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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,800 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2010 Chevrolet HHR steering problems

steering problem

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2010 Chevrolet HHR Owner Comments (Page 4 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #168

Sep 172015

HHR

  • 49,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering non operative, went out while vehicle was in motion on a city street. Turn the car off and the power steering works for a short while but soon goes out again while in traffic.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #167

Sep 262015

HHR

  • 77,000 miles
Power steering quit working 2 times while driving vehicle in 2 days. Once while turning and once while driving straight down road. Stopping and restarting car caused it start working again. After the second time I took the car in to dealer who stated power steering motor was bad and needed replacing. Both times were driving at under 40mph. Chevrolet claimed this was not covered under campaign number: 14V153000. Neither time resulted in a wreck or damage, just a few missing heart beats.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #166

Aug 222015

HHR

  • 78,350 miles
While exiting onto the freeway at 45 mph the power steering light went on and the steering didn't work. I realized the it was difficult to maneuver the steering wheel and car and got off on the first exit which was 2 miles away. I tried not to panic as I had my kids in the car. I then went to the nearest gas station. Turned off the car to cal my husband. And when I tested the car to turn it back on the power steering light was off and then the steering wheel was normal. I decided I needed to try and get home, we were 45 minutes away from home. As I drove the car again at a steady speed I stayed on the slowest lane and while driving on the freeway again the power steering stopped working at 65 mph. Since then it still happens once we drive it. I have a video of when it goes on. I safely recorded the malfunction. This is our only transportation and we just bought it from carmax in May.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #165

Aug 242015

HHR

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel veered to the left towards an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering gear box and rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Halls, TN, USA

problem #164

Aug 282015

HHR

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving 15 mph, the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not included NHTSA campaign number: 14V153000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Montour Falls, NY, USA

problem #163

Apr 102015

HHR

  • 34,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving out of the driveway, an abnormal noise emitted from the steering wheel. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure that also occurred when making a turn. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the steering motor need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.

- Catonville, MD, USA

problem #162

Jul 092015

HHR

  • 134,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In the afternoon on Thursday 7/9/15, I heard a ding in the vehicle (warning sound) and the words "power steering" appeared on the dash panel under the speedometer. All loss of steering assist was lost and manual steering was the only way to steer the vehicle. After turning the vehicle off/on, the power steering worked again and then after a few minutes the same issue occured. I parked the vehicle and did not drive it until the next day. I searched for recalls as well as contacted the local Chevrolet dealer to discuss the issue and if there were any recalls. I was told there is a recall for power steering on some 2010 chev HHR models but my VIN has not been identified. The next day I avoided driving the vehicle when possible due to safety concerns and the inability to schedule an appointment with the dealership for diagnosis. I did drive the vehicle once and the same thing described above happened three times before I could get back home. At this point I did not want to drive the vehicle at all until the problem had been fixed. I scheduled an appointment with the local chev dealer after a cancellation occurred and the power steering motor was replaced on 7/11/15. I have contacted GM about this and have been advised the vehicle was not under recall. While I understand the vehicle was not under an official recall, the same exact problem happened in the same exact way described on the GM website and a result of that power steering recall is to replace the power steering motor. I have requested reimbursement but have not received any information about this at this time. One representative advised it was highly unlikely. I would like to find out why the vehicle was not identified under any recall and when a vehicle is not under recall but has an issue that has been recalled if they're any steps that can be taken to resolve the issue. This was a clear hazard.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #161

Jun 272015

HHR

  • 111,231 miles
The first time this occurred, we were driving down the highway and could barely pull over. We restarted the car and it did not occur again for 6 days but now, even turning off the car and restarting only helps for a few minutes. The car is very hard to steer this way. We are told that our HHR is not one of the ones included in the recall, yet the problem is the same as those recalled. It seems that the recall should be expanded.

- New Egypt, NJ, USA

problem #160

Jun 192015

HHR

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving, the power steering warning light illuminated. The steering wheel seized and required excessive force. The contact shut off the vehicle and restarted the engine; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was steering failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #159

Jun 222015

HHR

  • 96,500 miles
Experienced loss of power steering assist and a message displayed on the driver information center with a chime sounds. Vehicle reverted to manual steering, but greater driver effort was required as I had to turn so I would not hit other vehicles. Same issue as in recall bulletin # bulletin 14115. After finding out on google that cars like mine had been recalled I called my Chevy dealer and they said that my car did not qualify for free repair, even though of correct make and year. They did not seem to care at all that I was stranded and would not give me an appointment until 3 days later, but told me to call GM as they did not seem to want to deal with me. I called GM and they said the same that the car had not been recalled for some reason, and did not seem to care either. I took my car to a regular garage, driving it in the middle of the night so there would be less traffic and less risk of a crash and they could not repair it as they needed the GM software in order for them to do that, but they did tell me that it was the same issue as the ones that were being recalled. Now I will have to miss more work and try to beg to get an appointment and spend a fortune on having something fixed that should have been taken care of as part of the recall. I am a single mother during the week, and have no other choice, I am afraid. I have always driven Chevrolet vehicles but that is it for me, I will never buy a GM again. I am very disappointed by their dishonesty, and poor quality of their vehicles.

