2006 CHEVY HHR POWER STEERING IS FAILING. (STUTTERS ON AND OFF) *CN
2006 Chevrolet Hhr
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Hhr do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 565.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Hhr years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
843 reports with mileage · 163 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 458 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 222 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
458 reportsTO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I RECENTLY HAD REPAIR WORK DONE ON MY WIFE'S 2006 HHR LT2. THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WAS THAT SHE WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE POWER STEERING WITH A WARNING CHIME AND A NOTIFICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS WOULD BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. I WASTED LITTLE TIME AND HAD IT TESTED AT CL…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I RECENTLY HAD REPAIR WORK DONE ON MY WIFE'S 2006 HHR LT2. THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WAS THAT SHE WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE POWER STEERING WITH A WARNING CHIME AND A NOTIFICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS WOULD BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. I WASTED LITTLE TIME AND HAD IT TESTED AT CLASSIC CHEVROLET IN SUGAR LAND,TX. THEY SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS FAULTY. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT. NOW I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG GM CUSTOMER AND I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS EXPENSE, NOT ONLY WAS IT A FAILURE UNASSOCIATED TO NEGLECT BUT IT WAS ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO HIGHLY DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB BY MANY OTHER HHR OWNERS. AFTER GM ANNOUNCED THE RECALL OF 1.3MIL VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE HHR WAS NOT LISTED YET BUT THE CHEVY COBALT AND PONTIAC G5 WERE. THE HHR SHARES THE SAME POWER STEERING MOTOR AS THE COBALT AND G5. GM PART # 20763801. JTEKT NORTH AMERICA IS THE PRODUCER OF THIS MOTOR. FROM WHAT I DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET, GM HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST JTEKT IN RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS STILL UNCLEAR TO ME HOW GM HAS NOT INCLUDED THIS MODEL IN THERE RECALL. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BY CHEVROLET FOR MY EXPENSES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESUME FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE POWER STEERING WILL SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE POWER STEERING TO RESUME FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT TIME OF COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500. UPDATED 06/17/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL AT ANY SPEED, ANYTIME AND ANY PLACE. UPDATED 06/30/10.*JB
CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING. 3 DEALERS TRIED TO REPAIR ON 18/MAY06, 26JAN09, 3MAR10, NOISE STILL THERE. WAITING ON PARTS THIS DATE FOR ANOTHER "FIX". *TR
WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD A CHIME AND NOTICED THE POWER STEERING CAME ON OUR CAR. IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WE CAN STILL TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT WAS JUST DIFFICULT. *TR
POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. 2006 CHEVROLET HHR POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE BEING DRIVEN. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR THE TIME BEING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. HHR SHARES SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITH THE CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. W…
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POWER STEERING FAILURE DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. 2006 CHEVROLET HHR POWER STEERING FAILS WHILE BEING DRIVEN. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING WILL REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR THE TIME BEING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES. HHR SHARES SEVERAL COMPONENTS WITH THE CHEVROLET COBALT WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WILL HHR BECOME PART OF THE RECALL? *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE DRIVER STATED THAT AS SHE DROVE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. THE DRIVER STATED THAT AS SHE DROVE THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STRUGGLED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
I HAVE A 2006 CHEVY HHR. EVERYTIME I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I LESS THAN A MINUTE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. THE LIGHT COMES ON. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND CONSIDERING IT IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY VEHICLE I WORRY ABOUT HER BECAUSE MY SON IN WITH HER OFTEN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED OVER 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM WOULD CHIME THREE TIMES AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL IMMEDIATELY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HARD AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UTILIZE BOTH HANDS AND EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO CONTROL IT. THE MANUFAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED OVER 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING ALARM WOULD CHIME THREE TIMES AND THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL IMMEDIATELY. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HARD AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO UTILIZE BOTH HANDS AND EXTREME BODILY FORCE TO CONTROL IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS SINCE THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,270.
WHY ISN'T THE HHR BEING RECALLED AS WELL AS THE COBALT, AS THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME STEERING COMPONENTS? *TR
Official recalls
514V171000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 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.
14V047000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:ignition:switch
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.
08V444000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
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> .
08V046000 · Air Bags
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> .
06V417000 · Air Bags:frontal
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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