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.
While driving this vehicle, the power steering light flashes on dash board and I lose all the function of the power steering. It has now happened 4 separate times in two weeks, the last when I was turning a corner and nearly hit a car on the side of the road because I could not steer the vehicle. I have a safety recall letter from General Motors stating that I had to pay out of pocket to fix and then they would determine if it fell under there recall. When the letter states to bring it to the dealership should the power steering light ever comes on the dash panel, which it has done know 4 times when the power steering failed. I could been killed if I had been going faster or killed some one. This is an issue with the GM faulty mechanics. First it was the ignition having to give my vehicle up for nearly 6 weeks to have it fixed. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by General Motors and paid for by General Motors, not the consumer. What is it going to take, another death because of the mistakes. Even after they notified me that is a safety issue via letter, but I first pay out of pocket and then determine if they will reimburse me for it. The first time I was in downtown la going to work and once again when I turned left while driving, the second on the 405 in rush hour traffic, just as I was accelerating and changing lanes, the light flashed on the dash board (power steering) and I lost all power steering capability. The third was the week of February 15, 2016. Turning left again and the fourth time just yesterday again when I turned left.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn intermittently before failing completely. The contact also stated that the low beam headlights failed. The contact stated that the bulbs were replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,000.
After abiding by the recall to change the ignition switch, the car starts freaking out randomly. The dash lights start going on and off. Loose power steering, power brakes and the car just stops. You can be going 70 miles an hour down the highway and the car just gives out. The dealership refuses to fix it unless I am willing to pay all the fees. I had a second dealership replace some fuses but after 2 days it started doing it again. After the first episodes, I called and opened a ticket with Chevrolet, but because the dealership I used didn't want to mess with the car any more they were not very helpful. Now I am driving a death trap because I can't afford a new car and I won't let my children drive or be in the car.
GM says drivers will instantly know if the electric power steering system fails because a chime and dashboard message will appear. The car can be steered without power assist, but it can require a lot more muscle to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. Because of the difficulty, the car could be more susceptible to a crash. Our vehicle was in motion on a city street when suddenly, we lost all power steering. Other makes and models with the same equipment has been recalled already. When shutting off the vehicle and restarting, the power steering is restored briefly and will fail again while driving.
- Fort Wayne, IN, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
The steering wants to lock up and don't return to the straight position when turning on to a street as if it is sticking clicking and popping noise also in the steering column. Also both fuel lines over the left rear wheel rusted out and leaked gas all over the garage floor. Costing two hundred and fifty dollars.
Power steering failure light appears while driving and there is no power steering. Must shut engine off until power steering comes back. Has happened several times the latest being 10/31/15
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering message displayed and an audible alarm was activated before the power steering malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally before the failure recurred. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 112,000.
7/29/14 steering wheel locks up -11-28-14 steering wheel locks up. December 22 2014 steering wheel locks up again while my son was making a left turn, crashed, and hit an electrical pole, bust his lip and hit his head. State farm ins co total the car. January 2015 got a letter from GM stated that this 2006 HHR may be equipped with powering steering loss. July 2014 GM said this loss was not due the loss of my son accident, clearly it was and refuse to pay for any damages. I have yet to hear about this problem with those cars. I want my son compensated for this loss. What should I do?
Our 2006 Chevrolet HHR had total power steering loss and wasn't regained until turning off the vehicle and restarting. The car was diagnosed at a local Chevrolet dealership and the error code of C0050 was given, this identifies the problem as a faulty power steering control module(pscm). The entire steering column, consisting of the pscm, was replaced. This is a known steering system issue with GM as it has already been addressed in 2009-10 Hhrs and various other GM models that have the same platform components.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 30 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to maneuver the vehicle. The power steering assist warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. MA 10/26/2015
Power steering failed during high speed on the freeway (dic message come on "power steering"), you can still steer with a large amount of effort. This (steering) may be a big problem for some drivers; thus rendering it unsafe and a possible "car crash or cullision with others."
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and excessive force was required without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing who stated that an unknown part located inside the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 10 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to turn the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 60 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. After the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system) and 14V171000 (electrical system), the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Car speeded up and down, car started to spin in circle, lost power steering, lost control of car, flipped and rolled over 3 times down a 30 yd. Cliff. No head air bags worked at all, only the steering wheel air bag worked. Took over 2 hrs. To be found by police. Had to use cell phone signal to be found.
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- Long Beach, CA, USA