NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
424 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 15, 2013
Steering
TWICE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON AUGUST 13TH, 2013. BOTH TIMES, THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHED "POWER STEERING" AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN A PARKING LOT BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE SECOND TIME WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A CANYON ROAD. BOTH TIMES I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, …
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TWICE MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON AUGUST 13TH, 2013. BOTH TIMES, THE CONTROL PANEL FLASHED "POWER STEERING" AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN A PARKING LOT BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE SECOND TIME WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON A CANYON ROAD. BOTH TIMES I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTARTED IT. AFTER A RESTART THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND AVOID THE OTHER CARS THAT WERE AROUND, BUT IF THIS KEEPS OCCURRING IT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD AND DUE TO A FAULTY POWER STEERING MOTOR WHICH HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT THE HHR. CHEVY NEEDS TO RECALL THE HHR POWER STEERING MOTOR FOR THE SAFETY OF HHR DRIVERS AND THE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD AROUND THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535628
77,600 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Steering
I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND GM IS AWARE OF IT BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RECALL THE CHEVY HHR. THEY ARE RECALLING THE CHEVY COBALT WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, OVERHEATING OF THE POWER STEERING MOTOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535289
90,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Steering
WHILE TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET NEAR MY HOME THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I NEARLY DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME. THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON THE NEXT FEW TIMES I DROVE THE CAR, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO FA…
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WHILE TURNING ONTO A BUSY STREET NEAR MY HOME THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. I NEARLY DROVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY JUST IN TIME. THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK ON THE NEXT FEW TIMES I DROVE THE CAR, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENTLY CONTINUED TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AROUND 75% OF THE TIMES I WOULD DRIVE. I LEARNED FROM REVIEWING OTHER SAFETY COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM KNOWN TO GM, AND THAT THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WAS RECALLED IN THE CHEVY COBALT FOR THIS VERY FAILURE BUT NOT THE HHR, DESPITE BEING THE SAME FAULTY COMPONENT. I JUST PAID OVER $1000 FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR AND STEERING COLUMN (ANOTHER KNOWN FAULTY PART TO GM). IT SEEMS RECKLESS TO ME THAT GM WOULD NOT RECALL A KNOWN BAD PART THAT CAN LEAD TO SAFETY HAZARDS. WHILE I WANT TO REMAIN A GM CUSTOMER, THIS EXPERIENCE IS MAKING ME RETHINK THAT DECISION WHEN IT COMES TIME TO REPLACE THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534305
71,000 miles · Aug 6, 2013
Steering
I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG IN A PARKING LOT AN D POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING, WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AGAIN IT WAS WORKING, ONCE I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AT ABOUT 45MPH IT DID THE SAME THING AND HAS BEEN DOING IT EVERYDAY NOW, IT FIRST HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AGO AND BECAME MORE FREQUEN…
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I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG IN A PARKING LOT AN D POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN I HAD NO POWER STEERING, WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON AGAIN IT WAS WORKING, ONCE I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AT ABOUT 45MPH IT DID THE SAME THING AND HAS BEEN DOING IT EVERYDAY NOW, IT FIRST HAPPENED 2 WEEKS AGO AND BECAME MORE FREQUENT LAST FRIDAY. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AS WITH NO POWER STEERING YOU CAN STILL STEER BUT IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH, I CHECKED THE GUIDE AND IT SAID NO REGULAR MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533819
88,000 miles · Aug 2, 2013
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrash
ON AUGUST 28, 2012, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WE WENT ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IT BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. ON 8/30/2012, WE TOOK IT TO A GM GARAGE AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A REMAN. POWERING STEERING MOTOR, GIVING US A ONE YEAR/12,000 …
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ON AUGUST 28, 2012, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT OUT ON MY 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. WE WENT ACROSS THE ONCOMING LANE AND IT WAS EXTREMELY HARD FOR MY HUSBAND TO GET IT BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. ON 8/30/2012, WE TOOK IT TO A GM GARAGE AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A REMAN. POWERING STEERING MOTOR, GIVING US A ONE YEAR/12,000 MILE WARRANTY.. ON JULY 9, 2013, I WAS DRIVING THE HHR OUT OF STATE AND WAS COMING OUT OF A SLIGHT LEFT HAND CURVE WHEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR WENT OUT AGAIN, WHICH I WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER THE CAR AND IT ENDED UP IN THE RIGHT HAND BANK/DITCH. LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND LESS THAN 12,000 MILES LATER, THE GM GARAGE SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP IF WE BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THEM. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR AND IT HAPPENED IN ANOTHER STATE. THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PLUS, NOW I HAVE POINTS AGAINST MY INSURANCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10533266
114,000 miles · Jul 31, 2013
Steering
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON MY DASH DISPLAY AND MY POWER STEERING HAD QUIT WORKING. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN, JUST A MINUTE OR TWO LATER IT SHUT OFF AGAIN SHOWING THE SAME MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY.…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND A "POWER STEERING" MESSAGE CAME UP ON MY DASH DISPLAY AND MY POWER STEERING HAD QUIT WORKING. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND THE POWER STEERING WAS WORKING AGAIN, JUST A MINUTE OR TWO LATER IT SHUT OFF AGAIN SHOWING THE SAME MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY. I HAD TO REPEAT THE PULLING OVER PROCESS SEVERAL TIMES AS I WAS ON A 30 MILE DRIVE TO WORK. THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN IT IS GOING TO STOP AND IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS AND HAS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532952
90,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringInjury
MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. I WAS FORCED TO JERK MY WHEEL VERY SUDDENLY AND STRAINED MY WRIST. MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF ON ME EVERY TIME I HAVE STARTED MY CAR SINCE. SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE A MINUTE FOR IT TO FAIL, SOMETIMES 5. HAVING IT RANDOMLY GO OUT ON ME IS FAR TOO D…
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MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. I WAS FORCED TO JERK MY WHEEL VERY SUDDENLY AND STRAINED MY WRIST. MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN SHUTTING OFF ON ME EVERY TIME I HAVE STARTED MY CAR SINCE. SOMETIMES IT WILL TAKE A MINUTE FOR IT TO FAIL, SOMETIMES 5. HAVING IT RANDOMLY GO OUT ON ME IS FAR TOO DANGEROUS. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IS SCARY, I WOULD RATHER THE POWER STEERING NOT WORK AT ALL, THEN HAVE IT RANDOMLY SHUT OFF ON ME WHILE IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE HELP!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531843
51,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST POWER STEERING IT COULD STILL BE DRIVEN BUT EVERY TIME I WAS DRIVING I HAVE TO PULL OVER STOP THE CAR RESTARTED AND THEN IT'LL DO IT AGAIN EVERY FIVE MINUTES IT'S BEEN DOING IT SINCE LAST YEAR, AROUND THIS TIME FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND NOW IT'S DOING IT EVERY DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10526232
60,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING GOES OUT UNTIL KEY IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS UNDER ALL CONDITIONS. I HAVE READ OTHER GM CARS WITH SAME UNIT HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND WONDER WHY HHR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525683
50,000 miles · Jul 11, 2013
SteeringCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX ON ONE OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX ON ONE OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10524462
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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