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.
As I was driving on the interstate I heard a double chime and looked at my console and noticed the power steering warning had come on. At that time I noticed steering had become very stiff. After shutting the vehicle off and restarting it I found it to be working fine again, no warning lights, no issues turning the wheel. Approximately 20 miles later, coming off the interstate, the same warning returned and power was immediately lost in steering. Upon leaving work to take the car to the dealership, two hours later, the car was running as it did prior to the power loss. This is a safety concern. If I had not been a straight away both times I could have had caused an accident or been in an accident myself. This is unacceptable. I have had my vehicle for more than five years and have had nearly no problems with it until recently. I am an active duty member and am concerned about the safety of those around me who drive this make and model of a vehicle and have the same problems.
The key will not come out of the ignition at times. I take the vehicle out of drive and put it in park several times and do the same with the brakes before the key will come out. My mechanic has said that it is a brake issue and not the transmission.
I have a 2006 Chevy HHR with 44,000 miles. While driving the power steering light came on the dash, then the power steering went out, almost causing me to loose control of the car in a curve. I am a 65 year old female, I do not have the strength in my arms to maneuver a vehicle that looses power steering unexpectedly. I made it home and did a search on the internet for a recall, I found where GM recalled 1.3 million cobalts with the same electric motor as the HHR, however, there is no recall for the HHR. GM is well aware of the problem. HHR owners are all over the internet complaining about this power steering problem. I am told that it could cost over $2000 to fix this problem.I am a senior citizen with a limited income, I can't afford to pay to have the car fixed or to purchase a new vehicle. I read on the internet that several people have already been hurt due to this defect. This is a very serious safety problem that needs to be addresses by GM and fixed as soon as possible, before someone is seriously injured or killed. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 30 mph, the power steering light illuminated on the instrument panel and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred intermittently at different speeds. The vehicle regained power steering when the vehicle was shut off and restarted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
When pulling out of a parking space the "power steering" warning flashed on my dashboard and the steering became very hard. After stopping the car and turning off the engine and checking under the hood I found I was unable to locate the power steering system. Upon restarting the car the light went off and the steering was fine. After several days the light came back on and the same problem steering occurred. This happened while on the highway. I researched online how to resolve and this became a recurring issue in forums that people had with the power steering system constantly turning off and needing to be reset. This problem has since sped up in occurrence since then.
- Round Rock, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized upon shifting into drive. The power steering light also illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Car suddenly loses power steering. Shutting off the car allows the power steering to reset and work again but it loses the power steering again at random times. Most of the time it only works for 30 seconds, sometimes the entire trip in the car, and other times it cuts off in the middle of a trip. Especially dangerous when it shuts off in the middle of a turn. Cobalts and Pontiac G5 have had similar problems resulting in a recall. Same steering components?
Driving vehicle city street making turn power steering message came on power steering failed.pulled over to safe area shut off vehicle restarted power steering functional for a few miles failed again with message this is a constant problem.
As I was exiting the freeway I heard a chime and power steering came on the info panel as I made a turn to find out what was wrong I found turning the wheel to be extremely difficult and as the power assist motor is the same as a recalled motor (Chevy cobalt) I feel Chevy should recall HHR as well.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 50 mph and lost control of the vehicle due to the power steering system malfunctioning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the dealer could not locate a failure with the power steering system and advised that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 77,351.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact noticed after rainy weather that there was a substantial amount of water on the front passenger side floorboard of water was at least four inches. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the water leak could possibly have come from the front windshield or sun roof. In addition, there was an intermittent loss of power steering. The vehicle had not been repaired for the defects. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. While driving approximately 45 mph, the power steering chime sounded with the warning indicator illumination. Immediately there was a complete loss in the power steering. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road with difficulty in turning the steering wheel. The engine was turned off and upon restarting the power steering began to function normally. The failure occurred on six different occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who was unable to duplicate the defect. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 12/12/11 updated 12/14/11
Key doesn't come out of ignition, blinkers do not turn off on own. Have to manually turn off blinkers. Key get stuck in ignition, luckily went online to see about the problem and found hundreds of people with same issue. A quick video showed me that the defect happens to a lot of people and you have to go under the steering column and pop off a cover and manually push a little button to pop the key out of the ignition, the car will continue to run, if you don't do this!
The electric power steering has failed intermittently over the past months since July 4, 2011. The first incident was on July 4, 2011 when the power steering failed on a family trip almost causing an accident at 65 mph. There have been up to a dozen instances since with the latest being on Oct 2, 2011 causing my wife to run off the interstate into the median. GM claims there is no recall, however there are recalls for the same exact electric power steering motors for the cobalts from GM. The HHR's need to be a part of this recall as the motor is the same exact one as the cobalt. Please recall these also before someone gets hurt or worse. The internet sites are filled with complaints on this issue.
Sudden loss of electric power steering assist immediately upon starting 2006 Chevy HHR (150,000 miles). Vehicle was in park when problem began. "power steering" message appeared on dash. Vehicle was repeatedly shut off and restarted. Message has disappeared, yet problem persists.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact was driving 45 mph when the power steering assist system malfunctioned, making the vehicle difficult to steer. The contact pulled over and shut the vehicle off. The contact restarted the vehicle and the power steering was operating as normal. After driving several miles, the power steering system malfunctioned a second time. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The contact believed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet HHR. The contact stated that while parked, the interior drivers side door handle detached from the vehicle. After opening the window, the contact was able to open the door from the exterior. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic test and the technician stated that the door panel would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 10/4/11 updated 10/26/11 in December 2013, the driver's side seat belt fastener jammed and would not release. The consumer had the defect repaired. In March 2014, suddenly, without warning, the vehicle lost power steering. The consumer paid to have the defect corrected. Updated 04/14/14
GM has recalled the cobalt and other cars built between 2005 and 2010 with a power steering problem. The power steering in my HHR is built on the same platform with the same parts. But GM did not include the HHR. They did sent a letter to 2006 HHR Canadian owners to fix the problem. Why not in the us" the power steering stops operating and the steering becomes very hard. You have to stop and turn the car off to reset the steering. Then it happens again with no warning. There are a lot of HHR's with this problem. Very unsafe. Again, they will fix the cars in Canada but not in the usa " they are the exact same cars.
I am scared, for my family's safety fear that this vehicle will stall and we will crash or be hit by some one...when a vehicle stalls you loose all power...that is power steering, brakes.....the ability to maintain control of your vehicle I am attaching a link that GM should review.....danger this vehicle is an accident waiting to happen !!!!!!!!!!!!! copy this link to your web browser http-//abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/abc11_investigates&id=6811236 if you would prefer I can send a typed transcript (word for word) of this news broadcast? I will not allow my wife and kids life to be put in danger, by letting them ride in this vehicle this vehicle is unsafe and should be recalled the link I am attaching shows a news broadcast in raleigh nc. On channel 11 news !!!!! involving number 12 issue on my long list below with the Chevy HHR stalling while driving..... I purchased a 2006 Chevy HHR lt, in 2007. Since I have purchased this vehicle the following issues have occurred. Mileage on car 33,346 1) the key locked up in ignition..9/06/07 2) shifter froze up and would not come out of park.. 9/06/07 3) headliner trim ? energy absorption capability 4) front end and whole car started to shake when applying brake..9/06/07 dealer turned rotors( but did not fix issue) 5) replaced driver side running board..9/06/07. 6) got in vehicle one morning tried to take kids to school, vehicle would not go over 15 mph, had towed back to lawson Chevrolet. Working on getting date/mileage..this issue occurred twice before.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lorton, VA, USA