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.
Twice today, the power steering stopped working while driving this vehicle. While pulling out of a parking place, the power steering stopped working for the first time. Upon stopping, putting the vehicle in park and re-starting the vehicle it worked again for a short period. (less then 2 miles) luckily, we were only traveling 40 mph on a straight, level, side road when it happened the second time. I have visions of very bad things if/when this happens again at highway speeds on a winding roadway. Upon further research, before making this report, I read of many others who own this same vehicle who have had this same problem, and that there is possibility that there was a manufacturer recall in Canada, but not in the us. I also understand that the same parts are used in the Chevy cobalt, does have a recall.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the power steering failed while reversing from a parking space. The contact stated that there was no warning prior to the failure. The contact spoke with the dealer and was informed that they could not locate a failure code because the system reset when the vehicle was shut off. The failure and current mileages were 58,280.
When I put my Chevrolet HHR into park and proceeded to turn the car off, the ignition switch was stuck in the on position and I was unable to turn the ignition to the off position while the car was still running. I had to disconnect the battery cable and remove a fuse to get the vehicle to turn off completely, and am having to take it to the dealership tomorrow for a repair.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed while driving at various speeds and the steering wheel seized. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The contact stopped the vehicle to correct the failure. The vehicle was in the process of being taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.
Power steering motor goes out while driving and fixes its self once you shut the car and start back up. Key gets stuck in ignition can't turn the car off.
- Houston, TX, USA
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I pulled into the gas station to get gas. I could not shut the car off nor remove the key. My 2009 cobalt had the same problem and was fixed due to a vehicle recall. However, my 2009 HHR had no recall on it even though it uses the exact same defective parts as the cobalt did. I am also concerned about the steering on the HHR since it shares the exact same mechanicals as the cobalt. The cobalt had a recall due to steering, however the HHR did not. A search for complaints on=line yielded many results. It appears that the HHR's are having the exact same problems yet the consumers are left with paying for the repairs. My GM dealer confirmed that the HHR uses the exact same faulty parts as the cobalt and he could not explain why the HHR was not covered in the recall either. He stated that they have had to fix just as many HHR's as they have cobalts... the only difference is that cobalt owners do not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses and HHR owners do. This is ridiculous.
My power steering stopped operating. I got it repaired at a price of $800 upon researching, I have seen that other HHR owners have had this same fault occur. There has been recalls on other GM models for this same fault, such as the cobalt. I would hope that GM declares a recall for HHR's also. I have kept my receipt if this becomes the case. I would hope that the NHTSA has gotten quite a lot of complaints concerning this case and require GM to follow through. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dtc code P0475 electric power steering motor failure, Canada has a recall on these cars why not the United States" the link to the site with the details listed below is.. >>> wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/7/vrdb-bdrv/search/recalldetail.aspx"lang=eng&&rn=2010447 <<< road safety recalls database Transport Canada recall # 2010447 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- recall date 2010/12/16 notification type safety tc system steering manufacturer recall number 10413 units affected 86,345 category car recall details certain vehicles equipped with electric power steering may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist that could occur at any time while driving. If the power steering assist is lost, a message is displayed on the driver information centre and a chime sounds to inform the driver. Typically, at the next ignition cycle, power assist is regained and the driver information centre message will be off. Steering control can be maintained, as the vehicle will revert to a manual steering mode, but would require greater driver effort at low vehicle speeds, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Vehicles will receive a special extended warranty coverage of 10 years/240,000 km from first registration. Under this special coverage program, vehicles that experiences this condition will have the electric power steering motor replaced. Make model model year(s) affected Chevrolet HHR 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Saturn ion 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact heard a knocking noise coming from the wheels while driving and making turns. The dealer advised the contact to replace the struts. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 94,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While turning I've had the electric steering go out my vehicle. During one occasion I was avoiding someone that had pulled out in front of me. I've taken the vehicle to the dealer and they say everything is normal but yet the vehicles electric steering comes and goes while driving.
I was leaving from a store made 2 turns then the display read power steering -when I got ready to make the third turn I felt the steering wheel lock up and as I tried to turn it I had to use all my strength to make the turn-this could be potential cause an accident and why does it not give you a warning-I read where people are just turning the vehicle off then on to get it to work right but this should be fixed by the manufacture before someone is killed.
