ONLY LIVE A COUPLE OF MILES AWAY, THOUGH DRIVING HOME WAS DIFFICULT. WHILE TURNING ON ONE STREET, I ALMOST HIT A CAR, AS IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT MAKING A TURN. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WHICH WILL COST ME 312.00 DOLLARS. I AM UPSET THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ADMIT TO THE FAULTY MOTOR, AS I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566931
92,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Steering
THE POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT. IF YOU TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN TURN THE IGNITION BACK ON THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK ON. THE POWER STEERING WILL JUST GO OUT RANDOMLY.WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWERSTEERING MODULE…
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THE POWER STEERING JUST GOES OUT. IF YOU TURN THE IGNITION OFF THEN TURN THE IGNITION BACK ON THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK ON. THE POWER STEERING WILL JUST GO OUT RANDOMLY.WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOT. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT'S THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWERSTEERING MODULE. COST OF REPAIR WILL BE ABOUT 1100 DOLLARS. 2006 HHR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566249
140,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Steering
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL TURN ON. ON WARMER DAYS IT STAYS OF AND ON COLD DAYS IT WILL CYCLE ON AND OFF. CHEVY RECALLED TWO OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME FRAME STYLE. COBALT AND PONTIAC G6. MY HHR IS NOT ON THE LIST. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO RUN POSITION ON COLD DAYS. HAVE TO …
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ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT WILL TURN ON. ON WARMER DAYS IT STAYS OF AND ON COLD DAYS IT WILL CYCLE ON AND OFF. CHEVY RECALLED TWO OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME FRAME STYLE. COBALT AND PONTIAC G6. MY HHR IS NOT ON THE LIST. IGNITION WILL NOT TURN TO RUN POSITION ON COLD DAYS. HAVE TO WIGGLE AND PLAY WITH KEY FOR MINUTES TO TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566244
125,000 miles · Feb 23, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
MY CAR STARTED GIVING ME A CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. I HAD IT CHECKED, WITH NO FINDINGS. THE CAR STOPPED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, YET ALWAYS CHECK OUT OKAY. THE LAST TIME THE BATTERY WAS SHORTED, SO I REPLACED IT. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE IT STARTED UP FINE AND DI…
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MY CAR STARTED GIVING ME A CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. I HAD IT CHECKED, WITH NO FINDINGS. THE CAR STOPPED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES, YET ALWAYS CHECK OUT OKAY. THE LAST TIME THE BATTERY WAS SHORTED, SO I REPLACED IT. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR STOPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE IT STARTED UP FINE AND DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING ON DIAGNOSTIC. WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP IT STARTED AND THEN SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, IT STARTED UP, THEN STARTED SMOKING AND SHORTED OUT THE NEW COMPUTER. I WANT TO NOTE THAT APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND SHORTED OUT THE CHARGING SYSTEM, TWICE. IT WAS REPAIRED AT CHEVROLET IN BAKERSFIELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565519
21,000 miles · Feb 19, 2014
Steering
MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS LEAVING A PARKING GARAGE. MY DRIVING WAS GREATLY IMPAIRED ON THE WAY HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565046
56,000 miles · Feb 15, 2014
Steering
WHEN DRIVING AFTER MAKING A TURN THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THIS OCCURS ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2005 CHEVY HHR'S FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MOTOR GOING OUT I THINK IT SHOULD APPLY TO THE 2006 MODEL BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564496
139,300 miles · Feb 8, 2014
Steering
STEERING ASSIST WENT OUT. MESSAGE ON DASH DISPLAY ALERTED ME AS WELL. COULD RESTART THE CAR, AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MANY HHR'S, AND COBALTS, AND THE COBALT HAS A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10563538
Official recalls
5Apr 10, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "Off" position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission, if the parking brake is not engaged and the transmission is not in the "Reverse" position. This potential for rollaway increases the risk for a crash and occupant or pedestrian injuries.
Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. For vehicles that were built with the redesigned ignition cylinder or had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will cut and, if necessary, re-learn two ignition/door keys for each vehicle. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Chevrolet owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac owners at 1-800-762-2737, and Saturn owners at 1-800-553-6000. General Motors' number for this recall is 14113 for the ignition lock cylinder and key replacement, and 14133 for only key replacements. Note: Until a vehicle has been remedied, owners and operators are advised that when exiting, to be sure that the vehicle is in "Park," or in the case of a manual transmission, that the vehicle is in the "Reverse" position and the parking brake is engaged.
Feb 10, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on February 10, 2014 that they are recalling 619,122 model year 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt, and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles. On February 25, 2014, GM increased the recall to include an additional 748,024 model year 2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR and Pontiac Solstice vehicles and 2003-2007 Saturn Ion vehicles and 2007 Saturn Sky vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. On March 27, 2014, GM notified the agency that the defective ignition switches may have been used as service replacement parts on other vehicles, and as a result GM will be recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, Saturn Sky, and Pontiac G5 and Solstice, and 2008-2011 Chevrolet HHR vehicles. The part numbers for the service parts are 10392423 (a/k/a ACDelco D1461F), 10392737, 15857948, 15854953, 15896640, and 25846762. This expansion represents an additional 823,788 vehicles.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later vehicles will be mailed an interim letter on April 21, 2014. All affected owners will receive another letter once parts are available. The recall began on April 18, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for the initial recall is 13454 and 14063 for the expansion. GMs recall number for the vehicles that may have received the replacement parts is 14092. Note: Until the recall repairs have been performed, it is very important that customers remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the vehicle key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Always wear your seatbelt.
Sep 3, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 296,422 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THE DOOR ON THE STORAGE BIN IN THE TOP CENTER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AS REQUIRED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: A REDESIGNED LATCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Jan 30, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 181,516 MY 2006-2008 CHEVROLET HHR VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ROOF RAIL AIR BAGS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, 'OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT.' IN TESTS, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE HEAD IMPACT PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ENERGY-ABSORBING PLASTIC PIECE TO THE HEADLINER TRIM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Oct 31, 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY BUILT WITH CLOTH SEATS THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC AIR BAG PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM AND LATER REUPHOLSTERED WITH AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVER KITS ARE INVOLVED. TESTING HAS INDICATED THAT THE AFTERMARKET LEATHER SEAT COVERS CAN CAUSE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, THE FRONT AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MAY BE DISABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED, OR ENABLED WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED. IN EITHER CASE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT REQUIRES AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A FRONT PASSENGER'S LEVEL OF INJURY MAY BE INCREASED.
Remedy: BECAUSE A REPLACEMENT LEATHER SEAT COVER THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) WILL REPURCHASE THESE VEHICLES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS STATED IN GM'S LETTER TO OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-877-477-1022 TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPURCHASING THEIR VEHICLE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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