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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,346 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.

2011 Chevrolet HHR steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Chevrolet HHR Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #25

Nov 172023

HHR

  • miles

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

There is a serious electrical glitch that's in the computer, that causes the car to perform poorly at a slow speed, which cases the steering to become very hard to turn, and maintain lanes while driving. All lights, warnings, and gauges fluctuate back and forth, while the bell inide the car when stared keeps chiming.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #24

Dec 262018

HHR

  • 142,980 miles
I tried to used remote start from my fob. It worked the first time but nothing after that..stationary these were the events that followed: All at the same time lost power steering (power steering assist) landed me in the hospital with torn chest muscle while car was moving on a interstate no A/C (compressor does not come on) stationary service airbag light came on while car was moving on the interstate service tire monitors stationery no temp reading stationary

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #23

Jul 012018

HHR

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. While operating the vehicle, a rattling noise was heard coming from the dashboard of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Pioneer Chevrolet (1315 pike St, marietta, oh) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- Chesterhill, OH, USA

problem #22

Apr 282018

HHR

  • 130,000 miles

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

When steering around sharp turns at speed, the steering wheel does not want to return to center when released. Steering is not smooth, feels 'notchy'. fuse is good. Replacing power steering motor did not repair problem.

- Grand Isle, VT, USA

problem #21

Mar 142017

HHR

  • 120,000 miles
My 2011 HHR has started acting up by throwing out the reduced engine power light, ESC light and service traction light. This will happen when in park(when warning up the vehicle) and when im driving. It seems to happen more in cold weather. When it happens it reduces the speed down to 25mph and lurches forward and sounds horrible! I have had this happen when driving down a highway and the interstate (luckily I was in the right lane and able to get the shoulder safely. There is no warning when it is about to happen. It also will do it while stopped waiting for a stop light to change. It will throw on the check engine light and we have checked the codes and changed what it said needed change but that did not work. From what I have looked up it looks like people are having all sorts of issues with this but no one has found a solution. There needs to be a solution because spending hundreds of dollars for it not to fix it is not right.

- Conway, MO, USA

problem #20

Mar 222017

HHR

  • 10,100 miles
I was driving down my street South harmony road in bloomington my power steering light came on I lost control I was forced to the right into a ditch over a driveway back into the ditch and I wound up sideways in my street slammed into a tree. I was driving my 2011 HHR as I understand it all the HHR's of 2010 have been recalled for their power steering I did go to dealers I was turned away as to leave I called um over and over again I was blown off I was not being taken seriously and as a result I am now without a car we are on disability unable to afford another car and their idea of helping me is a $2,000 voucher towards a new car that's not acceptable I have a letter that states it was their fault not mine that it was a result of the power steering and I want my car replaced and they're refusing to do so so as a result now my family has no way to get around to GM's fault I believe they should replace my car or at least give me about your worth at least $10,000 to be able to replace my vehicle but so far after the voucher nobody's returning my calls there's some missing cdr data or cd rx I'm not exactly sure I'm confused into the whole thing they're not telling me the whole story I believe they're hiding information for me nobody is returning my calls I've had to call wrtv 6 news out of indianapolis Indiana they are doing a story it will be airing in July and I'm tired of getting the runaround from GM and now I'm not getting the runaround because nobody's returning my calls their knowing me and I think that it should be investigated and that other people driving this particular vehicle should be aware that there might be severe accidents with this vehicle I want them to replace my vehicle

- Bloomington, IN, USA

problem #19

Aug 172016

HHR

  • 131,000 miles

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

While driving my eps power steering went out in my car while the vehicle was in motion on city street it became really hard to control my vehicle I heard clicking coming from under the steering wheel panel also the power steering came active on my dash panel while driving

- Flintstone, GA, USA

problem #18

Apr 102016

HHR

  • 59,692 miles
Traveling at 30mph power steering went out and car drove over curb & hit fire hydrant. Unable to steer car at all. Cited by police for failure to control.

