This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Traveling on solomon's island rd. In annapolis, md., I heard a chime sound, "power steering" appeared as a lighted warning, and I suddenly had no power steering. I pulled into a shopping center, making a lefthand turn, and it was very difficult to steer. I checked my manual which told me not to keep driving, called my husband who is a former auto tech, and he advised me to start the car again to see if the light came on again. It didn't, so he thought that maybe it was a temporary problem and advised me to drive cautiously, but to pull over if it came on again. I was more than an hour from home (denton, md.) and really didn't want to get stranded at nightfall, so I drove East on route 50, and just before rowe blvd., it came on again, and I pulled off to try to find a safe place to park. It was very difficult to steer, especially making a 90-degree turn. It was getting dark, and I was concerned about parking in a safe place to wait for my husband to meet up with me. So I reasoned that, once I got back on route 50, I would only have to drive straight to get to kent island and meet up with my husband who would drive my car the rest of the way home. I prayed my car wouldn't get stranded on the bay bridge, but it seemed that the power steering was the only issue. My husband drove the rest of the way home safely. We went online to find out if this was an issue with the HHR, and found that there were many owners who reported the same problem. Frankly, we were and are surprised that Hhrs older than 2010 have not been recalled. Intermittently, the problem kept occurring with my husband driving my car until I finally got it repaired two weeks later on March 25, 2014. My steering motor had to be replaced for $262.50.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph and making a turn, there was a sudden loss of power steering with the illumination of the warning indicator. The vehicle was driven with difficulty in turning the steering wheel. The failure recurred seven times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 62,750.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 20 mph when the power steering warning light "power steering displayed on information center, chimes audible as if door is ajar, illuminated as the power steering assist failed and the steering wheel became abnormally resistant. Additionally, the contact mentioned that the keys would fail to eject from the ignition intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,594 and the current mileage was 91,000. Updated 5/13/14..!....updated 07/31/14 the consumer stated the incident occurred again, while driving 45 mph. The vehicle shuddered and vibrated and he lost power steering. The consumer pulled over, shut the vehicle off, and re-started it again, and everything went back to normal, as if nothing happened. The dealer informed the consumer, a power steering was ordered and they would install under warranty. Updated 08/05/14
Power steering has become intermittent. Upon restart it's fine and then goes out periodically between 2 and 30 minutes after each restart. Anyone who needs power steering to drive, not just a convenience, would have a very hard physical time making a 90 degree turn, especially if the steering went out while making the turn.
This incident is identical to NHTSA action number : PE10005 which is for the Chevrolet cobalt/Pontiac G5. My power steering gave out, the driver information center said power steering and there was a chime. The power steering was restored when I restarted the car. This problem has occurred 3 times so far. The first time in the morning after a 20 minute drive, while stopped at a stop sign. Then again in the morning after 20 minutes of driving on a highway at 45 mph while in a curve. Then again in the evening on straight highway going 65 mph after only 5 miles of driving. I see this problem was recalled for the above mentioned cars. My HHR is experiencing the same problem, and Chevy HHR forums show other Hhrs are experiencing this problem along with the Saturn ion.
This has happened a few times with this vehicle, usually at speeds in excess of 50 mph. When being cut off by another vehicle, hitting the brake hard and steering away from the offending vehicle cause the HHR to fishtail and get very squirrelly. It just starts going back and forth in a rocking motion and only settles down by taking my foot off the brake. It feels like the car could easily go into a roll over. I have had it inspected by les schwab and they replaced the struts and shocks, but saw no real problems. This latest incident occurred many months after that work was completed, so that apparently was not part of the problem. It will also occasionally give me a shimmy in the steering wheel when decelerating from a moderate speed. However, that does not occur most of the time... rotors appear to be fine.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the power steering malfunctioned causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact mentioned that the power steering warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the power steering assist would suddenly malfunction making it very difficult to turn the steering wheel. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically stall. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic but the failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Gear shifter pin broke & now won't lock in gear. The key cannot be removed except by removing a cap on the steering column & pressing a release button. Defective gear shifter pin. ------------------------------------- I went home & tried to take my key out but it would not release so since the car would not turn completely off the battery died. I found out on the internet that this has happened to thousands of people. I found out how to remove the plug on the steering column to press the release to take out the key. The gear shifter will not lock so it is easy for it to slip into neutral or out of park & roll away. I don't have the $500 they said it will take to fix it so I have to live with it. I always have to make sure to lock my emergency brake & have to hit the release to take my key out. This is dangerous & so wrong of GM not to recall this when so many have had this problem. This is their defect & not the customers.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Denton, MD, USA