NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
25 reportsClear category filter55,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
THE RADIO HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULDN'T DO IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN BUT THEN WE HAD THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THAT WAS REPAIRED AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE. THIS MORNING IT POPPED AND SIZE LED IN THE DASH AND THRU THE RADIO EVEN AFTER TURNING THE RADIO AND CAR OFF. IT DID START BACK UP BUT EVERY T…
Read full complaint
THE RADIO HAS BEEN GOING OUT WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULDN'T DO IT WHEN I TOOK IT IN BUT THEN WE HAD THE RECALL OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THAT WAS REPAIRED AND IT'S GOTTEN WORSE. THIS MORNING IT POPPED AND SIZE LED IN THE DASH AND THRU THE RADIO EVEN AFTER TURNING THE RADIO AND CAR OFF. IT DID START BACK UP BUT EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP THE RADIO MAY GO OUT. I CALLED CHEV AND THEY CAN'T GET ME IN UNTIL 11/17. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THESE HHR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10652458
44,645 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AS THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET HHR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN AS THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE WAS BLOWN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,645.
NHTSA ODI #10651675
48,201 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Service BrakesSteering
STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING FROM 45 MPH AND SLOWER CAUSING THE CAR TO TRY TO CHANGE POSITION IN THE LANE. THERE IS A NOISE OF SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING BUMPS OR ON ROUGH ROADS. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. ALL THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION …
Read full complaint
STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING FROM 45 MPH AND SLOWER CAUSING THE CAR TO TRY TO CHANGE POSITION IN THE LANE. THERE IS A NOISE OF SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE LEFT FRONT WHEN BRAKING OR HITTING BUMPS OR ON ROUGH ROADS. BRAKE PEDAL PULSES. ALL THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND NEEDS THE NHTSA ATTENTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10631266
40,000 miles · Aug 3, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING.. CAR SUDDENLY STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ON GAGES FLICKERING CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN. UNABLE TO START. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618488
74,560 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
WHILE DRIVING.. CAR SUDDENLY STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ON GAUGES FLICKERING CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN. SECOND INCIDENT 7/19/14. SAME SCENARIO CAR SUDDENLY STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ON GAUGES FLICKERING CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN. DEALERSHIP STATED INITIAL DUE TO RECALL. SECOND …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING.. CAR SUDDENLY STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ON GAUGES FLICKERING CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN. SECOND INCIDENT 7/19/14. SAME SCENARIO CAR SUDDENLY STALLED LOSING POWER STEERING ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS ON GAUGES FLICKERING CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN. DEALERSHIP STATED INITIAL DUE TO RECALL. SECOND INCIDENT DEALER STATED NOT DUE TO RECALL BUT MORE OF A COMMON PROBLEM, HOWEVER UNABLE TO REPLICATE STALL AND DETERMINE WHERE FAULTY WIRING. GETTING LOTS OF ERROR CODES WITH NO REAL CAUSE AS TO WHY CAR STALLS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615653
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
2011 CHEVROLET HHR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LOCKED UP AND WAS AT TIMES INOPERABLE. *SMD
NHTSA ODI #10609384
68,524 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
I HAVE ALREADY FILED ONE COMPLAINT LAST MONTH!! HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLY BACK BY NO ONE. MY TCN WAS [XXX]. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING, COPS HAVE PULLED ME OVER SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO SOME THE PROBLEMS! ALL 7 OFFICERS GAVE ME THEIR NAMES AND BADGE NUMBERS N THEY TOLD ME IF I NEED TO TAKE THIS TO COURT, THEY WILL BE N CO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE ALREADY FILED ONE COMPLAINT LAST MONTH!! HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLY BACK BY NO ONE. MY TCN WAS [XXX]. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING, COPS HAVE PULLED ME OVER SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO SOME THE PROBLEMS! ALL 7 OFFICERS GAVE ME THEIR NAMES AND BADGE NUMBERS N THEY TOLD ME IF I NEED TO TAKE THIS TO COURT, THEY WILL BE N COURT.. THEY TOLD ME THE CAR NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY FIXED OR PUT N A DIFFERENT CAR AND NOT THIS SAME MAKE N MODEL. I HAVE A LIL GIRL AND I WILL DO WHAT I HAVE TO DO TO PROTECT HER AND OTHER INNOCENT LIVES ROUND ME, IF IT MEANS I GET A LAWYER N TAKE THIS TO COURT. SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING VERY SOON BOUT THIS CAR!!! I'VE BEEN SAVING ALL COMPLAINTS I'VE SENT SO I WILL HAVE THEM FOR MY RECORDS IN CASE I NEED TO TAKE FURTHER MORE STRONGER ACTION TO GET THIS CAR FIXED OR PUT ME IN AN EXT CAB DODGE TRUCK PLEASE. I WANTED A TRUCK TO BEGIN WITH, BUT THIS CAR WAS JUST FORCED ON ME OR DEALER WASN'T GONNA GIVE ME NOTHING AT ALL.. [XXX]!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607259
44,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringWheels
THE ECM CAME ON WITH NO WARNING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIGHT AND SKIDDING THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR WHICH IS SCARY AT BEST ALSO THERE IS A SMELL OF EXHAUST AND FUEL IN THE CABIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605990
50,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
Steering
STEERING HARD, LACK OF POWER STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595415
20,100 miles · May 15, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, CAR PULLED TO LEFT. REPEATED VISITS AND CALLS TO DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN DENIAL OF PROBLEM UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT. AFTER HYDROPLANING ON A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON. DEALERSHIP "RESET LIGHTS" CAR HAS CONTINUED TO SHAKE. HAVE PUT 3 SETS OF TIRES ON …
Read full complaint
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, CAR PULLED TO LEFT. REPEATED VISITS AND CALLS TO DEALERSHIP RESULTED IN DENIAL OF PROBLEM UNTIL WARRANTY RAN OUT. AFTER HYDROPLANING ON A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, ESC AND SERVICE TRACTION LIGHTS CAME ON. DEALERSHIP "RESET LIGHTS" CAR HAS CONTINUED TO SHAKE. HAVE PUT 3 SETS OF TIRES ON CAR AND 2 SETS OF BRAKES, ONE SET OF ROTORS AND TURNED ROTORS. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT IGNITION RECALL AFTER CALLING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT LIGHT STILL ON AND YET ANOTHER SET OF BALD TIRES. CALLED GM AND THEY OFFERED RENTAL CAR UNTIL IGNITION PARTS COME IN BUT WILL REPLACE ESC SENSOR AT MY COST. NO INVESTIGATION AS TO STABILIZATION ISSUE OF CAR OR WHY IT IS CHEWING UP TIRES AND PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE CAR IS STILL UNSAFE. A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE. AWAITING YET ANOTHER RESPONSE FROM GM. THIS CAR NEEDS SERIOUS INVESTIGATING. AN ACCIDENT IS AT HAND. THEY ONLY WANT TO SELL ME TIRES AND PARTS. THE SHAKE IS DANGEROUS AND THE ESC AND TRACTION IS DISENGAGED AT PRESENT. GM HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. [XXX] AT GM HAS BEEN NICE BUT NOT HELPFUL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588667
Official recalls
2Apr 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