- Louisa, VA, USA

problem #158

Nov 172014

HHR

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering failed and there were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that this was a recurring failure. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Keego Harbor, MI, USA

problem #157

May 012015

HHR

  • 91,304 miles
Driving on freeway power steering went out, dash indicated power steering. Extreemly difficult to steer vehicle even at hwy speed. Pulled over, shut off engine, restarted vehicle, power steering now working again. Finished driving to work, on the way home, it went out again. Pulled over, shut off engine, restarted, power steering working again, finished driving home. Checked with Chevy dealer, they informed me that my VIN is not included in the recall.

- Palmdale, CA, USA

problem #156

Jan 012015

HHR 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
Power steering stops operating at any speed, but happened this time at 50mph in a curve. Caught me by surprise and was difficult to maintain the lane as a result, but I managed. This is the same symptom as found in cobalt's and HHR's in canade. Same part numbers involved, etc... for some reason these are not recalled on us HHR's. please help!

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #155

Mar 032015

HHR 4-cyl

  • 68,300 miles
Started vehicle in parking lot of business after shopping. "power steering" message appeared in driver information center. Drove vehicle in parking lot; was no power assist for the steering, manual steering only. Checked owner's manual, no information about steering system, other than contact dealer if msg appeared. Drove vehicle home with manual steering. Did research on net and found that the HHR (& several other GM models) had electric motor assist for steering, and GM had issued a recall in early 2014 for this problem; covered wide variety of models & years, including "some" 2010 HHR's. contacted dealer, said bring the vehicle in. Started vehicle, message was gone, power steering worked, but drove the vehicle to dealer anyway. Service writer was unaware of any recall for this issue. He checked the VIN, said my vehicle was not covered under this recall; said he "could contact GM about any participation in the cost of the repair; may be 10%, may be 100%, but there is no guarantee." HHR remained at dealer overnight'svc writer called next day, said electric motor had definitely failed, it was $346, and GM would not cover any of it. I had done more research online in the meantime, and there were several instances where GM appeared to be very conciliatory to getting this problem resolved. My question is why GM wouldn't cover any of this cost, even if this particular '10 HHR was not included in the '10 HHR's covered under this recall. A second question would be how hard the service writer actually tried to contact someone at GM to get participation in the repair cost. My complaint then would be that GM has apparently denied to cover the cost of an obviously defective product that produces a definite safety hazard, even though it acknowledges the same problem with other similar vehicles; and I would think that GM would be more conciliatory in this matter.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #154

Apr 172013

HHR 4-cyl

  • miles
My steering wheel locked and could not move my car, and I hit a poll and damaged my right side of my car.

- Ramona, CA, USA

problem #153

Jan 132015

HHR 4-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
This a recalled 2010 Chevrolet HHR. We had the ignition switch recalled, power steering system recalled, and right after the ignition switch was installed, the keys stop working and we had to get towed. Now, the airbag light came on. And when we went to re-start the car, nothing. The power went totally out, and the key is still stuck in the ignition switch. About a few weeks ago, we got another recall notice from GM that the transmission shifter may not properly transmit an electrical signal properly that will cause the key to stay in a lock position. We are now stranded. And we have to once again get the car towed to the dealer and pay for a rental. And there are still so many recalled cars at the dealer that they are so behind. All of this is going on while GM is showing off their new cars at the detroit auto show. Cars that will probably soon be on another recall list. Enough is enough!! all Chevy HHR owners who have had more the one recall on it, should be allowed to turn the car in without penalty or charge. All car notes should be cancelled!-thank you. And "be blessed"-[xxx] in C/O [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

problem #152

Aug 142014

HHR

  • miles
2010 Chevrolet HHR. Customer has received recall for car but still has problems after repair. The consumer stated as she was driving, she heard a grinding noise, whenever she turned the steering wheel. When she returned to the dealer, the noise was gone. However, when the vehicle was returned to her, the noise was there. The dealer determined the air bag coil was making the noise. The consumer stated the noise was not there, when she took the vehicle to the dealer to complete the recall.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #151

Dec 122014

HHR

  • 54,800 miles
While driving through a school zone at 25 mph, my power steering failed and reverted to manual steering. My girlfriend is unable to steer the vehicle during the manual steering mode. I researched the VIN recall database and found that there was recall for "some" 2010 non turbo models. Mine is a non turbo model. I had two recalls on my vehicle which I had repaired on 12/31/2014. The following quote is from the GM recall web page: "with these safety recalls and lifetime warranties, we are going after every car that might have this problem, and we are going to make it right, ? said [xxx], vice president, GM global vehicle safety. ?we have recalled some of these vehicles before for the same issue and offered extended warranties on others, but we did not do enough." This is a severe safety issue that must be addressed.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #150

Jan 022015

HHR

  • 54,000 miles
My power steering light came across the dash and I could not steer my car to good. It will not go out now and I have 2 kids that we almost got into an accident when this happened. I have only had my car a year and a half and I think someone should be fixing it for me at no cost.

- Palmerton, PA, USA

problem #149

Dec 162014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 80,056 miles
Driving on interstate and the steering warning light came on, the steering became almost impossible to manage. Pulled off at next exit thinking I would check the fluid level. Couldn't locate the fluid reservoir and read the manual to find out that the power steering is electrically controlled. Came close to losing control of the vehicle at high speeds.

- Mobile, AL, USA

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