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.
The power steering failure light came on as well as other lights and the radio stop working, dealer said power steering module was no good but could not find out why dash lights come on and why radio stops working when we seem to hit a bump.it cost me over $1700 dollars to repair and they said nothing was under warranty or a recall. I see the cobalt was recall for the same problem why not the HHR same unit.
There appears to be a large amount of cobalt and HHR owners with complaints about suspension clunking noises. Research shows there is an issue with the stabilizer bar parts and also the intermediate steering shaft. These problems occur at many intervals of mileage ranging from 10,000 miles and up. GM has since sued the manufacturer of the intermediate steering shaft for those replaced under warranty equaling $30mil. I am unlucky as my vehicle was out of warranty (3yr/36000 miles) and could not get any of my suspension and steering problems fixed by a known issue from GM. They have stated that the intermediate steering shaft is not a safety concern. Now, if a part that is vital in connecting the steering column to the rack and pinion system is not a safety concern, then I believe GM executives are more concerned with cost of doing the right thing than safety of their customers. These are parts that keep a vehicle from flipping over during sharp turns at highway speeds and that keep the car traveling in the direction the operator determines using the steering wheel. After replacing the parts to correct my issues, the problem has re-occurred. The parts were not changed so even after "fixing" it, it would eventually return.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering suddenly failed causing the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would suddenly decelerate. The contact stated that the failures occurred after the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall campaign number: 14V171000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
I experienced the same problems mentioned with my HHR, the power steering sound would ring and immediately the power steering went out. This happened over a period of 4-5 months along with numerous other problems such as the front end making a popping sound from the day I got it. Knowing there was no use in contacting Chevrolet, I traded it in last summer, holding my breath that the dealer wouldn't check it out too closely. I had to take about $2,000 less than the book but was thrilled with what I got for it anyway ($5,000). I'm happy "not" to own this car anymore, but feel there is a serious issue with the power steering aside from the ignition problem that's all over the news. Someone/thing needs to address this before other drivers are harmed. Like we all know the HHR is merely a cobalt with a different body. The HHR has been kicked aside somewhat in relation to the cobalt problems. All owners of HHR's, beware.
- Clarksville , TN, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering failure made it extremely rough to turn the steering wheel intermittently. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to make a complete right or left turn. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V073000 (steering). The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.....updated 07/23/14
I was driving and the power steering light came on and no power steering this condition continued until I stopped the car and restarted it.... I have a recall for the ignition and now I am afraid for my wife to drive it!! this is as dangerous a condition as the ignition which has happened repeatedly!!
This is my 2nd complaint about power steering on my 2006 HHR after complaining the first time and no guaranteed help financially and told to pay 200 dollars to have my vehicle inspected at a GM dealers.I replaced 2 solenoids and had no problem for about 1 1/2 years. My power steering goes out while driving with no warning. The problem is back this is the 3rd time this month.but today frightened me while driving my daughter to school I was driving 70 mph went to exit hwy and boom no power steering then indicator(turn signal) was out because of power steering light started flashing after the fact.this is very dangerous morning traffic with semi trucks zipping around me.I have gone down this road with you on this matter before.it is a obvious problem with this make and model of car. I have read 1000 + complaints about this problem on every site I have looked at to find a fix. Why wait until a life is lost before you handle it. Also you have a faulty part in automatic transmission shifter that you are aware of a small plastic pin that falls out and sticks and you can not shift it into gear. I bought the new shifter that is made much better and I need to have it installed. I will try to stay with the one problem power steering. I find it shocking that you have this many complaints on several sites and nothing has been done looking again after 2 years. Its not the ignition key that worries me as much as power steering. This needs to be recalled and fixed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR that I bought used in November 2012 with 92,000 miles. Over a 6 month period with the first incident happening in October 2013 at 108,000 miles, I have had 3 separate incidents where the power steering goes out. I haven't had it happen on the road, but it has happened to me either when I'm in a parking lot or pulling out or in my driveway. The most recent incident I had of this was yesterday (May 5, 2014) at 115,000 miles. The issue seems to be caused from turning the steering wheel fast or you steer from far right to far left (or vice versa) as the issue always occurs mid turn. While I'm fortunate that this happened at low speeds, I'm concerned about this due to I live in a mountainous area. Also, I noticed that there is a recall on 2006 Chevy cobalts and Saturn ions and after doing some research, I found that the cobalt and HHR share many of the same parts, including the steering mechanism. Also, the 2009 and newer HHR's have a steering recall for the same issue with the power steering going out with no warning. I do believe this is a huge safety concern and some sort of action needs to be taken about this.
Something is very wrong here! over the past few years I have had the power steering fail on three instances! the last one, just a couple of weeks ago occurred while pulling out of parallel parking space at about 10 mph. Almost hit the car 2 spaces in front of me! why was there a recall back in 2010 for the cobalts with the same ps motor and not the HHR" now the current recall does not include the earlier Hhrs" GM has tried to hide these and other issues. I believe NHTSA was ineffective and complacent due to government ownership status and trying to protect their investment. If the real truth were known, head would roll and people imprisoned!
The power steering goes out while driving, multiple..I had to turn it off then back on...one time I was driving in the middle of a turn the power steering went out and the vehicle hit a curb. I paid out off pocket to get the steering fixed.
Spouse made turn at stop sign and steering became difficult almost running into curb. Chime sounded and dash light came on. Managed to get to Chevrolet garage and verification of steering problem. Steering motor replaced at a cost of $300+. not on recall list despite number of incidents. GM covers some of these but not this model"???"
I was exiting off the highway and came to a stop at the first intersection. As I turned the corner, I heard a "ping" and then the power steering went out. The words "power steering" appeared on the dashboard. The power steering has not been working properly since.
There is agm recall for the ps on Chevy HHR's but only for the 2009-2010 model years. I have a 2006 HHR and am having the same problem with my steering with the steering light coming on all the time. Now I have replaced the power steering motor as GM recommended and thje steering light still comes on everyday 3 4 or 5 times and I loose power steering while it is on. This is a safety issue and I feel that the 2006 model year should be part of that recall.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering assist suddenly malfunctioned and caused the steering wheel to become difficult to turn. A warning bell sounded as the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact turned the vehicle off and once restarted, the vehicle would operate normally for a short period before the failure would recur. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Excessive steering wheel vibration at highway speeds, and on city streets signal light stay on when turning into another street that your have to manually turn off signal lights( this has being a problem since I purchase, documented by local Chevy dealer). I believe this cars have problems with their entire steering column not just their ignition switch.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while making a right turn at unknown speeds, the steering wheel became very hard to maneuver. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it and it resumed normal function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 180,000. Updated 06/17/14 MA updated 8/23/2017
As I was coming to a stop at a stop light. The power steering displayed and the power steering went away. It was hard to steer and after I stopped and turned off the ignition and started the vehicle again then the power steering was working again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mapleville, RI, USA