Going 35 to 45 mph in a straight line on a cold night with the heater on. A message showing "power steering" on the driver information center. With every restart the power steering would work for a time and then shut down again after a short time. Dealer diagnosed as a failed electric power steering assist motor. We paid $335.38 to replace this component. This vehicle has the same frame, power train, and other major components as the Chevrolet cobalt and Pontiac G5 with the body being the main difference in these vehicles. Chevrolet cobalt and Pontiac G5 recall information: Make: Chevrolet model: Cobalt model year: 2009 manufacturer: General Motors Corp. Mfr's report date: Mar 01, 2010 NHTSA campaign id number: 10V073000 NHTSA action number: PE10005 component: Steering:electric power assist system
Electronic power steering stops working while driving down the road. The warning chime sounds and the instrument panel read out displays power steering. The power steering will reset and work again if the car is turned off and restarted but will stop working soon after.
2009 Chevy HHR lt which is having the same problems that caused a recall on the Chevy cobalt, the Pontiac G6, G5.the Chevy Malibu. My power steering system fails in the middle of a turn, the led read out says power steering and then it completely goes out, I have to either turn the vehicle off and re start it or remove the fuse that is in the electrical fuse box and put it back in, this only corrects the problem temporarily, (this is so dangerous, as I might be in the middle of a curve on wet/icy roads and have the steering go out on me) there are numerous threads on line in reference to this issue with the HHR and GM has not done a recall for it in this model, this vehicle has the same steering components as the ones that have been recalled, one of the hazards possible is a fire. I feel this issue should be addressed in all of GM's vehicles with the same faulty parts not just the ones listed, they know these parts are in these cars and have chosen to ignore all complaints to repair the issue, the parts cost the public between $150 and $200 not including the hour of labor to fix the issue, why should the consumer be required to foot the bill for something that is clearly GM's fault, I have grand children that are in my car at any given time and I should not have to worry about my car catching on fire or the steering going out while I am in a turn on a wet or icy road !
I have a 2009 Chevy HHR, which is having the same problems that caused a recall on the Chevy cobalt, the Pontiac G6, G5.the Chevy Malibu. My power steering system fails in the middle of a turn, the led read out says power steering and then it completely goes out, I have to either turn the vehicle off and re start it or remove the fuse that is in the electrical fuse box and put it back in, this only corrects the problem temporarily, (this is so dangerous, as I might be in the middle of a curve on wet/icy roads and have the steering go out on me) there are numerous threads on line in reference to this issue with the HHR and GM has not done a recall for it in this model, this vehicle has the same steering components as the ones that have been recalled, one of the hazards possible is a fire. I feel this issue should be addressed in all of GM's vehicles with the same faulty parts not just the ones listed, they know these parts are in these cars and have chosen to ignore all complaints to repair the issue, the parts cost the public between $150 and $200 not including the hour of labor to fix the issue, why should the consumer be required to foot the bill for something that is clearly GM's fault, I have grand children that are in my car at any given time and I should not have to worry about my car catching on fire or the steering going out while I am in a turn on a wet or icy road !
At speed on steep downhill when applying brakes there is a violent shaking of the wheel. The vehicle was serviced and rotors were turned and new brake pads installed also a repair was made to a steering component. Less than 5,000 miles later the same issue has returned.
During the ice storm the power steering went out in my vehicle. My husband was driving and that is the only reason we didn't have an accident. This continues to be a problem on my 2009 Chevy HHR lt.
The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph the power steering would intermittently fail and the wheel would become very difficult to turn. Whenever the failure occurred, the contact would restart the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who informed the contact that the power steering assist system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The Chevy HHR is based on the Chevy cobalt. The Hhrs are having the exact same power steering assist problem that exists in the cobalt. The cobalt is covered by a recall, but the HHR is not. I believe the HHR should have the same recall because it has the exact same component that is failing. The power steering goes out suddenly and has caused my wife to lose control of the car. Chevrolet will not replace the component under the extended warranty that was purchased from them, yet they will replace it on a Chevy cobalt.
I was driving home from work and the electrical power steering went out, I pulled off the expressway onto the side of the road, turned my car off and back on, then I continued journey home. I hadn't drove a mile before it went out again. I pulled off the expressway two or three more times. It continued to go out, so I decided to drive home since the car dealer was already closed for the day. I phoned them from work the next day only to be told that the part had not been recalled and if I wanted to get it fixed it would be $500 plus taxes or more if they discovered that it was the steering column. $500 which I did not have, my husband purchased the part and installed it over the memorial holiday weekend. We would really like to get our money back. My car is only two years old and the electrical power steering should not be going out. I searched the internet and discovered that the same part is used in the Chevy cobalt and it has had the same problem, they should have issued a recall on it for the Chevy HHR lt as well, since the same part is being used in it. This is dangerous what if I had been involved in an accident as some of the other people who reported having the same problem on the internet and someone had been killed or injured. I sincerely hope that something can be done to assist me and the other people with the same problem. Thank you in advance for your help in this matter.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kansas City, MO, USA