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 in my 2006 Chevy HHR randomly stops working. The dash light says "power steering" when this happens. This happens two or three times a week on average. This problem has occurred twice while turning almost causing me to crash into retaining walls on the highway on ramps. This seems to be a common problem with the HHR. A temporary fix for this issue is to turn the car off and then back on. The problem will return at random times. Chevrolet recalled cobalt's that had the same problem. I can not understand why Chevrolet won't issue a recall on this very serious safety problem.
The vehicle is a 2006 Chevy HHR with approximately 46000 miles. The electric power steering goes out as I am driving and it is very difficult to steer. When this happens during a turn it is very dangerous, and I have almost run into other vehicles. After restarting it usually works, but is subject to going out again at any moment without warning. I contacted Chevrolet, but they denied knowledge of the problem although the cobalt has the same electric steering and a recall has been issued. Having researched on the internet, I have seen numerous other complaints, and I see no reason for Chevy to wait until a serious accident occurs to recall these vehicles.
Power steering goes out while driving down the road. If you stop turn off ignition then restart it will work again for a period of time then go out again. I called my dealer about the problem and they said it is common but there are no recalls. They stated that they would have to replace the whole steering column. I would have to pay for it.but keep my receipt to be reimbursed if there is a recall. Is anything being done about this problem" I watched a program last night were this is happening not just to the HHR but also the cobalt, and PT CRUISER. Why is the HHR not included in the recalls? they showed on the show that people are dyeing from this. One mother lost 2 daughters. My dealer says they know there is a problem but wont do anything about it. What can I do"
Power steering light comes on and lose power steering ability. Normal driving conditions. No excessive turning. Turn off car and it will be fine for a few miles and then do it again. Unable to steer vehicle very well when this happens.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would lose power steering without warning. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and advised contact that his vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was approximately 68,000. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Updated 02/23/11 updated 04/27/11
- Brooklyn, MD, USA
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2006 Chevrolet HHR steering motor randomly fails with no warning, causing the power steering to fail while driving. After restart, will work again for brief time. Happens frequently. Vehicle has less than 30,000 miles. Documentation exists online that this motor is the same one recalled on the Chevrolet cobalt, and that other are having the same failure. Has happened approximately 10-12 times over two weeks and a total mileage of about 40 miles.
While driving the car the power steering light comes on and makes turning almost impossible and dangerous when happening on the highways. It is now happening all of the time and I have only made one payment on the car!!!!!!!!!!!
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 25 mph, the contact heard a warning chime and the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel. At that time, the steering wheel became stiff and difficult to turn. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle; it functioned properly. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer but the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000 and the current mileage was approximately 52,000.. updated 02/23/11 updated 05/02/11
The power steering fails while the vehicle is in motion. When the vehicle is first powered on, power steering is present. It is unpredictable when the power steering will fail. In two incidents it almost caused accidents when failing. I do not have a large frame nor a lot of upper body strength that is able to make turns at low speeds, such as when turning or parking. If I am aware of the power steering failure I can compensate for it, but if it happens suddenly, it can be quite surprising. This is the same exact problem with the same exact component as the Chevy cobalt and the Pontiac G5, and I understand other vehicles are reporting this as well.
My electronic power steering doesn't work. My HHR is equipped with the same power steering assembly found in the cobalt which has a recall issued. Seems stupid to me that a lighter car would benefit from the recall, while I am now going to be stuck with a large repair bill. These units are from the same supplier.......recall all of these units on whatever vehicle the oem put them on.
Chevrolet HHR. Power steering comes and goes. It is all over the web Chevy owners are having the same problem.T his is a safety issue and should be addressed under a recall.
2006 Chevy HHR lt, while driving at a posted speed of 45mph, daughter lost power steering sending her into the curb almost hitting another car then into the curb again. She was terrified by this incident. My husband went to pick her up and he drove the vehicle back to our house, and while on the highway at 65mph, again the power steering failed, and he almost crashed into the wall but was able to bring the vehicle to a stop within inches of crashing. The power steering light has now come on several times, and the steering has gone out while driving three times thus far. In addition the gear shift has become a problem again where it locks, and I have already had this replaced 3 times, each time lasting about a year before the problem reoccurs. I have read that several other 2006 models have been experiencing the same power steering problem, several of them resulting in accidents. Are they waiting for someone to be killed before expanding the recall to include the steering on the 2006 Chevy HHR?
Turned on the ignition and the dashboard gauges all went out. Pulled the fuse and reinserted it - problem corrected. T/C indicator on instrument panel came on and the transmission was upshifting hard. Again, I removed and reinstalled the fuses and the problem went away. Power steering warning was displayed on the dash and the power steering was disabled. I removed and reinstalled the fuse associated with the power steering and the problem went away. I did notice that most of the fuses were mildly oxidized on one leg of each fuse.
While driving on the highway at 65-70 mph my power steering shut off. The dash board dinged 3 times, got a message about the power steering and the needles on the mph and rpms were all over the place. The shifter is on the floor and will make a clicking noise like it's trying to find a gear or something. That happened on 7/31/10 and has happened 4 times since. This situation can happen at speeds. Car will also buck/jerk hard when trying to accelerate when this happens. I have given up driving the car as its not safe. I haven't gotten it fixed yet since I would like to see this problem recalled.
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR lt with just 30K. Drove it off the lot with 3 miles and at 200 miles it had the rotors turned for the first of about 30 times. The steering wheel shudders when breaking or at speeds above 45 mph so much so that at times the car is hard to control. The answer to this very dangerous problem is..turn the rotors. "normal wear and tear" this is not acceptable to me anymore. My car has had issues with the shocks, the struts, the continued rotor problem, the steering wheel that shudders, and as of today, the power steering is going as well as the steering rack. The potential of me killing myself, my children, or the person next to me has become a reality. I have complained since practically driving it off the lot. GM just refuses to pay, or do anything about this. I have been in touch with the CEO of GM as well as the North America president mark reuss I have expressed my concerns with the safety of the HHR. And I have said that the answer is not to "just turn the rotors for the 35th time". there is something very wrong with this car, and it seems as though everyone that drives one has the same power steering, rotor, at the shudder of the steering wheel. I have plunked nearly 2K into a car that GM needs to be responsible for. An urgent recall needs to be issued or I see the potential of a Toyota problem on the horizon for GM and their Chevy HHR. I really believe it is going to take someone or maybe many to be injured or worse yet dead before GM will look into this further. The world headquarters told me yesterday that there are no other complaints like mine and I shouldn't believe what I read. They have closed my case and refuse to listen any longer. I know this is not my driving, I am not hard on the brakes, nor have I caused the rotors needing to be turned so many times on the lathe that they are like putting bicycle brakes on a freight train. Car is a bit too heavy to stop when you have rotors that are dangerously thin.
Traveling on 2 lane road at posted speed limit of 55 mph. Power steering failed without warning. Ability to steer vehicle greatly compromised. This was the second failure of power steering. First failure due to blown fuse. This failure the electronic power steering motor failed. Power steering motor replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shepherdsville, KY, USA