- Wickliffe, OH, USA

problem #17

Feb 242015

HHR

  • 17,000 miles
Power steering failed to operate while parking. This happened while teaching my wife how to drive. She was practicing 3 point parking. Upon turning the wheel to the right prior to backing up it felt like the steering of a 53 Chevrolet, then after backing into the drive way it would not come back straight. Being a retired mechanic I was very surprised that a car with only 17000 miles would have such a problem. But after investigating the internet, I found that many others have had the same problem. Seems to work ok though with normal driving, but what will happen in the event of the necessity to turn sharply all of a sudden, I have no idea and I don't care to find out.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #16

Apr 012014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 56,795 miles
Before I knew about the recalls, I had an accident that really scared me. I was on my way to pick up my daughter from school. All of a sudden, I steering wheel jerked to the right and locked. I hit a light pole. The impact of the crash should have deployed the airbags, but did not. Seat belts exploded. The cop said I shouldn't be walking and to get this checked out. Since then, I have had two recall repairs and now need another repair. On veterans day, 2014, I was given a car from the vfw and progressive as a part of their "keys to progress program. Since then, the HHR has been driven maybe 3 times. No one wants to drive it, I don't know what to do, because its just sitting in the driveway. My kids won't drive it either. If you can help me in any way, I would be grateful. I am having trouble making the payments too, because I am going through a divorce.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #15

Nov 062012

HHR 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles

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

The radio has been going out when I turn the steering wheel. It wouldn't do it when I took it in but then we had the recall of the ignition switch. That was repaired and it's gotten worse. This morning it popped and size led in the dash and thru the radio even after turning the radio and car off. It did start back up but every time I hit a bump the radio may go out. I called chev and they can't get me in until 11/17. This is my only vehicle. Something is wrong with these HHR electric systems. Somebody needs to find the problem and fix it.

- Porter, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 272014

HHR

  • 44,645 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated while driving aproximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became hard to turn as the warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuse was blown and the power steering assist motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 44,645.

- Lake Havasu City, AZ, USA

problem #13

Feb 052014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 48,201 miles
Steering shakes violently when braking from 45 mph and slower causing the car to try to change position in the lane. There is a noise of something loose in the left front when braking or hitting bumps or on rough roads. Brake pedal pulses. All this happens when driving under normal driving condition. This is an unsafe condition and needs the NHTSA attention.

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 012014

HHR

  • 40,000 miles
While driving.. car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gages flickering causing car to shut down. Unable to start.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #11

May 172014

HHR 4-cyl

  • 74,560 miles
While driving.. car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gauges flickering causing car to shut down. Second incident 7/19/14. Same scenario car suddenly stalled losing power steering all dash board lights on gauges flickering causing car to shut down. Dealership stated initial due to recall. Second incident dealer stated not due to recall but more of a common problem, however unable to replicate stall and determine where faulty wiring. Getting lots of error codes with no real cause as to why car stalls.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 012014

HHR 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 Chevrolet HHR. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle locked up and was at times inoperable.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 192013

HHR 4-cyl

  • 68,524 miles
I have already filed one complaint last month!! have not received any reply back by no one. My tcn was [xxx]. this car is dangerous to be driving, cops have pulled me over several times due to some the problems! all 7 officers gave me their names and badge numbers N they told me if I need to take this to court, they will be N court.. they told me the car needs to be completely fixed or put N a different car and not this same make N model. I have a lil girl and I will do what I have to do to protect her and other innocent lives round me, if it means I get a lawyer N take this to court. So please do something very soon bout this car!!! I've been saving all complaints I've sent so I will have them for my records in case I need to take further more stronger action to get this car fixed or put me in an ext cab Dodge truck please. I wanted a truck to begin with, but this car was just forced on me or dealer wasn't gonna give me nothing at all.. [xxx]!! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kensett, AR, USA

problem #8

Apr 162014

HHR

  • 44,000 miles
The ECM came on with no warning causing the vehicle to veer off the road to the right and skidding this happened three times in the past year which is scary at best also there is a smell of exhaust and fuel in the cabin.

- Westbrook, CT, USA

problem #7

Jun 012014

HHR

  • 50,000 miles
Steering hard, lack of power steering.

- Brooktondale, NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 032011

HHR 4-cyl

  • 20,100 miles
Steering wheel began to shake violently, car pulled to left. Repeated visits and calls to dealership resulted in denial of problem until warranty ran out. After hydroplaning on a small puddle of water, ESC and service traction lights came on. Dealership "reset lights" car has continued to shake. Have put 3 sets of tires on car and 2 sets of brakes, one set of rotors and turned rotors. Dealership says this is normal. Only found out about ignition recall after calling to complain about light still on and yet another set of bald tires. Called GM and they offered rental car until ignition parts come in but will replace ESC sensor at my cost. No investigation as to stabilization issue of car or why it is chewing up tires and pulling to the left. The car is still unsafe. A google search will show many others are experiencing this same issue. Awaiting yet another response from GM. This car needs serious investigating. An accident is at hand. They only want to sell me tires and parts. The shake is dangerous and the ESC and traction is disengaged at present. GM has known about this problem. [xxx] at GM has been nice but not helpful. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Bastian, VA, USA

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