NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
424 reportsClear category filter15,100 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON THE 2008 MODEL YEAR, NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON 07-08 YEARS ALSO. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BRAKE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THE CALL WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS. BOTH ARE BROKEN ON MY CAR. BEEN TO MANY CHEVY HHR FORUMS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF YOU L…
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POWER STEERING GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON THE 2008 MODEL YEAR, NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON 07-08 YEARS ALSO. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BRAKE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF THE CALL WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOWS. BOTH ARE BROKEN ON MY CAR. BEEN TO MANY CHEVY HHR FORUMS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF YOU LOSE POWER YOU CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626840
58,858 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Steering
MY SON IS JUST LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE AND WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT PRACTICING. WE HEARD A DING AND THEN THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING. WE HAD LOST POWER STEERING. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS OK FOR JUST TWO MORE TURNS THEN GAVE US AN ERROR MESSAGE AGAIN. I KNOW GM ISSUED A RECALL N140…
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MY SON IS JUST LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE AND WE WERE IN A PARKING LOT PRACTICING. WE HEARD A DING AND THEN THERE WAS AN ERROR MESSAGE SAYING SERVICE POWER STEERING. WE HAD LOST POWER STEERING. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS OK FOR JUST TWO MORE TURNS THEN GAVE US AN ERROR MESSAGE AGAIN. I KNOW GM ISSUED A RECALL N140115 FOR SOME YEARS AND MODELS AND THEN A SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 14119 WHICH STATES MY YEAR. WHEN I CALLED CHEVY TO GET CLARIFICATION THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS. IF ALL OF THESE OTHER YEARS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WHY DO THEY NOT QUALIFY??? THE SERVICE BULLETIN JUST STATES NON TURBO ENGINE WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. BELOW PARAGRAPH IS FORM GM'S WEB SITE. SO WHY DO SOME OF US HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OTHERS DO NOT. IN ADDITION, 309,160 NON-TURBOCHARGED CHEVROLET HHRS FROM THE 2006-2008 MODEL YEARS (AND SEVERAL HUNDRED 2009 MODELS) AND 96,324 SATURN IONS FROM THE 2003 MODEL YEAR THAT ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THESE RECALLS WILL BE GIVEN LIFETIME WARRANTIES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR. GM BULLETIN 14119 COVERS THE FOLLOWING CARS WHERE GM DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. 2006-2008 AND EARLY PRODUCTION OF 2009 CHEVROLET HHR (NON-TURBO) 2003 SATURN ION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626120
120,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING WARNING CHIMED AND DISPLAYED ON DASH AND ALL POWER STEERING WENT AWAY MAKING VEHICLE HARD TO STEER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10626090
102,806 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
THE POWER STEERING FEELS STIFF NOT ABLE TO MAKE RIGHT TURNS WITHOUT THE STIFFNESS. POWER STEERING LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON SINCE THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. MY POWER STEERING IS ELECTRICAL AND FOR SOME REASON I BELIEVED THAT THE IGNITION RECALL MY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS NOT SURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10625915
107,340 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Steering
ON 8/12/2014 , I HAD THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ON MY 2007 HHR. ON 8/13/2014, WHILE DRIVING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF AN OUT OF TOWN MALL, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP.I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. I DROVE DIRE…
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ON 8/12/2014 , I HAD THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED ON MY 2007 HHR. ON 8/13/2014, WHILE DRIVING INTO THE PARKING LOT OF AN OUT OF TOWN MALL, MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP.I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. I DROVE DIRECTLY TO MY DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THEY SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THE STEERING ASSIST MOTORS BUT HE DID NOT THINK THEY WERE ON MY MODEL YEAR. HE LOOKED IT UP AND SAID MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. HE SAID IF THEY HAD ONE IN STOCK HE COULD HAVE ONE INSTALLED THE NEXT DAY AT MY EXPENSE. I HAD THE NEW MOTOR INSTALLED ON 8/14/2014, BUT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER 2007 HHR OWNERS, I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL REPLACEMENT. I WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK OF MY OR MY WIFE'S" SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622437
69,000 miles · Aug 11, 2014
Steering
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A VERY HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS CROSSING OVER A RIVER ON A BRIDGE. CHIMES SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DASH. CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, ESPECIALLY MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS FROM A STOP. THIS WAS THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER WHO STATED IT NEED…
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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A VERY HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AS I WAS CROSSING OVER A RIVER ON A BRIDGE. CHIMES SOUNDED AND POWER STEERING DISPLAYED ON DASH. CAR WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, ESPECIALLY MAKING LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS FROM A STOP. THIS WAS THE 1ST TIME IT HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER WHO STATED IT NEEDED TO BE IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEM TO BE DIAGNOSED. SINCE THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY USUALLY WHEN I AM GETTING OFF WORK, IT MAKES IT HARD TO TAKE IT IN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEED I AM TRAVELING HAS NO BEARING ON POWER STEERING GOING OUT. OVER THE LAST YEAR IT CONSISTENTLY GOES OUT WHEN THE WEATHER IS REALLY HOT, BUT I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM OVER THE WINTER. LIKE MOST EVERYONE HAS STATED, IF I TURN OFF THE IGNITION THE POWER STEERING WILL COME BACK ON FOR A SHORT WHILE, BUT IT ALWAYS GOES OUT AGAIN. IT IS JUST RIDICULOUS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AND YET THIS PROBLEM, ON THIS YEAR MODEL, DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COVERED UNDER ANY OF THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10621458
124,000 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY AT RANDOM TIME. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 M.P.H OR DRIVING THROUGH TOWN AT 35 M.P.H., EVEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY (WHICH IS NOT LONG)...POWER STEERING. FIRST HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE, AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A WHILE AND I ALMOST FORGOT ABO…
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POWER STEERING SHOWS ON THE DISPLAY AT RANDOM TIME. DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 M.P.H OR DRIVING THROUGH TOWN AT 35 M.P.H., EVEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY (WHICH IS NOT LONG)...POWER STEERING. FIRST HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE, AFTER ARRIVING HOME AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A WHILE AND I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT IT. BUT AS OF WEDNESDAY IT IS HAPPENING 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY. WOW! IT'S TERRIBLE TO TRY AND STEER WITHOUT POWER STEERING! I AM GOING TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC NEXT WEEK TO SEE ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED, LOOKING AT $400.00 @ THE DEALERSHIP AND I CANNOT AFFORD THAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10620784
60,000 miles · Aug 5, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10619049
68,700 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,700.
NHTSA ODI #10616898
87,000 miles · Jul 28, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10616775
Official recalls
4Apr 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> .
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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